IG vs Tickmill (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

Tickmill

Trust rank #31 · Editorial rating 8.7 / 10 · Founded 2014

Tickmill is a well-regarded forex and CFD broker that provides broad market access, platform choice, and tools for analysis, education, and risk management. It offers account options and support suited to a…

Read the Tickmill 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. Tickmill (United Kingdom, founded 2014) holds 5 regulatory licences (CySEC, FCA, FSCA, Labuan FSA, Seychelles FSA), 1 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5 and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 227 countries; IG is available in 3 countries where Tickmill is not, and Tickmill in 1 where IG is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • IG leads on trust rank, track record, regulatory coverage, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on 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 Tickmill: side-by-side data

CriteriaIGTickmill
Editorial ratingNot verified8.7 / 10
Trust rank#15#31
Founded19742014
HeadquartersUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom
RegulatorsASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFACySEC, FCA, FSCA, Labuan FSA, Seychelles FSA
Broker typeMarket MakerECN, STP
PlatformsMT4, Proprietary, ProRealTimeMT4, MT5
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted230 countries228 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

Tickmill

  • Tight spreads and low commissions
  • Fast NDD execution, low latency
  • FCA & CySEC regulation
  • MT4 and MT5 platforms
  • High leverage up to 1:500

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

Tickmill

  • CFD-only; no real share or ETF investing
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs)
  • Protections vary by entity; offshore regulation for many clients
  • No proprietary platform; MetaTrader-focused
  • Limited in-house research and education tools

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

Tickmill

  • Multi jurisdiction regulation FCA CySEC FSCA and FSA Seychelles
  • ECN no dealing desk execution with raw spreads and low commissions
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with VPS and FIX API
  • Multi asset CFDs Forex Indices Commodities Bonds and Cryptocurrencies
  • Negative balance protection and segregated client funds
  • Scalping hedging algorithmic and copy trading supported

Country availability: IG vs Tickmill

Available at both (227): 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 187 more.

Only IG (3): India, Japan, Singapore.

Only Tickmill (1): Belgium.

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

IG vs Tickmill: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, IG or Tickmill?

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

Which trading platforms do IG and Tickmill offer?

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

Which has lower fees, IG or Tickmill?

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 Tickmill?

IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; Tickmill was founded in 2014.

Are IG and Tickmill available in the same countries?

They overlap in 227 countries. IG is additionally available in 3 countries (India, Japan, Singapore) and Tickmill in 1 countries (Belgium).

Keep comparing

IG

Tickmill

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.