Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Vantage, 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 Vantage are two online brokers that differ significantly in terms of their trust and regulation credentials. Founded in 1974, IG is both a publicly traded company and functions as a bank, giving it a stronger foundation in the financial world compared to Vantage, which started in 2009. IG holds a Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, the highest possible rating, making it a highly trusted broker. Vantage, with a Trust Score of 90, is also considered highly trusted but falls short of IG's perfect rating.
When it comes to regulatory licenses, IG stands out with eight Tier-1 licenses, which are deemed the most reliable by ForexBrokers.com, along with two Tier-2 licenses. Vantage, on the other hand, has two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. These differences reflect their commitment to regulatory compliance, positioning IG as the more established and trusted option for those seeking an online brokerage.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
IG and Vantage both offer tiered pricing that depends on the account you choose and how much you trade. For pure cost, IG edges ahead for high-volume forex traders and earns 5 stars for commissions and fees (ranked #7 of 63), while Vantage is competitive overall with 4.5 stars (ranked #12 of 63) but sits just behind the pricing leaders.
IG’s spread-only CFD account posted typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.69 pips during the main session in July 2023 (0.98 pips across all hours; IG US averaged 1.18). Spreads can widen in thinner hours, averaging 1.03 pips late in the day. Active traders who qualify as professionals in the EU can get 10%–20% spread rebates; at the top tier, that can trim an example all-in cost to about 0.60 pips. IG’s DMA “Forex Direct” account targets frequent traders: average spreads were 0.62 pips in July 2023, with commissions from $60 per million at the base tier down to $10 per million for very high volume, producing an effective all-in cost around 0.82 pips using that month’s data. IG also handles large order sizes well.
Vantage’s pricing depends on the account and the entity you open with. The Standard STP account is spread-only and listed 1.30 pips on EUR/USD (March 2023). The RAW ECN account averaged 0.15 pips plus a $3 commission each way ($6 round turn), totaling about 0.75 pips. The PRO ECN account is the best-priced option at $2 each way ($4 round turn), but it has entry requirements (e.g., wholesale status in Australia or $10,000 minimum under the Cayman entity). Vantage also offers an Active Trader rebate of $2–$8 per standard lot based on balance and volume, though it applies only to the higher-spread Standard account.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | ÂŁ1 | $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | 1.32 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.72 |
| 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 Vantage: for range of investments, both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols, far more than Vantage’s 1,000. Forex traders get 97 currency pairs at IG versus 61 at Vantage. If you want exchange-traded shares, IG offers U.S. stocks like Apple and international listings such as Vodafone, while Vantage does not offer exchange-traded securities in the U.S. or abroad.
On crypto, IG supports both real coin purchases and crypto CFDs; Vantage supports crypto CFDs but not direct coin ownership. Copy trading is available at Vantage, but not at IG. Overall, IG earns 5 stars and ranks 4th out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, while Vantage is rated 3.5 stars and ranks 32nd. Choose IG for the widest selection and access to actual shares and crypto; pick Vantage if you value copy trading alongside a smaller lineup of markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 61 |
| 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 Vantage both check the key boxes for platform access and usability. Each offers a free demo account, a proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. Both also support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and let you place trades directly from charts. One notable difference is copy trading: Vantage offers it, while IG does not.
For overall quality of trading platforms and tools, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage earns 4 stars and ranks #20. Choose IG if top-tier platform experience is your priority. Pick Vantage if you want copy trading alongside MetaTrader and a free demo account.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing IG vs Vantage for mobile trading apps: both offer iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto‑saving chart annotations. IG includes 33 technical studies in its app, while Vantage offers 30. A key difference is watchlists: IG syncs your watchlist across mobile and web so changes carry over, whereas Vantage does not support watchlist syncing.
For recognition and ratings, IG’s mobile app is rated 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category; Vantage earns 4 stars and ranks #24. If you want more indicators and seamless cross‑device watchlists, IG is the stronger pick. If you just need a straightforward app with alerts and core charting tools, Vantage covers the basics.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
IG and Vantage both deliver helpful market research for everyday traders. Each provides daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources (e.g., Bloomberg, Reuters, Dow Jones), an economic calendar, sentiment tools that show long vs. short positioning, and Autochartist for technical ideas. That means you’ll find timely updates, trade ideas, and event tracking with either broker.
The key differences are in third‑party extras. Vantage includes Trading Central, while IG does not. On the flip side, IG adds TipRanks and Acuity Trading (Signal Centre), which Vantage doesn’t offer. Looking at independent ratings, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers for Research at ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage earns 4 stars and ranks #20. In short, go with IG for the widest mix of research add‑ons, or choose Vantage if Trading Central is a must-have for your workflow.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing IG vs Vantage for beginner-friendly education, both brokers deliver plenty of forex and CFD learning content. Each one hosts monthly client webinars and offers at least 10 beginner videos plus at least 10 advanced videos, giving newcomers a clear path from basics to more complex topics. If you prefer to learn through videos and live sessions, either broker will cover a lot of ground for you.
Where they differ is in overall quality scores. IG earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, reflecting stronger depth and polish. Vantage scores 4 stars and ranks #23 out of 63. In short, IG edges ahead for the most comprehensive beginner experience, while Vantage remains a solid pick with frequent webinars and content suited for both new and experienced traders.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Vantage. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Vantage finished with an overall rank of #24.
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
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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IG vs Vantage: IG lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and trade crypto CFDs, whereas Vantage offers cryptocurrency CFDs only and does not support purchasing actual crypto.
IG vs Vantage: For deposit and withdrawal methods, IG supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wires but not Skrill, while Vantage lacks ACH/SEPA yet supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires; Visa/Mastercard availability was not specified.
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 | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Vantage Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Vantage | |
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| Regulation | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2009 | |
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 61 | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | 1.32 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.72 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | ÂŁ1 | $50 | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | IG | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Vantage Review |
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