Which broker is better for United Kingdom traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For United Kingdom traders, choosing between IG and FxPro is a decision between two FCA-regulated giants. IG, with a 4.2/5 rating, is a London-based market maker and spread betting pioneer, ideal for UK residents who want access to thousands of instruments including UK shares, indices, and forex. FxPro, rated 4.1/5, is a Cypriot-headquartered broker that also holds FCA authorization, offering a more streamlined experience with competitive pricing on forex and CFDs. Both accept UK traders via Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments, and provide negative balance protection as required by the FCA. This comparison digs into spreads, platforms, regulation, and local payment methods to help you decide which suits your UK trading style. Whether you are a retail or professional trader, understanding these nuances is key to optimizing your trading costs and experience in the United Kingdom market.
| Instrument | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 | IG |
When comparing trading costs for United Kingdom traders, IG generally offers tighter spreads on major forex pairs like GBP/USD and EUR/USD, especially for high-volume traders using the Direct Market Access (DMA) platform. For example, IG's standard spread on EUR/USD starts from 0.6 pips, while FxPro's starts from 0.7 pips. However, FxPro charges zero commission on forex and indices CFDs, making it cheaper for smaller trades. IG charges a small commission on share CFDs and DMA forex, which can add up for active UK traders. Both brokers offer spread betting for UK clients, which is tax-free, but IG's broader range of instruments gives it an edge for cost-conscious traders. Always check the specific instrument and account type, as costs vary by volume and market conditions.
| Account Type | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (offshore) | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IG |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IG |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IG |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | 1,700+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✓ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
For United Kingdom traders, IG provides a robust proprietary platform with advanced charting, over 100 indicators, and direct integration with UK shares and indices. It also offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and ProRealTime for those who prefer third-party tools. FxPro supports MT4, MT5, and its own cTrader platform, which is popular for its intuitive interface and fast execution. UK traders who value flexibility and advanced analysis may prefer IG's ecosystem, while those who want a clean, modern interface with algorithmic trading options might lean towards FxPro's cTrader. Both platforms are available on desktop, web, and mobile, with full FCA compliance.
| Factor | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IG |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IG uses a market maker model for most retail clients, with no dealing desk intervention on DMA accounts, offering fast execution with average speeds under 15 milliseconds. FxPro offers No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with STP/ECN models, ensuring no re-quotes and average execution under 12 milliseconds. For UK traders, FxPro's NDD model may provide more transparency, while IG's DMA is preferred for large-volume trades. Both brokers have high uptime and low slippage, but FxPro edges ahead in speed for standard forex pairs.
| Safety Factor | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IG and FxPro are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, ensuring strict oversight. IG is a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange, adding an extra layer of transparency. FxPro, while headquartered in Cyprus, maintains a UK subsidiary (FxPro UK) regulated by the FCA. For UK traders, this means eligibility for the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000, negative balance protection, and segregation of client funds. IG also offers additional protection through its 'Client Money Protection' policy. Both brokers adhere to ESMA leverage limits for retail UK traders, but professional clients can access higher leverage upon request.
| Payment Method | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 5 business days | 1 business day |
United Kingdom traders can fund their IG and FxPro accounts using Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, and Faster Payments, among other methods. IG stands out with no minimum deposit, making it ideal for beginners, while FxPro requires a £100 minimum. Deposits via Faster Payments are typically instant and free at both brokers. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for most methods, though IG offers faster processing for PayPal and Skrill users. FxPro charges no withdrawal fees, while IG may apply a small fee for certain methods like bank transfers. Both brokers support GBP accounts, avoiding currency conversion costs for UK traders. Overall, IG is more accessible for small deposits, while FxPro offers fee-free withdrawals.
| Islamic Account Feature | IG | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IG and FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for United Kingdom Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. These accounts have no overnight interest or swap charges, aligning with Islamic finance principles. FxPro provides Islamic accounts on all its platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader) without additional fees, while IG offers them on request and may require a minimum deposit. UK traders should note that holding positions overnight in swap-free accounts may still incur administrative fees beyond a certain period. Both brokers require documentation to confirm eligibility. For UK Muslim traders, FxPro's straightforward availability across account types may be more convenient.
| Support Feature | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IG |
IG offers 24/5 customer support via phone, email, and live chat in English, with a dedicated UK team based in London. FxPro provides 24/5 support in 17 languages, including English, with phone and live chat. For UK traders, IG's local presence means faster resolution of FCA-related queries. FxPro's multilingual team is useful for non-native speakers. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections and educational resources tailored to UK clients.
| Mobile Feature | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IG |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IG |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✓ | ✗ | IG |
| Resource | IG | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IG |
Choose IG if you...
Choose FxPro if you...
For United Kingdom traders, IG is the stronger all-round choice thanks to its higher 4.2/5 rating, broader market access, and local London presence. Its support for spread betting (tax-free for UK residents) and zero minimum deposit via Bank Transfer, PayPal, Skrill, or Faster Payments makes it beginner-friendly. FxPro, with a 4.1/5 rating, is a worthy alternative for those who prioritize zero commission on forex and indices, fast NDD execution, and a straightforward Islamic account process. Both are FCA-regulated, offering FSCS protection up to £85,000. If you trade high volumes or want UK share CFDs, IG wins. If you want simplicity and fee-free withdrawals, FxPro is a solid choice. Ultimately, your decision should align with your trading style, volume, and preferred payment method.