AvaTrade vs IG Group 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
AvaTrade suits traders who value copy trading. IG Group suits traders who prioritise tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 1,260).
Head to head
| AvaTrade | IG Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CBI C53877 | FCA 195355 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $100 | None |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.9 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Instruments | 1,260+ | 17,000+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | Yes | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | $50/mo after 3mo | $12/mo after 2mo |
| Founded | 2006 | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Dublin, Ireland | London, UK |
Regulation: AvaTrade vs IG Group
AvaTrade is regulated by CBI under licence C53877 (AvaTrade EU Ltd). The CBI is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
IG Group is regulated by FCA under licence 195355 (IG Markets Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Spreads and fees
AvaTrade's EUR/USD spread is 0.9 pips. IG Group's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. IG Group offers tighter spreads on this pair.
AvaTrade charges an inactivity fee of $50/month after 3 months without trading. IG Group charges an inactivity fee of $12/month after 2 months.
Platforms and tools
Both AvaTrade and IG Group support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
AvaTrade offers copy trading, IG Group does not.
Minimum deposit
AvaTrade requires a minimum deposit of $100. IG Group requires None. IG Group has the lower barrier to entry.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
AvaTrade is generally better for beginners because it offers copy trading, allowing new traders to replicate experienced traders automatically while learning. IG Group also has the lower minimum deposit of None. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Both AvaTrade and IG Group support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. IG Group's tighter spreads (0.6 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. IG Group offers more instruments (17,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: AvaTrade vs IG Group
Choose AvaTrade if you want copy trading. The CBI licence (C53877) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose IG Group if you want tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 1,260). The FCA licence (195355) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
AvaTrade vs IG Group: which is better?
AvaTrade is better for copy trading. IG Group is better for tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 1,260). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is AvaTrade or IG Group safer?
Both AvaTrade (CBI C53877) and IG Group (FCA 195355) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for AvaTrade and IG Group?
AvaTrade minimum deposit: $100. IG Group minimum deposit: None. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do AvaTrade and IG Group have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.