Independent reviews of UK brokers since 1996

Axi vs IG Index

Axi or IG – which is better for UK traders 2026? Compare Axi and IG in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Axi vs IG Comparison Table 2026
Axi IG
3.7
4.5
Axi is ranked #13 among CFD brokers. IG is ranked #5 among CFD brokers.
Visit Axi Visit IG
Founded in 2007, Axi is a forex and CFD broker operating under multiple regulations. Over the years, it has enhanced the trading experience by broadening its stock offerings, upgrading the Axi Academy, and launching a proprietary copy trading app. Established in 1974, IG is a unit of IG Group Holdings Plc, listed on the LSE as IGG. It provides access to over 17,000 markets through intuitive platforms and apps. For half a century, IG has remained an industry leader, excelling in all vital aspects for traders.

72.4% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Pros
  • Axi Academy offers a wealth of educational resources, from free eBooks and video tutorials to interactive quizzes. These are particularly beneficial for novice traders.
  • Axi provides an excellent MT4 experience, enhanced by the NextGen plug-in for sophisticated order management and analytics, with low execution latency around 30ms.
  • Based on our tests, Axi's new trading app is highly intuitive. It offers practical filtering options to align strategies with individual risk preferences.
  • Experienced traders may enrol in the Axi Select programme via the broker's offshore branch, offering up to $1 million in funding and a 90% profit share. Several traders have reached this milestone.
  • In 2026, Axi launched an AI trading tool that lets MT5 users manage accounts and set up trades through Claude, advancing agentic trading.
  • The IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
  • The web-based platform supports traders at every level, offering advanced charting tools and real-time market data vital for trading. Additionally, IG now includes TradingView integration.
  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform remains free, provided traders meet modest monthly activity requirements.
  • As a seasoned broker, IG adheres to stringent regulatory standards across various regions, ensuring significant trust.
  • IG excels with its diverse instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it provides US-listed futures, options, and an AI Index, ensuring varied diversification opportunities.
  • IG provides a wide range of professional and engaging educational materials, such as webinars, articles, and analyses, tailored for traders.
  • IG secured a crypto asset license from the FCA, enabling its return to the UK market. It now offers buying, selling, and storage services for over 55 digital tokens with fees starting at 1.49%, all under FCA regulation.
Cons
  • Although Axi delivers excellent performance, its support is not available 24/7. This unavailability can be inconvenient for traders operating in different time zones or requiring help beyond regular trading hours.
  • Axi lags by solely providing MT4, while competitors have upgraded to MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and bespoke platforms, delivering a smoother user experience with enhanced tools.
  • Axi retains our confidence. However, recent issues with ASIC and FMA require it to maintain a secure environment and comply with licensing standards.
  • Even with the expansion of stock CFDs in the US, UK, and EU markets, its range still falls short compared to companies like BlackBull, which provide thousands of equities for varied trading opportunities.
  • IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 to $18 after two years, discouraging occasional investors.
  • Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
  • IG has ended its swap-free account, diminishing its attractiveness to Islamic traders.
Awards
  • Global Most Innovative Broker 2025 - Finance Magnates Awards
  • Best Funded Trader Program 2023 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best MT4 Provider UK 2022 – International Business Magazine Awards
  • Best CFD Provider 2022 – Shares Awards
  • Best CFD Provider 2021 – Shares Awards
  • Most Transparent Forex Broker (Middle East) 2021 - Global Forex Awards
  • Best EMEA Region Broker 2020 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
FCA Regulated
Yes Yes
Instruments
CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto CFDs (not in US), Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting (UK only)
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$0 $0
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
FCA, ASIC, FMA, DFSA, FSC CFTC, NFA, FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, BMA, CONSOB
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App
