An overall comprehensive side-by-side comparison of Forex.com vs IG.
Forex.com is a reputable company that provides forex and CFD to traders throughout the world with an exceptional trading experience.
In addition, the multi-asset offering of Forex.com will appeal to forex traders of all skill levels. But how does this broker level up one of the oldest, largest brokers in the world, IG?
In this in-depth write-up, you will learn:
- Forex.com vs IG fees and spreads comparison
- Forex.com vs IG: Which broker is better for beginners
- Forex.com vs IG regulation and safety review
- Forex.com vs IG trading platforms and tools
- Forex.com vs IG forex trading conditions compared
- Forex.com vs IG minimum deposit and account types
🏆 10 Best Forex Brokers in South Africa
| Rank | Broker | Broker Review | Regulators | Minimum Deposit | Visit Broker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 |  | Read Review | ASIC, FSA, CBI, BVI, FSCA, FRSA, CySEC, ISA, JFSA | $100 |  |
| 🥈 |  | Read Review | FSCA, FCA, FSA, CMA | $0 | |
| 🥉 |  | Read Review | CySEC, MWALI, FSCA | $25 | |
| 4 |  | Read Review | ASIC, CySEC, FSA, SCB | $200 | |
| 5 |  | Read Review | FSA, FSCA | $250 | |
| 6 |  | Read Review | FSA, FSC, FSCA, ASIC, CMA | $20 | |
| 7 |  | Read Review | FSC, FSCA | $50 | |
| 8 |  | Read Review | ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, FSA, FSC, CMA | $100 | |
| 9 |  | Read Review | ASIC, CySEC, IFSC, DFSA, FCA | $5 | |
| 10 |  | Read Review | FSA, CySEC, FSCA, FSC | $10 | |
Which Broker Is Better for South African Traders?
| 🔎 Category |  |  |
| 💰 Fees | Spreads: Variable spreads on forex and CFDs; typical EUR/USD spreads from ~0.7–1.0 pips on competitive pricing accounts. Commission: Optional raw pricing accounts charge commissions (e.g., ~$3.50 per side per standard lot) with tighter spreads; standard accounts are spread-only. Deposit/Withdrawal Fees: No broker deposit fees; bank or payment provider fees may apply. Withdrawals generally free via bank or card, subject to provider terms. Overnight Funding (Swap): Applies for positions held past daily rollover times. | Spreads: competitive variable spreads (e.g., from ~0.6 pips on forex and wider on indices). Commission: charged on some share CFDs (e.g., 0.1–0.35% on UK shares; other markets vary). Overnight funding: built into pricing for some instruments; separate for others. Deposit/Withdrawal: free to open account; typical funding/withdrawal methods with no broker fees. Currency conversion charges may apply. |
| 🏛️ Regulation | FSCA, CySEC, FCA, DFSA, FSA, CMA | Highly regulated globally, including FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia) and FSCA (South Africa) for local services. CFD trading offered under principal‑to‑principal and OTC derivatives frameworks client funds are segregated under regulatory rules. |
| 🖥️ Platforms | proprietary platform (desktop/web) with charting, indicators, news, and watchlists. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) supported in many regions. TradingView integration available for advanced charting and execution. Some third-party tools (e.g., NinjaTrader, Trading Central, capitalise.ai) are also supported. | Offers IG proprietary platform with robust charting and alerts. Support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4), ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView integration. Mobile apps and web platform with news and analysis tools. |
| 📍 Typical Trader Profile | Suitable for beginner to advanced traders seeking access to major forex pairs, CFDs, and multi-asset markets. Good fit for traders who want robust regulation, flexible pricing models, and multiple platforms (proprietary + MT4/MT5). Also appealing to traders who value research tools and execution reliability. | Ideal for multi‑asset traders who want access to a very broad range of markets (forex, CFDs, shares, commodities, options, bonds and more), strong research material, and advanced platforms. Beginner to professional profiles both catered for. |
| 💰 Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| 🚀Open an Account | 👉Open Account | 👉Open Account |
Forex.com vs IG Regulation Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| ⭐ Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
| 📅 Year founded | 2001 | 1974 |
| 📊 Publicly Traded | Yes | Yes |
| 🇿🇦 Licensed in South Africa | Yes | Yes |
