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

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

AvaTrade

Trust rank #12 · Founded 2006

AvaTrade is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering multiple trading platforms, broad market access, and educational resources. It provides market research and risk management tools with an emphasis on platform reliability…

Read the AvaTrade 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

AvaTrade (Ireland, founded 2006) holds 8 regulatory licences (ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ…), 3 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary 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 216 countries; AvaTrade is available in 0 countries where IG is not, and IG in 14 where AvaTrade is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • AvaTrade leads on trust rank.
  • IG leads on track record, regulatory coverage, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on platform choice, 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.

AvaTrade vs IG: side-by-side data

CriteriaAvaTradeIG
Trust rank#12#15
Founded20061974
HeadquartersIrelandUnited Kingdom
RegulatorsADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ, FSCA, ISA, JFSAASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA
Broker typeMarket MakerMarket Maker
PlatformsMT4, MT5, ProprietaryMT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted216 countries230 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy 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

AvaTrade

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation
  • MT4/MT5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader, AvaOptions support
  • Fixed-spread account option
  • ZuluTrade and DupliTrade copy trading
  • AvaProtect trade-loss 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

AvaTrade

  • Market-maker model (no ECN/DMA)
  • Higher spreads than ECN brokers
  • Inactivity and administration fees
  • Not available to U.S. residents
  • Not FCA-regulated (UK)

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

AvaTrade

  • Multi jurisdiction regulation client fund segregation and negative balance protection
  • MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 AvaTradeGO and WebTrader platforms
  • Forex and CFD trading on indices commodities metals equities and cryptocurrencies
  • Vanilla FX options trading with AvaOptions
  • Copy trading with ZuluTrade DupliTrade and AvaSocial
  • AvaProtect risk management for loss protection

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: AvaTrade vs IG

Available at both (216): Albania, 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, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands and 176 more.

Only IG (14): Afghanistan, Algeria, Guernsey, India, Iraq, Isle of Man, Jersey, Lebanon, Libya, New Zealand, Somalia, South Sudan, United Kingdom, Yemen.

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

AvaTrade vs IG: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, AvaTrade or IG?

IG holds more regulatory licences: AvaTrade (ADGM FSRA, ASIC, BVI FSC, CBI, FFAJ, FSCA, ISA, JFSA) versus IG (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA). Tier-1 licences: AvaTrade 3, IG 9.

Which trading platforms do AvaTrade and IG offer?

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

Which has lower fees, AvaTrade 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, AvaTrade or IG?

IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; AvaTrade was founded in 2006.

Are AvaTrade and IG available in the same countries?

They overlap in 216 countries. AvaTrade is additionally available in 0 countries () and IG in 14 countries (Afghanistan, Algeria, Guernsey, India, Iraq, Isle of Man and 8 more).

Keep comparing

AvaTrade

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.