SimpleFX vs IG Index

SimpleFX or IG Index – which is better for UK traders 2024? Compare SimpleFX and IG Index in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

SimpleFX vs IG Index Comparison Table 2024
SimpleFX IG Index
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4.2
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4.4
SimpleFX is ranked #60 among CFD brokers. IG Index is ranked #19 among CFD brokers.
Review
Review
SimpleFX is an online broker specializing in CFD and cryptocurrency trading, with multi-currency accounts, STP execution, low pricing and no minimum deposit. Bringing innovation and gaining recognition at numerous industry events since 2014, SimpleFX now caters to retail traders from over 190 countries, boasting a client base exceeding 200,000 active users. Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Pros
  • SimpleFX’s proprietary WebTrader - powered by TradingView - delivers a stable trading environment with a user-friendly interface that’s accessible even to novice traders.
  • With MT4 support, experienced traders can access sophisticated charting tools, advanced technical indicators, customizable algorithms, and expert advisors (EAs) for automated strategies.
  • SimpleFX underwent a revamp in 2021, now sporting a slicker client area with faster load times and a social trading community where you can exchange ideas.
  • With leverage up to 1:1000, traders have the potential to amplify their positions significantly, allowing for greater exposure to market movements and magnified returns (as well as losses).
  • The range of cryptocurrencies available for trading is broad, encompassing well-known selections such as ADA, BTC, and ETH, as well as more specialized options like YFI, YFII, and ZEC.
  • IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, providing ample diversification opportunities
  • The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for trading
  • The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our Best Trading App award
  • As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust
  • IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis
  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met
Cons
  • SimpleFX operates with weak regulatory oversight, allowing it to offer high leverage, but meaning it faces less stringent supervision from authorities compared to brokers like IG which operate in tightly regulated jurisdictions.
  • While the Bloomberg TV news feed and economic calendar are valuable resources, the lack of research tools like Autochartist and Trading Central is a serious disadvantage for traders wanting support in identifying opportunities.
  • The educational tools are okay but not great. The ‘Opinion’ section needs updating more frequently while video tutorials covering market analysis and risk management would be valuable additions for beginners.
  • The availability of only a few non-crypto funding methods is a downside for traders seeking more diverse and convenient options for managing their accounts.
  • Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges
  • While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients
  • IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders
  • Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests
  • IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors
Awards
  • Best Support 2023, Crypto Expo Europe
  • The Best Trading Platform Cryptocurrency, World Expo 2022 - Warsaw
  • Best Mobile App 2020 - Rankia Awards
  • The Best Trading Platform, Finance World Expo 2019 - Zug
  • Best Cryptocurrency Trading Platform, Cryptocurrency World Expo 2018 - Berlin
  • 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
CFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptos CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$0 $0
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
FSC FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA
Mobile Apps
iOS, Android + WebTrader iOS & Android
Trading App

SimpleFX provides a proprietary app for both Apple and Android mobile devices. The application boasts a user-friendly design, facilitating easy opening and closing of trades with access to the broker’s 220+ tradable assets. However, occasional unresponsiveness during testing, alongside an average charting package, means it won’t meet the needs of highly active traders.

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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4.4
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4.6
Android App Rating
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3.8
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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
No No
Autochartist
No Yes
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
Yes No
ECN Account
No 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
Yes Yes
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
No Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
No Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime
Copy Trading
No No
Social Trading
Yes No
Trade Signals
Yes Yes
VPS Hosting
No Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No Yes
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No Yes
Inactivity Fee
3% $12
Islamic Account
No No
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • ZAR
  • SEK
  • DKK
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Commodities
  • Copper
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Oil
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Cotton
  • Corn
  • Natural Gas
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
  • Wheat
  • Gold
  • Copper
  • Oil
  • Palladium
  • Silver
  • Sugar
  • Coffee
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
  • Soybeans
  • Orange Juice
  • Nickel
  • Steel
  • Iron
  • Precious Metals
  • Aluminium
  • Lithium
  • Cannabis
CFD
SimpleFX stands out with highly leveraged trading options up to 1:1000 covering popular asset classes, including stocks, indices, currencies and commodities. Additionally, the social community serves as an excellent resource for gathering CFD strategy tips and short-term trading ideas. IG offers a huge selection of 17,000+ CFDs, providing more trading opportunities than most CFD brokers. Traders can go long or short on popular markets like stocks, currencies, commodities and cryptos, while custom price alerts and the IG Academy continue to enhance the trading experience.
Leverage
1:1000 1:30 (Retail), 1:222 (Pro)
FTSE Spread
1.3 1.0
GBPUSD Spread<
1.2 0.9
Oil Spread
0.04 2.8
Stocks Spread
Variable 0.02
Forex
SimpleFX provides a comprehensive selection of around 60 currency pairs, from majors like GBP/USD to exotics like CHF/PLN. Forex trading fees are competitive, averaging 0.9 pips on EUR/USD during testing, while MetaTrader 4, available on desktop, web and mobile, was built specifically for trading currencies online. IG offers an above-average suite of 80+ currency pairs on its proprietary web platform, mobile app or MetaTrader 4, with more advanced charts and forex analysis tools available on the ProRealTime software. Forex spreads are competitive based on tests, starting from 0.1 pips on majors like the EUR/USD.
Assets
57 80+
GBPUSD Spread
1.2 0.9
EURUSD Spread
0.9 0.8
EURGBP Spread
1.0 0.9
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
SimpleFX’s strongest offering is its crypto trading environment, with a growing range of tokens, including Bitcoin and Ethereum paired with the USD. Its crypto-based accounts also ensure a smooth trading experience for crypto enthusiasts, while the bespoke staking service allows capital to be utilized for margin trading. IG's modest selection of 11 crypto CFDs trails top crypto brokers like Vantage which offers 40+ tokens. That said, it stands out with its crypto index, which tracks the value of the top 10 digital currencies by market cap and provides a holistic way to speculate on the value of the crypto market.
Spread
45.57 Variable
Coins
  • ADA
  • APE
  • ARB
  • AVA
  • BCH
  • BNB
  • DASH
  • DOT
  • EOS
  • ETC
  • ETH
  • FET
  • FIL
  • INJ
  • LNK
  • LTC
  • MATIC
  • NEO
  • SOL
  • TIA
  • WAVE
  • XTZ
  • YFI
  • ZEC
  • BTC
  • BCH
  • LTC
  • ETH
  • ADA
  • DOT
  • DOGE
  • LINK
  • UNI
  • XLM
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
Yes No
Auto Market Maker
No No
SimpleFX IG Index
Review
Review
71% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
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