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.
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 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 | 0.98 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.70 |
| 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 offers a far wider range of investments than Tickmill. IG lists 19,537 tradable symbols and 97 forex pairs, compared with Tickmill’s 637 symbols and 63 pairs. Both brokers make forex available either as CFDs or spot. IG also lets clients buy exchange‑traded shares on U.S. and international markets (think Apple on NASDAQ or Vodafone in London), while Tickmill does not offer direct share dealing. For crypto, IG supports both buying actual coins and trading crypto derivatives, whereas Tickmill offers only crypto derivatives.
Feature differences continue with copy trading: Tickmill supports it, while IG does not. Reflecting overall market access, IG earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com; Tickmill scores 3.5 stars and ranks #43. In short, IG suits traders and investors who want the broadest menu of markets, while Tickmill may appeal if you value copy trading and a simpler lineup of instruments.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 637 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 63 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| 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 Tickmill for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer a free demo account, a web platform, and a Windows desktop platform, plus the ability to place trades directly from charts. IG adds a proprietary, in-house platform and supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while Tickmill does not have its own platform but supports both MT4 and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Tickmill includes copy trading; IG does not. Neither broker offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. For charting, IG lists 20 drawing tools versus 9 at Tickmill, and both include popular technical indicators. Watchlists are flexible at each broker, with IG offering 5 columns and Tickmill 7.
For overall quality, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while Tickmill scores 4 stars and ranks #30. Choose IG if you want an in-house platform and more drawing tools. Pick Tickmill if MT5 or built-in copy trading matters more, along with slightly more watchlist fields. Both are easy to start with thanks to their free demo accounts.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 91 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 9 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and Tickmill both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, real-time watchlists, trendline drawing, multiple time frames (intraday through weekly), and auto-saving of chart drawings. Charting is strong on both: IG offers 33 technical indicators, while Tickmill includes 30, giving IG a slight edge for traders who like more tools at their fingertips.
The biggest difference is syncing. IG lets you sync watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, so any change you make carries across devices; Tickmill does not offer this. Independent ratings back up the gap: IG’s mobile app holds a 5-star score and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill earns 4 stars and ranks #30. If you value seamless device syncing and the highest-rated experience, IG is the better pick. If you only need core features on iPhone or Android, Tickmill still covers the basics well.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both IG and Tickmill provide a rich selection tailored to help newcomers understand the world of forex and CFD trading. Each offers a minimum of 10 educational resources such as articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. New traders can benefit from monthly webinars to further their learning, and both brokers have a searchable archive of past webinars for convenient access to previously recorded content.
IG excels with a perfect five-star rating for education, topped by their ranking as the number one broker out of 63 in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com. Beginners can also find over 10 specialized videos dedicated to trading fundamentals and advanced topics, alongside a dictionary featuring more than 50 investing terms. Tickmill also offers similar educational content and webinars, maintaining a solid presence with a four-star rating and ranking 15th in the Education category. While both brokers cater well to educational needs, IG provides a slightly more comprehensive platform for learning.
| Feature |
IG
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
IG allows investors to buy both actual delivered cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, while Tickmill only supports trading in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Comparing online brokers IG and Tickmill, IG supports ACH and SEPA transfers for deposits and withdrawals, but Tickmill does not; both brokers accept PayPal and Visa or Mastercard, although IG does not support Skrill unlike Tickmill, and both allow bank wires.
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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| 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/Central Bank 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. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.70 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 91 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 9 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | IG | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Tickmill Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill