Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs BlackBull Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing online brokers IG and BlackBull Markets, key differences in trust and regulatory backing become apparent. IG, established in 1974, is a publicly traded firm that doubles as a bank, enhancing its credibility. It boasts a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating its excellent reliability. This high level of trust is supported by IG's holding of 8 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, marking it as a highly trusted organization globally.
On the other hand, BlackBull Markets, which was founded in 2014, is privately held and not a bank. It has a Trust Score of 78, placing it in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. In terms of regulatory licenses, BlackBull Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license, signaling a significantly lower level of regulatory assurance compared to IG. These differences highlight the contrast in the level of trust each broker provides to potential clients.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing IG vs. BlackBull Markets on commissions and fees, both deliver competitive pricing, but they shine in different ways. IG is rated 5 stars and ranked #8 out of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees, highlighted by strong pricing for active traders and dependable execution for large orders. BlackBull Markets earns 4.5 stars and ranks #19 out of 63, with its Prime account offering eye-catching all-in costs on major forex pairs.
IG’s Forex Direct (DMA) account averaged 0.62 pips on EUR/USD in July 2023, with an all-in cost around 0.82 pips once the commission (about 0.2 pips) is included. Its spread-only CFD account averaged 0.69 pips during the main trading session, 0.98 pips across all sessions globally, and 1.18 pips on EUR/USD for IG US during that month. High-volume traders may qualify for active-trader rebates: 10% off spreads above £50 million in monthly forex volume and up to 20% off above £300 million—potentially trimming the all-in cost to about 0.60 pips. The DMA account has a £1,000 minimum and tiered commissions that can drop to as low as $10 per million per side ($20 round turn) for the highest volumes.
BlackBull Markets’ pricing varies by account. The Standard account is commission-free with higher spreads and no minimum deposit. The Prime account—often the better value—requires a $2,000 minimum and posted an average 0.16-pip spread on EUR/USD (March 2024), for an all-in cost of about 0.76 pips after a 0.3-pip per-side commission. For serious volume, the ECN Institutional account requires at least $20,000 and charges $2 per side ($4 round turn). Overall, BlackBull’s costs are about average industry-wide, while IG stands out more for active traders seeking discounts and deeper liquidity access.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 0.71 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.71 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing IG vs BlackBull Markets for range of investments: both brokers support forex trading as spot or as contracts for difference (CFDs). BlackBull lists about 26,000 tradeable symbols, while IG offers 19,537. IG leads on forex pairs with 97 versus BlackBull’s 72. Each broker also lets you buy exchange‑traded securities (not CFDs) on both U.S. and international markets, so you can trade shares like Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. For crypto, both provide cryptocurrency CFDs; IG also lets you buy actual cryptocurrency, whereas BlackBull does not.
Feature-wise, BlackBull offers copy trading, while IG does not. Both earn 5 stars for Range of Investments; in ForexBrokers.com’s rankings out of 63 brokers, IG places #4 and BlackBull Markets ranks #6. In short, pick IG if you want more forex pairs and access to real crypto, or choose BlackBull if you want a bigger overall symbol list and copy trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 26000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 72 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
IG and BlackBull Markets both offer free demo accounts, web and Windows desktop platforms, and trading directly from charts. IG adds its own in-house platform alongside MetaTrader 4, while BlackBull Markets sticks to third-party platforms and supports both MT4 and MT5. If you want copy trading, BlackBull Markets has it; IG does not.
For platforms and tools, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #31. Counts for chart indicators and watchlist columns weren’t specified, but both brokers cover the essentials for everyday trading across web and desktop, with IG standing out for its proprietary platform and BlackBull Markets appealing to MT5 and copy-trading fans.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 109 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and BlackBull Markets both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts and watchlist syncing with your online account, so changes carry over across devices. Charting is strong on both: you can draw trendlines and your drawings auto-save. IG offers a slight edge for technical analysis with 33 built-in studies, compared with 30 at BlackBull Markets.
Independent ratings tilt in IG’s favor. IG’s mobile trading app is rated 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #33. If you want the top-rated mobile experience and more indicator choice, IG stands out. If you’re after an easy-to-use app with all the essentials, BlackBull Markets remains a capable option.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing IG and BlackBull Markets on market research capabilities, IG clearly excels in providing comprehensive resources. Both brokers offer daily market commentary and access to technical analysis tools from Autochartist, along with sentiment-based trading tools for gauging market trends. However, IG sets itself apart by delivering forex news sourced from top-tier platforms such as Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas BlackBull Markets lacks this feature. Furthermore, IG clients can access robust insights through TipRanks and Acuity Trading's Signal Centre, resources not available with BlackBull Markets.
For traders keen on staying updated with economic shifts, both IG and BlackBull Markets boast an extensive economic calendar covering global news events. Yet, IG's superior research offerings earn it a 5-star rating and the prestigious #2 spot in ForexBrokers.com's Research category out of 63 brokers, compared to BlackBull Markets' 4-star rating and the #18 position. This distinction underscores IG’s prominence as a go-to choice for traders demanding cutting-edge market research tools and insights.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IG vs BlackBull Markets: both brokers make it easy for beginners to learn forex and CFDs. Each offers a full education library with well over 10 pieces of content, plus monthly client webinars. You’ll find at least 10 beginner-focused videos and at least 10 advanced videos at both brokers. Where they differ is in overall quality and breadth: IG earns a 5-star Education rating and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets holds 4 stars and ranks #29.
For new traders who want the most comprehensive learning experience, IG is the clear leader, pairing frequent webinars with sizable video lessons that cover the basics through advanced strategies. BlackBull Markets also delivers a helpful pathway for beginners—with 10+ beginner and 10+ advanced videos and monthly webinars—making it a solid alternative, though not as expansive as IG based on the independent ratings and rankings.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than BlackBull Markets. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Comparing online brokers IG and BlackBull Markets: IG allows investors to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and trade crypto CFDs, whereas BlackBull Markets supports cryptocurrency CFDs only and does not offer direct, delivered coin purchases.
Comparing online broker IG to BlackBull Markets for deposits and withdrawals: IG supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wires, while BlackBull Markets offers Skrill and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2014 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 26000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 72 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.98 | 0.71 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.71 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 109 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 78 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill