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

Advertiser disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links, meaning BrokerCatalogue may earn a commission if you open an account. This never affects the data shown here, which is drawn from our catalogue and compared mechanically. How we make money.

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

ThinkMarkets

Trust rank #20 · Founded 2010

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…

Read the ThinkMarkets 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. 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.

IG vs ThinkMarkets: side-by-side data

CriteriaIGThinkMarkets
Trust rank#15#20
Founded19742010
HeadquartersUnited KingdomAustralia
RegulatorsASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFAASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA
Broker typeMarket MakerECN, STP
PlatformsMT4, Proprietary, ProRealTimeMT4, MT5, Proprietary
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted230 countries199 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD Trading, Spot TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesProfessional Trading, Retail TradingCopy 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.

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

IG vs ThinkMarkets: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, IG or ThinkMarkets?

IG holds more regulatory licences: IG (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA) versus ThinkMarkets (ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA). Tier-1 licences: IG 9, ThinkMarkets 2.

Which trading platforms do IG and ThinkMarkets offer?

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

Which has lower fees, IG or ThinkMarkets?

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 ().

Keep comparing

IG

ThinkMarkets

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.