IG
Virtual Brokers
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Overview
IG was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in UK, while Virtual Brokers was established in 2008 and is based in Canada. IG holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), while Virtual Brokers is regulated by The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) among others. IG serves 178,500+ clients worldwide; Virtual Brokers has 10,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IG and $1000 at Virtual Brokers.
| Feature | IG | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $1000 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) | The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) |
| Founded | 1974 | 2008 |
| Country | UK | Canada |
| Clients | 178,500+ | 10,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IG and Virtual Brokers, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Virtual Brokers has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1000 (vs $200 at IG). Virtual Brokers charges withdrawal fees while IG does not, giving IG an edge for frequent withdrawers. Virtual Brokers charges deposit fees; IG does not. Overall, IG scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IG | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $1000 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
IG offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Virtual Brokers supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | IG | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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,Desktop,iPhone/iOS |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how IG and Virtual Brokers 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. Virtual Brokers scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | IG | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Virtual Brokers supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). IG uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. IG scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | IG | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | No |
| 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 IG and Virtual Brokers offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. IG supports 5 languages and Virtual Brokers supports 2, giving IG broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | IG | Virtual Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese | English, and Chinese |