Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs VT Markets, 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.
When comparing online brokers IG and VT Markets, IG emerges as a more established and trusted entity with roots dating back to 1974. As a publicly traded company and a bank, IG holds a prestigious position in the industry. It boasts an impressive Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, signaling a highly trusted status. This is supported by its possession of 8 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, showcasing compliance with stringent regulatory standards across various jurisdictions.
On the other hand, VT Markets, founded in 2016, is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. With a Trust Score of 70, it is considered to be of average risk by ForexBrokers.com. It holds 1 Tier-1 license and 1 Tier-2 license, indicating a more limited regulatory footprint compared to IG. Overall, while both brokers provide services for online trading, IG offers a higher level of trust and regulatory supervision, making it a preferred choice for those who prioritize security and credibility.
| Feature |
IG
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
IG offers several execution methods for traders, providing scalable trading solutions. Though not a discount broker, IG is highly rated for its competitive active trader pricing in Forex Direct accounts. In July 2023, the spread on the Forex Direct account was around 0.62 pips, with an all-in cost of approximately 0.82 pips, considering a per-trade commission of 0.2 pips. For its CFD accounts, IG provided spreads averaging 0.98 pips during July 2023, with active traders earning rebates of up to 20% on spreads if they meet specific trading volumes. This earns IG a 5-star rating and ranks it eighth among 63 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, VT Markets offers two account types: the Raw ECN and the Standard STP account. The Standard STP is commission-free but has higher spreads, averaging 1.2 pips on EUR/USD. The Raw ECN account offers a more attractive effective spread of 0.83 pips, with a $100 minimum deposit. These competitive offerings for the Raw ECN account give VT Markets a 4.5-star rating and a ranking of 20th among 63 brokers in the same category.
In summary, IG's Forex Direct accounts provide competitive spreads and robust high-volume trading options that cater to professional traders, making it an attractive option for active traders. VT Markets' Raw ECN account offers commission-based pricing that is fairly typical in the industry, while the Standard STP account falls slightly behind in attractiveness due to higher spreads. Both brokers cater to different types of traders, each with specific needs regarding commission structures and trading benefits.
| Feature |
IG
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 and VT Markets both offer forex trading through CFDs, providing investors the flexibility to engage with the market. However, IG boasts a significantly larger selection of tradeable symbols, offering over 19,500 compared to VT Markets' 1,000. When it comes to forex pairs, IG again leads with 97 options, while VT Markets provides 39 pairs. This broader array of selections enables IG to cater to a more diverse set of trading preferences and strategies.
In terms of stock trading, IG allows clients to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, whereas VT Markets is limited to international exchanges only. Cryptocurrency enthusiasts might find IG more appealing, as it offers both actual cryptocurrency and derivatives, whereas VT Markets solely deals in derivatives. For those interested in copy trading, VT Markets edges ahead by offering this feature, unlike IG. These distinctions contribute to IG's higher rating of 5 stars for its range of investments compared to VT Markets' 3.5 stars, reflected in their respective rankings of 4th and 39th out of 63 brokers in this category by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
IG
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 39 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by IG and VT Markets, both brokers provide traders with virtual demo accounts for practicing strategies without financial risks and offer Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms for easy access. IG stands out by providing a proprietary platform, developed in-house, which VT Markets lacks. While both offer the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, only VT Markets supports the newer MetaTrader 5 (MT5) version, catering to traders who favor advanced features.
Differentiating further, VT Markets offers copy trading, a feature absent from IG's offerings, appealing to investors interested in mimicking trades made by successful traders. Chart enthusiasts might note VT Markets has 30 drawing tools compared to IG's 20, although both platforms allow for trading directly from stock charts. For those who value detailed watch lists, VT Markets again takes the lead with seven columns available versus IG's five. Despite these differences, IG is rated higher overall with five stars for its trading platforms and tools, positioned impressively at #2 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, significantly ahead of VT Markets, which is rated four stars and ranked #47.
| Feature |
IG
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IG and VT Markets, both platforms offer applications for iPhone and Android devices, ensuring accessibility for users on the go. Both apps provide essential features like stock and forex price alerts, as well as the ability to draw trendlines on charts and view various time frames. However, IG stands out with its enhanced syncing capabilities; it allows watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring that any changes made in the mobile app will automatically reflect in the user's online account. In contrast, VT Markets does not offer this feature.
Furthermore, IG offers a more comprehensive charting experience with 33 technical studies compared to VT Markets' 30. IG also excels in user convenience by automatically saving any drawings made on charts, whereas VT Markets requires manual saving. Both apps allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. Overall, IG's mobile app has a superior rating of 5 stars and ranks as the top provider in mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, while VT Markets holds a solid rating of 4 stars, ranked #44 among 63 brokers. This makes IG an attractive option for traders seeking a seamless and efficient mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
IG
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to choosing an online broker for market research, both IG and VT Markets offer daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, they differ in the tools they provide for technical analysis. IG takes the lead with resources from Autochartist and additional research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading. Conversely, VT Markets leverages Trading Central for their technical analysis needs but falls short in offering other advanced research tools that IG provides, which reflects in the overall research rating and rankings, with IG rated 5 stars, standing second among 63 brokers, while VT Markets holds a 3.5-star rating, ranked at 36.
Both brokers equip traders with sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars to keep pace with global news. Yet, IG's superior array of research tools gives it an edge in delivering insightful market analysis, as evidenced by its higher ranking and rating. VT Markets competes well but may require enhancements in its research offerings to match the comprehensive suite available through IG. Whether you prioritize a wide range of research tools or focus on specific technical analysis capabilities, weighing these factors can help determine which broker aligns better with your trading strategy and needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, IG stands out in comparison to VT Markets. Both platforms offer over ten pieces of educational material focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and webinars. However, IG provides a more comprehensive learning experience with monthly live webinars and a searchable archive of past recordings, which VT Markets lacks. Additionally, IG caters to various levels of expertise with at least ten videos each for beginners and advanced traders, whereas VT Markets offers the same number of beginner-focused videos but not for advanced traders. Both brokers present their users with an investor dictionary containing over 50 terms, making their educational services informative for new investors.
In terms of recognition, IG receives top marks, earning a 5-star rating for education and ranking first among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, VT Markets receives a rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 55th in the same category. This distinction underscores IG's commitment to providing a wide-ranging and accessible educational experience for those looking to understand trading dynamics better, particularly beginners seeking a strong foundation.
| Feature |
IG
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 VT Markets. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while VT Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
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
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 |
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IG allows investors to buy actual cryptocurrency in addition to cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas VT Markets only provides the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, not the actual cryptocurrencies.
IG provides more flexibility in transaction options by offering ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal, while VT Markets supports Skrill, yet both platforms equally accommodate Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals.
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 | VT Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | VT Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | VT Markets | |
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| Regulation | IG | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 39 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | VT Markets Review |
| Overall | IG | VT Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | VT Markets Review |
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