IG Group vs Exness 2026
Two licensed kitchens. Which table you take comes down to how you trade.
Pull up a chair at IG Group if you value lower minimum deposit (None vs $3), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 200). Exness plates up better for anyone who leans on tighter spreads, copy trading, no inactivity fee.
The two menus, side by side
| IG Group | Exness | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 195355 | CySEC 178/12 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | None | $3 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | From 0.0 pips (ECN) |
| Instruments | 17,000+ | 200+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | Yes |
| Real stocks | Yes | No, CFDs only |
| Inactivity fee | $12/mo after 2mo | None |
| Founded | 1974 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Limassol, Cyprus |
The kitchen inspection: IG Group vs Exness
IG Group is regulated by FCA under licence 195355 (IG Markets Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Exness is regulated by CySEC under licence 178/12 (Exness (Cy) Ltd). The CySEC is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Ingredient costs and the bill
IG Group's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. Exness's EUR/USD spread is From 0.0 pips (ECN). Exness offers tighter spreads on this pair.
IG Group charges an inactivity fee of $12/month after 2 months without trading. Exness does not charge an inactivity fee.
Platforms and tools
Both IG Group and Exness support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
Exness offers copy trading, IG Group does not.
The cover charge
IG Group requires a minimum deposit of None. Exness requires $3. IG Group has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider IG Group.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
Exness is generally better for beginners because it offers copy trading. IG Group also has the lower minimum deposit of None, making it easier to start with a small amount. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Both IG Group and Exness support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. Exness's tighter spreads (From 0.0 pips (ECN)) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. IG Group offers more instruments (17,000) for portfolio diversification.
The verdict: IG Group vs Exness
Book a table at IG Group if what you are after is lower minimum deposit (None vs $3), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 200). Its FCA licence (195355) brings the full weight of a tier-1 seal.
Go with Exness if you want tighter spreads, copy trading, no inactivity fee. Its CySEC licence (178/12) means solid tier-1 protection.
Neither kitchen is a bad one; both hold real licences. In the end it is your own trading appetite that picks the table.
Frequently asked questions
IG Group vs Exness: which is better?
IG Group is better for lower minimum deposit (None vs $3), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 200). Exness is better for tighter spreads, copy trading, no inactivity fee. If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is IG Group or Exness safer?
Both IG Group (FCA 195355) and Exness (CySEC 178/12) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group and Exness?
IG Group minimum deposit: None. Exness minimum deposit: $3. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do IG Group and Exness have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.