Core Spreads
IG
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Overview
Core Spreads was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in London, while IG was established in 1974 and is based in UK. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. Core Spreads serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; IG has 178,500+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Core Spreads and $200 at IG.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) |
| Founded | 2014 | 1974 |
| Country | London | UK |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 178,500+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Core Spreads and IG, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Core Spreads has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $200 at IG). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Core Spreads charges deposit fees; IG does not. Overall, Core Spreads scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Core Spreads offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while IG supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. IG supports social and copy trading features, which Core Spreads does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, Mac, Web Trader, L2 Dealer, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Core Spreads and IG compare. IG runs regular live webinars; Core Spreads does not. Both provide video tutorials. IG publishes daily market commentary; Core Spreads does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. IG maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. IG scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Core Spreads accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while IG supports 3 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal). IG uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. IG scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Core Spreads and IG offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Core Spreads supports 2 languages and IG supports 5, giving IG broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese |