Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Tickmill, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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IG and Tickmill are both popular online brokers, but they have some notable differences in terms of trust and regulation. IG, established in 1974, is a long-standing player in the financial sector and is publicly traded. It holds a Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, thanks to its 8 Tier-1 licenses and status as a regulated bank. In contrast, Tickmill, founded in 2014, is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. It holds a Trust Score of 86, supported by 2 Tier-1 licenses. Both firms have 2 Tier-2 licenses each, marking them as reliable choices, though IG stands out with its higher level of regulatory approval.
The regulatory landscape showcases the distinction in trustworthiness between these two brokers. IG's extensive regulatory framework and its listing on the stock exchange emphasize its high level of trust and stability in the market. Meanwhile, Tickmill's position is notably secure, yet it isn't as deeply embedded in regulatory structures, given its shorter history and fewer high-level licenses. Whether a trader seeks the thorough regulatory backing of a well-established firm like IG or considers Tickmill's offering, assessing these factors can guide decision-making in the trading landscape.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers IG and Tickmill, both platforms offer competitive options for traders, each garnering a 5-star rating. IG shines with its scalable execution across various products, offering multiple execution methods beyond its standard market maker account. It's particularly appealing for active traders using its Forex Direct accounts due to its ability to execute large orders efficiently. Typical spreads for IG's main Forex Direct account averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023 alongside a per-trade commission equivalent of 0.2 pips, making the all-in cost around 0.82 pips. IG’s tiered active-trader rebate program allows for potential spread rebates, especially for high-volume traders in different geographic locations, enhancing affordability.
Tickmill, on the other hand, offers two main accounts: Classic and Raw (formerly Pro). The Classic account operates on a commission-free basis but has a higher spread averaging 1.76 pips as of August 2023. Meanwhile, its Raw account boasts an updated commission structure with spreads significantly lower than the industry average. As of October 2023, the effective all-in cost for the Raw account is approximately 0.71 pips, factoring in a $6 standard lot round-trip commission. The Raw account keeps the entry barrier low with just a $100 minimum, making it an attractive choice for traders seeking low cost and flexibility.
For their commission and fees offerings, IG is ranked #8 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, with standout pricing for individuals executing vast trade volumes. In contrast, Tickmill enjoys a higher ranking at #4, thanks to its low spreads and inclusive Raw account features that cater well to active traders. Both brokers achieve excellence in this category, making them formidable choices based on trader needs and preferences.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.70 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG vs Tickmill: range of investments. IG offers a far wider selection, with 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, compared with Tickmill’s 637 symbols and 63 pairs. Both support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts. IG also lets you buy and own exchange‑traded shares on U.S. and international exchanges, while Tickmill does not offer share dealing—making IG a better fit if you want access to stocks as well as CFDs and forex.
For extras, IG supports both actual cryptocurrency purchases and crypto CFDs; Tickmill offers crypto only via CFDs. Tickmill provides copy trading, whereas IG does not. Reflecting the broader lineup, IG is rated 5 stars and ranked #4 out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments by ForexBrokers.com; Tickmill holds 3.5 stars and ranks #43. In short, IG suits traders and investors seeking the widest menu of markets, while Tickmill targets forex and CFD traders who value copy trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 637 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 63 |
| 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 Tickmill both offer free demo (paper) accounts, plus Windows desktop and web trading platforms. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and lets you place trades directly from charts. IG also provides its own in-house platform, while Tickmill does not. On the flip side, Tickmill adds MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and copy trading, features that IG doesn’t offer.
For trading platforms and tools, ForexBrokers.com rates IG at 5 stars and ranks it #2 out of 63 brokers, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #30. In short, choose IG if you want a highly rated broker with a proprietary platform, or go with Tickmill if MT5 and copy trading in the MetaTrader ecosystem are priorities.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 91 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing IG vs Tickmill for mobile trading apps: both offer iPhone and Android apps, support price alerts for stocks and forex, and provide strong charting. IG includes 33 technical studies, while Tickmill offers 30. Each app lets you draw trendlines, and drawings auto-save so your annotations stay put between sessions.
The biggest difference is watchlist syncing: IG syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while Tickmill does not. In third-party reviews, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com; Tickmill is rated 4 stars and ranks #30. If cross-device convenience and top mobile features matter most, IG stands out. If you simply need alerts and capable charting on the go, Tickmill delivers the essentials.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
For traders seeking comprehensive market insights, both IG and Tickmill provide a solid foundation. They both offer daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring you stay informed with timely information. IG takes a definitive lead with additional tools such as Autochartist and TipRanks, which enrich traders' research capabilities beyond what Tickmill provides. While both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars to track global events, IG’s supplementary offerings enhance its appeal for in-depth market analysis.
IG's advantage in market research is reflected in its accolades, boasting a perfect 5-star research rating and ranking second out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Tickmill, though strong with tools from Acuity Trading, achieves a respectable 4-star rating and holds the 21st position in the same category. For traders looking to leverage expert analysis and technical resources, IG clearly stands out as a preferred choice.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing IG vs Tickmill for beginner trading education, both brokers deliver forex and CFD learning hubs that meet the mark with at least 10 dedicated pieces of content. Each runs ongoing client webinars (at least monthly) and offers sizable video libraries for all skill levels—beginners get at least 10 starter videos, and experienced traders will also find 10+ advanced topics. The result is a clear path to learn the basics, attend live sessions, and keep progressing with structured videos and archived materials.
Where they differ is in depth and recognition. IG earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its standout quality and breadth. Tickmill also scores well with 4 stars and a #15 ranking, making it a strong choice for learners who want steady webinars and a full set of beginner and advanced videos. If you want the most extensive, top-rated education library, IG has the edge; if you want solid coverage with regular live learning, Tickmill is a reliable pick.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
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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Tickmill
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
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IG supports buying actual delivered cryptocurrencies and trading cryptocurrency CFDs, whereas Tickmill offers only cryptocurrency CFDs and does not provide delivered coins.
IG vs Tickmill: IG supports ACH/SEPA and bank wire deposits/withdrawals and offers PayPal but not Skrill, while Tickmill does not support ACH/SEPA, does support bank wires, and offers both PayPal and Skrill; Visa/Mastercard availability for both is unspecified.
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 | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 637 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 63 | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.70 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 91 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | IG | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Tickmill Review |
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