IG vs ThinkMarkets (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,…
ThinkMarkets is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad market access via MetaTrader and its proprietary ThinkTrader platform. It provides research, education, and risk management tools to support analysis and platform…
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. ThinkMarkets (Australia, founded 2010) holds 4 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 199 countries; IG is available in 31 countries where ThinkMarkets is not, and ThinkMarkets in 0 where IG is not.
Verdict at a glance
IG leads on trust rank, 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.
Copy Trading, Professional 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
ThinkMarkets
FCA & ASIC regulation
MT4/MT5 and ThinkTrader platforms
Raw-spread ThinkZero; commission-free Standard
Negative balance protection; segregated funds
Hedging, scalping, EAs allowed; high leverage options
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
ThinkMarkets
- Offshore entity for many clients with weaker investor protections
- No guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLO)
- Not available to U.S. residents
- No cTrader platform support
- CFDs only (no physical shares/ETFs)
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
ThinkMarkets
Multi Asset CFD Trading Forex Indices Commodities Shares
MT4 MT5 and ThinkTrader Platforms
Multi Jurisdiction Regulation ASIC FCA FSCA FSA and Segregated Client Funds
Negative Balance Protection
Standard and ThinkZero Raw Spread Accounts
VPS Hosting and Algorithmic EA Support
Country availability: IG vs ThinkMarkets
Available at both (199): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros and 159 more.
Only IG (31): Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and 6 more.
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 ThinkMarkets?
IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; ThinkMarkets was founded in 2010.
Are IG and ThinkMarkets available in the same countries?
They overlap in 199 countries. IG is additionally available in 31 countries (Austria, Bermuda, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus and 25 more) and ThinkMarkets in 0 countries ().
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.