IG vs iFOREX 2025
In this head to head comparison of IG vs iFOREX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of IG vs iFOREX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing IG and iFOREX, it's clear that IG holds a distinct advantage in terms of trust and regulatory oversight. Founded in 1974, IG is a publicly traded company and operates as a bank. This broker boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating high reliability. IG's strong regulatory framework includes eight Tier-1 licenses, known for high trust, and two Tier-2 licenses, solidifying its status as a safe choice for online trading.
In contrast, iFOREX, established in 1996, does not share the same level of trust with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 75, categorizing it as an average risk broker. Unlike IG, iFOREX is neither publicly traded nor a bank and holds just one Tier-1 license with no Tier-2 licenses. These factors suggest that traders may encounter higher risk when choosing iFOREX compared to the highly trusted IG.
Feature |
|
![]() |
---|---|---|
Year Founded | 1974 | 1996 |
Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
Bank | Yes | No |
Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 |
Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
For commissions and fees, IG stands out as the stronger value pick, especially for high-volume forex traders, while iFOREX offers less pricing detail and trails in independent rankings. IG: 5/5 stars; ranked #8 of 63 for Commissions and Fees. iFOREX: 3/5 stars; ranked #62 of 63.
IG publishes detailed pricing. On its CFD account, typical EUR/USD spreads averaged about 0.69 pips during the main trading session (22 hours), 0.98 pips across the full day in July 2023, and 1.18 pips for IG US. Low-liquidity hours can widen spreads to around 1.03 pips. Active traders who qualify as professionals under EU rules can earn spread rebates of 10% to 20% when monthly forex volume exceeds £50 million to £300 million. IG’s Direct Market Access (DMA) “Forex Direct” account averaged 0.62 pips on EUR/USD in July 2023, then adds a tiered commission starting at $60 per million (lowering to $10 per million per side for very high volumes), for an all-in cost commonly cited around 0.82 pips.
By contrast, iFOREX does not provide average spread data, which makes direct cost comparisons harder. Its 3/5 star score and #62 ranking in the Commissions and Fees category suggest its pricing is less competitive or less transparent than top-ranked brokers like IG. Traders who prioritize published spreads, volume-based discounts, and DMA-style pricing will likely find IG more compelling.
Feature |
|
![]() |
---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A |
Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG and iFOREX both support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, but their overall selection differs a lot. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols versus iFOREX’s 750. IG also has more currency pairs (97 vs 88). If you want to buy real shares, IG lets you trade exchange‑listed stocks on U.S. markets like NASDAQ and on international exchanges, while iFOREX does not offer non‑CFD stock trading. Neither broker offers copy trading.
For crypto, IG lets you buy actual cryptocurrencies as well as crypto derivatives; iFOREX offers only crypto derivatives. These differences show up in independent ratings: IG is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #42. If you want the widest mix of markets, IG stands out; if you mainly trade CFDs and forex pairs, iFOREX covers the basics.
Feature |
|
![]() |
---|---|---|
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 750 |
Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 88 |
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
Comparing IG vs iFOREX for trading platforms and tools: IG offers a free paper-trading demo account, while iFOREX does not. Both brokers provide an in-house proprietary platform and a web-based platform, but only IG adds a Windows desktop app. IG supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4); iFOREX does not, and neither broker supports MT5. Copy trading isn’t available at either broker, and third-party options like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade aren’t offered.
For charts, both let you place trades directly from the chart. IG lists 20 drawing tools, while iFOREX lists 25; the number of technical indicators isn’t specified for either. Watchlists differ too: IG has 5 fields, iFOREX has 9. In independent reviews, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, whereas iFOREX earns 4 stars and ranks #55. If you want MT4, a desktop app, and a demo account, IG is the stronger pick; if you value more drawing tools and watchlist fields in a web platform, iFOREX may appeal.
Feature |
|
![]() |
---|---|---|
Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
DupliTrade | No | No |
ZuluTrade | No | No |
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 57 |
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 25 |
Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG vs iFOREX mobile trading apps: both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, but IG stands out for features and ratings. IG earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX holds 4 stars and ranks #56. IG also supports price alerts, which iFOREX does not.
For charting and management tools, IG is far more complete. IG includes 33 technical studies, lets you draw trendlines, switch between multiple time frames (daily, weekly, intraday), and auto-saves your drawings. iFOREX does not offer trendlines, multiple time frames, or auto-save drawings, and does not publish an in-app count of technical studies. IG also syncs watchlists between the app and your online account and lets you create watchlists with real-time quotes; iFOREX lacks both syncing and real-time-quote watchlists. Traders who want deeper mobile charting, alerts, and synced watchlists will likely prefer IG, while iFOREX covers the basics on iOS and Android.
Feature |
|
![]() |
---|---|---|
Android App | Yes | Yes |
Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | N/A |
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing IG vs iFOREX for market research: both brokers provide daily market commentary, a sentiment tool showing the ratio of long vs short positions, and an economic calendar. IG stands out with forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus Autochartist for pattern recognition. IG also integrates TipRanks and Acuity Trading (Signal Centre). iFOREX does not offer top-tier news or Autochartist, but it does include Trading Central analytics. TipRanks and Acuity Trading are not listed among iFOREX’s research tools.
For overall quality, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers for Research on ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #49. In short, choose IG if you want broader research coverage with premium news and multiple third-party tools; iFOREX can suit traders who mainly want Trading Central signals alongside basic commentary and sentiment data.
Feature |
|
![]() |
---|---|---|
Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
Autochartist | Yes | No |
Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
TipRanks | Yes | |
Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | |
Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners venturing into forex or CFD trading, IG stands out as a leading online broker. IG not only meets the requirement of offering at least ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, but it also surpasses expectations with a variety of articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, IG provides clients with monthly online webinars and ensures newcomers have access to a searchable archive of recorded sessions. This comprehensive approach is supported by a wealth of beginner and advanced video tutorials, as well as a dictionary with over 50 investing terms, making IG a top choice for those seeking to build a strong foundation in trading. Rated 5 stars for education and ranked #1 by ForexBrokers.com, IG offers an exemplary learning experience.
In contrast, iFOREX provides a more limited educational selection. While the platform does offer ten beginner-focused educational videos, it lacks the broad variety of resources that IG provides. iFOREX does not offer the same level of depth with respect to educational articles or webinars. It also lacks a searchable archive of webinars and does not provide advanced video materials or a comprehensive investor dictionary. With a 3.5-star rating in education and ranking #53 out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com, iFOREX may benefit individuals with some basic resources, but it falls short for those seeking a wider range of educational tools.
Feature |
|
![]() |
---|---|---|
Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
Client Webinars | Yes | No |
Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than iFOREX. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
Feature |
|
![]() |
---|---|---|
Overall Rating |
|
|
Trust Score | 99 | 75 |
Range of Investments |
|
|
Commissions & Fees |
|
|
Platforms & Tools |
|
|
Research |
|
|
Mobile Trading |
|
|
Education |
|
|
IG allows users to buy both actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, while iFOREX only offers cryptocurrency derivatives without the option to purchase actual cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers IG and iFOREX, IG offers ACH or SEPA transfers for fund deposits and withdrawals, unlike iFOREX, but both platforms support PayPal and Visa or Mastercard transactions, while iFOREX uniquely provides Skrill as an option, and both support bank wire transfers.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5Overall Rating | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall Rating |
|
| |
Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
Range of Investments |
|
| |
Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
Mobile Trading |
|
| |
Research |
|
| |
Education |
|
| |
Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | IG Review |
Broker Screenshots | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
Regulation | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
Year Founded | 1974 | 1996 | |
Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
Bank | Yes | No | |
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 | |
Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
Investments | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 750 | |
Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 88 | |
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Cost | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
Funding | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 | |
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
Trading Platforms | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
cTrader | No | No | |
DupliTrade | No | No | |
ZuluTrade | No | No |
Trading Tools | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 9 | |
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 57 | |
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 25 | |
Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
Mobile Trading | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | N/A | |
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
Research | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
Autochartist | Yes | No | |
Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
TipRanks | Yes | ||
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Education | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Major Forex Pairs | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
Review | IG Review |
Overall | IG | iFOREX | |
---|---|---|---|
Overall Rating |
|
| |
Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
Range of Investments |
|
| |
Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
Mobile Trading |
|
| |
Research |
|
| |
Education |
|
| |
Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
Winner | check_circle | ||
Review | IG Review |