IG Group vs Admiral Markets 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
IG Group suits traders who value lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), more instruments (17,000 vs 8,000). Admiral Markets suits traders who prioritise tighter spreads.
Head to head
| IG Group | Admiral Markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 195355 | FCA 595450 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | None | $100 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | 0.1 pips |
| Instruments | 17,000+ | 8,000+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity fee | $12/mo after 2mo | $10/mo after 24mo |
| Founded | 1974 | 2001 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Tallinn, Estonia |
Regulation: IG Group vs Admiral Markets
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.
Admiral Markets is regulated by FCA under licence 595450 (Admirals UK 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
IG Group's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. Admiral Markets's EUR/USD spread is 0.1 pips. Admiral Markets offers tighter spreads on this pair.
IG Group charges an inactivity fee of $12/month after 2 months without trading. Admiral Markets charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 24 months.
Platforms and tools
Both IG Group and Admiral Markets support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
IG Group requires a minimum deposit of None. Admiral Markets requires $100. IG Group has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider IG Group.
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?
IG Group also has the lower minimum deposit of None, making it easier to start with a small amount. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Both IG Group and Admiral Markets support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. Admiral Markets's tighter spreads (0.1 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. IG Group offers more instruments (17,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: IG Group vs Admiral Markets
Choose IG Group if you want lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), more instruments (17,000 vs 8,000). The FCA licence (195355) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose Admiral Markets if you want tighter spreads. The FCA licence (595450) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
IG Group vs Admiral Markets: which is better?
IG Group is better for lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), more instruments (17,000 vs 8,000). Admiral Markets is better for tighter spreads. If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is IG Group or Admiral Markets safer?
Both IG Group (FCA 195355) and Admiral Markets (FCA 595450) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group and Admiral Markets?
IG Group minimum deposit: None. Admiral Markets minimum deposit: $100. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do IG Group and Admiral Markets have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.