IC 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 - IC Markets or IG?
Our pick: IC Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - IC Markets looks preferable to IG.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 4 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 IC Markets suitable for?
IC Markets is suitable for traders looking for low spreads and ECN accounts and the ability to scalp and use expert advisors.
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 IC Markets and IG
| Broker | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 1973 |
| Regulated in Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, 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 | 1:500 | 1:200 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | IC Markets Review | IG Review |
IC Markets Review
IC Markets is a reliable and versatile broker that offers a wide range of services and tools for trading in the financial markets. The company provides impressive trading instruments, high-quality trading platforms, advanced analytical tools, and valuable education for traders of all levels.
IC Markets is likely most suitable for experienced traders who value deep liquidity, tight spreads, and advanced trading tools. Beginner traders can also benefit from the educational materials offered by the company, but they should be prepared for some additional expenses and a higher minimum deposit requirement.
Pros and Cons of IC Markets
Pros
- A wide range of trading assets.
- Low spreads.
- Variety of trading platforms.
- Quality educational materials.
- Efficient customer support service.
Cons
- High minimum deposit.
IC 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 | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 1973 |
| Regulated in Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
| Regulators |
IC Markets
IC Markets operates under the regulation of several jurisdictions, including ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cyprus, and SFSA in the Seychelles, indicating a high degree of regulation.
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
Account Opening
| Broker | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
IC Markets
The account opening process at IC Markets is well-thought-out, transparent, and detailed, ensuring convenience and ease for clients. However, the high minimum deposit may deter many beginners.
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 | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.8/5 | 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 |
IC Markets
IC Markets' accounts are mainly aimed at experienced and professional traders.
Pros
- ECN accounts
- Ability to copy trades
- Access to VPS
Cons
- No cent accounts
- No fixed spread accounts
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 | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.165 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.62 | 1.1 |
| Commission per Lot | $3.5 | $6.48 |
IC Markets
IC Markets has low commissions. Fees for transactions on ECN accounts and spreads are acceptable to most traders, and the absence of charges for deposits/withdrawals and account inactivity is a significant advantage.
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 | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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|
IC Markets
IC Markets offers multiple options for depositing and withdrawing funds, but possible fees from banks and payment systems should be considered, along with some restrictions on withdrawal methods.
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 | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 61 | 99 |
| Precious Metals | 7 | 11 |
| Energy Carriers | 5 | 9 |
| Soft Commodities | 8 | 20 |
| Indices | 25 | 46 |
| Stocks | 2175 | 13000 |
| ETF | 38 | 5400 |
| Bonds | 10 | 19 |
| Cryptocurrency | 21 | 15 |
IC Markets
IC Markets offers various trading instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs on metals, energy resources, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
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 | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
IC Markets
IC Markets provides powerful and functional trading platforms suitable for various trader categories.
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 | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IC Markets
IC Markets provides its clients with an extensive set of analytical tools and materials, which can assist them in successful trading in the financial markets.
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
Education
| Broker | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IC Markets
IC Markets offers a wide range of educational resources, from interactive video lessons to webinars and podcasts, demonstrating care for their clients and a commitment to providing all the necessary resources for successful trading.
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
Customer Support
| Broker | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
YouTubeIC Markets
IC Markets provides a variety of communication channels, ensuring support service accessibility for clients. Numerous client reviews indicate the support team's quick response and high professionalism.
Pros
- Positive reviews about professional support
- Multiple channels for support communication
- Support is available 24/7
Cons
- Only international call option is available
IG
IG provides fast and professional support.
Comparisons of IC Markets and IG with other brokers
Conclusion
IC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while IG trails on aggregate criteria.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 4 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: IC Markets or IG?
IC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 4) versus IG (score 4.1/5, position 38).
Which broker is better for beginners: IC Markets or IG?
IC 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) — IC 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 IC Markets and IG?
IC Markets: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IC Markets and IG?
IC 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 IC Markets and IG?
IC Markets: Standard, Raw Spread cTrader, Raw Spread. IG: CFD, DMA. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IC Markets and IG?
IC Markets: PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, Swift, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, POLi, Rapidpay. IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IC 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.
