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

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

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

OANDA

Trust rank #19 · Founded 1996

OANDA is a well-regarded, regulated forex broker offering broad access to major currency pairs through intuitive web and mobile trading platforms. It provides order execution, research, charting, and educational resources, with products…

Read the OANDA review

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. OANDA (Canada, founded 1996) holds 13 regulatory licences (ASIC, BVI FSC, CFTC, CIRO, FCA…), 7 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 51 countries; IG is available in 179 countries where OANDA is not, and OANDA in 2 where IG is not.

Verdict at a glance

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

IG vs OANDA: side-by-side data

CriteriaIGOANDA
Trust rank#15#19
Founded19741996
HeadquartersUnited KingdomCanada
RegulatorsASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFAASIC, BVI FSC, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, FFAJ, JFSA, JSDA, Kanto Local Finance Bureau, KNF, MAS, MFSA, NFA
Broker typeMarket MakerMarket Maker
PlatformsMT4, Proprietary, ProRealTimeMT4, Proprietary, TradingView
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted230 countries53 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

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

OANDA

  • Multi-jurisdiction top-tier regulation (CFTC/NFA, FCA, IIROC, ASIC, MAS)
  • Accepts US clients
  • No minimum deposit; flexible position sizing (1-unit trades)
  • Core Pricing + Commission option
  • Free REST/Streaming API; TradingView integration

Cons

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

OANDA

  • Higher average spreads than ECN brokers
  • No MetaTrader 5 support
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Inactivity fee after 12 months
  • CFDs not available in the US

Key features

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

OANDA

  • Forex and CFD Trading
  • Top Tier Regulation
  • MT4 and TradingView Platforms
  • REST API and Algorithmic Trading
  • Client Sentiment and Order Book Tools
  • Flexible Unit Based Position Sizing

Country availability: IG vs OANDA

Available at both (51): American Samoa, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania and 11 more.

Only IG (179): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei and 154 more.

Only OANDA (2): Belgium, 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.

IG vs OANDA: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, IG or OANDA?

IG holds more regulatory licences: IG (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA) versus OANDA (ASIC, BVI FSC, CFTC, CIRO, FCA, FFAJ, JFSA, JSDA, Kanto Local Finance Bureau, KNF, MAS, MFSA, NFA). Tier-1 licences: IG 9, OANDA 7.

Which trading platforms do IG and OANDA offer?

IG offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime; OANDA offers MT4, Proprietary, TradingView.

Which has lower fees, IG or OANDA?

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

Which is older, IG or OANDA?

IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; OANDA was founded in 1996.

Are IG and OANDA available in the same countries?

They overlap in 51 countries. IG is additionally available in 179 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla and 173 more) and OANDA in 2 countries (Belgium, United States of America).

Keep comparing

IG

OANDA

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.