| 🥇 Tier-1 Regulation | 8 | 8 |
| 🥈 Tier-2 Regulation | 0 | 3 |
| 🥉 Tier-3 Regulation | 1 | 1 |
Forex.com vs IG Assets Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 📊 Forex | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Number of Forex pairs | 91 | 100 |
| 📊 CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Bonds | No | Yes |
| 📊 Commodities | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 ETFs | No | Yes |
| 📊 Treasuries | No | No |
| 📊 Indices | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Options | No | Yes |
| 📊 Futures | No | Yes |
| 📊 Precious Metals | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Energies | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Individual Shares | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 US Stock Trading | No | Yes |
| 📊 International Stock Trading | No | Yes |
| 📊 Cryptocurrency CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Physical Crypto | No | No |
| 📊 Total Tradable Instruments | 5500 | 19537 |
Forex.com vs IG Fees Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 💰 Average Spread for EUR/USD | 0.2 pips | 0.1 pips |
| 💰 Commissions Charged | Yes | Yes |
| 💰 ECN Execution | No | Yes |
| 💰 Market Maker Execution | Yes | Yes |
| 💰 Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes |
| 💰 Currency Conversion Fees | Yes | Yes |
| 💰 Deposit Fee | No | No |
| 💰 Withdrawal Fee | No | No |
Forex.com vs IG Account Types Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 📒 Standard Account | Yes | Yes |
| 📒 Cent Account | No | No |
| 📒 Commission-Free Account | Yes | No |
| 📒 ECN Account | Yes | No |
| 📒 Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| ☪️ Islamic/Swap-Free Account | Yes | Yes |
| 📒 Managed Accounts | No | Yes |
| 📒 Share Dealing Account | No | Yes |
Forex.com vs IG Trading Conditions Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 📊 Hedging | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Scalping | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Dynamic Leverage | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Beginner Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Professional Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 📊 Copy/Social Trading | No | Yes |
Forex.com vs IG Deposit Options Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 💳 Bank wire | Yes | Yes |
| 💳 MasterCard | Yes | Yes |
| 💳 PayPal | No | Yes |
| 💳 Skrill | Yes | Yes |
| 💳 Neteller | Yes | Yes |
| 💳 Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
Forex.com vs IG Trading Platforms Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 💻 Desktop Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 📱 Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| 💻 Social Trading | No | Yes |
| 💻 MetaTrader 4 | Yes | Yes |
| 💻 MetaTrader 5 | Yes | No |
| 💻 cTrader | No | No |
| 💻 DupliTrade | No | No |
| 💻 ZuluTrade | No | No |
| 💻 Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
Forex.com vs IG Analytical Tools Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 📅 Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Social Sentiment | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Trading Central | Yes | No |
| 📈 AutoChartist | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Forex News Sources | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Virtual Private Server (VPS) | Yes | Yes |
| 📈 Trading View | Yes | No |
| 📈 Blog | Yes | Yes |
Forex.com vs IG Educational Resources Comparison
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 🎓 Offers education | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ Webinars | No | Yes |
| ℹ️ Beginner training videos | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ Advanced training videos | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ Tutorials | Yes | Yes |
| ℹ️ eBooks | No | No |
| ℹ️ Glossary | Yes | Yes |
Forex.com vs IG Forex Majors Offered Compared
| 🔍 Features | | |
| 💱 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 |
Overview of Forex.com
Who Is Forex.com?
Forex.com is a global online forex and CFD broker operated by GAIN Capital / StoneX Group Inc., a publicly traded financial services company listed on NASDAQ.
Founded in 1999, it has grown into one of the largest and most reputable brokers in the world, serving retail and institutional traders across multiple regions.
