Comparison of AvaTrade and IG
| Feature | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1974 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM, DMA |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book, A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | Central Bank of Ireland, KNF, FCA, BVIFSC, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA, JFFA, FSRA, ISA, CIRO | FCA, BMA, BaFin, FSAN, AFM, CONSOB, CNMV, ACPR, FI, FINMA, NFA, CFTC, ASIC, NZ FMA, JFSA, JFFA, MAS, FSCA, DFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:200 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, AUD, NZD, JPY, NOK, SEK, SGD, HKD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | $50 per month after 3 months | $18 per month after 24 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
| Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✔ |
| Copy Trading | ✔ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✖ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | AvaTrade Review | IG Review |
About AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a well-established Forex and CFD broker recognized for its comprehensive trading platforms, diverse range of financial instruments, and robust regulatory framework. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade serves clients worldwide, offering access to major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker supports multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its proprietary AvaTradeGo app, catering to both desktop and mobile traders. AvaTrade is regulated by several reputable authorities, ensuring a high level of security and trust for its clients. Additionally, the broker provides a variety of account types to suit different trading styles and experience levels, along with extensive educational resources and customer support to assist traders in making informed decisions. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and efficient withdrawal processes, AvaTrade stands out as a reliable choice for both novice and experienced Forex traders.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple top-tier financial authorities
- Offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and AvaTradeGo app
- Provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies
- Extensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis available
- Offers tight spreads across numerous trading instruments
- Free demo accounts available for practice trading
- Multilingual support available through various channels
Cons
- Maximum leverage may be lower than what some traders desire
- AvaTradeGo app offers fewer customization options
About IG
IG is one of the most established and reputable brokers in the forex and CFD trading industry, having been founded in 1974. Regulated by top-tier financial authorities, including the FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia), IG offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares. The broker is well-suited for both beginner and professional traders, providing access to an advanced trading platform, competitive spreads, and a comprehensive suite of educational resources. IG's long-standing presence in the market and robust regulatory compliance make it a trusted choice for traders worldwide. In addition to its proprietary platform, IG supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which is ideal for traders who prefer algorithmic strategies or a familiar interface. The broker also excels in market research and analysis, providing clients with detailed insights, trading signals, and technical tools. However, while IG offers extensive features, its services might not be ideal for smaller retail traders due to higher minimum deposit requirements in some regions. Furthermore, the absence of certain features like cent accounts or high leverage options may deter specific trading styles.
Pros
- Highly regulated by top-tier financial authorities (FCA, ASIC, etc.)
- Wide range of tradable assets, including over 99 forex pairs
- Advanced proprietary platform and support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
- Comprehensive market research and educational resources
- Long-standing reputation with nearly five decades of experience
- Competitive spreads and reliable trade execution
Cons
- Limited high-leverage options compared to some competitors
- No support for cent accounts, which may not suit small-scale traders
- Inactivity fees for dormant accounts
- Customer support may not be available 24/7 for all regions
AvaTrade & IG Regulation
| Feature | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Ava Trade EU Ltd, Ava Trade Markets Ltd, Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd, Ava Capital Markets Pty, Ava Trade Japan K.K., AVA Trade Middle East Ltd, ATrade Ltd, Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd. | IG Markets Ltd, IG International Limited, IG Europe GmbH, IG Bank SA, IG US LLC, IG Australia Pty Ltd., IG Securities Limited, IG Asia Pte Ltd, IG Markets South Africa Limited, IG Limited |
Countries | Ireland, British Virgin Islands, Australia, South Africa, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Canada | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, KNF, FCA, BVIFSC, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA, JFFA, FSRA, ISA, CIRO | FCA, BMA, BaFin, FSAN, AFM, CONSOB, CNMV, ACPR, FI, FINMA, NFA, CFTC, ASIC, NZ FMA, JFSA, JFFA, MAS, FSCA, DFSA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 100% |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | — | DMA |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.16 |
| Fee | — | $12 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 50% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, AUD, NZD, JPY, NOK, SEK, SGD, HKD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $50 per month after 3 months | $18 per month after 24 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | - |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 53 | 99 |
Indices | 46 | 46 |
Stocks | 614 | 13000 |
Cryptocurrencies | 20 | 15 |
Bonds | 2 | 19 |
Metals | 7 | 11 |
Energies | 5 | 9 |
Soft Commodities | 7 | 20 |
ETFs | 61 | 5400 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
Email | customer@avatrade.com | newaccounts.uk@ig.com |
Phone | +3228080310 | +442076335430 |
Telegram | Telegram | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing AvaTrade and IG, AvaTrade comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.