Which broker is better for Israel traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For experienced retail traders in Israel, choosing the right forex broker is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform usability, and regulatory safety. Two prominent names in the industry—Exness (rating 4.8/5) and IG (rating 4.2/5)—offer distinct advantages for Israeli traders. Exness is renowned for its ultra-low spreads, flexible leverage, and high trade execution speed, making it a favorite among active traders. IG, on the other hand, is a UK-based giant regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), providing a robust, institutional-grade trading environment with extensive research tools and educational resources. This comparison focuses on key factors for Israeli traders: local payment methods like Bank Transfer and Credit Card in ILS, regulatory implications of ISA oversight, and the specific needs of experienced retail traders. Whether you prioritize cost efficiency or regulatory security, understanding these differences will help you make an informed choice.
| Instrument | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 | IG |
When comparing trading costs for Israel traders, Exness clearly outperforms IG. Exness offers raw spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.5 per lot round turn. For a trader executing 50 lots per month, this translates to significant savings compared to IG's standard spreads, which average 0.6 pips on the same pair with no commission. For Israeli traders dealing with USD/ILS, Exness's spreads are also more competitive, often 20-30% lower than IG's. Additionally, Exness has no hidden fees on deposits via Bank Transfer or Credit Card, while IG may charge a small conversion fee for ILS deposits. Over a year of active trading, these cost differences can accumulate to thousands of shekels in savings with Exness.
| Account Type | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Israel (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:30 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Exness |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Exness |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Exness |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer powerful platforms tailored to experienced traders. Exness provides the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are highly customizable with advanced charting tools, automated trading via Expert Advisors, and a wide range of technical indicators. IG offers its proprietary web platform and mobile app, which are user-friendly but less flexible for algorithmic trading. IG also provides access to L2 Dealer and ProRealTime for advanced charting. For Israel traders who rely on automated strategies or need full control over their trading environment, Exness's MT4/MT5 support is a clear advantage. IG's platforms are better suited for traders who prefer a more guided experience with integrated news and analysis.
| Factor | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Exness |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
Exness is known for its ultra-fast trade execution, with average speeds of under 40 milliseconds on its Raw Spread accounts. This is critical for experienced traders using scalping or high-frequency strategies. IG's execution is also reliable, averaging 50-70 milliseconds, but may experience slippage during volatile market conditions. For Israel traders who require precision and speed, Exness's execution quality is superior.
| Safety Factor | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a crucial factor for Israel traders. IG is directly regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), offering the highest level of local oversight and investor protection, including access to the Israeli compensation fund. Exness is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles and other international bodies, but not by the ISA. This means Exness is not subject to Israeli leverage limits (which can be restrictive under ISA rules) but also lacks local regulatory recourse. For Israel traders who prioritize strict regulatory compliance and the safety of local oversight, IG is the safer choice. However, Exness's international regulation still ensures a high level of security and transparency, and its lack of ISA oversight allows for more flexible trading conditions.
| Payment Method | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days | 1 to 5 business days |
Depositing and withdrawing funds in ILS is straightforward with both brokers. Exness supports Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits, with minimum deposits as low as $10 (approx. 37 ILS) for standard accounts. Deposits via Credit Card are instant and free, while Bank Transfers may take 1-2 business days. Exness processes withdrawals within 24 hours, with no fees for Bank Transfer withdrawals. IG also accepts Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits, with a minimum deposit of $250 (approx. 925 ILS) for standard accounts. IG's withdrawal process is efficient, typically taking 1-2 business days for Bank Transfers. For Israel traders, Exness offers lower minimum deposits and faster withdrawal processing, making it more accessible for smaller accounts. IG's higher minimum deposit may be a barrier for some, but its ISA-regulated status provides added confidence for larger sums.
| Islamic Account Feature | Exness | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both Exness and IG offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Israel who require Sharia-compliant trading. Exness provides Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw Spread accounts, with no swap fees on overnight positions. The account is automatically converted after a request, and there are no restrictions on trading instruments or time limits. IG also offers Islamic accounts, but they are limited to certain account types and may require a formal application. IG's Islamic accounts are free of swap charges, but the broker may impose a small administrative fee for long-term positions. For Israel Muslim traders, Exness's more flexible and transparent Islamic account policy is preferable, as it allows unrestricted trading without additional costs.
| Support Feature | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✓ | ✗ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Exness |
Customer support is available 24/7 for both brokers, with Hebrew language support offered by IG through its local office in Israel. Exness provides English support with a live chat feature, but no dedicated Hebrew support. IG's local presence means faster response times for Israel traders, including phone support in Hebrew during business hours. Exness's support is efficient but may require English proficiency. For Israel traders who value local language assistance, IG has a clear edge.
| Mobile Feature | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Exness |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Exness |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
| Resource | Exness | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Exness |
Choose Exness if you...
Choose IG if you...
For experienced retail traders in Israel, Exness is the stronger choice overall, thanks to its lower trading costs, flexible leverage, and superior execution speed. Its support for Bank Transfer and Credit Card deposits in ILS, combined with fast withdrawals, makes it highly accessible. However, IG's direct regulation by the ISA Israel offers unmatched regulatory security, which may be a deciding factor for risk-averse traders. If you prioritize cost efficiency and trading flexibility, Exness is your best bet. If you prefer a highly regulated environment with local support and educational resources, IG is a solid alternative. Both brokers are excellent, but Exness's higher score (4.8/5 vs 4.2/5) reflects its better fit for the needs of active Israeli traders.