IG Group vs Interactive Brokers 2026: Which Broker is Better?

Regulation & Safety

IG Group and Interactive Brokers are both highly regulated, offering a secure trading environment. IG Group, established in 1974 and headquartered in London, is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the USA. This extensive regulation provides a robust safety net for traders, ensuring that their funds are well protected.

Interactive Brokers, founded in 1978 and based in Greenwich, USA, is similarly regulated by top-tier authorities including the SEC, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), FCA, MAS, and ASIC. Both brokers offer fund protection schemes as per the regulations in their respective jurisdictions, ensuring that client funds are segregated and protected against broker insolvency.

Fees & Spreads

IG Group offers competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips for major forex pairs, with no commissions. The minimum deposit is $250, and traders can benefit from a maximum leverage of 1:200. However, traders should be aware of the inactivity fee that applies after two years of dormancy. The fee structure can be complex, but IG's transparency in costs remains an attractive feature.

In contrast, Interactive Brokers provides even tighter spreads from 0.2 pips on forex, with a low commission rate of 0.005. Notably, there is no minimum deposit requirement, making it accessible for traders with smaller capital. The maximum leverage available is 1:4, which may limit trading for those seeking higher leverage. An inactivity fee exists for smaller accounts, which could deter occasional traders.

Trading Platforms

IG Group offers a range of trading platforms including a proprietary web platform, a mobile app, and MetaTrader 4 (MT4). It also provides access to ProRealTime charts, enhancing its appeal to technical traders. Interactive Brokers, on the other hand, offers its proprietary web and mobile platforms, which are equipped with advanced tools tailored for professional traders. However, these platforms are known to be complex, potentially posing a challenge for beginners.

Who Should Choose IG Group?

• Traders seeking access to over 17,000 markets.
• Investors prioritising top-tier regulatory protection.
• Forex traders who value competitive spreads with no commission.
• Advanced traders interested in ProRealTime charting tools.

Who Should Choose Interactive Brokers?

• Professional traders needing advanced trading tools.
• Investors looking for access to 150+ markets across 33 countries.
• Traders with a focus on very low commissions.
• Traders who prefer no minimum deposit requirements.

Our Verdict

For beginners, IG Group's user-friendly platforms and comprehensive research tools make it the better choice. Professional traders may prefer Interactive Brokers for its low commissions and robust market access. In terms of fees, Interactive Brokers edges out with tighter spreads and lower overall costs.