Choose IG if you want…
Serious traders wanting institutional-grade regulation, deep market access, and DMA capability.
IG
⭐ 4.6 / 5
VS
ThinkMarkets
⭐ 4.5 / 5
IG vs ThinkMarkets — which broker is better in 2026?
We compared IG and ThinkMarkets 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.
| IG | ThinkMarkets | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | ⭐ 4.6 / 5 | ⭐ 4.5 / 5 | IG |
| Regulators | FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, FSA Japan, BMA Bermuda, CFTC/NFA | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, SCB Bahamas, JFSA | IG |
| Min. deposit | $0 (no minimum) | $0 (no minimum) | Tie |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips (FX) / 0.4 points (FTSE) | 0.0 pips (ThinkZero) / 0.4 pips (Standard) | ThinkMarkets |
| Max. leverage | Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:200 (Pro) | Up to 1:30 (EU retail) / 1:500 (offshore) | — |
| Platforms | IG WebTrader, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView | MT4, MT5, ThinkTrader, TradingView | IG |
| Founded | 1974 | 2010 | — |
| HQ | London, United Kingdom | London, UK / Melbourne, Australia | — |
Pros & cons compared
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)
ThinkMarkets pros
- ✓ FCA + ASIC + CySEC + JFSA tier-1 regulation
- ✓ ThinkZero account: 0.0 pips + $3.50/lot commission
- ✓ No minimum deposit
- ✓ Proprietary ThinkTrader platform with advanced charting
- ✓ Native TradingView integration
Cons
- ✗ Brand smaller than Pepperstone / Pepperstone
- ✗ ThinkTrader platform has learning curve vs. MT4
- ✗ Limited social trading vs. eToro / Naga
Which one should you choose?
Choose ThinkMarkets if you want…
EU + Australian traders wanting a tier-1 regulated ECN broker with proprietary platform options.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better — IG or ThinkMarkets?
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 IG more regulated than ThinkMarkets?
IG holds licenses from: FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, FSA Japan, BMA Bermuda, CFTC/NFA. ThinkMarkets holds licenses from: FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, SCB Bahamas, JFSA. IG has more regulatory licenses, giving it broader geographic coverage.
What are the spreads at IG vs ThinkMarkets?
IG spreads start from 0.6 pips (FX) / 0.4 points (FTSE). ThinkMarkets spreads start from 0.0 pips (ThinkZero) / 0.4 pips (Standard). Actual spreads vary by account type and market conditions.
Which has a lower minimum deposit, IG or ThinkMarkets?
IG: $0 (no minimum). ThinkMarkets: $0 (no minimum). Both require the same minimum.
