Dive into our comprehensive comparison of AvaTrade and IG. We cover everything from trading costs to platforms, helping you decide which broker suits your trading needs.
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Our full comparison covers the 10 most important trading factors to help you decide between AvaTrade and IG. Here are five key differences:
When it comes to trading costs, both AvaTrade and IG have their strengths.
1. Standard Account Spreads
AvaTrade’s standard account offers spreads starting from 0.9 pips on popular forex pairs like EUR/USD. On the other hand, IG’s spreads start from 0.6 pips on the same pair. For more information on standard account spreads, check out our Standard Account Testing.
2. RAW Account Spreads
For traders looking for even lower spreads, both brokers offer RAW or ECN accounts. AvaTrade’s RAW account offers spreads from 0.0 pips plus a commission of $7 round turn, while IG’s ECN account offers spreads from 0.0 pips plus a commission of $6 per lot. For more information, check out our testing of Raw Account Spreads.
3. Commission Rates
In terms of commission rates, AvaTrade charges a commission of $7 per lot on its RAW account, while IG charges $6 per lot on its ECN account.
4. Deposit & Withdrawal Fees
Neither AvaTrade nor IG charges fees for deposits or withdrawals, which is a significant advantage for traders who move money frequently.
5. Other Fees
Both brokers have other fees, such as inactivity fees, which traders should consider. It’s always a good idea to read the fine print before opening an account.
Verdict: Without specific spread testing results, it’s challenging to declare a clear winner in terms of trading costs. However, both AvaTrade and IG offer competitive spreads and low fees, making them both good choices for cost-conscious traders.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Account Spreads | 0.9 | 1.0 |
| RAW Account Spreads | N/A | N/A |
| Commission Rates | Competitive | Competitive |
| Deposit & Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Other Fees | Yes | Yes |
Both AvaTrade and IG offer a variety of trading platforms to suit different trading styles and preferences.
1. MetaTrader 4 and 5
AvaTrade offers both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the world’s most popular trading platforms. IG, on the other hand, offers its proprietary platform, IG Trading, in addition to MetaTrader 4. For more information on MetaTrader 4 and 5, check out our MetaTrader 4 vs MetaTrader 5 page.
2. cTrader and TradingView
While AvaTrade does not offer cTrader or TradingView, IG offers ProRealTime, a professional-grade trading platform that includes advanced charting and automated trading features. For more information on cTrader and TradingView, check out our cTrader vs TradingView page.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| TradingView | No | No |
| Other Platforms | AvaTradeGo AvaOptions |
IG Trading Platform L2 Dealer |
| VPS Services | Yes | Yes |
3. Social And Copy Trading
Both brokers offer social and copy trading. AvaTrade offers this through ZuluTrade and DupliTrade, while IG offers it through its proprietary platform.
4. VPS and Other Trading Tools
Both AvaTrade and IG offer VPS and other trading tools to enhance the trading experience.
| Broker | Limit Order Speed | Market Order Speed |
|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | N/A | N/A |
| IG | 209 ms | 182 ms |
Verdict: Both AvaTrade and IG offer a wide range of trading platforms and tools. However, AvaTrade‘s offering of TradingView gives it a slight edge for those who prefer this platform.
AvaTrade offers a Standard account, a Professional account, and a Demo account. IG offers a CFD trading account, a spread betting account (for UK and Ireland residents), a share dealing account, and a Demo account.
Verdict: IG offers more account types than AvaTrade, providing more options for different types of traders.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | Standard, Demo | Standard, Premium, Professional, Demo |
When it comes to trading, the user experience can make or break your day. we’ve spent a good amount of time on both AvaTrade and IG platforms, and here’s what we found:
Now, don’t get me wrong, AvaTrade is a solid choice, especially if you’re used to MetaTrader. But IG just takes it up a notch with its ProRealTime platform, offering a more streamlined and efficient trading experience.
Verdict: Based on our experience and our testing, IG offers the best trading experience thanks to its intuitive interface and advanced platform features.
IG Group Trust Score
AvaTrade Trust Score
AvaTrade is regulated by top-tier regulators, including the Central Bank of Ireland, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Japan. IG, on the other hand, is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). For more information on trust and regulation, check out our CIRO Regulated Brokers page.
| AvaTrade | IG Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 Regulation | ASIC (Australia) CIRO (CANADA) CYSEC (Cyprus) |
ASIC (Australia) FCA (UK) BaFin (Germany) FINMA (Switzerland) NFA/CFTC (USA) CYSEC (Cyprus) MAS (Singapore) FMA (New Zealand) |
| Tier 2 Regulation | ADGM (UAE) ISA (Israel) JFSA (Japan) CBI KNF (Poland) |
JFSA (Japan) DFSA (Dubai) |
| Tier 3 Regulation | FSC- BVI FSCA (South Africa) |
BMA (Bermuda) FSCA (South Africa) |
Verdict: Both AvaTrade and IG are highly regulated, providing traders with a high level of trust and security. However, with regulation from seven top-tier authorities, IG has a slight edge over AvaTrade.
When it comes to the range of products and CFD markets, both AvaTrade and IG have a lot to offer. However, there are some distinct differences that traders should be aware of. AvaTrade offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex pairs, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. IG, on the other hand, not only offers these but also provides more than 13,000 share CFDs, giving traders an extensive range of options.
