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 vs Vantage for regulation and trust: IG was founded in 1974 and is publicly traded and a bank, while Vantage, founded in 2009, is privately held and not a bank. ForexBrokers.com rates IG at 99/99 and Vantage at 91/99; both fall in the highly trusted band (90–99), above trusted (80–89), average risk (70–79), high risk (60–69), and do-not-trust (<59).
Licensing also differs. IG holds 8 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 2 Tier-2 licenses (trusted), compared with Vantage’s 2 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2. Both are highly trusted, but IG has more top-tier regulatory approvals and is exchange-listed and a bank.
| 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 is the stronger pick on commissions and fees, earning 5 stars and ranking #6 out of 36 brokers for this category. It is not a low-cost discounter, but its pricing can be very competitive for active traders, especially through its Forex Direct DMA account and tiered rebate programs. IG’s EUR/USD spreads were close to the market average overall, and its commission-based setup can bring all-in costs down further for high-volume traders.
Vantage is still a solid choice, but it trails IG on pricing with a 4.5-star rating and a #12 out of 36 ranking for commissions and fees. Its Standard STP account is simpler but pricier, while the RAW ECN and PRO ECN accounts offer better value thanks to lower spreads plus commissions. For traders who qualify for the PRO account, Vantage becomes more competitive, but in general its pricing sits around the industry average rather than leading the pack.
In plain terms, IG is usually the better broker if your main focus is keeping trading costs down, especially for active forex trading or larger order sizes. Vantage can still work well for traders who want flexible account types and are comfortable meeting the requirements for its lower-cost accounts. If fees matter most, IG has the edge.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $50 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 0.91 | 1.4 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.82 | 0.72 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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.
When it comes to range of investments, IG gives traders far more choice than Vantage. IG offers 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, compared with Vantage’s 1,028 symbols and 61 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and both offer cryptocurrency CFDs. However, IG stands out by also letting clients buy actual cryptocurrency, while Vantage does not.
IG also has a broader share offering, with access to exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, such as Apple and Vodafone shares. Vantage does not offer direct share dealing on these exchanges. Vantage does have copy trading, which IG does not, but overall IG is clearly ahead for investment range. That is reflected in its 5-star rating and #4 ranking out of 36 brokers for Range of Investments, versus Vantage’s 3.5 stars and #34 ranking.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1028 |
| 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 give traders a wide range of platform choices, including free demo accounts, a proprietary platform, web-based trading, and Windows desktop downloads. They also support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and both let you place trades directly from a chart. For traders who want to test ideas before risking real money, either broker offers simulated paper trading.
The biggest difference is copy trading, which Vantage offers but IG does not. When it comes to overall platform quality, IG has the edge: it earns 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #1 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #20. If copy trading matters to you, Vantage may fit better; if you want the highest-rated all-around platform experience, IG stands out.
| 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.
IG and Vantage both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, plus key features like price alerts, watchlist syncing, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. This means traders can monitor markets and keep their watchlists and chart work updated across mobile and online accounts with either broker. For everyday mobile use, both apps cover the basics well and make it easy to stay connected while on the go.
That said, IG has the edge for charting and overall mobile experience. Its app includes 33 technical studies, compared with 14 at Vantage, and it earns a 5-star Mobile Trading Apps rating versus Vantage’s 4 stars. IG is also ranked #1 out of 36 brokers for mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage is ranked #24, making IG the stronger choice for traders who want more chart tools and a higher-rated app.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Vantage both give traders daily market commentary, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar, so each broker covers the basics well for keeping up with market moves and upcoming news. That said, IG goes further on research depth thanks to forex news from major sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, plus extra tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading. Vantage, meanwhile, offers Trading Central tools, which IG does not.
Overall, IG has the edge in market research. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranked #2 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage is rated 4 stars and ranked #20. For traders who want more third-party news and analysis options in one place, IG offers the wider research package, while Vantage still provides a solid set of core tools.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| 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.
When it comes to learning resources for beginners, both IG and Vantage give new traders plenty to work with. Each broker offers at least 10 pieces of forex or CFD education, holds online educational client webinars at least once a month, and provides at least 10 beginner videos plus at least 10 advanced videos. This means both platforms have material for traders who are just starting out as well as those looking to build on more advanced trading topics.
That said, IG comes out ahead overall in education. ForexBrokers.com gives IG a 5-star Education rating and ranks it #7 out of 36 brokers, while Vantage earns 4 stars and ranks #24. For beginners who want more highly rated learning support, IG is the stronger choice, although Vantage still offers a solid range of educational content.
| 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
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Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 91 |
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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 | 91 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Vantage Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Vantage | |
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| Regulation | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 91 | |
| 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 CMA 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 | 1028 | |
| 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) - Spread-only account | 0.91 | 1.4 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.82 | 0.72 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | 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 Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IG Review | Vantage Review |
| Overall | IG | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 91 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Vantage Review |
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