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Head-to-head
IG vs Exness: fees, regulation and platforms compared
IG and Exness side by side on the things that decide which one suits you: who regulates the company you would join, what a trade costs, which platforms you get and whether you can open an account where you live.
Short answer: Choose IG if you value a long track record: IG was founded in London in 1974. Choose Exness if you want Raw Spread or Zero accounts on MT4 or MT5. Neither of the companies we review accepts US retail forex clients.
IG vs Exness at a glance
| IG | Exness | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation of main companies | FCA, ASIC, DFSA | FSA Seychelles for most retail clients; FSCA; CMA (Kenya) |
| Minimum deposit | $0 by bank transfer (IG International); cards from $50 | Varies by account and region |
| EUR/USD pricing (headline) | From 0.6 pips, spread-only | From 0.0 pips on Raw Spread and Zero, plus commission |
| Platforms | IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime | MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal |
| US retail forex clients | No (for the CFD business we review) | No |
| Background | Founded 1974, London | Founded 2008 |
| 1-lot EUR/USD round turn at headline prices | about $6 | not comparable from headline figures |
Round-turn costs use each broker's headline "from" price for 1 standard lot (100,000 units, $10 per pip) including any published commission. Real spreads are often wider. Try your own numbers in our forex cost calculator.
Which should you choose?
Choose IG if:
- you value a long track record: IG was founded in London in 1974
- you are in the UK and want spread betting as well as CFDs
- you want ProRealTime charting
Watch out: MT5 and cTrader are not on its platform list, so EA traders who need MT5 should look elsewhere.
Choose Exness if:
- you want Raw Spread or Zero accounts on MT4 or MT5
- you are in Kenya and want its CMA-licensed company
Watch out: Most retail clients join an offshore company licensed in Seychelles, Exness says its FCA and CySEC companies do not serve retail clients, and the Philippine SEC has issued an advisory against it.
Regulation and safety
IG lists FCA, ASIC, DFSA. Exness lists FSA Seychelles for most retail clients; FSCA; CMA (Kenya). A broker's headline licences do not always cover you: the company that opens your account depends on where you live, and only that company's regulator protects you. Our legal entity guide shows how to check it on the regulator's own register.
Costs
IG: From 0.6 pips, spread-only. Exness: From 0.0 pips on Raw Spread and Zero, plus commission. Also compare overnight swap rates if you hold trades, and any deposit, withdrawal, inactivity or currency conversion fees. See spreads and commissions explained.
Platforms
IG: IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime. Exness: MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal. If you run Expert Advisors, check MetaTrader support first; see MT4 vs MT5.
FAQ
Is IG or Exness cheaper?
Their pricing is structured differently: IG lists from 0.6 pips, spread-only; Exness lists from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread and Zero, plus commission. Compare them on a demo account during the hours you trade, or use our cost calculator.
Which is better regulated, IG or Exness?
IG: FCA, ASIC, DFSA. Exness: FSA Seychelles for most retail clients; FSCA; CMA (Kenya). What matters is the company that would hold your account, which depends on where you live.
Do IG and Exness accept US clients?
IG: No (for the CFD business we review). Exness: No.
What is the minimum deposit at IG and Exness?
IG: $0 by bank transfer (IG International); cards from $50. Exness: Varies by account and region.
Which platforms do IG and Exness offer?
IG: IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime. Exness: MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal.
More comparisons
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Sources
- Forex Awards IG review (sources listed there)
- Forex Awards Exness review (sources listed there)
Forex and CFDs are leveraged products and most retail accounts lose money. Forex Awards may earn commissions from some links; see our affiliate disclosure. This is general information, not financial advice.