First Trade
IG
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Overview
First Trade was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in USA, while IG was established in 1974 and is based in UK. First Trade holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while IG is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. First Trade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; IG has 178,500+. The minimum deposit is $5 at First Trade and $200 at IG.
| Feature | First Trade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $200 |
| Regulation | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) |
| Founded | 2008 | 1974 |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 178,500+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between First Trade and IG, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. IG has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $5 at First Trade). First Trade charges withdrawal fees while IG does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. First Trade charges deposit fees; IG does not. Overall, First Trade scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | First Trade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
First Trade 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 First Trade does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | First Trade | 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 | 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 First Trade and IG compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. First Trade scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | First Trade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. First Trade 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 | First Trade | 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 First Trade and IG offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. First Trade supports 2 languages and IG supports 5, giving IG broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | First Trade | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese |