IG
instaforex
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Overview
IG was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in UK, while instaforex was established in 2017 and is based in Russia. IG holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), while instaforex is regulated by BVI FSC among others. IG serves 178,500+ clients worldwide; instaforex has 12,000,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IG and $250 at instaforex.
| Feature | IG | instaforex |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) | BVI FSC, License Number SIBA/L/14/1082. FSC Saint Vincent, Reg. Number IBC22945. Saint Vincent, IBC24321 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2017 |
| Country | UK | Russia |
| Clients | 178,500+ | 12,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IG and instaforex, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. IG has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $250 at instaforex). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. instaforex applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; IG does not. Overall, IG scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IG | instaforex |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
IG offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while instaforex supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, a proprietary platform. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. instaforex edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | IG | instaforex |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Mac, Web Trader, L2 Dealer, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how IG and instaforex 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. instaforex scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | IG | instaforex |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. IG accepts 3 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal), while instaforex supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). instaforex uniquely supports Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. instaforex scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | IG | instaforex |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both IG and instaforex offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. IG supports 5 languages and instaforex supports 8, giving instaforex broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | IG | instaforex |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |