Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs PU Prime, 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.
IG and PU Prime differ a lot in trust and background. IG was founded in 1974, is publicly traded, and is also a bank, while PU Prime was founded in 2015 and is not publicly traded or a bank. For regulation, IG holds 8 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, giving it a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, which places it in the highly trusted range.
PU Prime has fewer top-tier safeguards, with 1 Tier-1 license and 2 Tier-2 licenses, and a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 79 out of 99, which falls into the average risk range. For traders comparing online brokers, IG stands out as the more established and better-regulated option, while PU Prime has a shorter track record and a lower trust rating.
| Feature |
IG
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2015 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, IG is the stronger pick for active forex traders who want tighter pricing and a choice of trading setups. IG’s Forex Direct DMA account is especially competitive, with average EUR/USD spreads around 0.62 pips and an all-in cost near 0.82 pips after commission. Its CFD pricing is also fairly close to the industry average, and high-volume traders may qualify for rebates that can reduce costs even more. IG earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
PU Prime takes a more flexible approach, with account options that suit different budgets and trading styles. Its Standard and Cent accounts keep costs simple by building them into the spread, while the Prime and ECN accounts use raw spreads plus commission. The lowest commission comes with the ECN account at $1 per side per lot, but it requires a higher minimum deposit. PU Prime is a solid low-cost choice for some traders, but its pricing is not as competitive overall as IG’s. PU Prime earns 4.0 stars and ranks #22 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
In short, IG is better for traders focused on lower trading costs and better execution on larger or more frequent trades, while PU Prime may appeal to beginners or traders who want account choices with low entry requirements. If your main goal is the cheapest all-in trading cost, IG has the edge.
| Feature |
IG
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $50.00 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 0.91 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.82 | 0.9 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, IG offers a wider choice than PU Prime. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, compared with PU Prime’s 1,000 symbols and 55 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, but IG also lets clients buy exchange traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, while PU Prime does not. IG further stands out by offering actual cryptocurrency purchases as well as cryptocurrency CFDs, whereas PU Prime offers crypto CFDs only.
PU Prime does have one key advantage: copy trading is available, while IG does not offer this feature. Even so, IG is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #4 out of 36 brokers in this category, while PU Prime is rated 4.0 stars and ranks #29 out of 36. Overall, IG is the better choice for traders who want access to more markets and a broader selection of assets.
| Feature |
IG
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 55 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
IG and PU Prime both give traders a solid range of platform choices, including free demo accounts, Windows desktop downloads, web-based trading, and support for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both also let users trade directly from charts, which can make it easier to place orders while reviewing price action. On platform access alone, the two brokers cover the main needs of most traders.
Where IG stands out is with its own in-house trading platform, while PU Prime does not offer a proprietary platform. PU Prime does have copy trading, which IG does not, so it may appeal more to traders who want to follow other investors. Overall, IG is rated higher for Trading Platforms and Tools, with 5 stars and a #1 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with PU Prime’s 4.0 stars and #25 ranking.
| Feature |
IG
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 87 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, IG has a clear edge over PU Prime. Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, plus stock and forex price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto-saving for chart drawings. However, IG also lets users sync watchlists between the mobile app and online account, while PU Prime does not. IG further stands out with 33 technical studies in its mobile charts, compared with PU Prime’s 14.
That extra depth shows up in third-party ratings as well. IG earns a 5-star rating for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #1 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while PU Prime holds a 4.0-star rating and ranks #27. For traders who want a more connected and feature-rich mobile experience, IG is the stronger choice, although PU Prime still covers the basics well.
| Feature |
IG
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 14 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IG and PU Prime both give traders daily market commentary, access to Autochartist tools, and an economic calendar to track upcoming global events. This means each broker covers the basics well for staying on top of market moves and news-driven opportunities. However, IG goes further in research depth by also offering forex news from top sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while PU Prime does not provide this type of premium news feed.
When it comes to extra research features, IG has the edge overall. It includes sentiment tools that show long and short position ratios, TipRanks market research, and Acuity Trading tools such as Signal Centre, while PU Prime does not offer these. PU Prime does stand out in one area by providing Trading Central tools, which IG does not. Still, IG earns a higher research rating at 5 stars and is ranked #2 out of 36 brokers for research by ForexBrokers.com, compared with PU Prime’s 3.5-star rating and no listed ranking in that category.
| Feature |
IG
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to learning resources for new traders, IG and PU Prime both give beginners plenty to work with. Each broker offers forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces, monthly educational webinars, and 10 or more beginner videos as well as 10 or more advanced videos. That means both platforms cover the basics and also give more experienced traders content to build on. For someone just starting out, either broker can help with getting familiar with trading ideas, market terms, and strategy topics in a simple way.
That said, IG has the edge in overall education quality. ForexBrokers.com rates IG 5 stars for Education and ranks it #7 out of 36 brokers, while PU Prime scores 3.5 stars and sits at #29. So although PU Prime still offers a solid range of beginner-friendly material, IG stands out as the stronger choice for traders who want more educational support and a better learning experience overall.
| Feature |
IG
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
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 PU Prime. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while PU Prime finished with an overall rank of #34.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
PU Prime
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 79 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
IG and PU Prime both offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but only IG also lets traders buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency rather than just derivatives.
IG and PU Prime both support ACH/SEPA transfers and bank wire funding, but IG stands out for offering PayPal while PU Prime offers Skrill, making each broker better suited to different deposit and withdrawal preferences.
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 5| Overall Rating | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | PU Prime Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2015 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 0.91 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.82 | 0.9 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | ||
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes |
| Funding | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $50.00 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 87 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 14 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | PU Prime Review |
| Overall | IG | PU Prime | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | PU Prime Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
Capital.com
AvaTrade
XM
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill
HFM Markets