Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Vantage, 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.
IG and Vantage are two online brokers that differ significantly in terms of their trust and regulation credentials. Founded in 1974, IG is both a publicly traded company and functions as a bank, giving it a stronger foundation in the financial world compared to Vantage, which started in 2009. IG holds a Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, the highest possible rating, making it a highly trusted broker. Vantage, with a Trust Score of 90, is also considered highly trusted but falls short of IG's perfect rating.
When it comes to regulatory licenses, IG stands out with eight Tier-1 licenses, which are deemed the most reliable by ForexBrokers.com, along with two Tier-2 licenses. Vantage, on the other hand, has two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. These differences reflect their commitment to regulatory compliance, positioning IG as the more established and trusted option for those seeking an online brokerage.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing IG and Vantage in terms of commissions and fees, each broker offers different strengths aimed at various types of traders. IG, rated 5 stars in this category and ranked #8 among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, excels with its active trader pricing available through the Forex Direct accounts. The spreads on its main Forex Direct account averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023, with a commission equivalent of 0.2 pips, leading to an all-in cost of 0.82 pips. IG also provides competitive spreads on its CFD account for both mini and standard contracts, ranging from 0.69 pips during main trading hours to 0.98 pips overall. Active traders can benefit from IG's rebate program, offering up to a 20% discount on spreads for high-volume traders.
On the other hand, Vantage, with a 4.5-star rating and ranked #18 by ForexBrokers.com, offers three account types: Standard STP, RAW ECN, and PRO ECN. The Standard account features average spreads of 1.30 pips as of March 2023. In contrast, the Raw account provides tighter spreads of 0.15 pips but includes a commission of $6 per round turn, resulting in a total cost of 0.75 pips. Vantage's PRO account offers the most competitive pricing among its options, with a commission of just $4 per round turn, but comes with varying eligibility requirements based on the regulating entity. Traders who can meet these requirements will find the PRO account comparable to those from FP Markets and Tickmill.
For active traders, Vantage has a rebate program with incentives ranging from $2 to $8 per standard lot, but it is only available for the Standard account. While Vantage's pricing aligns with the average industry rates, it does not quite match up to leaders like IG, Saxo, and CMC Markets in terms of cost-efficiency. Both brokers solidly cater to different trader profiles, with IG offering more advantages for advanced traders seeking dynamic pricing and Vantage providing solid options with its structured account tiers.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.30 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.75 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Vantage, IG clearly stands out with a far wider selection of investments. IG caters to traders with an impressive repertoire of 19,537 tradeable symbols, including 97 forex pairs and the ability to invest in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international platforms. This gives traders direct access to companies like Apple and Vodafone without the need to engage with CFDs. On the other hand, Vantage offers a significantly smaller selection with just 1,000 tradeable symbols and 57 forex pairs. Unlike IG, Vantage does not provide access to direct stocks on U.S. and international exchanges.
Both platforms offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts and provide opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. While IG does not support copy trading, Vantage does. Reflecting on these differences, IG is rated 5 stars for its range of investments and ranks 4th among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, Vantage receives a 3.5-star rating and is positioned 50th, illustrating a notable gap between the two in investment options available to users.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 57 |
| 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 IG and Vantage's trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer simulation trading through free virtual demo accounts and have developed proprietary platforms. They each also provide MetaTrader 4, Windows desktop platforms, and web-based trading options. However, Vantage distinguishes itself by offering MetaTrader 5 along with additional features like copy trading and integration with third-party platforms such as DupliTrade and ZuluTrade—options that are not available with IG.
Charting tools vary slightly between the two, with IG offering 20 drawing tools compared to Vantage's 15, though both allow trading directly from a stock chart. Vantage provides more customization with seven columns for watch lists, compared to IG's five. According to ForexBrokers.com, IG stands out with a 5-star rating, ranking #2 out of 62 brokers for trading platforms and tools, while Vantage has a respectable 4-star rating, ranked at #15 in the same category.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Yes |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| 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 Vantage, both platforms provide convenient options for iPhone and Android users, allowing traders to stay connected on-the-go. IG excels in offering features that enhance the trading experience, such as stock and forex price alerts and watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring all updates are seamlessly integrated across platforms. Vantage, while also providing price alerts, does not offer synchronized watchlists, which might be a consideration for traders seeking complete integration between mobile and online accounts. Furthermore, IG enables users to access more technical studies with 33 options for charting, compared to Vantage's 30, giving traders an edge in technical analysis. Both apps support drawing trendlines and accessing multiple time frames for more detailed market insights.
For those concerned about user experience and ratings, IG's mobile app has earned an impressive 5-star rating and ranks first among 62 brokers, showcasing its top-of-the-line functionality and user approval. Vantage, on the other hand, receives a solid 4-star rating, ranking 26th in the same category. This places IG as a strong contender for traders seeking a top-rated app with comprehensive features, while Vantage stands as a competent choice with a slightly different set of offerings. Whether you prioritize extensive charting capabilities or seamless account syncing, both IG and Vantage provide reliable options for mobile trading enthusiasts.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| 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.
When comparing IG and Vantage for their market research capabilities, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders are well-informed about global financial developments. While IG delivers advanced tools from Autochartist and cooperative research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, Vantage stands out with its partnership with Trading Central, offering tools like Technical Analytics. Both brokers also feature sentiment-based trading tools, useful for analyzing the ratio of long and short positions across different instruments.
IG provides an extensive market research experience, supported by a high research rating of five stars, ranking it second among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This reflects its comprehensive offerings that combine technical and fundamental insights. Meanwhile, Vantage, with a respectable four-star rating and a 24th-place ranking, excels with its unique toolset and consistent service, despite lacking some of IG's additional research offerings. Both brokers, however, maintain useful economic calendars to keep traders abreast of global economic events.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners at the online brokers IG and Vantage, both offer comprehensive materials, including over ten educational pieces on forex or CFDs, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, both brokers provide online educational webinars, held at least once a month, and maintain a searchable archive of past webinars. Whether you choose IG or Vantage, you'll find dedicated educational videos, with each broker offering at least ten videos tailored for beginners and another set covering advanced topics for more experienced traders.
IG stands out with its top-tier educational ranking, claiming a five-star rating and securing the number one spot among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. It also provides an extensive investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms defined. Vantage, while also offering valuable educational content and a notable investor dictionary, holds a four-star education rating and ranks 27th in the same category. Therefore, while both brokers present strong educational offerings, IG leads the pack in terms of educational resources for beginners.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
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 Vantage. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26.
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
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 |
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Both IG and Vantage do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrency but do provide opportunities to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers IG and Vantage, both offer PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire options for account fund transactions, but IG additionally supports ACH/SEPA transfers while Vantage provides Skrill as an extra payment method.
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 | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Vantage Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Vantage | |
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| Regulation | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 57 | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.30 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.75 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | |
| 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 | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Vantage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | IG | Vantage | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 90 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Vantage Review |
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