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FxPro vs IG (UK)
Reviewed by Phillip Ashdown
This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Affiliate links may be present.
Quick Verdict
IG and FxPro are very different brokers despite both being available to UK retail traders. IG is the long-established UK heavyweight, with 50 years of history, 15,000+ tradable markets, and a structured education programme through IG Academy. FxPro is a specialist with 27 years of UK presence, focused on platform variety and active-trader account types, including cTrader (which IG does not offer). For most UK traders, IG is the more natural choice. The combination of beginner-friendly pricing on its Standard account, broader market access, and structured education makes it suitable for a wider audience. FxPro becomes the better pick for active traders who specifically need cTrader, want the Raw+ commission-based account structure, or value FxPro's Limited Risk Accounts on spread betting.
Best for cost-sensitive traders: IG — IG Standard offers 0.6 pip EUR/USD spreads with zero commission, meaningfully cheaper than FxPro Standard at 1.2 pips. For high-volume active traders using raw-spread accounts, FxPro Raw+ at 0 pips plus $7 round-trip commission becomes competitive, but IG remains cheaper for typical retail volumes.
Best for beginners: IG — IG is the more beginner-friendly choice. The IG Academy education hub provides structured courses, 50 years of UK trading history adds reassurance, and the Standard account uses simple spread-only pricing. FxPro is positioned for active traders, with a more complex three-tier account structure and platform suite.
Best overall: IG — IG is the broader-fit choice for UK traders, combining longer history, lower loss rate disclosure (68% vs 75%), broader market access (15,000+ markets vs 2,100+), and stronger beginner education. FxPro remains a strong alternative for traders who specifically need cTrader, prefer commission-based pricing, or value the free Limited Risk Account on spread betting.
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FxPro and IG sit at opposite ends of the UK forex spectrum despite both being FCA-authorised. IG is the UK's longest-established broker with broad market access and structured education; FxPro is an active-trader specialist with five trading platforms including cTrader. This comparison breaks down spreads, platform choice, account structures, regulation, and which broker fits which trader.
FxPro vs IG: At a Glance
| Feature | FxPro | IG |
|---|---|---|
| FCA Regulation | Yes (FRN 509956) | Yes (FRN 195355 / 114059) |
| UK History | Since 1999 (27 years) | Since 1974 (50+ years) |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | £0 |
| Pricing Model | Standard, Raw+ and Elite tiers | Standard spread-only |
| Spread Betting Available | Yes (FxPro Edge) | Yes |
| Platforms Offered | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, FxPro Platform, FxPro Edge | MT4, MT5, TradingView, IG web, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | Yes (free, Limited Risk Account on FxPro Edge) | Yes (premium per-trade charge) |
| Tradable Markets | 2,100+ CFD assets | 15,000+ markets |
| UK Retail Loss Rate | 75% | 68% |
| Best For | Active traders wanting cTrader and Limited Risk Account spread betting | Most UK traders — broad market access, education and longest UK history |
Spreads and Fees
Typical spreads by pair
FxPro Standard accounts start from around 1.2 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, while the Raw+ account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per side ($7 round-trip) on MT4 and MT5. IG's Standard account is meaningfully tighter at around 0.6 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. IG does not offer a separate raw-spread account.
Commission and account fees
All-in costs differ by trader profile. For casual or lower-volume traders, IG's spread-only Standard account is simply cheaper than FxPro Standard (0.6 vs 1.2 pips on EUR/USD). For high-volume active traders, FxPro Raw+ at 0 pips plus $7 round-trip commission becomes competitive against IG's 0.6 pip spread-only model. On gold, FxPro Standard quotes from around 25 cents while IG starts from around 0.3 points on its Standard account.
Overnight financing and inactivity costs
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees. IG charges £12 per month after two years of inactivity. FxPro's inactivity policy is not publicly disclosed in the same headline form, so traders should check current account terms before funding. IG also charges FX conversion on share dealing — 0.10% on UK and EU shares and around 2 cents per share on US stocks. Overnight financing applies to leveraged positions held past rollover for both brokers.
