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IG vs OANDA (2026): Which Veteran Broker Wins?
We compared two of the oldest and most respected names in forex trading. See how IG and OANDA stack up on spreads, trading platforms, research tools, and US availability.
Verdict: IG Wins
IG edges out OANDA as the superior overall broker thanks to its massive product catalog (17,000+ markets), industry-leading research tools, and the powerful ProRealTime platform. However, OANDA remains an excellent choice, particularly for US traders or those who want seamless TradingView integration.
IG vs OANDA: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 | 1996 |
| Tier-1 Regulation | 6 Tier-1 Licenses | 6 Tier-1 Licenses |
| Publicly Traded | Yes (LSE: IGG) | No (Owned by CVC Capital Partners) |
| Accepts US Clients | Yes | Yes |
| Tradable Symbols | 17,000+ | 100+ |
| EUR/USD Spread (Min) | 0.6 pips | 1.0 pips |
| Minimum Deposit | $250 (Card) | $0 |
| MetaTrader 4 | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 | No | No |
| TradingView Integration | No | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes (Web & Mobile) | Yes (OANDA Trade) |
| Direct Market Access (DMA) | Yes (L2 Dealer) | No |
| Islamic Account | Yes | No |
| Customer Service | 24/5 + Weekends | 24/5 |
| Inactivity Fee | $18/month (after 24 mos) | $10/month (after 12 mos) |
IG vs OANDA: Spreads and Trading Costs
Both IG and OANDA utilize a spread-based pricing model for most of their forex accounts, although both offer volume-based discounts for very active traders. Generally, IG offers slightly tighter minimum spreads on major currency pairs. Neither broker is considered 'cheap' compared to zero-spread discount brokers, but you are paying for premium platforms, deep liquidity, and institutional-grade reliability.
| Fee Type | IG | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread (Min) | 0.6 pips | 1.0 pips |
| GBP/USD Spread (Min) | 0.9 pips | 1.3 pips |
| USD/JPY Spread (Min) | 0.7 pips | 1.1 pips |
| S&P 500 Spread | 0.4 pts | 0.5 pts |
| Gold Spread | 0.3 pts | 0.4 pts |
| Deposit Fee | Free (Bank/Crypto); Card fees may apply | Free (Most methods) |
| Withdrawal Fee | Free (Bank/Card) | Free (Card); Bank Wire fees vary |
| Inactivity Fee | $18/month (after 2 years active) | $10/month (after 1 year active) |
| Overnight Financing (Swap) | Tom-Next +/- admin fee | Tom-Next +/- admin fee |
Trust and Regulation: Is IG or OANDA Safer?
Both IG and OANDA represent the gold standard of trust in the forex industry. They are fully regulated in the United States by the CFTC and NFA—a rare feat given the strict regulatory environment. IG gains a slight edge in overall trust score simply because it is a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: IGG), which requires an even higher level of financial transparency and public reporting.
IG
Tier 1- Regulators:FCA (UK)CFTC/NFA (US)ASIC (Australia)BaFin (Germany)FINMA (Switzerland)MAS (Singapore)
- Investor Protection: Yes (Varies by jurisdiction, e.g., FSCS in UK)
- Licensed Since: 1974
OANDA
Tier 1- Regulators:CFTC/NFA (US)FCA (UK)ASIC (Australia)IIROC (Canada)MAS (Singapore)FSA (Japan)
- Investor Protection: Yes (Varies by jurisdiction, e.g., FSCS in UK, CIPF in Canada)
- Licensed Since: 1996
Platform Showdown: IG Web Platform vs OANDA Trade
This is where both brokers truly shine. IG's proprietary web platform is incredibly fast, stable, and packed with integrated research from DailyFX and IGTV. For advanced technical analysts, IG offers ProRealTime integration. OANDA counters with its award-winning 'OANDA Trade' platform, but its real trump card is seamless, native integration with TradingView, allowing traders to execute trades directly from TradingView charts.
| Feature | IG | OANDA |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | ||
| MetaTrader 5 | ||
| TradingView Integration | Yes (Full integration) | |
| Proprietary Platform | IG Platform (Web & App) | OANDA Trade (Web & App) |
| Advanced Charting Add-on | ProRealTime | Advanced Charting (by TradingView) |
| Direct Market Access (DMA) | Yes (via L2 Dealer) | |
| News & Sentiment | Reuters, IGTV, Client Sentiment | Dow Jones, OANDA Order Book |
| Mobile Trading App | Yes (Excellent) | Yes (Excellent) |
| Algo Trading Support | MT4 EAs, ProRealTime Auto | MT4 EAs, OANDA API |
| Guaranteed Stop Losses (GSLO) | Yes (Premium applied) | Yes (Premium applied) |
Pros & Cons: IG vs OANDA
IG
Pros
- Massive selection of over 17,000 tradable instruments
- Publicly traded company (LSE: IGG) providing total financial transparency
- Outstanding proprietary web platform with integrated research
- Access to ProRealTime charting and L2 Dealer for DMA
- Top-tier research including IGTV live broadcasts
- Regulated in every major global jurisdiction including the USA
Cons
- No MetaTrader 5 (MT5) support
- Can be overwhelming for complete beginners
- Card deposits usually require a $250 minimum
- Share CFD trading can carry high minimum commissions
OANDA
Pros
- Superb integration with TradingView for chart-based trading
- No minimum deposit requirement ($0)
- Excellent proprietary OANDA Trade platform
- Strong historical reputation and NFA/CFTC regulation for US traders
- Innovative 'Advanced Charting' powered by TradingView internally
- OANDA Order Book provides unique client positioning insights
Cons
- Limited product catalog compared to IG (mostly focused on FX)
- No MetaTrader 5 (MT5) support
- Spreads can widen significantly during major news events
- Customer service can be slower than competitors during peak times
Expert Verdict: IG vs OANDA
IG is the better choice for most serious traders. Their sheer size means you get access to a staggering 17,000+ markets, covering almost every global asset class. IG's proprietary web trading platform is arguably the best in the industry—it's fast, incredibly stable, and seamlessly integrates world-class research and IGTV live analysis. If you utilize Direct Market Access (DMA) for equities or forex, IG's L2 Dealer platform makes them the clear winner.
OANDA is the better choice if you rely heavily on TradingView. OANDA's native integration with TradingView is flawless, allowing you to chart, analyze, and execute trades without ever leaving the TradingView interface. Furthermore, OANDA requires absolutely no minimum deposit, making it slightly more accessible for traders starting with small capital.
For US Traders: Both brokers are among the very few regulated by the CFTC and NFA to accept US clients. IG offers a slightly more sophisticated suite of tools, while OANDA is arguably more focused specifically on the North American market dynamics.
Ultimately, IG offers a more comprehensive all-around package, winning this comparison, but TradingView enthusiasts will likely prefer OANDA.
IG vs OANDA: Frequently Asked Questions
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Risk Warning: Forex and CFD trading involves significant risk of loss. 68–80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.|Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive compensation from the brokers listed on this page. This does not influence our rankings or reviews, which are based on independent analysis.
Comparison data updated February 2026. Broker terms, spreads, and conditions vary by region and account type. See our methodology | Full Disclaimer | Privacy Policy