HF Markets vs IG Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
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 - HF Markets or IG?
Our pick: HF Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - HF Markets looks preferable to IG.
HF Markets scored 4.3/5 and ranks 22 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 38.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is HF Markets suitable for?
HF Markets is suitable for traders of any level looking for a reliable broker with good trading conditions and support for MetaTrader 4 and 5.
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 HF Markets and IG
| Broker | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2009 | 1973 |
| Regulated in Countries | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Seychelles, Cyprus, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Kenya | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.165 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:2000 | 1:200 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | HF Markets Review | IG Review |
HF Markets Review
HF Markets is a reliable and appealing Forex broker, offering a wide selection of trading assets, a variety of account types, and access to the popular trading platforms MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. With its regulation and industry experience, the company has earned a reputation as a dependable partner for traders of varying experience levels.
HF Markets is recommended for those seeking a trustworthy and vetted broker with favorable trading conditions and customer support.
Pros and Cons of HF Markets
Pros
- Regulated by reputable financial authorities.
- Wide selection of trading assets.
- A variety of educational materials and analytical reviews.
Cons
- There is no alternative to MetaTrader.
- High swaps and wide spreads.
HF Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
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 | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2009 | 1973 |
| Regulated in Countries | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Seychelles, Cyprus, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Kenya | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
| Regulators | SVGFSA SVGFSA FSCA FSCA SFSA SFSA - CySEC CySEC FCA FCA DFSA DFSA CMA CMA | FCA FCA BMA BMA BaFin BaFin FSAN FSAN AFM AFM CONSOB CONSOB CNMV CNMV ACPR ACPR FI FI FINMA FINMA NFA NFA CFTC CFTC ASIC ASIC NZ FMA NZ FMA JFSA JFSA JFFA JFFA MAS MAS FSCA FSCA DFSA DFSA |
HF Markets
HF Markets is highly regulated and provides dependable services, safeguarding its clients' interests.
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
Account Opening
| Broker | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
HF Markets
The account opening process at HF Markets is simple and quick, with a user-friendly interface and standard verification.
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 | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 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 | 1:2000 | 1:200 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
HF Markets
The broker offers a range of accounts to satisfy the needs of diverse traders.
Pros
- A wide selection of account types to suit different requirements.
- Specialized accounts, such as Cent and Islamic accounts.
- The opportunity to copy trades from successful traders.
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 | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.165 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.5 | 1.1 |
| Commission per Lot | $3 | $6.48 |
HF Markets
HF Markets' commissions are above average for the market.
Pros
- No fees for deposits/withdrawals.
Cons
- Spreads are above average
- High swaps for long-term trading.
- Inactivity fee.
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 | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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HF Markets
HF Markets provides many deposit and withdrawal methods, making the broker convenient for many traders.
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 | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 53 | 99 |
| Precious Metals | 6 | 11 |
| Energy Carriers | 2 | 9 |
| Soft Commodities | 5 | 20 |
| Indices | 11 | 46 |
| Stocks | 95 | 13000 |
| ETF | 33 | 5400 |
| Bonds | 3 | 19 |
| Cryptocurrency | 40 | 15 |
HF Markets
HF Markets offers a wide selection of trading assets, though it has a limited choice of stocks.
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 | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
HF Markets
HF Markets offers a wide choice of reliable and functional platforms, making it attractive to traders of various levels.
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 | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
HF Markets
HF Markets offers an impressive set of analytical tools and up-to-date news from experts, facilitating effective trading.
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
Education
| Broker | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
HF Markets
HF Markets' educational materials are extensive and in-depth, allowing traders of all levels to improve their skills and strategies.
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
Customer Support
| Broker | HF Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
Telegram
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedInHF Markets
HF Markets' customer support is efficient, available through various channels, and responds quickly.
Pros
- Variety of communication channels (email, phone, online chat).
- Quick and professional response.
- Positive user feedback.
Cons
- Absence of instant messaging for quick communication.
- Lack of national phone lines.
- Support is limited to working days (24/5).
IG
IG provides fast and professional support.
Comparisons of HF Markets and IG with other brokers
Conclusion
HF Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while IG trails on aggregate criteria.
HF Markets scored 4.3/5 and ranks 22 in our rating; IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 38.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: HF Markets or IG?
HF Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 22) versus IG (score 4.1/5, position 38).
Which broker is better for beginners: HF Markets or IG?
HF Markets 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) — HF 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 HF Markets and IG?
HF Markets: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, WebTrader. IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with HF Markets and IG?
HF Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, 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 HF Markets and IG?
HF Markets: Cent, Premium, Zero, Pro. IG: CFD, DMA. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by HF Markets and IG?
HF Markets: Skrill, Perfect Money, FasaPay, BitPay, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — HF 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.