For a detailed breakdown of how spreads affect trading costs, see our guide to forex spreads explained.
| Fee | FxPro | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit (CFD) | Not publicly disclosed | £0 |
| EUR/USD Standard spread | from 1.2 pips | from 0.6 pips |
| EUR/USD Raw spread | from 0 pips | n/a (no Raw account) |
| Raw commission | $3.5/side ($7 round-trip MT4/5) | n/a |
| Gold spread (Standard) | 25 cents | from 0.3 pts |
| Inactivity fee | Not publicly disclosed | £12/month after 2 years |
| Deposit/withdrawal fees | £0 | £0 |
| FX commission on shares | n/a | 0.10% UK/EU, 2c US |
Platforms
FxPro's platform lineup
FxPro offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and its own FxPro Platform for CFD trading, plus FxPro Edge as a dedicated spread betting platform. cTrader is a key differentiator — it is not available at IG. cTrader supports C# algorithmic coding via cAlgo, depth-of-market visibility, and the institutional-style features algorithmic and active traders look for.
IG's platform lineup
IG offers MT4, MT5, TradingView, its own IG web platform, ProRealTime for advanced charting, and L2 Dealer for direct market access trading. The IG web platform is mature and well integrated with IG Academy, the broker's structured education hub. L2 Dealer is unusual at this price tier and gives serious traders genuine DMA on equities. EAs are supported across MT4, MT5 and ProRealTime.
Both brokers support automated trading on MetaTrader. The structural difference on protection is FxPro's free guaranteed stop via the Limited Risk Account on FxPro Edge — IG offers guaranteed stops, but charges a premium per trade. For traders who use guaranteed stops routinely, that pricing gap matters.
| Feature | FxPro | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| TradingView | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary web | FxPro Platform + FxPro Edge (spread betting) | IG web platform |
| Other proprietary | n/a | L2 Dealer (DMA), ProRealTime |
| Total platforms | 5–6 | 5–6 |
| EA / automation | Yes (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView) | Yes (MT4, MT5, ProRealTime) |
| Guaranteed stop loss | Free (Limited Risk Account on FxPro Edge) | Yes (premium per-trade charge) |
FCA Regulation and Safety
Regulatory status and client protections
FxPro UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 509956), with its registered office at 80 Coleman Street, EC2R 5BJ London. IG is authorised through IG Markets Limited (FRN 195355) and IG Index Limited (FRN 114059), with its registered office at Cannon Bridge House, 25 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2YA. Eligible client deposits at both brokers are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 per person, per firm.
Company structure and history
Both brokers segregate retail client funds and provide negative balance protection for retail clients in line with FCA rules (professional clients are not covered). IG has been operating since 1974, giving it more than 50 years of UK trading history and making it the UK's longest-established forex provider. FxPro has been operating since 1999. UK retail loss rates are 68% at IG and 75% at FxPro on CFDs and spread betting combined — both within the typical industry range, but IG's lower number is worth noting.
Verify each broker's authorisation on the FCA Register: FxPro on the FCA Register and IG on the FCA Register.
For more on what FCA regulation means for traders, see our guide to FCA regulation explained.
Both brokers provide FSCS protection for eligible UK retail clients up to £85,000 per person, per firm.
Who should choose FxPro over IG?
- FxPro is the better pick for active traders who specifically want cTrader. IG does not offer cTrader, while FxPro offers the full version with C# coding (cAlgo), depth-of-market visibility, and the institutional-style features cTrader is known for. If cTrader is part of your trading workflow, this alone is a reason to choose FxPro.
- FxPro's Raw+ account becomes more cost-effective than IG's Standard account at higher trading volumes. The 0 pip plus $7 round-trip commission structure rewards active traders who place many trades per day, where the per-trade commission economics outperform IG's spread-included pricing.
- For UK spread betters wanting structural risk control, FxPro Edge offers Limited Risk Accounts at no extra cost, which guarantee you cannot lose more than your initial deposit. IG offers guaranteed stops, but charges a premium per trade. If you spread bet regularly and want guaranteed risk control without per-trade fees, FxPro is materially cheaper.
