SimpleFX vs IG Index

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

SimpleFX vs IG Index Comparison Table 2025
SimpleFX IG Index
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4.2
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4.7
SimpleFX is ranked #59 among CFD brokers. IG Index is ranked #7 among CFD brokers.
Review
Review
SimpleFX is an online broker offering CFD and cryptocurrency trading. With multi-currency accounts, STP execution, competitive pricing, and no minimum deposit, the platform delivers an accessible trading experience. Since 2014, SimpleFX has been innovative and has earned acclaim at various industry events. Today, it serves over 200,000 active users in more than 190 countries, catering to retail traders worldwide. 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
  • SimpleFX's unique WebTrader, supported by TradingView, provides a stable trading platform with an intuitive interface, welcoming even to beginner traders.
  • With MT4 support, traders can access advanced charting tools, technical indicators, customisable algorithms, and expert advisors for automated strategies.
  • In 2021, SimpleFX refreshed its platform, introducing a more streamlined client area with improved load speeds. It also launched a social trading community for idea exchange.
  • With leverage reaching 1:1000, traders can significantly boost their positions. This offers increased market exposure and the chance for amplified profits or losses.
  • The variety of cryptocurrencies for trading includes popular choices like ADA, BTC, and ETH, alongside niche options such as YFI, YFII, and ZEC.
  • 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
  • SimpleFX functions with limited regulatory oversight, enabling it to provide high leverage. This means it is subject to less stringent scrutiny from regulators than brokers such as IG, which operate under strict regulatory environments.
  • While Bloomberg TV news and the economic calendar provide useful information, the absence of research tools such as Autochartist and Trading Central places traders at a significant disadvantage when seeking to identify opportunities.
  • The educational resources are adequate but could be improved. The 'Opinion' section requires more frequent updates. Adding video tutorials on market analysis and risk management would greatly benefit novice traders.
  • The limited availability of non-crypto funding methods is a drawback for traders who prefer more diverse and convenient ways to manage their accounts.
  • 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 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, FINMA, CONSOB, AFM
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 Yes
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
  • Lean Hogs
  • Cattle
CFD
SimpleFX offers leveraged trading options up to 1:1000 across key assets like stocks, indices, currencies, and commodities. The platform's social community is a valuable resource for gaining insights into CFD strategies and short-term trading opportunities. 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
1:1000 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 offers a wide range of approximately 60 currency pairs, including major pairs such as GBP/USD and exotic ones like CHF/PLN. Trading fees are competitive, with an average of 0.9 pips for EUR/USD in tests. Designed for online currency trading, MetaTrader 4 can be accessed on desktop, web, and mobile platforms. 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
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 excels in its crypto trading environment, which now includes an expanding selection of tokens, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Filecoin, paired with USD, enhanced further in 2024. The platform's crypto accounts facilitate seamless trading, catering to crypto enthusiasts. Moreover, its tailored staking service enables capital to be leveraged for margin trading. 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
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
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.
More Comparisons
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