Global Prime vs IG Index

Global Prime or IG Index – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare Global Prime and IG Index in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

Global Prime vs IG Index Comparison Table 2025
Global Prime IG Index
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3.8
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4.7
Global Prime is ranked #56 among CFD brokers. IG Index is ranked #7 among CFD brokers.
Review
Review
Global Prime, a fully regulated trading broker, provides access to over 150 markets. Traders can begin with a minimum deposit of $200 and utilise leverage up to 1:100. Renowned for its reliability, the company holds a strong reputation and is licensed by ASIC. Founded in 1974, IG is a part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly listed brokerage (LSE: IGG). The company provides spread betting, CFD, and forex trading, offering access to over 17,000 markets. Its platforms and investing apps are notably user-friendly. Over the past 50 years, IG has consistently been an industry leader, excelling in all essential areas for traders.
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
  • Comprehensive investment options offering over 150 assets, including cryptocurrencies.
  • Benefit from rapid execution speeds starting at 10ms.
  • Diverse deposit methods available without any charges.
  • Segregated client funds refer to the practice where a trader's assets are maintained separately from the brokerage's. This ensures trader funds are protected and reduces risk. Under this system, a trader can have confidence that their money won't be used to cover the firm's financial obligations. This separation is crucial for maintaining trust and transparency in trading activities. Such practices uphold regulatory compliance, safeguarding client interests.
  • Round-the-clock customer support
  • £0 initial deposit
  • Trade Receipts
  • ECN account
  • Sure, here's a revised version: --- Utilising a Virtual Private Server (VPS) can significantly enhance a trader's performance. Traders benefit from improved speed and stability, reducing the risk of delays and technical issues. A VPS allows for uninterrupted trading, even during unexpected power outages or internet disruptions. It also provides a secure environment, protecting sensitive financial data. Additionally, traders can access their accounts globally, ensuring they have the flexibility needed to react to market changes swiftly. Overall, incorporating a VPS into your trading strategy can lead to more efficient and secure operations.
  • IG stands out with its extensive range of instruments, offering stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Additionally, it has recently introduced US-listed futures and options, along with an AI Index. These options enhance opportunities for diversification in trading.
  • 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 IG app provides an excellent mobile trading experience with an intuitive design, earning it the Runner Up position in our 'Best Trading App' award.
  • As a seasoned broker, IG adheres to stringent regulatory standards across various regions, ensuring significant trust.
  • IG provides a wide range of professional and engaging educational materials, such as webinars, articles, and analyses, tailored for traders.
  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform remains free, provided traders meet modest monthly activity requirements.
Cons
  • Clients from the United States and Canada are ineligible.
  • The selection of account types is limited.
  • No integration with MetaTrader 5.
  • Beginners may find IG's fees complicated, as they vary depending on the trades or services. This could cause confusion and unexpected costs.
  • In the UK and EU, negative balance protection is available. However, US clients lack account protection and guaranteed stop losses.
  • IG has ended its swap-free account, diminishing its attractiveness to Islamic traders.
  • Based on tests, stock and CFD spreads remain less competitive than the lowest-cost brokers, such as CMC Markets.
  • IG imposes a monthly inactivity fee of $12 after two years, discouraging occasional traders.
Awards
  • Best Customer Service 2022 - Online Money Awards
  • Best Spread Betting Provider 2022 - Online Money Awards
  • Best Platform for the Active Trader 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Multi Platform Provider 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Finance App 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
FCA Regulated
No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Yes
Instruments
Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, shares, bonds CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
A$200 $0
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
ASIC, VFSC, FSA FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App

IG offers a superb all-round trading app. One of the pioneers of mobile trading, the application has been developed and refined over many years, meaning it is now among the best trading apps. Quick response, user-friendly layout, access to full charting and a stable and reliable application. It also offers guaranteed stops – an important risk management tool not available on many apps we’ve tested.
iOS App Rating
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4.8
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4.6
Android App Rating
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4.6
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4
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
Margin Rate
2.5%
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
No No
cTrader
No No
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
Yes Yes
Autochartist
Yes Yes
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
Yes No
ECN Account
Yes No
DMA Account
No Yes
MAM Account
No No
PAMM Account
No No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
Yes No
Robo Advisor
No Yes
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
No Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
No Yes
Auto Trading
Yes Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime
Copy Trading
Yes No
Copy Trading Platform
Engage with and replicate the trades of seasoned investors using Global Prime's unique copy trading service. You can mirror over 40 diverse strategies on the widely-used Myfxbook Autotrade platform.
Social Trading
Yes No
Trade Signals
Yes
VPS Hosting
Yes Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No Yes
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No Yes
Inactivity Fee
$12
Islamic Account
No No
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • SGD
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • ZAR
  • SEK
  • DKK
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Commodities
  • Gold
  • Copper
  • Oil
  • Gold
  • Copper
  • Oil
  • Palladium
  • Silver
  • Sugar
  • Coffee
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
  • Soybeans
  • Orange Juice
  • Nickel
  • Steel
  • Iron
  • Precious Metals
  • Aluminium
  • Lithium
  • Cannabis
  • Lean Hogs
  • Cattle
CFD
Global Prime provides trading options across over 150 international markets, covering forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and bonds. The platform offers competitive spreads, with a raw ECN account starting at zero. 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
1:200 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
FTSE Spread
0.84 1.0
GBPUSD Spread<
0.64 0.9
Oil Spread
1.6 2.8
Stocks Spread
Variable 0.02
Forex
Global Prime offers traders access to 48 forex pairs, including major, minor, and exotic pairs. Enjoy tight spreads starting at 0.9 with no commission or from 0 with a $7 round turn fee. Trading is facilitated through the top-tier MT4 platform, allowing for micro lot trading. The New York-based server ensures low latency, optimising your trading experience. 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
48 80+
GBPUSD Spread
0.75 0.9
EURUSD Spread
0.16 0.8
EURGBP Spread
0.85 0.9
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
Global Prime offers an extensive selection of 35 crypto CFDs, including well-known tokens such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside less mainstream options like Sandbox and Avalanche. Commissions are competitive at 0.1%, with leverage options available in certain regions. IG offers a limited range of 11 crypto CFDs, lagging behind leading brokers such as Vantage, which provides access to over 40 tokens. Nonetheless, IG distinguishes itself with its crypto index, tracking the top 10 digital currencies by market capitalisation. This index offers traders a comprehensive method to speculate on the overall value of the crypto market.
Spread
Floating Variable
Coins
  • BTC
  • BCH
  • LTC
  • ETH
  • XRP
  • BTC
  • BCH
  • LTC
  • ETH
  • ADA
  • DOT
  • DOGE
  • LINK
  • UNI
  • XLM
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No No
Auto Market Maker
No No
Global Prime IG Index
Review
Review
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.
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