Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
ING Direct Pros & Cons
- High reputation and reliability of a large international bank.
- Availability of full-fledged training.
- No commission for storage, withdrawal of funds, replenishment.
- Lack of opportunity to work in the Forex market.
- Limited range of trading instruments.
- Complies with the legal framework of the Eurozone.
- Platform is in the French language only.
The ING Direct broker is a large international financial corporation headquartered in Amsterdam. It provides services in the banking sector, as well as to legal entities and corporate clients throughout Europe. America’s Fortune magazine ranked ING among the Top 20 largest global brokers. The main aspect of ING Direct's brokerage activity is trading in stock markets where clients can work independently or through investment funds.
TU Expert Verdict
ING Direct demonstrates moderate stability and can suit certain traders. Its conditions are acceptable, and feedback is mixed but reasonable. In my own tests, it performed adequately, though it lacks the consistency of higher-rated companies.
Top-5 Brokers Traders Prefer
ING Direct User Reviews
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5-star
13%
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4-star
17%
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3-star
48%
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2-star
17%
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1-star
4%
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Commissions and Fees
Score:We evaluate brokers' fees and spreads by assessing the costs associated with Standard and ECN/Raw spread accounts, including commissions and spreads. Additionally, our evaluation considers extra fees such as deposit/withdrawal charges and inactivity fees. Learn the assessment criteria8 /10The trading and non-trading commissions of ING Direct have been analyzed and rated as having Low fees, with a fees score of 8/10. Additionally, these commissions were compared with those of the top two competitors, OANDA and FOREX.com, to provide the most comprehensive information.
- Low Forex trading fees
- Tight EUR/USD market spread
- No inactivity fee
- No deposit fee
- No withdrawal fee
- Complex fee structure
Trading Fees and Spread
Below, we evaluated and compared the trading commissions of ING Direct with those of two competitors. We focused on the spreads and other transaction fees directly associated with executing trades (e.g commission per lot on an ECN account). This comparison aimed to provide a clear understanding of the cost efficiency of each broker.
Standard Account Spread
For Standard accounts, ING Direct’s commissions are part of the floating spread, which varies with market conditions. Typical values are provided, but during high volatility, the spread may exceed these.
ING Direct Standard spreads ING Direct OANDA FOREX.com EUR/USD min, pips 0.2 0.1 0.7 EUR/USD max, pips 0.5 0.5 1.2 GPB/USD min, pips 0 0.1 0.9 GPB/USD max, pips 0.7 0.5 1.4 RAW/ECN Account Commission And Spread
The spread on ECN/RAW accounts is market-based and fluctuates, with average values given during active hours. It may vary during volatility spikes. A commission per lot is also charged.
ING Direct RAW/ECN spreads ING Direct OANDA FOREX.com Commission ($ per lot) The commission is the fee charged by the broker for trading one standard forex lot (100,000 units of the base currency). 3 3.5 5 EUR/USD avg spread 0.1 0.15 0.2 GBP/USD avg spread 0.15 0.2 0.4 Non-Trading Fees
We conducted a detailed analysis of the non-trading fees associated with ING Direct. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the additional costs that may impact traders beyond regular trading activities.
ING Direct Non-Trading Fees ING Direct OANDA FOREX.com Deposit fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0 0 Withdrawal fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0 0 Withdrawal fee, USD The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0-15 0 Inactivity fee ($, per month) 0 0 15 -
Is ING Direct Safe?
Score:We evaluate brokers' safety based on several key criteria. The highest value is placed on regulation, especially Tier 1 regulation, which ensures adherence to stringent standards set by top financial authorities like the FCA in the UK, CFTC in the US, CySEc and BaFin (EU) or ASIC (Australia). High scores are also given for participation in investor protection funds, which safeguard clients' funds in case of broker insolvency. Learn the assessment criteria9 /10ING Direct has a safety score of 9/10, which corresponds to a High security level. The safest brokers are those with Tier-1 regulation, a long history (over 10 years in the market), and participation in investor compensation schemes.
- Tier-1 regulated
- Track record over 29 years
- No negative balance protection
ING Direct Regulators and Investor Protection Abbreviation Full Name Country of regulation Investor Protection Fund Regulation Level Abbreviation ECB Full Name European Central Bank Country of regulation EU Investor Protection Fund No direct investor protection fund Regulation Level Tier-1 ING Direct Security Factors Foundation date 1997 Negative balance protection NoVerification (KYC) Yes -
Account Types
Score:We evaluate a broker’s account offering by analyzing the range and suitability of available account types and how effectively they cater to different trader profiles and strategies. Our assessment covers the diversity of account options — including Standard, ECN/Raw, Cent, Swap-Free (Islamic), and VIP accounts — as well as the flexibility of trading conditions provided. Learn the assessment criteria.5.6 /10ING Direct offers the following account options: Standard, ECN/Raw spread.
