Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Questrade, 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, founded in 1974, and Questrade, which started in 2000, are two prominent names in the world of online brokerage. When it comes to public trading credentials, IG stands out as it is listed on a stock exchange, unlike Questrade. Additionally, IG also operates as a bank. This distinction is not shared by Questrade, giving IG a broader financial foundation and presence.
Both brokers possess licenses, but IG clearly leads with eight Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, while Questrade holds two Tier-1 licenses and no Tier-2 licenses. This contributes to IG achieving a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its high level of trust. Questrade, with a Trust Score of 86, is still regarded as trusted, though it has fewer top-tier licenses compared to IG.
| Feature |
IG
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2000 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
IG earns 5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #8 of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. Its pricing is designed for cost-conscious and high-volume traders alike. On CFDs, typical EUR/USD spreads averaged about 0.69 pips during the main session in July 2023 (about 0.98 pips across the full day; IG US averaged 1.18 pips), with spreads widening during quieter hours. IG’s Forex Direct (DMA) account—minimum £1,000—offers average EUR/USD spreads around 0.62 pips plus a volume-based commission; when commission is equivalent to 0.2 pips (about $20 per million round-turn), the all-in cost is roughly 0.82 pips. IG also offers active-trader spread rebates on CFD pricing for qualifying professionals under EU rules (10%–20% off the spread).
Questrade receives 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #59 of 63 for commissions and fees. Its target spread of 1.9 pips on EUR/USD is notably higher than the industry average, and there’s no widely advertised discount structure comparable to IG’s DMA tiers or professional rebates.
Bottom line: if low spreads and volume-based discounts matter, IG’s mix of tight pricing, DMA access, and potential rebates can deliver lower trading costs than Questrade—especially for active forex traders. Just remember that spreads at any broker can widen in low-liquidity periods, and IG’s DMA pricing depends on your monthly volume.
| Feature |
IG
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $250 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the range of investments, IG stands out for variety with 19,537 tradeable symbols, compared with Questrade’s 641. Questrade, however, lists more forex pairs (110 vs. IG’s 97). Both let you trade forex in CFD or spot formats, and both provide access to exchange-traded stocks on U.S. markets (like Apple) as well as international exchanges (such as London). Neither broker offers copy trading.
For crypto access, IG supports both direct coin purchases and crypto CFDs, while Questrade offers crypto CFDs but not direct coin buying. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, each earns 5 stars; IG ranks #4 out of 63 brokers, and Questrade ranks #12.
| Feature |
IG
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 641 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 110 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
IG vs Questrade: both brokers offer simulated paper trading with free demo accounts, along with proprietary platforms that run on Windows desktops and in your web browser. Each lets you place trades directly from charts. Neither supports copy trading. Platform extras differ, though: IG supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) while Questrade does not, and neither broker offers MetaTrader 5 (MT5).
For trading platforms and tools, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Questrade earns 4 stars and ranks #35. In short, if MT4 access and top-tier platform ratings matter most, IG has the edge; if you just need a solid web and desktop setup with a free demo, Questrade delivers.
| Feature |
IG
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 64 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both the IG mobile trading app and the Questrade mobile trading app are available for iPhone and Android. Each offers price alerts, watchlist syncing with your online account, and chart tools that let you draw trendlines and save drawings automatically. For charting studies, IG includes 33 technical indicators, while Questrade offers 64, which may appeal to traders who want more built-in options.
In overall quality, IG stands out: it earns 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and is ranked #1 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Questrade earns 4 stars and is ranked #35. If you want the top-rated mobile experience, IG is the better pick; if you prioritize a larger set of technical studies on your phone, Questrade has the edge.
| Feature |
IG
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 64 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing market research, IG offers more built-in insights than Questrade. IG provides daily market commentary and streams forex news from top-tier sources, plus it earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #2 of 63 brokers with ForexBrokers.com. Questrade is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #52. Both brokers include an economic calendar and research from TipRanks.
IG adds a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning and offers Autochartist and Acuity Trading (Signal Centre). Questrade combines Autochartist with Trading Central instead. Questrade doesn’t offer daily commentary or a sentiment tool, and its access to Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones–style forex news feeds isn’t indicated here; IG includes those. Choose IG for richer in-platform news and sentiment, or Questrade if Trading Central is a priority alongside Autochartist.
| Feature |
IG
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginner trading education, IG stands out. It runs client webinars at least once a month, offers 10+ beginner trading videos, and also delivers 10+ advanced videos so you can keep learning as your skills grow. That mix helped IG earn a 5-star education score and the #1 spot out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Note: the data provided doesn’t confirm whether IG meets the specific threshold for a dedicated library of 10+ forex and CFD education pieces.
Questrade is beginner-friendly with 10+ starter videos, but it does not host monthly educational webinars and it doesn’t reach 10+ advanced videos. Its education is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #36 out of 63. That makes Questrade fine for basic video learning, while IG is the stronger pick if you want ongoing webinars and a fuller path into advanced topics. The information provided does not specify whether Questrade meets the 10+ piece requirement for a forex and CFD education library.
| Feature |
IG
|
Questrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 Questrade. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32.
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
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Questrade
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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IG vs Questrade for cryptocurrency: IG lets you buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies and trade crypto CFDs, while Questrade offers only cryptocurrency CFDs and does not support purchasing real, delivered crypto.
IG vs Questrade: IG offers ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire deposit and withdrawal options, while Questrade supports bank wires only—no ACH/SEPA or PayPal—and neither broker supports Skrill.
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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Questrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Questrade | |
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| Regulation | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2000 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC 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 | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 641 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 110 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 64 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 64 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | ||
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Questrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Questrade Review |
| Overall | IG | Questrade | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Questrade Review |
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