Focus Markets vs IG Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Focus Markets and IG. Find out which broker is best for you.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - Focus Markets or IG?
Our pick: IG
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - IG looks preferable to Focus Markets.
IG scored 4.1/5 and ranks 43 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Focus Markets suitable for?
Focus Markets is suitable for experienced Forex/CFD traders who trade via MT5 and independently use external analytics.
Who is IG suitable for?
Broker IG.com is suitable for traders of all levels, offering reliability, convenience, a wide selection of instruments, and good customer support.
Comparison Table of Focus Markets and IG
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 1974 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.165 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:200 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Focus Markets Review | IG Review |
Focus Markets Review
Focus Markets is a broker aimed primarily at independent Forex and CFD traders who value access to popular markets, the familiar MetaTrader 5 platform, and a clear trading account structure. It is not the most versatile option for beginners who need strong education, regular analytics, and a wide selection of services within the broker’s ecosystem.
Focus Markets is best suited to experienced traders who already use external analytics sources, make trading decisions independently, and are looking for a broker for active CFD trading. For beginner clients, the broker may be less convenient due to its weak educational base and limited support in making trading decisions.
Pros and Cons of Focus Markets
Pros
- More than 700 CFD instruments are available, including Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
- MetaTrader 5 is supported with WebTrader, mobile versions, Expert Advisors, and one-click trading.
- The broker does not charge internal fees for deposits and withdrawals.
- Various deposit methods are available: cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets.
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts.
- No MetaTrader 4, cTrader, or proprietary trading platform.
- Weak analytics: no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party analytical services.
- No educational materials for beginners.
IG Review
IG is a highly regulated broker with licenses from reliable financial authorities, providing clients with high funds protection. Thanks to narrow spreads, traders can effectively manage their costs and increase the profitability of their operations. Quality trading platforms and advanced analytical tools support informed trading decisions, while extensive educational resources make IG attractive to traders of all experience levels.
Pros and Cons of IG
Pros
- Licenses from regulators with a high level of credibility.
- Tight spreads.
- A variety of markets and products.
- Extensive set of analytical tools and content.
- Quality educational resources for different levels of traders.
Cons
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
- High trading fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Limited choice of payment methods.
IG is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 1974 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
| Regulators |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets combines a regulated Australian division with international structures in Mauritius and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Client protection depends on the legal entity.
Pros
- There is a division supervised by ASIC.
- The group’s international structure is disclosed.
Cons
- No compensation fund.
- No information about additional funds insurance.
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
Account Opening
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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Focus Markets
Opening an account with Focus Markets is convenient and fairly fast: registration is completed online, the questionnaire is clear, and document verification usually takes up to 24 business hours.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- Clear 3-step questionnaire.
- Wide selection of account base currencies.
Cons
- Mandatory KYC verification is required.
- Additional documents may be requested.
- No instant activation of a live account.
IG
The account opening process is simple, fast, and convenient for traders of any experience level.
Pros
- No minimum deposit required.
- Quick registration process (5-10 minutes).
Cons
- Necessity to provide extensive personal and financial information.
- Verification may take a couple of days.
- There is a possibility of being denied account opening.
Account Types
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.165 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:200 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ account lineup covers traders’ basic needs, but remains limited: only Standard and Raw are available, with no cent, Islamic, or fixed-spread account.
Pros
- Standard and Raw accounts are available.
- 30-day demo account.
- Trader copy trading is available.
Cons
- No cent account.
- No Islamic account.
- No fixed-spread account.
IG
IG offers a limited selection of accounts, meeting the basic needs of traders, but not accommodating specific requirements.
Pros
- Availability of DMA account for professional traders.
- Premium service offered for high-value clients.
- Free demo account for practice and training.
Cons
- Absence of Islamic and investment accounts.
- No fixed spread accounts and cent accounts.
Commissions
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.165 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.2 | 1.1 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$3.50 | per $1M turnover$60.00 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ fees are average: spreads and swaps on Standard are typical for the market, the Raw commission is $3.5 per lot per side, and withdrawals are free of broker fees.
Pros
- No withdrawal fee from the broker.
Cons
- An account inactivity fee may apply.
IG
IG provides an average level of commissions, with low spreads but high transaction fees on DMA accounts.
Pros
- Low spreads.
- No fees for deposits/withdrawals.
Cons
- High transaction fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Currency conversion fee and guaranteed stop fee.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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Focus Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Focus Markets are convenient: many methods are available, there are no internal fees, and withdrawal times are usually 1–3 business days.
Pros
- Cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets are available.
- No internal broker fees.
- Most deposits are processed quickly.
Cons
- Withdrawals are reviewed by the finance department.
- Fees from banks and providers may apply.
IG
Broker IG offers an average level of services for deposits/withdrawals, not charging a fee, but has limitations on available methods.
Pros
- No commission for funding and withdrawal.
- PayPal available as a deposit/withdrawal option.
- Transparent information about limits.
Cons
- Absence of cryptocurrencies and most electronic wallets.
- Withdrawal processing time can take up to 5 business days.
- Restrictions on the minimum withdrawal amount.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 50 | 99 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 11 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 9 |
| Indices | 8 | 46 |
| Stocks | 500 | 13000 |
| Cryptocurrency | 140 | 15 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 20 |
| ETF | - | 5400 |
| Bonds | - | 19 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers a wide selection of CFD instruments: Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- More than 700 instruments.
- Leverage up to 1:500.
Cons
- No real stocks or ETFs.
- No soft commodities.
IG
IG offers an extensive range of products and markets for trading, with an impressive selection of CFDs, options, and thematic baskets.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers the reliable and functional MT5 platform, but the selection is limited: there is no MT4, cTrader, or proprietary broker platform.
Pros
- MetaTrader 5 is available.
- WebTrader and mobile versions are available.
Cons
- No MetaTrader 4.
- No cTrader.
- No proprietary platform.
IG
IG offers a variety of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, and L2 Dealer, catering to traders of all levels.
Analytics
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ analytics are weak: there are no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party services such as Trading Central or Autochartist.
Cons
- No market reviews.
- No trading signals.
- No analytics from third-party providers.
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
Education
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Focus Markets
Education at Focus Markets is poorly developed: instead of a full knowledge base, the broker offers only an FAQ, with no courses, webinars, video lessons, or market analysis materials.
Pros
- There is an FAQ on key questions.
Cons
- No educational courses.
- No webinars or video lessons.
- No materials on strategies or market analysis.
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
Customer Support
| Broker | Focus Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones | — |
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| Social Media | — |
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTubeFocus Markets
Focus Markets’ technical support is basic: online chat, email, and an FAQ are available, with a 24/5 schedule, but there are few contact channels and limited public feedback on service quality.
Pros
- Online chat is available on the website.
- Support operates 24/5.
Cons
- No clearly specified social networks or messengers.
- Limited number of public reviews.
IG
IG provides fast and professional support.
Comparisons of Focus Markets and IG with other brokers
Conclusion
IG stands out as the better overall pick, while Focus Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
IG scored 4.1/5 and ranks 43 in our rating; Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Focus Markets or IG?
IG comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.1/5, position 43) versus Focus Markets (score 3.8/5, position 60).
Which broker is better for beginners: Focus Markets or IG?
IG is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Focus Markets or IG?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with Focus Markets and IG?
Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Focus Markets and IG?
Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. IG: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Focus Markets and IG?
Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. IG: CFD, DMA. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Focus Markets and IG?
Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Focus Markets or IG — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
