IG

IG

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
9.2
/ 10
vs
Exness

Exness

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.0
/ 10

IG vs Exness

A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.

IG and Exness are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. IG, founded in 1974 and headquartered in London, UK, is regulated by FCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin and offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips with a minimum deposit of $250. Exness, established in 2008 in Limassol, Cyprus, holds licenses from FCA, CySEC, FSCA with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $1 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, IG scored 9.2/10 overall compared to Exness's 8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Exness holds its own with smoother deposits & withdrawals, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • 📊

    IG scores 9.2/10 overall vs 8/10 for Exness — a 1.2-point difference.

  • 💵

    Exness requires just $1 to start, while IG needs $250 — Exness is 250x more accessible.

  • 📈

    IG offers 17,000+ instruments vs 300+ at Exness — a massive gap in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

    IG runs on IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, while Exness uses MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

  • The biggest gap is in Education: IG scores 9.0 vs 6.5 for Exness — a 2.5-point difference.

Our Verdict

🏆 WINNER
IG

IG

Score: 9.2/10 · Wins 6 categories
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
  • Responsive customer support matters to you
Exness

Exness

Score: 8.0/10 · Wins 1 categories
  • Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
  • You prefer a low minimum deposit ($1)
  • You prefer Exness's trading environment overall

IG takes the lead with an overall score of 9.2/10 compared to 8/10, winning in 6 out of 8 scoring categories. IG stands out for better trading platforms and stronger regulation, while Exness fights back with smoother deposits & withdrawals.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, IG comes out ahead with a 9.2/10 overall rating, winning 6 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Regulation & Trust where it scores 10.0/10. IG holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Exness is not without merit — it scores 8/10 overall and excels in Deposit & Withdrawal (9.5/10), winning 1 category. Traders who value smoother deposits & withdrawals may find Exness the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full IG review and Exness review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

IG
Exness
Trading Costs
8.5 8.5
Platforms & Tools
9.5 8.0

IG wins by 1.5 points

Regulation & Trust
10.0 8.5

IG wins by 1.5 points

Education
9.0 6.5

IG wins by 2.5 points

Customer Service
8.5 7.5

IG wins by 1.0 points

Research & Analysis
9.5 7.0

IG wins by 2.5 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
8.0 9.5

Exness wins by 1.5 points

Product Range
9.5 7.5

IG wins by 2.0 points

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
9.2/10
8.0/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$250
$1
Max Leverage
1:200
Unlimited
Spreads From
0.6 pips
0.0 pips
Platforms
IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App
Regulation
FCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin
FCA, CySEC, FSCA
Founded
Older track record highlighted
1974
2008
Markets
17,000+
300+
IG: 0 Exness: 0
💰

Fees & Costs

When it comes to trading costs, IG has the edge with a score of 8.5/10 versus 8.5/10 for Exness. IG offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips, while Exness starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at IG is $250, compared to $1 at Exness. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.

IG
8.5
Exness
8.5
IG: 1 Exness: 0
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: IG (9.5 vs 8.0)

IG scores 9.5/10 for platforms compared to 8/10 for Exness. IG provides IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, while Exness offers MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.

IG
9.5
Exness
8.0
IG: 2 Exness: 0
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

🏅 Section Winner: IG (10.0 vs 8.5)

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. IG is regulated by FCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin (Tier 1), while Exness holds licenses from FCA, CySEC, FSCA (Tier 1). IG scores 10/10 and Exness scores 8.5/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.

IG
10.0
Exness
8.5
IG: 3 Exness: 0
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: IG (9.0 vs 6.5)

For learning resources, IG leads with 9/10 compared to 6.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. IG and Exness both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.

IG
9.0
Exness
6.5
IG: 4 Exness: 0
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: IG (8.5 vs 7.5)

IG offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 8.5/10, while Exness provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 7.5/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.

IG
8.5
Exness
7.5
IG: 4 Exness: 1
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

🏅 Section Winner: Exness (8.0 vs 9.5)

IG scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Exness scores 9.5/10. IG accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, and Exness supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin, Perfect Money. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. IG requires a minimum deposit of $250 versus $1 for Exness. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

IG
8.0
Exness
9.5

Which Broker Is Right for You?

IG

Choose IG if you...

  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
  • Responsive customer support matters to you
Visit IG
Exness

Choose Exness if you...

  • Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
  • You prefer a low minimum deposit ($1)
  • You prefer Exness's trading environment overall
Visit Exness

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IG better than Exness?

IG scores higher overall (9.2/10 vs 8/10), winning 6 of 8 categories. However, Exness is stronger in smoother deposits & withdrawals. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, IG or Exness?

IG scores higher for trading costs. IG offers spreads from 0.6 pips with a $250 minimum deposit, while Exness starts from 0.0 pips with $1 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.

Is IG safe to trade with?

IG is regulated by FCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin and scores 10/10 for regulation. Exness is regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA with a score of 8.5/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, IG or Exness?

IG scores 9.5/10 for platforms. IG offers IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, while Exness provides MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for IG vs Exness?

IG requires a minimum deposit of $250, while Exness requires $1. Exness has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.

Ready to Start Trading?

Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.

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