IG vs tastytrade (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
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,…
tastytrade provides forex trading through its tastyfx platform, offering access to a wide range of currency pairs on an intuitive interface with built-in tools and education. It delivers a focused, platform-driven forex…
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. tastytrade (United States, founded 2017) holds 2 regulatory licences (CFTC, NFA), 2 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our medium-fee bracket. The two overlap in 54 countries; IG is available in 176 countries where tastytrade is not, and tastytrade in 2 where IG is not.
Verdict at a glance
IG leads on trust rank, track record, regulatory coverage, platform choice, instrument range, country coverage, fee level and tier-1 licences.
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.
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
tastytrade
NFA/CFTC-regulated US forex trading
Competitive, spread-only pricing
Fast execution on robust web and mobile platforms
Broad selection of major, minor, and exotic pairs
Rich trader education and market content
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
tastytrade
No spot forex (futures-only FX)
Limited FX pairs vs spot brokers
No MetaTrader/cTrader (proprietary platform only)
Higher costs per trade (exchange/clearing/NFA fees)
Fixed contract sizes; no micro-lot position sizing
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
tastytrade
CFTC and NFA regulated RFED via IG US LLC
Spot forex only no CFDs
US compliant leverage 50 to 1 majors 20 to 1 minors
Proprietary tastyfx platforms with advanced charting
Two factor authentication for account access
Spread only pricing with variable spreads
Country availability: IG vs tastytrade
Available at both (54): Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania and 14 more.
Only IG (176): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso and 151 more.
Only tastytrade (2): Belgium, United States of America.
IG is in the lower fee bracket (low vs medium) in our catalogue.
Which is older, IG or tastytrade?
IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; tastytrade was founded in 2017.
Are IG and tastytrade available in the same countries?
They overlap in 54 countries. IG is additionally available in 176 countries (Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Anguilla and 170 more) and tastytrade in 2 countries (Belgium, United States of America).
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.