The Best IG Markets Alternatives in 2025
Looking for an alternative to IG Markets?
You’re not alone.
IG Markets is a well-established broker. But maybe it’s not quite right for you anymore.
Maybe you’re tired of overnight financing fees eating into your profits. Or you want to actually own the assets you’re trading instead of just contracts.
Maybe you’re tired of leverage restrictions in your region. Or concerned about regulatory limitations on CFDs where you live.
Here’s the thing:
There are strong alternatives to IG Markets worth exploring.
Some offer lower fees. Others provide access to real assets beyond CFDs – stocks, options, futures. Some give you better platform tools or faster execution.
The good news: we’ve done the research for you.
We’ve tested and compared the top alternatives to IG Markets – both CFD brokers with competitive pricing AND platforms that let you trade real assets.
Let’s break down the options.
What are the Best Alternatives to IG Markets?
CFDs are complex instruments with high risk of rapid loss due to leverage. 70%+ of retail accounts lose money trading CFDs. CFDs are banned in the US and other jurisdictions. Ensure CFD trading is legal in your country before proceeding
How to Choose an Alternative to IG?
IG Markets is a well-known broker for CFD trading. To find worthy competitors, we evaluated alternatives based on 4 essential criteria.
Asset Range: The platforms we selected offer a diverse range of CFD markets – forex, indices, commodities, stocks, and more. More markets mean more trading opportunities.
Trading Platform: IG Markets provides access to its proprietary platform, as well as partnerships with independent platforms such as ProRealTime, MetaTrader, and TradingView. Other brokers offer similar integrations.
Fees: Brokers should be transparent about pricing. This lets you compare costs across different CFD products and make informed decisions.
Customer Service: Support should be accessible, responsive, and knowledgeable when you need help.
1 – ProRealTime & IBKR
This partnership brings together professional-grade trading technology with comprehensive brokerage services. ProRealTime is a French company that developed its own proprietary platform, available on web, mobile, and desktop. It’s designed for traders at all levels – from beginners to experts. Interactive Brokers is a Nasdaq-listed international broker managing over 4 million client accounts and processing more than 3.5 million daily transactions.
Here’s what sets this combination apart: You get ProRealTime’s advanced charting and analysis tools backed by IBKR’s extensive market access. It’s institutional-quality infrastructure available to individual traders. Worth noting – ProRealTime also integrates with IG Markets and other brokers, so you’re not locked into one provider.
Beyond CFDs on forex, stocks, indices, and metals, IBKR offers a wide range of tradable instruments – options, futures, spot currencies, and bonds. If you want to trade products beyond what IG Markets offers, Interactive Brokers gives you significantly more choices.
ProRealTime adds another layer of value. The platform includes Market Replay and a virtual portfolio, letting you test new strategies before risking real capital. The technical analysis tools are extensive, and market data comes through tick-by-tick with direct exchange connections – not aggregated feeds. This matters if precise execution is part of your trading approach.
Fee transparency? ProRealTime publishes detailed pricing on their website. If you need clarification on specific costs, their customer service team can walk you through the details. Always understand the full cost structure before committing to any platform.
2 – Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) stands out as a global market leader with access to over 150 markets worldwide. Unlike CFD-only brokers, you’re trading real assets on actual exchanges – stocks, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, and more. No counterparty risk. You own what you buy. IBKR offers competitive pricing and institutional-grade infrastructure that’s traditionally been favored by professionals.
Platform flexibility is a major advantage. You’re not locked into IBKR’s native platform. Connect it with ProRealTime or other trading solutions, combining IBKR’s unmatched market access with the charting and analysis tools you prefer. Recent updates like the GlobalTrader app and commission-free pricing on certain products have made it more accessible to newer traders too.
The trade-off? More complexity than pure CFD platforms. But if you’re looking to move beyond CFDs or want broader market coverage with real asset ownership, IBKR is worth exploring as an alternative to IG Markets.
IBKR’s pricing structure differs from CFD brokers – you’ll find tiered commission rates based on volume, with some products offering commission-free trading. The broker provides detailed cost calculators to help you understand fees before placing orders. Monthly minimums may apply depending on your account type and trading activity.
Account opening typically takes one business day. You’ll need standard documentation – ID, proof of address, and financial information. IBKR operates globally with multilingual customer support, though response times can vary depending on your region and account size.
The learning curve is steeper than CFD-only platforms. Trader Workstation (the flagship platform) is powerful but dense. The GlobalTrader app offers a simpler alternative for straightforward trades. If you value direct market access and real asset ownership over the simplicity of CFDs, IBKR delivers institutional-grade infrastructure at the retail level.
3 – Saxo
Saxo Bank is a Danish investment bank, fully regulated and known for its professional trading platforms SaxoTraderGO and SaxoTraderPRO. It’s built for active traders who want deep market access, high-quality research, and professional-level tools.
