IG
IG Group
4.3 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A globally regulated heavyweight offering deep market access and professional-grade tools for serious traders.
- Min deposit
- $250
- Max leverage
- 1:200
- Spread from
- 0.6 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, ASIC, MAS, SEC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 8/23/2026
IG Group vs SoFi Invest: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
IG Group and SoFi Invest serve very different types of investors, one built for serious multi-market traders, the other for beginners starting small. Here's how they stack up across fees, regulation, platforms, and overall value.
SI
SoFi Invest
3.3 / 5Score: 2 / 4
An ultra-accessible US platform built for beginners who want to start investing with just a dollar.
- Min deposit
- $1
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SEC
Overall Winner
IG Group
Best for Beginners
SoFi Invest
Lowest Fees
SoFi Invest
Top Regulation
IG Group
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | IG IG Group | SI SoFi Invest |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2012 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | San Francisco, USA |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, MAS, SEC | SEC |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $250 | $1 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:1 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MT4 | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Cfd, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Crypto, Indices |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
IG Group
$250
SoFi Invest
$1
Spreads From
IG Group
0.6 pips
SoFi Invest
0 pips
Commission
IG Group
None
SoFi Invest
None
Deposit Fees
IG Group
None
SoFi Invest
None
Withdrawal Fees
IG Group
None
SoFi Invest
None
Pros & cons
IG
IG Group
Pros
- Backed by four respected regulatory authorities, including the FCA and ASIC
- Offers significantly higher leverage ceiling at up to 1:200
- Provides access to six market categories, more than most competitors
- Combines proprietary technology with industry-standard MT4 support
- No deposit or withdrawal fees on standard transactions
- Decades-long operating history since 1974 builds long-term trust
- Higher overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 in our independent assessment
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $250 is a notable barrier for casual or first-time investors
- Spreads starting at 0.6 pips are wider than some low-cost rivals
- Platform depth and feature set may feel overwhelming to absolute beginners
- Not available in every jurisdiction due to strict regulatory segmentation
- Leverage of 1:200, while higher than SoFi, is still capped compared to some offshore brokers
SI
SoFi Invest
Pros
- Extremely low entry barrier with a $1 minimum deposit
- Spreads from 0 pips can reduce trading costs on eligible instruments
- Simple, beginner-friendly proprietary platform design
- No commissions charged on standard account trading
- No deposit or withdrawal fees to worry about
- Streamlined market focus makes decision-making easier for new investors
Cons
- Regulated only by the SEC, offering less multi-jurisdictional oversight than IG Group
- Maximum leverage capped at 1:1, limiting strategies for active traders
- Market access limited to stocks, crypto, and indices, excluding forex and commodities
- No MT4 support, which may deter traders who rely on third-party charting tools
- Lower overall rating of 3.3 out of 5 compared to more established competitors
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner IG Group
Lowest fees SoFi Invest
Best regulation IG Group
Better for beginners SoFi Invest
IG Group is the stronger overall broker, earning a 4.3/5 rating compared to SoFi Invest's 3.3/5 in our independent assessment. IG Group's advantage stems from its four-jurisdiction regulatory coverage, broader market range spanning forex to crypto, and higher available leverage. SoFi Invest counters with a near-zero entry barrier of just $1 and tighter headline spreads, making it a smart pick specifically for cash-strapped beginners.
Regulation & Safety
IG Group operates under the oversight of four major regulators: the FCA, ASIC, MAS, and SEC. This multi-jurisdictional licensing structure gives traders added confidence, since IG Group must comply with some of the strictest financial conduct standards in the world.
SoFi Invest, by contrast, is regulated solely by the SEC in the United States. While the SEC provides robust oversight for US-based investors, it doesn't offer the same layered international protection that comes with holding four separate tier-1 licences.
For traders who prioritize regulatory diversification and cross-border protection, IG Group is the clear winner in this category. SoFi Invest remains a safe choice for US residents but is more geographically limited in scope.
Fees, Spreads & Costs
SoFi Invest holds a slight edge on headline pricing, advertising spreads from 0 pips compared to IG Group's 0.6 pips. Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, and both operate commission-free trading on their standard accounts.
However, spread comparisons only tell part of the story. IG Group's marginally wider spread comes with access to a significantly larger range of tradeable instruments, including forex, commodities, and indices, which SoFi Invest does not fully support.
Cost-conscious beginners trading primarily stocks or crypto may find SoFi Invest's pricing structure more appealing. Active traders operating across multiple asset classes will likely find IG Group's costs justified by its broader offering.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
Minimum deposit requirements represent one of the starkest differences between these two brokers. IG Group requires $250 to get started, positioning it as a platform for traders who already have some investment capital ready to deploy.
SoFi Invest requires just $1, making it one of the most accessible brokers available for people testing the market with minimal financial commitment. This dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for students, first-time investors, or anyone wanting to dip a toe into trading.
