IG has been around since 1974, and for many traders it’s the first name that comes to mind. But a long track record doesn’t make it the right fit for everyone, especially if you trade from outside the UK.
Platform choice, copy trading features and how a broker is regulated where you live all matter. This guide looks at what IG offers, then compares three brokers international traders often weigh against it.
A quick note before we start: CFDs are complex, leveraged products, and losses can build quickly, in some cases beyond your initial deposit. Nothing here is financial advice, so treat it as a starting point for your own research.
Key Takeaways
- IG is a long-established broker regulated by authorities including the FCA, FINMA, BaFin, ASIC and MAS.
- The right IG alternative depends on where you live, because each broker serves different countries through different regulated entities.
- PU Prime suits international traders who want MT4, MT5 and built-in copy trading, but it isn’t authorised by the FCA, so this guide is aimed at traders outside the UK.
- Pepperstone offers a wide platform choice, including TradingView and cTrader.
- eToro is built around social investing and its CopyTrader feature.
What IG Offers
IG was founded in London in 1974 and began by offering a new way to trade the price of gold. Today it operates across many countries through separately regulated entities.
Its group is regulated by bodies including the FCA, FINMA, BaFin, ASIC, MAS and the DFSA. Traders can use IG’s own platform alongside ProRealTime and MetaTrader 4.
For traders outside its core licensed markets, IG offers international accounts through its global site. That makes it a natural benchmark when you compare other brokers.
Why Some Traders Look Elsewhere
Every broker makes trade-offs. Some traders want MetaTrader 5, others want copy trading built into a mobile app, and some simply want an account type that matches how often they trade.
Location matters just as much. A broker can have an excellent platform and still be unavailable in your country, so access often narrows the list before features do.
How to Compare IG Alternatives
Check the regulated entity, not just the brand. Most brokers serve clients through several companies. Find out which entity would hold your account and which authority oversees it.
Confirm the broker serves your country. Many brokers restrict residents of certain jurisdictions. If your country is excluded, the broker isn’t an option, however good its platform looks.
Match the platform to your style. MT4 and MT5 suit traders who rely on indicators and automated strategies, while proprietary apps are often simpler for beginners.
Look at the full cost of trading. Spreads, commissions, swap fees and any copy trading profit share all add up. Compare them for the instruments you actually trade.
Try a demo account first. It’s the easiest way to test execution, charting and the app before you fund a live account.
3 IG Alternatives to Consider
1. PU Prime
PU Prime has been a regulated broker since 2015, overseen by the FSA (Seychelles), FSC (Mauritius), FSCA (South Africa) and CMA (UAE). It isn’t authorised by the UK FCA, so this guide covers it for traders outside the UK.
What stands out: Traders can use MT4, MT5, the PU Prime App or PU Web Trader across forex, metals, indices, shares, ETFs and more. Its copy trading feature publishes signal provider history and charges no subscription fees, though spreads and transaction fees still apply.
Worth knowing: Client funds are segregated, and there’s a Trading Academy and a demo account. Its site lists several restricted jurisdictions, so confirm it serves your country first.
2. Pepperstone
Pepperstone was founded in Melbourne in 2010 and is regulated by authorities including ASIC, the FCA, DFSA, CySEC, BaFin, the Capital Markets Authority of Kenya and the Securities Commission of The Bahamas. It holds retail client funds in segregated Tier 1 bank accounts.
What stands out: Platform choice is the big draw. Pepperstone supports TradingView, MT4, MT5, cTrader and its own platform, which suits traders who already have a preferred setup.
Worth knowing: The entity you trade with depends on where you live, and conditions can differ between them. Check which Pepperstone company would hold your account before comparing costs.
3. eToro
eToro is a multi-asset platform built around social investing. Its CopyTrader feature lets users automatically replicate the trades of other investors on the platform.
What stands out: eToro operates through entities authorised by CySEC, the FCA and ASIC, as well as the FSA Seychelles and ADGM’s FSRA. Its social features are designed for traders who like to learn by following others.
Worth knowing: eToro states that it doesn’t approve or endorse the accounts users choose to copy. As with any copy trading tool, past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, so review each trader’s history before you allocate funds.
Quick Comparison
| Broker | Example regulators | Platforms | Copy trading |
| PU Prime | FSA (Seychelles), FSC (Mauritius), FSCA, CMA (UAE) | MT4, MT5, PU Prime App, PU Web Trader | Yes, built in |
| Pepperstone | ASIC, FCA, DFSA, CySEC, BaFin | TradingView, MT4, MT5, cTrader, Pepperstone platform | Not covered here |
| eToro | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, FSA (Seychelles), FSRA (ADGM) | eToro platform and app | Yes, CopyTrader |
| IG | FCA, FINMA, BaFin, ASIC, MAS, DFSA | IG platform, ProRealTime, MT4 | Not covered here |
Trading Responsibly
Leverage magnifies gains and losses alike, and a few bad trades can wipe out an account quickly. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.
Copy trading doesn’t remove that risk. You’re still responsible for who you copy, how much you allocate and when you stop.
If limited capital is what’s holding you back, read up on how funded trading models work before taking on more leverage. They carry their own rules and risks, so compare them as carefully as you would a broker.
The Bottom Line
IG remains a strong, well-regulated benchmark, but it isn’t the only option. For international traders who want MT4, MT5 and built-in copy trading in one place, PU Prime is worth a close look, provided it serves your country.
Pepperstone suits traders who care most about platform choice, while eToro suits those drawn to social investing. Open a demo account with your shortlist and compare them on the instruments you actually trade.
FAQ
Is PU Prime regulated?
Yes. PU Prime lists regulation by the FSA in Seychelles, the FSC in Mauritius, the FSCA in South Africa and the CMA in the UAE. It isn’t authorised by the UK FCA.
Can UK residents use PU Prime instead of IG?
PU Prime isn’t FCA-authorised, so UK traders should stick to firms on the FCA register. Always check the FCA’s Financial Services Register before opening an account as a UK resident.
What’s the difference between MT4 and MT5?
Both are MetaQuotes platforms. MT5 is the newer version, with more timeframes, order types and asset classes, while MT4 remains popular with forex traders for its large library of indicators and expert advisors.
Is copy trading safe?
Copy trading carries the same market risk as trading yourself. A trader’s past results don’t predict future performance, so review their history, start small and set your own risk limits.