Axi's app offers a seamless trading experience, combining essential tools for active global market trading in one place. Enhanced with bug fixes and improved speed, it now includes push notifications, custom watchlists, and educational videos, all within an impressive user-friendly interface. IG provides an excellent trading app. As a mobile trading pioneer, it has evolved over the years into a top-tier app. Expect swift responses, an intuitive interface, comprehensive charting, and dependable performance. Additionally, it includes guaranteed stops, a crucial risk management feature absent in many apps we've evaluated.
iOS App Rating
3.6 4.6
Android App Rating
4.2 4
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
Margin Rate
1.0% – 1.5% for Forex, 3.0% – 3.4% for Shares, Indices, and Commodities
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
No No
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No Yes
Autochartist
Yes Yes
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
Yes No
ECN Account
No No
DMA Account
No Yes
MAM Account
Yes No
PAMM Account
Yes No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
Yes Yes
Robo Advisor
No Yes
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
No Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
Yes Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, Myfxbook Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime
Copy Trading
Yes No
Social Trading
Yes No
Trade Signals
MT4, Autochartist Yes
VPS Hosting
Yes Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
Yes No
Ethical Investing
No Yes
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No Yes
Inactivity Fee
$10 $12
Islamic Account
Yes No
Account Currencies
  • CHF
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • PLN
  • USD
  • AUD
  • CAD
  • CHF
  • DKK
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • HKD
  • JPY
  • SEK
  • SGD
  • USD
  • ZAR
Commodities
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Copper
  • Gasoline
  • Gold
  • Natural Gas
  • Oil
  • Platinum
  • Precious Metals
  • Silver
  • Aluminium
  • Cannabis
  • Cattle
  • Coffee
  • Copper
  • Gold
  • Iron
  • Lean Hogs
  • Lithium
  • Natural Gas
  • Nickel
  • Oil
  • Orange Juice
  • Palladium
  • Precious Metals
  • Silver
  • Soybeans
  • Steel
  • Sugar
  • Wheat
CFD
Axi provides an expanding range of CFDs on currencies, shares, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, subject to location. Designed for active traders, it imposes no limits on scalping or algorithmic strategies, offers significant leverage, and ensures rapid execution with latency below 100ms. IG provides over 17,000 CFDs, giving traders more opportunities than most brokers. Investors can trade long or short on key markets such as equities, forex, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, customised price alerts and the IG Academy enrich the trading experience.
Leverage
1:30 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
FTSE Spread
1.0 1.0
GBPUSD Spread<
0.6 0.9
Oil Spread
0.03 2.8
Stocks Spread
0.07 0.02
Forex
Axi excels with over 70 currency pairs, outpacing competitors such as AvaTrade, which provides just over 50. Coupled with the enhanced MT4 platform via the NextGen add-on, Axi stands out as a top choice for forex traders. IG provides an extensive selection of over 80 currency pairs through its own web platform, mobile app, or MetaTrader 4. For advanced charting and forex analysis, the ProRealTime software is available. Testing shows forex spreads are competitive, beginning at 0.1 pips on major pairs such as EUR/USD.
Assets
70+ 80+
GBPUSD Spread
0.5 0.9
EURUSD Spread
0.2 0.86
EURGBP Spread
0.5 0.9
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
Axi offers round-the-clock short-term trading on 30 popular cryptocurrencies paired with fiat currencies, other tokens, and metals. It distinguishes itself with leverage options up to 1:200 for experienced crypto traders, enhancing both potential gains and risks. IG provides an expanding range of over 100 crypto CFDs and digital assets for trading and storage. Distinguished by its crypto index, it monitors the top 10 digital currencies by market cap, offering a comprehensive market speculation approach. In the UK, its crypto options were enhanced by obtaining an FCA digital asset license, allowing regulated trading and investment in popular crypto coins. Additionally, IG has broadened its spot crypto services to Australia, France, and Singapore.
Spread
From 0.0 Variable
Coins
  • AAVE
  • ADA
  • AVAX
  • BAT
  • BCH
  • BCH
  • BNB
  • BTC
  • BTC
  • COMP
  • CRV
  • DOG
  • DOT
  • ENJ
  • EOS
  • ETH
  • FTT
  • KSM
  • LNK
  • LNK
  • LRC
  • LTC
  • LTC
  • MANA
  • MATIC
  • MKR
  • OMG
  • SAND
  • SOL
  • SUSHI
  • UNI
  • XLM
  • XRP
  • XRP
  • XTZ
  • AAVE
  • ADA
  • APT
  • ARB
  • AVAX
  • BCH
  • BTC
  • CRYPTO10
  • DOGE
  • DOT
  • EOS
  • ETH
  • HBAR
  • ICP
  • LINK
  • LTC
  • NEAR
  • NEO
  • ONDO
  • PEPE
  • POL
  • SHIB
  • SOL
  • SUI
  • TIA
  • TON
  • TRX
  • UNI
  • XLM
  • XRP
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No No
Auto Market Maker
No No
Axi IG
Visit Axi Visit IG
72.4% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.