If you are reading this article, you’re likely having trouble deciding whether IG Markets or OANDA is the better Forex trading platform for you. While both platforms generally provide positive user experiences, there are some essential differences to note.
In this OANDA vs IG Markets review, we outline the highlights of each trading platform to help you make a more informed decision. We evaluate:
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- IG Markets vs OANDA - Verdict
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Headquarters | United Kingdom | British Virgin Islands |
Regulators | FCA | ASIC, BVIFSC, CFTC, FCA, FSA, IIROC, MAS, MFSA |
Tier 1 Regulator(s)? | ||
Owned by Public Company? | ||
Year Established | 1974 | 1996 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker | ECN/STP, Matched Principal Broker |
Minimum Deposit | 300€ | $0 |
Negative Balance Protection | ||
Trading Platform(s) | MetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary platform, Trading View |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.9 pips | 0.9 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 1.4 pip | 1.3 pips |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.03 | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.30 | $0.30 |
Retail Loss Rate | Undisclosed | 78.3% |
Minimum Raw Spreads | Not applicable | 0.0 pips |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.8 pips | 0.6 pips |
Minimum Commission for Forex | Commission-free | $5.00 per round lot |
Islamic Account | ||
Signals | ||
US Persons Accepted? | ||
Managed Accounts | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Features and Platforms
| | |
MT4 | ||
MT5 | ||
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons | ||
cTrader | ||
Proprietary Platform | ||
Automated Trading | ||
Social/Copy Trading | ||
DOM? | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Scalping | ||
Hedging | ||
One-Click Trading | ||
OCO Orders | ||
Interest on Margin | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
IG Markets is the biggest CFD broker with a long operational history. Its market leadership position results in this broker providing liquidity to other retail brokers while maintaining a cost advantage for clients. The choice of trading platforms features its proprietary web-based browser. IG Markets also has MT4, ProReal Time, and L2 Dealer, plus competitive trading tools. Oanda is home to one of the most competitive MT4 trading environments due to its 28 plug-in upgrade package while also delivering a proprietary alternative. Both brokers provide traders with quality research and education.
Available Markets
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Currency Pairs | ||
Cryptocurrencies | ||
Commodities | ||
Crude Oil | ||
Gold | ||
Metals | ||
Equity Indices | ||
Stocks (non-CFDs) | ||
Bonds | ||
ETFs | ||
Options | ||
Futures | ||
Synthetics | ||
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
When it comes to asset selection, IG Markets remains among the best brokers globally. Forex traders get 102 currency pairs, three of which belong to a new class of weekend pairs, and the overall CFD selection exceeds 17,000. IG Markets also writes CFDs if client demand exists. Oanda has 61 currency pairs and 9 non-index futures, 22 commodities, primarily gold and silver quoted in various currencies, 16 index CFDs, and five bond CFDs. Oanda provides Forex traders with an average choice but fails to cater to advanced clients. Therefore, IG Markets maintains a notable edge in available markets.
Typical Spreads and Fees
| | |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.9 pips | 0.9 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 1.4 pip | 1.3 pips |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.03 | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.30 | $0.30 |
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin | $90 | $62 |
Minimum Raw Spreads | Not applicable | 0.0 pips |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.8 pips | 0.6 pips |
Minimum Commission for Forex | Commission-free | $5.00 per round lot |
Deposit Fee | ||
Withdrawal Fee | ||
Inactivity Fee | $12 per month after 24 months | $10 monhtly after 12 months |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
Both brokers offer a commission-free cost structure starting from 0.6 pips or $6 per 1.0 standard lots, ranking among the best across the industry. The commission-based Forex structure at Oanda commences from raw spreads of 0.0 pips for a commission of $5.00. IG Markets lists an average CFD pricing environment with a minimum charge of 0.10%. Both brokers maintain a volume-based rebate program, lowering final trading costs for active traders. Swap rates on leveraged overnight positions and third-party payment processor costs exist at IG Markets and Oanda. Both brokers offer a highly competitive trading cost structure.
Security and Trust
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Country of the Regulator | Australia, Bermuda, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United States | Australia, Canada, Japan, Malta, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, British Virgin Islands |
Name of the Regulator | FCA | ASIC, BVIFSC, CFTC, FCA, FSA, IIROC, MAS, MFSA |
Regulatory License Number | 195355, 378/19, 10148759, confirmed, but no regulaary license number, F001780, 41393, 1489, unconfirmed, 220440, 18923, 0509630, 54814 | Undisclosed, 0325821, 542574, C95813, 412981, 2137, CMS100122-4, SIBA/L/20/1130 |
Regulatory Tier | N/A | 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4 |
| Visit Website | Visit Website |
IG Markets is a publicly-listed company in the UK and a constituent of the FTSE 250, with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as its primary regulator. IG Markets has several subsidiaries in various jurisdictions, all of which remain compliant with their respective regulators. The Canadian Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) is the primary regulator of Oanda. Additional oversight exists from the UK FCA, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). IG Markets has more experience. Both segregate client deposits from corporate funds and offer negative balance protection.
IG Markets vs OANDA – Verdict
IG Markets maintains a product and services portfolio superior to most online brokers. While it caters to all types of investors and traders, algorithmic strategies remain well supported. Clients may use the proprietary web-based trading platform or opt for MT4, ProReal Time and L2 Dealer. IG Markets has access to deep liquidity, resulting in a competitive Forex pricing environment. Oanda deploys its proprietary trading platform alongside MT4, which receives an excellent upgrade with 28 plug-ins, creating one of the best MT4 solutions. It also maintains a competitive cost structure in its commission-free and commission-based accounts. The volume-based rebate program lowers costs for active traders at both brokers. In-house research is also available at both, together with educational resources for beginners, but IG Markets has an edge in both categories. Oanda remains popular in North America, while international traders have a superior overall broker in IG Markets.
Both brokers offer an equally competitive commission-free cost structure. IG Markets and Oanda maintain a volume-based rebate program for their commission-based alternatives, where Oanda provides a better offer.
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