If accessibility and low upfront cost are your top priorities, SoFi Invest is the more practical starting point. IG Group is better suited to traders who are ready to commit a larger initial investment in exchange for a more comprehensive platform.
Trading Platforms & Tools
IG Group supports its own proprietary web and mobile platforms in addition to MetaTrader 4, one of the most widely used third-party trading platforms in the industry. This gives IG Group users access to advanced charting, automated trading strategies, and a large library of custom indicators.
SoFi Invest offers only its proprietary web and mobile platforms, without any MT4 or third-party platform integration. These platforms are designed to be simple and intuitive, which suits SoFi's beginner-focused audience but limits functionality for more advanced traders.
Traders who rely on algorithmic strategies or advanced technical analysis tools will find IG Group's platform ecosystem far more capable. Casual investors who just want a clean, easy-to-navigate app may prefer SoFi Invest's more streamlined approach.
Market Range & Leverage
IG Group offers access to six market categories: CFDs, forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto. Combined with leverage of up to 1:200, this gives traders substantial flexibility to build diversified, leveraged strategies across multiple asset classes.
SoFi Invest's market access is narrower, covering stocks, crypto, and indices only, with no forex or commodities trading available. Leverage is capped at 1:1, meaning all positions are effectively unleveraged.
For traders who want to actively trade forex or use leverage to amplify positions, IG Group is the only viable option between the two. SoFi Invest suits long-term, buy-and-hold style investors who are comfortable trading without leverage.
Our Verdict
IG Group earns the higher overall rating in our assessment, scoring 4.3 out of 5 compared to SoFi Invest's 3.3 out of 5. Its stronger regulatory backing, broader market selection, and higher leverage ceiling make it the more complete package for the majority of traders.
SoFi Invest still holds genuine value for a specific type of user: beginners with limited capital who want to start investing with as little as $1. Its zero-pip spreads and beginner-friendly design make it a smart complementary account for smaller, lower-risk positions.
Ultimately, the right choice comes down to your trading goals. Active, multi-asset traders should lean toward IG Group, while cash-conscious beginners may want to start with SoFi Invest before graduating to a more comprehensive platform.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
IG Group wins overall
IG Group edges out SoFi Invest overall based on our expert rating score.
IG
Highest Rated
IG Group
4.3 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (4.3/5).
IG GroupBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
SoFi InvestLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
SoFi InvestStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
IG Group
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, IG Group scores higher overall at 4.3 out of 5 compared to SoFi Invest's 3.3 out of 5. IG Group's advantage comes primarily from its stronger regulatory framework, broader market access, and higher leverage ceiling. That said, SoFi Invest remains a compelling option for beginners with limited capital, so the right choice depends on your specific trading priorities and experience level.
SoFi Invest technically offers tighter pricing, with spreads starting from 0 pips versus IG Group's 0.6 pips. However, IG Group's wider spread comes bundled with access to a much larger range of markets and stronger regulatory protection, which can justify the marginally higher cost for active traders.
IG Group requires a minimum deposit of $250, positioning it as a broker better suited to traders with some starting capital. SoFi Invest, in contrast, only requires $1 to open an account, making it one of the most accessible platforms for new investors testing the waters.
IG Group is regulated by four separate authorities, including the FCA, ASIC, MAS, and SEC, giving it a considerably stronger regulatory safety net. SoFi Invest is regulated solely by the SEC in the United States, which still provides meaningful oversight but lacks the multi-jurisdictional layering that IG Group offers.
IG Group supports its own proprietary web and mobile platforms alongside MetaTrader 4, giving traders flexibility to use industry-standard charting and automation tools. SoFi Invest offers only its proprietary web and mobile platforms, which are simpler but lack third-party platform integration.
While IG Group is fully capable of supporting beginners, its higher $250 minimum deposit and broader platform complexity make it slightly less approachable for first-time investors. SoFi Invest, with its $1 minimum deposit and simplified interface, is generally considered the more beginner-friendly starting point.
IG Group provides direct access to forex trading alongside CFDs, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto, making it the far more versatile option for currency traders. SoFi Invest does not list forex among its supported markets, focusing instead on stocks, crypto, and indices.
IG Group offers leverage up to 1:200 for eligible accounts, giving active traders more flexibility to size positions. SoFi Invest caps leverage at 1:1, meaning trades are effectively unleveraged, which suits conservative or beginner investors but limits strategies for more experienced traders.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from opening accounts with both brokers simultaneously. Many traders choose to diversify across platforms, using IG Group for broader market access and leverage while keeping a low-cost SoFi Invest account for simple stock or crypto positions.
IG Group has a substantially longer operating history, having been founded in 1974 and headquartered in London, UK. SoFi Invest is a much newer entrant, founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco, USA, though it has quickly built a strong reputation among younger investors.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.