However, it does not provide a Cent account, which can be a disadvantage for beginners looking to practice with minimal risk.
- Tight spread ECN account
- Low minimum deposit
- Standard account with balanced trading conditions
- No Cent account
- No VIP account option
ING Direct account types vs top competitors ING Direct Trading.com Plus500 Standard YesYesYesECN/Raw spread YesNoNoDemo NoYesYesCent NoNoNoMicro NoNoNoSwap Free NoNoNoVIP NoNoNoManaged NoNoNoING Direct accounts trading conditions
The company offers two types of accounts: regular, which is for active trading on the stock exchange, and investment.
Account types:
Account Type Description Securities account there are no additional commissions, except for the brokerage fee from the turnover of transactions. REA and REA PME are investment accounts with different levels of risk and return for working with funds. To create any of the mentioned types of accounts, you must open a current bank account with ING.
The ING Direct broker is one of the oldest European companies that offers its clients transparent settlement terms and minimal commission costs. It’s well-suited for medium-term work with small leverage, that is, as a classic platform for trading securities.
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Deposit and Withdrawal
Score:This section assesses the efficiency, speed, and affordability of brokers’ transaction processes, focusing on available methods, currencies, and fees. For further details, please refer to our data-focused methodology4.5 /10ING Direct received a Low score for the efficiency and convenience of its deposit and withdrawal processes.
ING Direct offers limited payment options and accessibility, which may impact its competitiveness.
- No deposit fee
- No withdrawal fee
- Bank card deposits and withdrawals
- Low minimum withdrawal requirement
- Wise not supported
- USDT payments not accepted
- Limited deposit and withdrawal flexibility, leading to higher costs
What are ING Direct deposit and withdrawal options?
ING Direct offers a limited selection of deposit and withdrawal methods, including Bank Card, Bank Wire. This limitation may restrict flexibility for users, making ING Direct less competitive for those seeking diverse payment options.
ING Direct Deposit and Withdrawal Methods vs Competitors ING Direct Trading.com Plus500 Bank Wire YesYesYesBank card YesYesYesPayPal NoNoYesWise NoNoNoBTC NoNoNoWhat are ING Direct base account currencies?
A wide range of base account currencies minimizes the need for currency conversion, potentially reducing transaction costs. ING Direct supports the following base account currencies: EUR.
What are ING Direct's minimum deposit and withdrawal amounts?
The minimum deposit on ING Direct is $2000, while the minimum withdrawal amount is €10. These minimums may vary depending on the chosen account type and payment method. For specific details, please contact ING Direct’s support team.
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Markets and Tradable Assets
Score:The evaluation in this section is based on the TU methodology and reflects the total number and variety of tradable assets offered by the broker, including Forex currency pairs. It also considers the availability of passive income tools such as PAMM accounts, copy trading, and similar services. All information is obtained from publicly available sources and may change. Learn the assessment criteria5.8 /10ING Direct offers a limited selection of trading assets compared to the market average. The platform supports 0 assets in total, including 36 Forex pairs.
- Passive income with bonds
- ETFs investing
- Indices trading
- Crypto trading not available
- Limited asset selection
Supported markets vs top competitors
We have compared the range of assets and markets supported by ING Direct with its competitors, making it easier for you to find the perfect fit.
ING Direct Trading.com Plus500 Currency pairs 36 69 60 Total tradable assets The total tradable assets listed include all available instruments, including CFDs. Due to regional restrictions, certain CFDs may not be offered in some countries. For example, cryptocurrency CFDs are banned in the UK, and the U.S. has restrictions on CFDs. 69 2800 Stocks YesNoYesCommodity futures YesNoYesCrypto Cryptocurrency CFDs are restricted or prohibited in certain regions due to regulatory limitations. These include the United Kingdom, China, Egypt, the United States and Canada. NoNoYesStock indices YesNoYesOptions YesNoYesInvestment options
We also explored the trading assets and products ING Direct offers for beginner traders and investors who prefer not to engage in active trading.
ING Direct Trading.com Plus500 Bonds YesNoNoETFs YesNoYesCopy trading NoNoNoPAMM investing NoNoNoManaged accounts NoNoNo -
Trading Account Opening
Score:We evaluated Trading Account Opening at ING Direct by testing the registration process under real conditions, including opening an account and funding it with the minimum required deposit (but no less than $100). Our assessment considered whether onboarding was fully online, the average registration time, the speed of KYC verification, and how quickly traders could activate their accounts. Learn the assessment criteria.5 /10We successfully registered an account with ING Direct in 25 minutes. The KYC verification was completed within 3 business days. The minimum deposit amount at ING Direct is $2000. The onboarding procedure works as expected, although there is room for improvement in speed and simplicity.
- Fully online account opening process
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Registration process may take longer than expected
- Account approval may require extra time depending on the documentation.
