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 | 3 |
When comparing online brokers IG and Vantage for their commissions and fees, IG stands out for its competitive active trader pricing and extensive execution methods. IG offers various account types, including its Forex Direct accounts, which provide closer-to-industry-average spreads, notably averaging 0.62 pips on EUR/USD during July 2023. Active traders who qualify as professionals in the EU can benefit from IG's three-tier rebate program for significant volume trading, potentially reducing their costs significantly. However, IG cannot be termed a discount broker. It garners a 5-star rating for commissions and fees and holds the impressive #8 rank out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
Vantage, on the other hand, presents a trio of account options: the spread-only Standard STP and the commission-based RAW ECN and PRO ECN accounts. The Standard account features typical spreads of 1.30 pips on the EUR/USD as of March 2023, whereas the RAW ECN account offers lower spreads with added commissions, resulting in competitive pricing. The PRO account excels with a reduced per-side commission, accessible to traders who meet the funding and qualification criteria. Vantage's active trader program provides rebates based on trading volume and balance, albeit available only on the Standard account. Vantage is rated 4.5 stars for its commissions and fees and holds the #19 rank on ForexBrokers.com’s list.
Ultimately, both IG and Vantage cater well to the active trader with their specific offerings. IG's comprehensive pricing strategies and execution methods make it a preferable choice for traders seeking varied options and potential rebates, albeit at a higher entry cost. Meanwhile, Vantage provides a straightforward and structured approach to pricing with its distinct account types, appealing to traders who value transparent fees and can meet specific account criteria. Each broker has its particulars, making the choice dependent on individual trading needs and volume.
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 it comes to the variety of investments available, IG clearly stands out in comparison to Vantage. Offering an impressive 19,537 tradeable symbols, IG provides access to 97 forex pairs and a range of exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This includes popular stocks such as Apple listed on the NASDAQ and Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, IG caters to cryptocurrency enthusiasts with the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives. However, it does not support copy trading or the buying of actual cryptocurrencies.
On the other hand, Vantage presents a more limited selection with 1,000 tradeable symbols and 61 forex pairs. While it offers cryptocurrency derivatives and the ability to engage in copy trading, it lacks access to direct investments in U.S. and international exchange-traded securities. Although Vantage provides essential features for forex and CFD trading, it holds a 3.5-star rating in investment range compared to IG's full 5 stars. Rankings from ForexBrokers.com further highlight this difference, as IG is placed 4th for its range of investments while Vantage is positioned at 50th.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 1000 |
| 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 trading platforms and tools, both IG and Vantage stand out in offering comprehensive services to enhance your trading experience. IG provides a state-of-the-art proprietary platform that is accessible through desktop downloads and web browsers, alongside a virtual demo account for practice. Vantage, on the other hand, matches these offerings with its own proprietary platform and demo account while extending additional support with copy trading and compatibility with both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. However, while IG skips on certain additional trading services like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, Vantage makes these tools available, although it also does not offer ZuluTrade, highlighting a slight distinction in service variety.
Charting capabilities show IG with a slight edge, as it boasts 20 drawing tools, compared to Vantage’s 15, and both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts. For those who value information-rich watch lists, Vantage offers more flexibility with 7 customizable columns versus IG’s 5. User ratings reflect these subtle differences, with IG achieving a full 5-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools compared to Vantage’s 4 stars. Additionally, IG is ranked #2 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in this category, significantly higher than Vantage’s #21 ranking. This suggests that while both brokers offer robust toolsets, IG’s platform might cater more effectively to a wider range of trading needs and preferences.
| 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 | No |
| 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 brokers offer iPhone and Android compatibility, enabling traders to engage easily from the palm of their hand. Both also support stock and forex price alerts and facilitate the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. However, IG rises above with watchlist symbol syncing that seamlessly keeps your mobile app and online account updated, a feature Vantage lacks. Additionally, IG’s mobile app boasts 33 technical charting studies compared to Vantage's 30, adding a slight edge for those who rely heavily on technical analysis.
Both IG and Vantage allow users to draw trendlines and access different time frames for their charts, and auto-save these drawings for convenience. While both apps appear comprehensive, IG's mobile app garners a perfect 5-star rating for its functionality and ease of use, ranking it #1 out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Vantage, although commendable with a 4-star rating, ranks much lower at #27. This suggests IG might be the preferred choice for traders seeking a seamless and highly-rated trading app experience.
| 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 it comes to market research, both IG and Vantage provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Users will find that both platforms support technical and fundamental analysis tools from Autochartist. However, IG has the edge when it comes to diversity in research offerings, as it also includes sentiment-based trading tools and market insights from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, which Vantage lacks. On the other hand, Vantage does feature tools from Trading Central, which IG does not.
IG further distinguishes itself with an intricate economic calendar similar to that available on Vantage, making it a comprehensive choice for traders seeking detailed insights. With these offerings, IG has achieved a research rating of 5 stars and is ranked second among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Vantage holds a 4-star rating and ranks 21st in the same category.
| Feature |
IG
|
Vantage
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
For beginners diving into forex or CFD trading, both IG and Vantage provide an excellent array of educational resources. IG stands out with a top-tier selection including over 10 comprehensive educational pieces such as articles and videos focused on forex and CFDs, as well as a broad range of beginner and advanced video content. Moreover, IG regularly hosts educational webinars and offers a searchable archive of these sessions, allowing new investors to learn at their pace. Additionally, IG features an extensive investor dictionary, making financial jargon more accessible. This thorough approach to education has earned IG a perfect 5-star rating and the top rank in the education category by ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, Vantage also delivers valuable learning opportunities for those new to trading. With more than 10 articles and videos on forex and CFDs, as well as dedicated content for beginners, Vantage ensures a solid educational foundation. Like IG, Vantage provides monthly webinars and access to archived sessions, fostering continuous learning. Furthermore, Vantage also includes an investor dictionary with over 50 terms. While Vantage holds a respectable 4-star rating, it ranks as the 24th option for education among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its noteworthy but slightly less comprehensive educational offerings compared to IG.
| 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 | 3 |
| 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 | 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 | 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | No |
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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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