FOREX.com vs IG (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Sep 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

FOREX.com

Trust rank #1 · Editorial rating 10 / 10 · Founded 2001

FOREX.com is a well-regarded forex broker offering broad access to forex markets through web, desktop, and mobile platforms, with research, education, and risk management tools. It operates under applicable regulatory oversight in…

Read the FOREX.com 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

FOREX.com (United States, founded 2001) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA), 4 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView 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 230 countries; FOREX.com is available in 1 countries where IG is not, and IG in 0 where FOREX.com is not.

Verdict at a glance

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

FOREX.com vs IG: side-by-side data

CriteriaFOREX.comIG
Editorial rating10 / 10Not verified
Trust rank#1#15
Founded20011974
HeadquartersUnited StatesUnited Kingdom
RegulatorsASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFAASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA
Broker typeDMA, Market Maker, STPMarket Maker
PlatformsMT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingViewMT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime
InstrumentsCommodities, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted231 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

FOREX.com

  • Multi-jurisdiction regulation (US/UK/CA)
  • Accepts US clients
  • Proprietary platform + MT4/MT5 support
  • Competitive spreads with raw/commission pricing options
  • Extensive FX pair offering

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

FOREX.com

  • No CFDs for U.S. clients
  • FIFO and no-hedging rules on U.S. accounts
  • No negative balance protection in the U.S.
  • Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
  • High minimum balance for STP Pro/DMA accounts

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

FOREX.com

  • Spot forex and multi asset CFD trading
  • Top tier regulation and segregated client funds
  • MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 and Advanced Trading platform
  • TradingView integration and advanced charting tools
  • API trading via REST and FIX plus VPS support
  • Raw pricing with commission and standard spread only accounts

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: FOREX.com vs IG

Available at both (230): 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, Canada, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China and 190 more.

Only FOREX.com (1): United States of America.

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

FOREX.com vs IG: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, FOREX.com or IG?

IG holds more regulatory licences: FOREX.com (ASIC, CFTC, FCA, NFA) versus IG (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA). Tier-1 licences: FOREX.com 4, IG 9.

Which trading platforms do FOREX.com and IG offer?

FOREX.com offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary, TradingView; IG offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime.

Which has lower fees, FOREX.com 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, FOREX.com or IG?

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

Are FOREX.com and IG available in the same countries?

They overlap in 230 countries. FOREX.com is additionally available in 1 countries (United States of America) and IG in 0 countries ().

Keep comparing

FOREX.com

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.