Verified 2026 data

AvaTrade vs IG

An in-depth comparison to help you choose the right broker for your trading journey.

1:1Head to Head

RealTesting

2026Updated

CATEGORY WINS

Who Wins Each Category?

Our scores for AvaTrade and IG, side by side, across the categories that decide your costs and safety.

FeesAvaTrade: 3.8/5vsIG: 3.8/5Even

SafetyAvaTrade: 4.8/5vsIG: 4.9/5IG wins

PlatformsAvaTrade: 4.5/5vsIG: 4.6/5IG wins

EducationAvaTrade: 4.5/5vsIG: 4.5/5Even

Customer SupportAvaTrade: 4/5vsIG: 4.2/5IG wins

QUICK VERDICT

Who Wins?

IG wins on overall score (4.4/5 vs 4.2/5). AvaTrade is the pick if you value beginners seeking education; choose IG if you value experienced traders. The tables below show where each actually wins.

Who this is for: AvaTrade suits traders who prioritise beginners seeking education; IG suits traders who prioritise experienced traders.

4.2/5

Best for: Beginners seeking education

Visit AvaTrade Read the AvaTrade Review

4.4/5

Best for: Experienced traders

Visit IG Read the IG Review

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature

Overall Rating

4.2/5

4.4/5

Minimum Deposit

$100

$250

Spreads From

0.9 pips

0.6 pips

Max Leverage

Up to 400:1

Up to 30:1 (EU)

Instruments

1,250+

17,000+

Fees Score

3.8/5

Platforms Score

4.5/5

4.6/5

Education Score

4.5/5

Safety Score

4.8/5

4.9/5

Platforms

MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader, DupliTrade, ZuluTrade

IG Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer

Founded

2006

1974

Headquarters

Dublin, Ireland

London, United Kingdom

KEY DIFFERENCES

What Actually Differs

The numbers that matter when choosing between AvaTrade and IG.

Minimum depositAvaTrade: $100IG: $250AvaTrade needs less to start.

RegulatorsAvaTrade: 6 (Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC)...IG: 4 (FCA, ASIC)...AvaTrade is licensed in more jurisdictions.

InstrumentsAvaTrade: 1,250+IG: 17,000+IG offers more markets.

PlatformsAvaTrade: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGOIG: IG Trading Platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTimeBoth support MetaTrader 4.

Best forAvaTrade: Beginners seeking educationIG: Experienced tradersDifferent fits. Read the verdict below.

ANALYSIS

Pros & Cons

Pros

+ Multi-regulated by 6+ tier-1 authorities
+ Excellent educational resources
+ Multiple trading platforms including MT4/MT5
+ No commission on standard accounts
+ AvaProtect risk management feature

Cons

- Spreads higher than ECN brokers
- Inactivity fee after 3 months
- Limited stock CFD selection compared to specialists

Open AvaTrade Account

Pros

+ 50+ years established
+ Publicly traded (FTSE 250)
+ 17,000+ markets
+ Excellent research
+ Advanced ProRealTime charts

Cons

- Higher minimum deposit
- Inactivity fees
- Complex fee structure

Open IG Account

RECOMMENDATION

Which Broker Should You Choose?

Choose

If you:

Beginners seeking education
Copy trading enthusiasts
Risk-conscious traders

Visit AvaTrade →

Choose

If you:

Experienced traders
Research-focused traders
UK traders

Visit IG →

FAQ

AvaTrade vs IG: FAQ

Which is better, AvaTrade or IG?

Overall, AvaTrade scores 4.2/5 and IG scores 4.4/5. The right pick depends on what you value: AvaTrade for beginners seeking education, IG for experienced traders.

Which is cheaper, AvaTrade or IG?

On our fees score, AvaTrade is 3.8/5 and IG is 3.8/5. AvaTrade advertises spreads from 0.9 pips, IG from 0.6 pips. Check the fee rows above for the full picture, because headline spreads are not the bill.

Which is safer, AvaTrade or IG?

AvaTrade holds 6 licence(s), including Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FCA, JFSA, CySEC, FSCA. IG holds 4 licence(s), including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, NFA/CFTC. More Tier 1 regulators means more client protection schemes. Verify any licence at the regulator register before depositing.

Which has more markets, AvaTrade or IG?

AvaTrade offers 1,250+, IG offers 17,000+. Choose the range that covers what you actually trade.

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