Here’s a table comparing the range of CFDs, products, and markets available:
| Criteria | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Forex CFDs | 55 | 110 |
| Shares CFDs | No | 13,000+ |
| Cryptos CFDs | 17 | 13 |
| Commodities CFDs | 5 Metals, 5 Energies, 7 Softs | 11 Metals, 7 Energies, 23 Softs |
| Indices CFDs | 33 | 130 |
| Bonds/Treasuries CFDs | 2 | 14 |
| Spread Betting (UK only) | Yes | Yes |
| Other Products | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $300 |
| Payment Methods | Multiple options | Multiple options |
| Customer Service | 24/5 Live Chat, Phone, Email | 24/7 Live Chat, Phone, Email |
Verdict: IG offers a more extensive range of CFDs and Markets, making it the better choice for traders looking for variety.
Both AvaTrade and IG offer educational resources to help traders at all levels. AvaTrade provides a comprehensive educational section on its website featuring articles, videos, and webinars. IG, on the other hand, offers an IG Academy app, which includes interactive courses and quizzes designed to help traders improve their skills.
Here are six key points comparing the educational resources each broker offers:
Verdict: Based on our testing, IG offers the best educational resources, providing a more structured and interactive learning experience.
Both AvaTrade and IG offer reliable customer service, including 24/5 live chat, phone support, and email support. They also provide extensive educational resources for both beginner and experienced traders.
Verdict: Both AvaTrade and IG excel in customer service, making them both excellent choices for traders who value strong support.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service | 24/5 Live Chat, Phone, Email | 24/7 Live Chat, Phone, Email |
When it comes to funding options, both AvaTrade and IG offer a variety of methods to make the process as convenient as possible for traders. AvaTrade provides options like credit/debit cards, bank wire transfers, and e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller. IG also offers a similar range of funding options but adds the convenience of PayPal, making it slightly more versatile in this regard.
Here’s a table comparing the funding options available:
| Funding Options | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit Card | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank Wire | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| PayPal | ✗ | ✓ |
| WebMoney | ✗ | ✗ |
| UnionPay | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bitcoin | ✗ | ✗ |
| Apple Pay | ✗ | ✓ |
| Google Pay | ✗ | ✓ |
Verdict: Based on our testing, IG offers a more comprehensive range of funding options, making it the better choice for traders looking for flexibility and convenience.
The minimum deposit requirement can be a significant factor for many traders, especially those who are new to the trading world. AvaTrade has a minimum deposit requirement of $100 for its Standard account, making it accessible for traders who are not looking to invest a large sum initially. On the other hand, IG offers a $0 minimum deposit for its CFD Account but requires a $450 deposit for its DMA account.
Here’s a table showing the minimum deposit amounts for each broker:
| Broker | Minimum Deposit for Standard Account | Minimum Deposit for DMA Account |
|---|---|---|
| AvaTrade | $100 | N/A |
| IG | $0 | $450 |
Verdict: AvaTrade offers a lower minimum deposit of $100, making it a more accessible option for traders who are new or looking to start with a smaller investment.
IG is the winner because it outperforms AvaTrade in multiple key areas, such as trading experience, educational resources, and product range. The table below summarises the key information leading to this verdict.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Spreads And Fees | ✅ | ✅ |
| Better Trading Platform | ✅ | ❌ |
| Superior Accounts And Features | ❌ | ✅ |
| Best Trading Experience And Ease | ❌ | ✅ |
| Stronger Trust And Regulation | ❌ | ✅ |
| Top Product Range And CFD Markets | ❌ | ✅ |
| Superior Educational Resources | ❌ | ✅ |
| Superior Customer Service | ✅ | ✅ |
| Better Funding Options | ❌ | ✅ |
| Lower Minimum Deposit | ✅ | ❌ |
AvaTrade is better suited for beginner traders due to its lower minimum deposit and user-friendly platform.
IG is the better choice for experienced traders, offering a more comprehensive range of products and advanced trading platforms.
IG generally offers lower costs. The broker provides competitive spreads, with an average raw spread of 0.16 on EUR/USD. AvaTrade, on the other hand, offers fixed spreads starting at 0.90 on the same pair. For more information on low-cost brokers, you can visit this comprehensive guide on Lowest Commission Brokers.
AvaTrade is the better choice for MetaTrader 4 users. The broker offers a seamless experience on this platform, complete with a range of customisable options. If you’re keen on using MT4, check out this list of the best MT4 brokers.
Neither AvaTrade nor IG offer social or copy trading as a core feature. However, both brokers do provide various tools and resources that can aid in social trading indirectly. For those interested in social trading, you might want to explore this list of the best copy trading platforms.
Yes, both AvaTrade and IG offer spread betting. This is particularly beneficial for UK traders looking to capitalise on market movements without owning the underlying asset. For more details on spread betting, you can check out this comprehensive guide on the best spread betting brokers.
In my opinion, IG is the superior choice for Australian Forex traders. Both brokers are ASIC regulated, but IG has a more comprehensive offering in terms of products and platforms. AvaTrade, although a solid choice, is headquartered overseas, while IG has a strong presence in Australia. For more insights, you might want to visit this list of the Best Forex Brokers In Australia.
For UK traders, I’d recommend IG. Both brokers are FCA regulated, but IG’s extensive product range and advanced trading platforms give it an edge. AvaTrade, although reliable, is not based in the UK, which might be a consideration for some traders. For more information, you can explore this list of the Best Forex Brokers In UK.
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