Choose ActivTrades if you want…
EU + UK traders wanting a reliable mid-tier FCA-regulated broker with strong proprietary tools and TradingView integration.
ActivTrades
⭐ 4.4 / 5
VS
IG
⭐ 4.6 / 5
ActivTrades vs IG — which broker is better in 2026?
We compared ActivTrades and IG across five core criteria: regulation, minimum deposit, spreads, platform choice, and overall user rating. IG wins on more criteria (3 categories vs 1), making it the stronger default for most traders. Both brokers remain reputable, independently tier-1 regulated options.
| ActivTrades | IG | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | ⭐ 4.4 / 5 | ⭐ 4.6 / 5 | IG |
| Regulators | FCA, CSSF Luxembourg, SCB Bahamas, CMVM Portugal | FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, FSA Japan, BMA Bermuda, CFTC/NFA | IG |
| Min. deposit | $0 (no minimum) | $0 (no minimum) | Tie |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips (Standard) / 0.5 pips (Pro) | 0.6 pips (FX) / 0.4 points (FTSE) | ActivTrades |
| Max. leverage | Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:200 (Pro) | Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:200 (Pro) | — |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, ActivTrader, TradingView | IG WebTrader, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView | IG |
| Founded | 2001 | 1974 | — |
| HQ | London, UK | London, United Kingdom | — |
Pros & cons compared
ActivTrades pros
- ✓ Founded 2001 — 20+ year operating history
- ✓ FCA + Luxembourg CSSF + Portugal CMVM tier-1 EU regulation
- ✓ Excellent proprietary ActivTrader platform with smart pattern recognition
- ✓ Native TradingView integration
- ✓ No minimum deposit + segregated client funds at Barclays
Cons
- ✗ Smaller brand than IG / CMC / Swissquote
- ✗ Limited cryptocurrency coverage
- ✗ Spreads on FX (0.5+ pips) not the absolute tightest
IG pros
- ✓ Founded 1974 — oldest CFD/spread-bet broker (LSE: IGG)
- ✓ Nine tier-1 regulators across UK, US, EU, APAC, Africa
- ✓ 17,000+ instruments — broadest in retail FX/CFD industry
- ✓ L2 Dealer DMA + ProRealTime for advanced traders
- ✓ Direct US CFTC/NFA regulation (one of few non-US brokers)
Cons
- ✗ Spreads on Standard account (0.6 pips FX) not the absolute tightest
- ✗ Proprietary platform learning curve
- ✗ EU leverage 1:30 (ESMA)
Which one should you choose?
Choose IG if you want…
Serious traders wanting institutional-grade regulation, deep market access, and DMA capability.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better — ActivTrades or IG?
Based on five comparison criteria (regulation, deposit, spreads, platforms, overall rating), IG wins 3 categories. That makes it the stronger default choice — though both brokers remain reputable, independently tier-1 regulated options.
Is ActivTrades more regulated than IG?
ActivTrades holds licenses from: FCA, CSSF Luxembourg, SCB Bahamas, CMVM Portugal. IG holds licenses from: FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, FSA Japan, BMA Bermuda, CFTC/NFA. IG has more regulatory licenses, giving it broader geographic coverage.
What are the spreads at ActivTrades vs IG?
ActivTrades spreads start from 0.5 pips (Standard) / 0.5 pips (Pro). IG spreads start from 0.6 pips (FX) / 0.4 points (FTSE). Actual spreads vary by account type and market conditions.
Which has a lower minimum deposit, ActivTrades or IG?
ActivTrades: $0 (no minimum). IG: $0 (no minimum). Both require the same minimum.