Ready to open an account? Visit FxPro.
Who should choose IG over FxPro?
- IG is the better choice for most UK traders. With 50 years of UK trading history, 15,000+ tradable markets, and IG Academy providing structured beginner education, IG fits a much broader audience than FxPro's active-trader specialist focus. For traders who value the longest-established UK broker with the broadest market access, IG is the natural pick.
- IG's Standard account offers tighter retail spreads than FxPro's Standard account (0.6 pips vs 1.2 pips on EUR/USD), and zero commission. For casual traders or those placing fewer than several trades per day, IG is straightforwardly cheaper. The simpler account structure (no tiered Standard/Raw+/Elite system) also reduces complexity for newcomers.
- IG's broader market access matters for traders who want exposure beyond pure forex. IG offers 15,000+ markets including direct share dealing, ISA and SIPP accounts, and DMA via L2 Dealer. FxPro's 2,100+ CFD assets is narrower and CFD-only. If your trading ambitions extend beyond CFDs, IG is the more complete platform.
Ready to open an account? Visit IG.
Final Verdict
FxPro and IG suit very different UK traders. IG is the broader-fit choice for most retail traders — longer UK history (50+ years), tighter Standard spreads (0.6 pips EUR/USD), broader market access (15,000+ markets), structured beginner education through IG Academy, and a lower disclosed retail loss rate (68% vs 75%). FxPro remains a strong alternative for active traders who specifically need cTrader (IG does not offer it), prefer the commission-based Raw+ pricing structure at higher volumes, or value the free Limited Risk Account on FxPro Edge for spread betting. For most UK traders, IG is the natural starting point. For cTrader users and active spread betters who want guaranteed risk control without per-trade premiums, FxPro is the better fit.
Read our full individual reviews for more detail: Read full FxPro review and Read full IG review. You can also compare both brokers against the wider market on our best forex brokers UK page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, FxPro or IG?
For most UK retail traders, IG is cheaper. IG's Standard account offers EUR/USD spreads from 0.6 pips with zero commission, meaningfully tighter than FxPro Standard's 1.2 pips. For high-volume active traders using raw-spread accounts, FxPro Raw+ at 0 pips plus $7 round-trip commission becomes competitive, but IG's spread-only Standard remains cheaper for typical retail volumes.
Which has more trading platforms — FxPro or IG?
Both offer comparable platform breadth. FxPro provides MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, FxPro Platform (proprietary), and FxPro Edge for spread betting — six platforms in total. IG provides MT4, MT5, TradingView, IG web platform, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer for direct market access. FxPro is the only option of the two with cTrader; IG is the only one with L2 Dealer DMA.
Are FxPro and IG both FCA regulated?
Yes. FxPro UK Limited and IG Markets Limited (FRN 195355) are both authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Both offer FSCS protection up to £85,000 per eligible client, negative balance protection for retail clients, and segregated client funds. You can verify each broker's authorisation on the FCA Register.
Which is better for beginners — FxPro or IG?
IG is the clear better choice for UK beginners. IG offers structured education through IG Academy, has 50 years of UK trading history, and uses simpler spread-only pricing on the Standard account. FxPro is positioned for active and experienced traders, with a more complex three-tier account structure (Standard, Raw+, Elite) that adds learning curve for newcomers.
Does IG offer cTrader?
No. IG does not offer cTrader. If you specifically need cTrader for your trading workflow (algorithmic trading via cAlgo, depth-of-market visibility, institutional-style features), FxPro or Pepperstone are the FCA-regulated UK options that offer it.
Which broker has more markets to trade?
IG offers significantly more markets — 15,000+ tradable instruments including direct share dealing, options, futures, ISA accounts and SIPP accounts. FxPro offers 2,100+ CFD assets across forex, indices, shares, commodities, crypto and ETFs. For traders wanting exposure beyond CFDs, IG is the more complete platform.
Risk Warning: Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products. You should consider whether you understand how these instruments work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.