ING Direct account opening ING Direct Trading.com Plus500 Online Registration YesYesYesMinimum deposit $2000 $50 $100 Mandatory KYC YesYesYesRegistration time (min) 25 20 KYC time (days) 3 2 3 Is ING Direct available in my country?
If you are a citizen of United States, the broker accepts clients from your country.
Please note that availability may vary due to regulatory requirements, so we recommend confirming directly with the broker for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Account opening details
To start working with ING Direct, you need to register and open an account. Follow this procedure step by step:
First, you need to open a bank account with ING Direct. After that, the client gets access to trading on the stock exchange and investing. The account number will be the login to the personal account. It is also possible to switch to ING from another broker on preferential terms. In this case, a current account is opened and an application for the transfer of assets is made. Next, you must provide a statement of the costs associated with the transfer, and the amount of the transferred funds must exceed €1,000.
Next, enter your personal account and fill out the form, indicating the registration number of the client's account and the date of its opening. In the personal account, a new user can open an account by choosing from the offered options to trade on the stock exchange.
ING Direct's personal account contains:
- Charts and stock quotes.
- A fictitious portfolio is a virtual clone that 100% reflects the movement of assets on a real exchange.
Also in the personal account, the trader will find:
- Information about the state of the account.
- A window for connecting system notifications about the results of ongoing operations.
- Search by instrument name.
- A button to switch between different accounts.
- Technical and fundamental analyses.
- The whole range of financial instruments offered by the bank.
- Company-specific stock favorites that you can customize based on your own investment priorities
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Customer Support
Score:We evaluated Customer Support at ING Direct by opening a real account funded with the minimum required deposit (no less than $100) and contacting support to measure response time under real conditions. Our assessment considered contact channels, response speed, multilingual support, and availability hours. Learn the assessment criteria6.8 /10Customer support at ING Direct is available, but response speed and service quality may vary. Some requests are handled efficiently, while others may require follow-ups.
During testing, response times were moderate, and communication depended on the complexity of the request. ING Direct provides basic support functionality but does not stand out in overall service performance.
InformationThe support service is available online as part of the bank's internet cafe service, which is open from 9:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and until 17:00 on Saturday. You can contact specialists by phone from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 21:00 and until 18:00 on Saturday.
- Internet cafe and forum
- Priority calls from persons with special needs
- Support language - French only
- No 24/7 support chat
Contact with the bank's customer support is possible using:
- its internet cafe;
- the forum;
- via email request;
- a letter sent to the legal address of one of the bank's representative offices;
- a call to the phone numbers indicated on the website during the working hours of specialists.
You can contact ING Direct representatives from the bank's website and your personal account.
Contacts Foundation date 1997 Registration address 40 Avenue des Terroirs de France, Immeuble Lumière Paris, 75 616 France Regulation ECB (European Central Bank) Official site https://www.ingwb.com/fr/ Contacts 01 57 22 54 00
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FAQs
How are ING Direct commissions and trading fees structured for forex and ECN accounts?
According to the review, ING Direct is rated as having low overall fees, with no deposit, withdrawal, or inactivity charges. Standard accounts use floating spreads, with typical EUR/USD spreads between 0.2–0.5 pips and GBP/USD between 0–0.7 pips, while RAW/ECN accounts combine tight average spreads (around 0.1–0.15 pips on major pairs) with a $3 per lot commission.
What types of trading and investment accounts does ING Direct offer and what are their main features?
The review states that ING Direct offers Standard and ECN/Raw spread trading accounts, along with securities and investment accounts (REA and REA: PME) that have different risk and return profiles. There is a low minimum deposit and balanced conditions on the Standard account, but no Demo, Cent, Micro, Swap Free, VIP, or Managed accounts, and opening any of these requires a current bank account with ING.
What do user reviews say about overall satisfaction with ING Direct?
Based on available user reviews, ING Direct has a user satisfaction score of 6.3/10 from 23 reviews, with a rating distribution showing 13% 5-star, 17% 4-star, 48% 3-star, 17% 2-star, and 4% 1-star feedback. The overall tone of the comments is mixed, indicating varied experiences among clients.
What deposit and withdrawal options and conditions are mentioned in reviews of ING Direct?
The review notes that ING Direct supports deposits and withdrawals via bank cards and bank wire transfers, but does not support PayPal, Wise, or BTC, and only offers major base currencies with EUR explicitly listed. It mentions a low minimum withdrawal of €10, a minimum deposit of $2000, and no withdrawal fees, while also stating that limited payment options contribute to a low score for efficiency and convenience.
How is ING Direct customer support described in user feedback and testing?
The review describes ING Direct customer support as available but with moderate response times and varying service quality depending on the request. Support is provided in French only, via an internet cafe, forum, email, postal mail, and phone during specified weekday and Saturday hours, and there is no 24/7 support chat, although priority calls are available for persons with special needs.
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