IG vs Plus500 Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
Plus500We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - IG or Plus500?
Our pick: Plus500
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Plus500 looks preferable to IG.
Plus500 scored 4.3/5 and ranks 20 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 38.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is IG suitable for?
Broker IG.com is suitable for traders of all levels, offering reliability, convenience, a wide selection of instruments, and good customer support.
Who is Plus500 suitable for?
Plus500 is a robust choice for seasoned traders who appreciate a variety of trading CFDs and advanced analytical capabilities.
Comparison Table of IG and Plus500
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.6 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | IG Review | Plus500 Review |
IG Review
IG is a highly regulated broker with licenses from reliable financial authorities, providing clients with high funds protection. Thanks to narrow spreads, traders can effectively manage their costs and increase the profitability of their operations. Quality trading platforms and advanced analytical tools support informed trading decisions, while extensive educational resources make IG attractive to traders of all experience levels.
Pros and Cons of IG
Pros
- Licenses from regulators with a high level of credibility.
- Tight spreads.
- A variety of markets and products.
- Extensive set of analytical tools and content.
- Quality educational resources for different levels of traders.
Cons
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
- High trading fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Limited choice of payment methods.
IG is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Plus500 Review
Plus500 is ideal for traders seeking a convenient and intuitive platform with a broad spectrum of trading instruments. It's particularly well-suited for those who value a diverse range of CFDs on stocks, indices, currencies, commodities, and ETFs. The built-in Insight+ analytics tool is a significant advantage for those keen on analyzing trends and activities based on real-time data.
Pros and Cons of Plus500
Pros
- Diversity of trading assets.
- Intuitive trading platform.
- 24/7 support.
- Built-in analytics.
Cons
- Limited channels for communication with technical support.
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
Plus500 is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
| Regulators |
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
Plus500
Plus500 is registered and regulated in several jurisdictions by authoritative bodies. This means that the broker is required to adhere to strict financial standards and provide regular reports on its activities to regulators.
Account Opening
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
IG
The account opening process is simple, fast, and convenient for traders of any experience level.
Pros
- No minimum deposit required.
- Quick registration process (5-10 minutes).
Cons
- Necessity to provide extensive personal and financial information.
- Verification may take a couple of days.
- There is a possibility of being denied account opening.
Plus500
Opening an account with Plus500 is straightforward due to its fast registration and low minimum deposit. Beginners should use the demo account and Trading Academy to learn before real trading.
Account Types
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.5/5 | 2/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.6 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:30 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
IG
IG offers a limited selection of accounts, meeting the basic needs of traders, but not accommodating specific requirements.
Pros
- Availability of DMA account for professional traders.
- Premium service offered for high-value clients.
- Free demo account for practice and training.
Cons
- Absence of Islamic and investment accounts.
- No fixed spread accounts and cent accounts.
Plus500
The lack of account diversity and market execution of orders at Plus500 significantly limits flexibility and opportunities for traders of various categories.
Commissions
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.6 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Commission per Lot | $6.48 |
IG
IG provides an average level of commissions, with low spreads but high transaction fees on DMA accounts.
Pros
- Low spreads.
- No fees for deposits/withdrawals.
Cons
- High transaction fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Currency conversion fee and guaranteed stop fee.
Plus500
Plus500 offers clients market average trading commissions.
Pros
- No commission for deposit or withdrawal.
Cons
- Inactivity account fee.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
IG
Broker IG offers an average level of services for deposits/withdrawals, not charging a fee, but has limitations on available methods.
Pros
- No commission for funding and withdrawal.
- PayPal available as a deposit/withdrawal option.
- Transparent information about limits.
Cons
- Absence of cryptocurrencies and most electronic wallets.
- Withdrawal processing time can take up to 5 business days.
- Restrictions on the minimum withdrawal amount.
Plus500
Plus500 offers convenient and diverse methods for depositing and withdrawing funds, but processing requests may take up to 3 business days.
Pros
- Wide selection of payment systems.
- No commission for depositing and withdrawing.
Markets and Products
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 99 | 65 |
| Precious Metals | 11 | 5 |
| Energy Carriers | 9 | 7 |
| Soft Commodities | 20 | 10 |
| Indices | 46 | 36 |
| Stocks | 13000 | 1550 |
| ETF | 5400 | 96 |
| Bonds | 19 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 15 | - |
IG
IG offers an extensive range of products and markets for trading, with an impressive selection of CFDs, options, and thematic baskets.
Plus500
Plus500 offers a deep diversity of products and markets, including CFDs on currencies, indices, commodities, stocks, and ETFs from various countries worldwide.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
IG
IG offers a variety of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, and L2 Dealer, catering to traders of all levels.
Plus500
Plus500 offers an efficient, user-friendly platform, however, there is no choice between platforms.
Pros
- Proprietary platform
- Available on mobile devices.
Cons
- No choice between platforms.
Analytics
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
Plus500
Plus500 offers good analytical tools and useful services.
Pros
- Insights+
- ESG scoring
- Convenient risk management tools
Education
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
Plus500
Plus500 offers its users quality training through webinars, interactive materials and e-books. This allows traders to gain comprehensive knowledge for a successful start and effective trading.
Pros
- Quality and detailed video lessons
- Free webinars from independent experts
- Interactive guides and e-books
Customer Support
| Broker | IG | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Email Support |
|
|
| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
InstagramIG
IG provides fast and professional support.
Plus500
The Plus500 customer support is limited and not ideal, although it provides support in multiple languages 24/7.
Pros
- Support in many languages.
- Operates around the clock.
Cons
- Lack of direct communication channels (e.g., telephone).
- Potential delays in responses due to limited communication channels.
Comparisons of IG and Plus500 with other brokers
Conclusion
Plus500 stands out as the better overall pick, while IG trails on aggregate criteria.
Plus500 scored 4.3/5 and ranks 20 in our rating; IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 38.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: IG or Plus500?
Plus500 comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 20) versus IG (score 4.1/5, position 38).
Which broker is better for beginners: IG or Plus500?
Plus500 is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — IG or Plus500?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with IG and Plus500?
IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. Plus500: WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IG and Plus500?
IG: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Plus500: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by IG and Plus500?
IG: CFD, DMA. Plus500: Plus500. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IG and Plus500?
IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Plus500: PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IG or Plus500 — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