- 💰 Min Deposit: $100
- 📈 Leverage: Up to 1:30
- 🏦 Regulators: FSCA, CySEC, FCA, DFSA, FSA, CMA
Regulation & Safety
- Highly regulated globally with oversight from top-tier authorities, including FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), NFA & CFTC (US), CySEC (Cyprus), and CIMA (Cayman Islands).
- Part of GAIN Capital / StoneX Group Inc., a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ, providing transparency and traceability.
- Client funds are segregated, and in many regions, negative balance protection is available, meaning you cannot lose more than your deposit.
- Long operational history since 1999, with a strong regulatory track record.
Tradable Markets & Instruments
- Forex: 80+ currency pairs including majors, minors, and exotics.
- CFDs on Commodities: Energies, precious metals (e.g., gold, silver), and agricultural products.
- Global Indices: Major indices across the US, Europe, and Asia.
- Stocks & ETFs (CFDs): Thousands of equities across multiple global markets.
- Cryptocurrencies CFDs: Select major crypto pairs (region dependent).
- Other instruments: Some futures and options products, depending on region and account type.
Platforms & Tools
- Proprietary Forex.com platform: Advanced trading platform with real-time charts, custom layouts, and integrated analysis.
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4) & MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Supported for desktop, web, and mobile.
- TradingView integration: Allows advanced charting and execution through TradingView in some regions.
- Additional tools include NinjaTrader, Trading Central, and capitalise.ai for strategy automation and research.
- Platforms vary by account type and region.
Costs, Spreads & Fees
- Spreads: Variable spreads on forex; as low as ~0.7–0.8 pips EUR/USD on competitive accounts.
- Commission: Raw/Commission accounts charge a commission (e.g., ~$3.50 per side per standard lot) plus tighter spreads.
- Standard account: Spread-only pricing with no separate commission.
- Overnight financing: Swap charges apply if positions are held overnight.
- Inactivity fee: A monthly inactivity fee applies after a period of non-trading.
- No deposit/withdrawal fees charged by the broker; third-party payment fees may apply.
Pros and Cons
| ✅Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Strong global regulation and safety standards, with client funds segregated and public corporate oversight. | No FSCA regulation specifically for South African clients, and no ZAR accounts or local deposit options. |
| Wide range of tradable instruments across major asset classes including forex, CFDs, indices, stocks and cryptocurrencies | Higher inactivity fees compared to some brokers. |
| Multiple robust trading platforms (Forex.com, MT4, MT5, TradingView). | Standard account spreads can be higher than niche ECN brokers without a commission account. |
Overview of IG
Who Is IG?
Established in 1974 and subject to FSCA oversight as of 2026, IG is known for its depth of trading options, inexpensive trading fees, and high rate of satisfied customers. IG is the largest CFD broker worldwide in terms of revenue, with over 320,000 customers in over 150 countries.
It provides access to over 17,000 instruments for trading via its acclaimed mobile app and web trader platform, and it does it at no cost to traders using either of its two low-cost trading accounts.
IG also operates a full-service stock brokerage for clients who prefer a more conventional investment approach. When compared to other major international brokers, IG's research and analysis are on par. IG's in-house trading staff also provides a steady stream of news and ideas.
- 💰 Min Deposit: $0
- 📈 Leverage: Up to 1:200
- 🏦 Regulators: FCA, BAFIN, FINMA, DFSA, MAS, ASIC, FSCA
Regulation & Safety
- Highly regulated with multiple top-tier licences, including FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), BaFin (Germany), FINMA (Switzerland), MAS (Singapore), CFTC (USA), and others.
- Long operational history since 1974 contributes to strong institutional trust.
- Provides robust financial safety protocols and regulatory compliance globally.
Tradable Markets & Instruments
- Offers a vast instrument universe: forex, indices, stocks, ETFs, commodities, bonds, options, and more.
- Over 17,000–19,500+ tradable instruments (varies by entity and account type).
- Includes CFDs, direct market access (DMA) on some products, and thematic baskets.
Platforms & Tools
- Supports MT4 and IG’s proprietary platforms (Web-based, mobile, L2 Dealer DMA, ProRealTime, and other advanced charting tools).
