Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Earn, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing online brokers IG and Earn, one significant factor to consider is their level of regulatory oversight and trust. IG, founded in 1974, is publicly traded and operates as a bank. It holds an impressive eight Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, and two Tier-2 licenses, which also reflect reliability. These credentials contribute to IG's perfect Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99, classifying it as a highly trusted broker.
In contrast, Earn, established in 1994, is not publicly traded and does not function as a bank. It holds one Tier-1 license, which points to a basic level of trust, but lacks any Tier-2 licenses. With a Trust Score of 71, Earn is categorized at average risk by ForexBrokers.com. These distinctions highlight the differences in their regulatory standing, offering potential clients a clear insight into the security and reliability each broker provides.
| Feature |
IG
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1994 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing the online brokers IG and Earn on their commissions and fees, IG stands out for its tailored pricing structures, especially for active traders. IG offers a variety of execution methods beyond the standard market maker option, with options like its Forex Direct accounts shining for active traders. In July 2023, the typical spread on IG's main Forex Direct account was around 0.62 pips, translating to an all-in cost of 0.82 pips after accounting for a 0.2 pip commission. IG also offers volume traders potential rebates, with higher trading volumes unlocking spreads as low as 0.60 pips.
IG offers additional perks for professionals, such as a tiered rebate program, which can significantly lower trading costs. The DMA account option further appeals to frequent traders by offering average spreads of 0.62 pips on the EUR/USD pair, coupled with commissions that can drop to $20 round-turn for large volumes, yielding an effective spread of 0.82 pips. On the other hand, Earn lacks specific average spread data and discount options, which limits its comparative transparency in fee structures.
In terms of star ratings and industry rankings, IG earns a commendable 5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #8 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Earn receives a respectable 4 out of 5 stars but is positioned lower at #46 in the same ranking. IG's competitive edge is evident in its flexible pricing models and cost-saving opportunities for frequent traders.
| Feature |
IG
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing IG and Earn in terms of their available range of investments, IG offers a significantly wider array of options. IG provides access to 19,537 tradeable symbols, including 97 forex pairs, and it allows trading in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This means you can buy popular shares like Apple and Vodafone directly through IG. In contrast, Earn offers 500 tradeable symbols, including 61 forex pairs, but does not offer direct access to U.S. or international exchange-traded securities.
Both IG and Earn enable forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither supports buying actual cryptocurrencies. IG does not offer copy trading, whereas Earn does, which may appeal to those interested in mimicking other traders’ strategies. Reflecting these differences in investment options, IG receives a 5-star rating for its range of investments and ranks 4th out of 62 brokers in this category. Earn, on the other hand, secures a 3.5-star rating and ranks 45th, highlighting IG’s broader appeal for investors seeking diverse trading opportunities.
| Feature |
IG
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of IG and Earn, both brokers offer strong choices for traders, yet they cater to different needs. IG provides a proprietary platform developed in-house, alongside industry standards like MetaTrader 4 (MT4), but does not support MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Earn, on the other hand, relies on a non-proprietary platform but offers both MT4 and MT5, giving traders flexibility in platform choice. Both brokers offer simulated demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risk. While IG doesn't support copy trading, Earn enhances its platform with this feature, along with ZuluTrade, which might appeal to traders interested in mirroring others' strategies.
Examining usability and platform features, IG and Earn both provide web-based and Windows desktop platforms, with IG also scoring higher in trading platform ratings. IG is rated five stars and ranks #2 out of 62 brokers, as per ForexBrokers.com, showing its strong position in global trading. Despite Earn's four-star rating and #51 ranking, it supports traders who value having seven watchlist columns compared to IG's five. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, but IG edges ahead with 20 drawing tools compared to Earn's 15, offering more options for technical analysis enthusiasts.
| Feature |
IG
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 35 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IG and Earn, both platforms provide seamless experiences for iPhone and Android users. They allow traders to set up stock or forex price alerts and draw trendlines on charts with multiple time frame views. Both apps support creating watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring that traders stay informed on the go. However, one notable difference lies in watchlist syncing: IG's app offers watchlist symbol syncing, seamlessly integrating mobile and web-based account changes, whereas Earn does not. Additionally, although both apps have an impressive array of technical studies, IG offers 33 while Earn slightly edges out with 35.
According to ForexBrokers.com, IG shines as a top performer, ranking #1 out of 62 brokers, which reflects in its 5-star rating for mobile trading apps. On the other hand, Earn, while offering a comprehensive mobile trading experience, is ranked #26, achieving a respectable 4-star rating. The key takeaway is that while both apps offer extensive features, IG provides an edge in integration and overall user satisfaction, making it a more favorable choice for many traders.
| Feature |
IG
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IG and Earn both provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg, ensuring traders stay informed. While both platforms offer economic calendars to track global news events, IG stands out with research tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading, providing an edge for those seeking deeper insights. Earn, however, does not feature these additional tools, making IG a more equipped choice for traders focused on comprehensive market analysis.
Moreover, IG offers sentiment-based trading tools, which are absent in Earn's offerings, adding another layer to its market research capabilities. With IG rated at 5 stars for research compared to Earn's 3.5 stars, it's clear why IG ranks second among 62 brokers in this category on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Earn is positioned at thirty-eighth. For traders prioritizing extensive research options, IG emerges as the more favorable option.
| Feature |
IG
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for learning about forex and CFDs, IG clearly stands out as a top contender. It offers a wide variety of educational content, including over 10 articles, videos, and archived webinars dedicated to forex and CFDs. Moreover, IG hosts regular online client webinars every month that are focused on educating users, along with maintaining a searchable archive of past webinars. IG also caters to all levels of traders, featuring more than 10 beginner-friendly videos and a similar selection for advanced traders. With an investor dictionary that defines over 50 investing terms, IG's educational offerings are comprehensive and highly accessible.
In contrast, Earn falls short in providing similar educational support for beginners. While Earn may have its strengths elsewhere, it does not offer a significant collection of forex or CFDs educational pieces, monthly webinars, or a searchable archive of previous webinars. Furthermore, Earn lacks a diverse range of beginner and advanced educational videos, as well as an extensive investor dictionary. This difference in educational resources is reflected in the ratings, with IG earning a top score of 5 stars and a #1 ranking for Education by ForexBrokers.com, while Earn receives 3.5 stars and is ranked #61 in the same category.
| Feature |
IG
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than Earn. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Earn finished with an overall rank of #50.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 |
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Both IG and Earn do not allow the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options for buying cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers, IG stands out with its support for ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, while Earn offers Visa or Mastercard, bank wires, and Skrill as options, but lacks ACH, SEPA, and PayPal support.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Earn | |
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| Regulation | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1994 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 35 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 35 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IG Review |
| Overall | IG | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
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