IG vs Ultima Markets 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 - IG or Ultima Markets?
Our pick: Ultima Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - Ultima Markets looks preferable to IG.
Ultima Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 19 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 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.
Who is Ultima Markets suitable for?
Ultima Markets is suitable for experienced traders and those who use automated strategies. It is less suitable for beginners due to a lack of educational materials.
Comparison Table of IG and Ultima Markets
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2016 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | Mauritius, Cyprus |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | IG Review | Ultima 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:
Ultima Markets Review
Ultima Markets is a broker offering a wide range of trading instruments and platforms, making it attractive to various categories of traders. With low trading commissions, user-friendly platforms, and extensive analytical materials, the broker is suitable for experienced traders and those who use automated strategies. However, due to the lack of educational materials, Ultima Markets is less suitable for beginner traders, but it is an excellent choice for anyone who does not require training.
Pros and Cons of Ultima Markets
Pros
- Low trading commissions.
- Coverage of all major trading asset markets.
- Extensive analytical materials and tools.
- Efficient technical support.
Cons
- Lack of educational materials.
- No phone support.
Ultima Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1973 | 2016 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates | Mauritius, Cyprus |
| Regulators |
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets demonstrates high reliability due to multi-tier regulation and client protection through insurance coverage. This makes the broker a safe and trusted partner for traders.
Pros
- Regulation by FSC and CySEC.
- Membership in The Financial Commission.
- Insurance coverage up to $1,000,000 USD.
Cons
- Lack of licenses from stricter regulators such as the FCA or ASIC.
Account Opening
| Broker | IG | Ultima 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.
Ultima Markets
The account opening process at Ultima Markets is easy, convenient, and quick, making it attractive for new clients.
Pros
- Simple and fast registration.
- Accessible minimum deposit.
- Verification using standard documents.
Account Types
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:2000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| 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.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets offers a variety of accounts that meet the needs of different traders, including standard, ECN, cent, and Islamic accounts. However, additional services could make their offering even better.
Pros
- A variety of accounts for different categories of traders.
- Islamic accounts available.
- Own copy trading platform.
Cons
- Lack of fixed spread accounts.
Commissions
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.165 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.1 | 1 |
| Commission per Lot | $6.48 | $2.5 |
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.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets has low trading commissions, making it attractive for traders. The absence of inactivity fees and withdrawal fees adds to the advantages.
Pros
- Low commissions on ECN account ($5 per lot).
- Tight spreads on standard account.
- No inactivity fees and withdrawal fees.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding 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.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets offers convenient deposit and withdrawal methods with minimal costs and fast processing time, making the broker attractive for traders.
Pros
- Wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- No withdrawal fees.
Cons
- Withdrawal time up to 5 business days.
Markets and Products
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 99 | 60 |
| Precious Metals | 11 | 9 |
| Energy Carriers | 9 | 7 |
| Soft Commodities | 20 | 7 |
| Indices | 46 | 28 |
| Stocks | 13000 | 86 |
| ETF | 5400 | 6 |
| Bonds | 19 | 7 |
| Cryptocurrency | 15 | 47 |
IG
IG offers an extensive range of products and markets for trading, with an impressive selection of CFDs, options, and thematic baskets.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets provides a wide selection of markets and products, satisfying the needs of most traders.
Pros
- Wide assortment of CFDs.
- Coverage of all major markets.
Cons
- Average number of stock CFDs compared to competitors.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 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.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets' trading platforms are user-friendly and functional, making them an excellent choice for most traders.
Pros
- Support for MT4 with extensive functionality.
- Intuitive mobile application.
Cons
- Limited choice of platforms.
Analytics
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets possesses excellent analytics and tools, aiding traders in making informed decisions. However, the lack of unique analytical tools and limited number of trading signals slightly lower the rating.
Pros
- Up-to-date market news.
- Expert analysis of popular instruments.
- Economic calendar and trading calculators.
Cons
- Lack of unique analytical tools.
- Limited number of specialized reviews.
Education
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 1/5 |
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets offers limited educational materials, which is insufficient for beginner traders. To improve the level of education, webinars, video tutorials, and articles should be added.
Pros
- Unlimited demo account.
Cons
- Absence of webinars and video tutorials.
- Lack of articles and podcasts.
Customer Support
| Broker | IG | Ultima Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
|
|
| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media |
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Telegram
InstagramIG
IG provides fast and professional support.
Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets' customer support demonstrates high efficiency and professionalism, providing prompt assistance through various communication channels.
Pros
- 24/7 support.
- High response speed.
- Variety of communication channels (email, chat, Telegram).
Cons
- No phone support.
Comparisons of IG and Ultima Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
Ultima Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while IG trails on aggregate criteria.
Ultima Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 19 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: IG or Ultima Markets?
Ultima Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 19) versus IG (score 4.1/5, position 38).
Which broker is better for beginners: IG or Ultima Markets?
Ultima 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) — IG or Ultima 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 Ultima Markets?
IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. Ultima Markets: MetaTrader 4, WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IG and Ultima Markets?
IG: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Ultima Markets: 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 IG and Ultima Markets?
IG: CFD, DMA. Ultima Markets: Standard, ECN, Standard Cent Account, ECN Cent Account. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IG and Ultima Markets?
IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Ultima Markets: Alipay, Bank Transfer, UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, Online banking. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IG or Ultima Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