Saxo offers access to over 23,500 instruments across 50 global exchanges – stocks, ETFs, forex, commodities, options, and futures. If you’re looking for serious market depth beyond what IG provides, Saxo delivers comprehensive coverage across asset classes.
The platform suite is a major strength. SaxoTraderGO is intuitive and works seamlessly across devices, while SaxoTraderPRO offers multi-screen setups and advanced features for professional use. Both integrate research, news feeds, and risk management tools directly into the workspace – no need to juggle multiple applications.
Saxo uses tiered pricing based on account size: Classic (under £200k), Platinum (£200k+), and VIP (£1M+). The 0.12% annual custody fee and percentage-based trading commissions (0.08% Classic, 0.05% Platinum, 0.03% VIP) mean costs scale with portfolio size. This works well for high-net-worth traders but can be expensive compared to flat-fee brokers for smaller accounts.
Account opening is straightforward with standard documentation. Saxo offers both ISAs and SIPPs for tax-efficient investing. The platform provides demo accounts and educational resources, though the learning curve is steeper than retail-focused brokers. Real-time market data requires subscription – standard quotes are delayed 15 minutes.
Customer support quality is solid, with dedicated account managers available for Platinum and VIP tiers. If you’re transitioning from CFD trading at IG and want professional-grade tools with direct market access across global exchanges, Saxo delivers institutional infrastructure. Just be prepared for higher complexity and costs that favor larger account balances.
4 – XTB
XTB is a well-established European broker offering a streamlined trading experience through its proprietary platform, xStation 5. Regulated by the FCA and active in multiple markets, it provides commission-free trading on real stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 monthly volume, alongside its CFD offering.
The platform supports fractional shares, automated investment plans, and fast execution within a mobile-friendly interface. Tools like candlestick charting, flexible order types, and real-time price data are built-in – no paid add-ons required. xStation 5 is designed with active traders in mind but remains accessible for newer users looking to invest in stocks and ETFs.
With over 1 million users and more than 20 years in the market, XTB combines low-cost access, strong regulation, and functional design. It’s a competitive alternative to IG Markets for traders wanting both CFD trading and commission-free real asset investing under one roof.
0% commission up to €100,000 invested per month. 0.2% commission beyond this limit. Currency conversion fees of 0.5% may apply.
Beyond the commission-free structure, be aware of the 0.5% currency conversion fee when trading assets outside your account’s base currency. This can add up if you frequently trade US-listed stocks from a EUR account. XTB charges no account maintenance or custody fees, making it cost-effective for regular investors who stay within the monthly volume threshold.
Account opening takes approximately one business day. XTB supports fractional shares and automated investment plans, useful if you want to invest smaller amounts regularly. The desktop platform (xStation 5) can feel busy with multiple panels and prominent CFD marketing, though the mobile app offers a cleaner experience for straightforward stock and ETF trades.
XTB operates under a declaratory tax regime in most jurisdictions – you’re responsible for all tax reporting and payments yourself. The platform doesn’t withhold taxes or handle regulatory filings on your behalf. If you want commission-free stock and ETF access combined with CFD trading options, and you’re comfortable managing your own tax obligations, XTB offers solid value as an IG Markets alternative.
FAQ
Which broker is cheaper than IG Markets?
XTB offers commission-free trading on stocks and ETFs up to €100,000 monthly. Interactive Brokers provides competitive tiered pricing that can work out cheaper depending on your trading volume and account size. “Cheaper” depends on what you’re trading and how often.
Can I use ProRealTime with brokers other than IG?
Yes. ProRealTime integrates with multiple brokers including Interactive Brokers, giving you flexibility to combine advanced charting tools with different market access and fee structures. You’re not locked into IG if you prefer ProRealTime’s platform.
What’s the best alternative to IG for trading real stocks instead of CFDs?
Interactive Brokers, Saxo, and XTB all offer direct ownership of stocks and ETFs. IBKR provides the broadest range with access to over 150 global markets. Saxo offers professional-grade platforms with extensive research. XTB keeps it simple with commission-free trading up to €100k monthly.
Do any IG alternatives offer advanced charting and technical analysis?
Yes. Saxo’s SaxoTraderPRO offers sophisticated charting built into the platform. Interactive Brokers’ Trader Workstation includes advanced tools, and you can also connect IBKR with third-party platforms like ProRealTime or TradingView for even more powerful analysis capabilities.
Othmane has been swing trading for years and builds on experience in investment banking. He writes regularly about trading and market analysis, and has passed Level I of the CFA Program along with earning a double Master’s degree in Financial Analysis.
Enjoy free trading practice on
ProRealTime Paper Trading Simulator.
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