IG vs Seacrest Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers IG and Seacrest Markets. 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 - IG or Seacrest Markets?
Key differences between the brokers
Below, we show only the differences in trading conditions covered in our reviews. These may include the minimum deposit, available markets, platforms and account types. Compare these details with your requirements.
IG
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 1 USD
- Different platforms
- MetaTrader 4
- IG Trading Platform
- L2 Dealer
- Different markets
- Stocks
- ETF
- Bonds
Seacrest Markets
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 50 USD
- Different platforms
- MetaTrader 5
- Different markets
- None listed
Comparison Table of IG and Seacrest Markets
Swipe the table left or right to view all data.
| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year | 1974 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | South Africa |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
|
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| Review | IG Review | Seacrest Markets Review |
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:
Seacrest Markets Review
Seacrest Markets is a CFD broker with moderate regulation (FSCA), a transparent fee structure, and an accessible entry threshold starting from $50. Trading is conducted via MetaTrader 5, covering major asset classes, with leverage available up to 1:500. The conditions are tailored to retail traders who value clear costs and a straightforward onboarding process.
The broker is best suited for:
retail traders working with Forex and major CFDs;
active traders seeking high leverage;
traders who appreciate 24/7 support and an easy account opening process.
It may be less suitable for investors looking for Tier-1 regulation, an extensive range of stocks and ETFs, or advanced institutional research.
Pros and Cons of Seacrest Markets
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license and formal regulation of brokerage activity.
- Low minimum deposit — from $50.
- 24/7 support and a strong community.
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation and no compensation funds.
- Limited number of trading instruments compared to large brokers.
- No web-based platform and no alternative to MetaTrader 5.
Reliability
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1974 | 2024 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | South Africa |
| Regulators |
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets’ reliability can be described as moderate: the broker is regulated by the FSCA (Tier-2) but does not hold Tier-1 licenses or participate in compensation schemes, which reduces the level of protection compared to major international brokers.
Pros
- FSCA (South Africa) license
- Transparent registration information
Cons
- No Tier-1 regulation
Account Opening
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
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.
Seacrest Markets
Opening an account with Seacrest Markets is fast and without unnecessary bureaucracy: online registration, verification within a day, and clear requirements make the process convenient for most traders.
Pros
- Simple online registration
- Verification within 24 hours
- Low minimum deposit
Cons
- Mandatory extended KYC questionnaire
Account Types
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.1 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free 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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets offers classic trading accounts with a clear fee structure. The lineup suits different trading styles, though the overall variety and depth of account options remain moderate.
Pros
- Availability of Classic and ECN accounts
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts
Commissions
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0.1 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Commission | per $1M turnover$60.00 | per 1 lot$3.50 |
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.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' fees are around the market average: spreads and swaps are comparable to competitors, and the ECN commission remains competitive. The cost structure is transparent and without notable hidden charges.
Pros
- Market-average spreads
- No withdrawal fee except for bank transfers
Cons
- There is an account inactivity fee
- Swaps can be significant for long-term trading
Deposit and Withdrawal
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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|
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.
Seacrest Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Seacrest Markets are organized in a standard and convenient way: cards, bank transfer, and cryptocurrencies are available. The procedures are transparent, but the range of methods remains basic.
Pros
- Support for Visa/Mastercard
- Crypto transfers available
- Clear procedure via the client portal
Cons
- Limited selection of local payment systems
- Fee for withdrawals via bank transfer
Markets and Products
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Forex | 99 | 50 |
| Precious Metals | 11 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 9 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 20 | 2 |
| Indices | 46 | 6 |
| Stocks | 13000 | - |
| ETF | 5400 | - |
| Bonds | 19 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 15 | 4 |
IG
IG offers an extensive range of products and markets for trading, with an impressive selection of CFDs, options, and thematic baskets.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' market offering covers key asset classes and suits most retail strategies, but it falls behind large multi-asset brokers in breadth of instruments.
Pros
- Key asset classes (Forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies)
- High leverage up to 1:500
Cons
- Limited overall number of instruments
- No stocks or ETFs
Trading Platforms
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
IG
IG offers a variety of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, and L2 Dealer, catering to traders of all levels.
Seacrest Markets
MetaTrader 5 provides full functionality for analysis and trading, but platform choice is limited to a single terminal and there is no web version, which reduces access flexibility.
Pros
- Support for algorithmic trading
- iOS and Android mobile apps
Cons
- No web version
- No alternative platforms
Analytics
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' analytics cover key needs of retail traders: video reviews, articles, and built-in analysis tools. The content is practical, but it is geared mainly toward beginner and intermediate levels.
Pros
- Regular video analysis
- Economic calendar and market widgets
- TradingView integration
Education
Swipe the table left or right to view all data.
| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' educational materials cover basic CFD and Forex topics and are suitable for beginners, but the education section is limited to a blog format without an extended learning program.
Pros
- Structured blog
Cons
- No comprehensive courses
- No webinars or podcasts
Customer Support
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| Broker | IG | Seacrest Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support | — | |
| Hotline Phones | — | |
| Social Media |
IG
IG provides fast and professional support.
Seacrest Markets
Seacrest Markets' support operates 24/7 and provides quick contact via live chat. A strong community enhances client service, but the set of communication channels remains standard.
Pros
- 24/7 support
- Live chat on the website
- Active community (Discord and social media)
Cons
- No extensive phone support
- No personal managers
- Limited selection of communication channels
Comparisons of IG and Seacrest Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
When choosing between IG and Seacrest Markets, match their platforms, markets, account types and funding terms to your needs.
Before opening an account, verify fees, regulation, support and service availability for your country in the sections above.
FAQ
Which broker is better: IG or Seacrest Markets?
IG ranks higher than Seacrest Markets in our editorial ranking. That does not make it a universal choice: compare fees, markets, platforms, account types and support.
Which broker is better for beginners: IG or Seacrest Markets?
Beginners should compare availability in their country, account types, minimum deposit, trading platforms and customer support.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — IG or Seacrest Markets?
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 IG and Seacrest Markets?
IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. Seacrest Markets: MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IG and Seacrest Markets?
IG: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Seacrest Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by IG and Seacrest Markets?
IG: CFD, DMA. Seacrest Markets: Classic, ECN. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IG and Seacrest Markets?
IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Seacrest Markets: Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IG or Seacrest Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
