IG vs XTrade Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We 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 XTrade?
Our pick: IG
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - IG looks preferable to XTrade.
IG scored 4.1/5 and ranks 38 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas XTrade has 3.3/5 and ranks 62.
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 XTrade suitable for?
Xtrade is suitable for traders who value a simple interface, bonus programs, and access to education and analytics.
Comparison Table of IG and XTrade
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2003 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | Belize |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | IG Review | XTrade 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:
XTrade Review
Xtrade offers a wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods, an extensive range of markets and trading products, and a variety of analytical tools. The broker is equipped with an extensive training center, which makes it attractive for novice traders who want to expand their knowledge and improve their trading skills. Responsive and feature-rich customer support enhances the usability of the broker's services.
Xtrade is suitable for novice traders, thanks to its accessible educational resources and wide range of trading products. However, potential clients should pay special attention to regulatory issues and trading costs before deciding to start working with this broker.
Pros and Cons of XTrade
Pros
- Wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- Extensive selection of markets and products for trading.
- Diversity of analytical tools.
- Comprehensive educational center with various materials.
- Responsive and multifunctional technical support.
Cons
- Weak regulation may raise concerns about the security of client funds.
- Limited variety of accounts and services offered.
- Wide spreads, which can increase trading costs.
- Long processing time for withdrawal requests.
- Lack of alternatives to the offered trading platform, limiting traders' choices.
Reliability
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2003 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | Belize |
| Regulators |
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
XTrade
The reliability of Xtrade International Ltd is questionable due to the lack of licenses from strict regulators, despite having a license from the Belize FSC.
Pros
- Segregated client accounts.
- Investor compensation fund.
Cons
- Lack of licenses from strict regulators.
Account Opening
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| 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.
XTrade
Account opening at Xtrade is fairly standard and transparent.
Pros
- Free and fast account opening.
- Clear verification instructions.
Cons
- High minimum deposit.
- Verification can be lengthy.
Account Types
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.5/5 | 2.3/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
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| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
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|
| 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.
XTrade
Xtrade offers a variety of accounts, but does not satisfy the needs of all categories of traders.
Pros
- Four types of accounts for different traders.
- Reduced spreads for Premium and VIP accounts.
Cons
- Absence of cent and Islamic accounts.
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
- Lack of copy trading service.
Commissions
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 1 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.1 | 3 |
| 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.
XTrade
Commissions at Xtrade are relatively high, which can increase a trader's costs.
Pros
- No withdrawal fee.
Cons
- High spreads.
- Inactivity fee of 50 USD.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.7/5 | 3.5/5 |
| 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.
XTrade
Xtrade offers a variety of deposit and withdrawal methods, but with lengthy processing times.
Pros
- Wide selection of payment systems.
- No fees on many methods.
Cons
- Long withdrawal processing time.
- Absence of cryptocurrencies.
Markets and Products
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 99 | 57 |
| Precious Metals | 11 | 9 |
| Energy Carriers | 9 | 5 |
| Soft Commodities | 20 | 7 |
| Indices | 46 | 25 |
| Stocks | 13000 | 300 |
| ETF | 5400 | 13 |
| Bonds | 19 | 5 |
| Cryptocurrency | 15 | 52 |
IG
IG offers an extensive range of products and markets for trading, with an impressive selection of CFDs, options, and thematic baskets.
XTrade
Xtrade offers an extensive selection of markets and products, meeting the needs of various traders.
Pros
- Wide range of currency pairs.
- Numerous CFDs on stocks from different countries.
- Availability of cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| 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.
XTrade
Xtrade offers a functional and user-friendly platform.
Pros
- Web platform with no download required.
- Full-featured mobile application.
Cons
- Lack of popular platforms such as MT4 or MT5.
- Limited choice of platforms.
- No desktop version of the platform.
Analytics
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
XTrade
Xtrade's analytics are well-developed, providing traders with a variety of market analysis tools.
Pros
- Daily video analysis.
- Economic calendar and up-to-date news.
- Specialized calculators for technical analysis.
Cons
- Lack of regular reviews from experts.
- No trading signals.
Education
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
XTrade
Xtrade provides extensive educational materials covering various levels of complexity.
Pros
- Wide range of topics.
- Materials for beginners and professionals.
- Availability of video tutorials and e-books.
Cons
- Lack of webinars.
- Some topics may require deeper study.
Customer Support
| Broker | IG | XTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Email Support |
|
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTubeIG
IG provides fast and professional support.
XTrade
Xtrade's customer support is responsive and diverse, but there are minor communication issues.
Pros
- Variety of communication channels.
- 24/5 availability during weekdays.
- Quick and professional response.
Cons
- Some reviews indicate problems with resolving disputes.
Comparisons of IG and XTrade with other brokers
Conclusion
IG stands out as the better overall pick, while XTrade trails on aggregate criteria.
IG scored 4.1/5 and ranks 38 in our rating; XTrade has 3.3/5 and ranks 62.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: IG or XTrade?
IG comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.1/5, position 38) versus XTrade (score 3.3/5, position 62).
Which broker is better for beginners: IG or XTrade?
IG 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 XTrade?
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 XTrade?
IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. XTrade: xTrade. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IG and XTrade?
IG: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. XTrade: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by IG and XTrade?
IG: CFD, DMA. XTrade: Standard, Platinum, Premium, VIP. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IG and XTrade?
IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. XTrade: Moneta.ru, Qiwi, WebMoney, YooMoney, VLoad, Alipay, AstroPay, Boleto, CashU, FasaPay, Jeton, Bpay, Swift, Sofort, Visa, Mastercard, JCB, EPS, Giropay, iDeal, Przelewy24, POLi. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IG or XTrade — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
