IG Group vs Plus500 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
IG Group suits traders who value tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 2,000). Plus500 suits traders who prioritise specific use cases detailed below.
Head to head
| IG Group | Plus500 | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 195355 | FCA 509909 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | None | $100 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Instruments | 17,000+ | 2,000+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | No |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | Yes | No — CFDs only |
| Inactivity fee | $12/mo after 2mo | $10/mo after 3mo |
| Founded | 1974 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Haifa, Israel |
Regulation: IG Group vs Plus500
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.
Plus500 is regulated by FCA under licence 509909 (Plus500UK 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. Plus500's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. IG Group offers tighter spreads on this pair.
IG Group charges an inactivity fee of $12/month after 2 months without trading. Plus500 charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 3 months.
Platforms and tools
IG Group supports MetaTrader. Plus500 uses a proprietary platform only — traders who need MT4/MT5 for automated strategies should choose IG Group.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
IG Group requires a minimum deposit of None. Plus500 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?
IG Group is better for experienced traders who need MetaTrader for automated strategies and custom indicators. 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: IG Group vs Plus500
Choose IG Group if you want tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 2,000). The FCA licence (195355) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose Plus500 if you want specific use cases detailed below. The FCA licence (509909) 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 Plus500: which is better?
IG Group is better for tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $100), MetaTrader support, real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 2,000). Plus500 is better for specific use cases detailed below. If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is IG Group or Plus500 safer?
Both IG Group (FCA 195355) and Plus500 (FCA 509909) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group and Plus500?
IG Group minimum deposit: None. Plus500 minimum deposit: $100. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do IG Group and Plus500 have MetaTrader?
IG Group supports MT4 and MT5. Plus500 does not offer MetaTrader — it uses a proprietary platform.