Admirals vs IG (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

Advertiser disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning BrokerCatalogue may earn a commission if you open an account. This never affects the data shown here, which is drawn from our catalogue and compared mechanically. How we make money.

Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

Admirals

Trust rank #13 · Founded 2001

Admirals is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad market access, user-friendly platforms, and integrated research and education. It provides a range of account options and risk management tools under established…

Read the Admirals review

IG

Trust rank #15 · Founded 1974

IG is a well-regarded forex broker that provides broad access to currency pairs, multiple trading platforms, and extensive research and education within a regulated framework. It emphasizes transparent pricing, diverse order types,…

Read the IG review

Admirals (Estonia, founded 2001) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSC), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. IG (United Kingdom, founded 1974) holds 13 regulatory licences (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank…), 9 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 228 countries; Admirals is available in 0 countries where IG is not, and IG in 2 where Admirals is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • Admirals leads on trust rank.
  • IG leads on track record, regulatory coverage, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on instrument range and fee level.

Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

Admirals vs IG: side-by-side data

CriteriaAdmiralsIG
Trust rank#13#15
Founded20011974
HeadquartersEstoniaUnited Kingdom
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSCASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA
Broker typeMarket Maker, STPMarket Maker
PlatformsMT4, MT5MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted228 countries230 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesProfessional Trading, Retail TradingProfessional Trading, Retail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

Admirals

  • FCA, ASIC, CySEC regulation
  • MT4/MT5 with MetaTrader Supreme Edition
  • Zero Accounts with raw spreads and low commissions
  • Wide multi-asset range (FX, indices, commodities, stocks, ETFs, crypto CFDs)
  • Volatility Protection and negative balance protection

IG

  • Tier-1 regulation (FCA, ASIC, NFA/CFTC) with segregated client funds
  • Competitive spreads and deep liquidity
  • Fast, reliable execution and high uptime
  • Advanced platforms (IG web/mobile, MT4, ProRealTime) with GSLO and advanced order types
  • Wide FX pair coverage and strong research/education

Cons

Admirals

  • Charges inactivity fee
  • Limited free withdrawals
  • No cTrader platform support
  • Leverage capped at 1:30 for EU/UK retail
  • Not available to U.S. residents

IG

  • No MetaTrader 5 or cTrader support
  • Inactivity fee for dormant accounts
  • DMA/L2 access restricted to professional clients
  • Leverage capped by regional regulations
  • Market-maker model for retail accounts

Key features

Admirals

  • Forex and CFD trading on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5
  • Invest MT5 real stocks and ETFs
  • Multi jurisdiction regulation and segregated client funds
  • Negative balance protection and volatility protection
  • Zero account raw spreads with market execution
  • MetaTrader Supreme Edition and premium analytics

IG

  • Top tier regulation and segregated client funds
  • Negative balance protection and guaranteed stop loss
  • CFDs spread betting and options on forex indices commodities shares and crypto
  • Advanced trading platforms IG web and mobile MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime
  • Fast execution deep liquidity and competitive spreads
  • API and algorithmic trading support

Country availability: Admirals vs IG

Available at both (228): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island and 188 more.

Only IG (2): Canada, Japan.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

Admirals vs IG: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, Admirals or IG?

IG holds more regulatory licences: Admirals (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA, JSC) versus IG (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA). Tier-1 licences: Admirals 2, IG 9.

Which trading platforms do Admirals and IG offer?

Admirals offers MT4, MT5; IG offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime.

Which has lower fees, Admirals or IG?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, Admirals or IG?

IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; Admirals was founded in 2001.

Are Admirals and IG available in the same countries?

They overlap in 228 countries. Admirals is additionally available in 0 countries () and IG in 2 countries (Canada, Japan).

Keep comparing

Admirals

IG

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.