- Advanced analytical tools built into platforms and extensive integrated research content.
- Offers automated trading and various order types on its ecosystem.
Costs, Spreads & Fees
- Competitive spread and fee structure with tighter typical spreads on forex and CFDs (e.g., ~0.69 pips on EUR/USD main session).
- The commission applies to some direct market access (DMA) accounts.
- Inactivity fees apply after a period, and some conversion/guaranteed stop fees exist.
- Lower costs for high-volume traders via rebates and tiered pricing.
Pros and Cons
| ✅Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Very broad global regulation and high trust rating. | Complex fee structure with commissions on certain products. |
| Extensive range of tradable instruments. | Inactivity fees for dormant accounts. |
| Multiple platforms including MT4, proprietary and advanced tools. | Some advanced features may be overwhelming for new traders. |
Conclusion
Both Forex.com and IG are highly respected, long-established brokers with global regulatory oversight, making them strong options for forex and CFD traders.
Forex.com stands out with its deep forex offering, robust proprietary platform, MetaTrader support, and integration with TradingView, appealing to traders who prioritise platform flexibility and extensive instrument access.
IG, on the other hand, excels with a broader multi-asset ecosystem, including direct share dealing in some regions, advanced charting, professional analytical tools, and comprehensive educational resources that benefit both beginners and experienced traders.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which broker has stronger regulation, Forex.com or IG?
Both Forex.com and IG are highly regulated globally. Forex.com is overseen by FCA, ASIC, CFTC/NFA, CySEC, and others. IG also holds top-tier licences from FCA, ASIC, MAS, FSCA, and more, providing robust client protections and compliance frameworks.
Which broker is better for beginner traders, Forex.com or IG?
IG typically offers more beginner-friendly education, webinars, tutorials, and market insights. Forex.com’s learning resources are solid but less structured. Both have intuitive platforms, yet IG’s research and educational content often benefits new traders more.
How do the trading platforms compare between Forex.com and IG?
Forex.com provides its proprietary platform, MetaTrader integration, and TradingView options. IG offers its proprietary platform plus MT4 and additional tools like L2 Dealer and ProRealTime. Both deliver advanced charting, but IG’s ecosystem is broader.
Which broker has better pricing, Forex.com or IG?
Pricing varies by market and account type. Forex.com offers competitive spreads with raw/commission accounts. IG’s spreads are often tight on major forex pairs, and its execution quality is strong, making pricing competitive across FX and CFDs.
Can I trade stocks and indices on Forex.com and IG?
Yes — both brokers offer a wide range of CFDs on global stocks and indices. IG additionally offers direct share dealing in some regions, expanding investment options beyond derivative CFDs.
Which broker is better for advanced charting and tools, Forex.com or IG?
IG’s platforms include advanced charting, custom indicators, Market Depth, news feeds, and add-ons like ProRealTime. Forex.com also provides robust analytics and TradingView integration, but IG’s toolset is more extensive for technical analysts.
Which broker has better customer support, Forex.com or IG?
IG generally offers 24/5 live chat, phone, and email support with localised teams. Forex.com also provides multi-channel support, but reviews vary by region. IG’s support reputation is slightly stronger overall.
Do Forex.com and IG accept PayPal for funding?
IG supports PayPal in some regions for deposits and withdrawals (availability varies). Forex.com offers PayPal in select countries but not universally. Always confirm funding methods in your local account portal.
Which broker’s mobile/desktop experience is better, Forex.com or IG?
Both brokers offer strong desktop and mobile apps. Forex.com’s proprietary platform and MT integration are solid, while IG’s platform suite includes desktop-rich features and cross-device syncing, often seen as more comprehensive.
Which broker is better for long-term investors, Forex.com or IG?
IG’s broader market access, including direct share trading (in some jurisdictions), ETFs, and options, makes it more suitable for long-term investing. Forex.com’s focus remains primarily on forex and CFD trading, although it also offers diversified CFDs.
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