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.
IG vs BlackBull Markets: Based on ForexBrokers.com, IG earns a Trust Score of 99/99, which falls in the “highly trusted” range (90–99). BlackBull Markets scores 77/99, which places it in the “average risk” range (70–79). These scores help signal overall safety and oversight for everyday traders.
IG, founded in 1974, is publicly traded and a bank, holding 8 Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted) and 2 Tier-2 licenses (trusted). BlackBull Markets, founded in 2014, is not publicly traded and not a bank, with 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. In short, IG offers broader regulatory coverage and a higher trust rating than BlackBull Markets.
| 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 |
IG and BlackBull Markets both offer competitive pricing, but they suit different types of traders. IG earns 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees, while BlackBull Markets is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #9 out of 36. IG is not a low-cost discounter, but it stands out for active traders thanks to its Forex Direct DMA pricing and its ability to handle large orders with efficient execution. On its main Forex Direct account, IG’s EUR/USD spread averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023, with an all-in cost of about 0.82 pips after commission.
For CFD trading, IG’s typical spreads were also fairly competitive, averaging 0.69 pips during the main trading session in July 2023, though costs rose outside liquid market hours. Active traders may also qualify for spread rebates, which can lower costs further if they trade at very high volumes. BlackBull Markets offers simple pricing choices across three account types. Its Standard account has no commission and no minimum deposit, but spreads are wider. Its Prime account is the better value for most active traders, with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.16 in March 2024 and an all-in cost of about 0.76 pips after commission.
Overall, IG is a stronger pick for traders who want advanced execution and tiered pricing options, especially in forex and CFDs. BlackBull Markets can be more appealing if you want a low-entry account with clear pricing, or if you are ready to move into tighter spreads through its Prime or ECN Institutional accounts. In short, IG has the edge on ranking and star rating, while BlackBull Markets remains a solid choice for traders who want flexible account types and competitive costs.
| Feature |
IG
|
BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 0.91 | 1.16 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.82 | 0.76 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG and BlackBull Markets both give traders a wide choice of markets, including forex CFDs and spot forex trading, plus access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, while BlackBull Markets offers a larger overall selection with 26,000 tradeable symbols but fewer forex pairs at 72. Both brokers also let clients trade cryptocurrency CFDs, but only IG offers the option to buy actual cryptocurrency. BlackBull Markets stands out for copy trading, which IG does not provide.
When it comes to range of investments, both brokers earn top marks, with 5 out of 5 stars from ForexBrokers.com. In the same category, IG ranks #4 out of 36 brokers, compared with BlackBull Markets at #7, which suggests both are strong choices for market access, with IG better for forex pair choice and crypto ownership, and BlackBull Markets better for the overall number of tradeable instruments 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 give traders a solid set of platform choices, including free demo accounts, web-based trading, Windows desktop software, and support for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both brokers also let users trade straight from a chart, which can make order entry faster and easier. In everyday use, this means either broker can suit traders who want flexible access across devices and familiar third-party platforms.
The main difference is that IG also offers its own in-house platform, while BlackBull Markets does not. BlackBull Markets, however, stands out for copy trading, which IG does not provide. On ratings, IG comes out ahead with 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and a #1 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with BlackBull Markets’ 4 stars and #26 ranking. For traders who want the strongest overall platform package, IG has the edge, while BlackBull Markets may appeal more to those interested in copy trading.
| 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) | Yes | 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 offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, so traders can place trades and manage accounts from either device. Each app also includes stock and forex price alerts, watchlist syncing with the online account, trendline drawing on charts, and automatic saving of chart drawings. In other words, both brokers cover the core tools most mobile traders look for when trading on the go.
Where IG stands out is in charting depth and overall app quality. IG’s mobile app offers 33 technical studies, compared with 30 at BlackBull Markets, and IG is rated 5 stars for mobile trading apps versus BlackBull Markets’ 4 stars. ForexBrokers.com also ranks IG #1 out of 36 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, while BlackBull Markets sits at #29, making IG the stronger choice for traders who want a more polished mobile experience.
| 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.
IG stands out for market research because it combines daily market commentary with news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. It also adds several helpful tools, including Autochartist, a sentiment tool that shows long-versus-short positioning, TipRanks research, Acuity Trading tools such as Signal Centre, and an economic calendar for tracking key global events. BlackBull Markets also offers daily market commentary, Autochartist, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar, but it does not include top-tier news, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
In simple terms, IG gives traders more ways to follow market news and spot possible opportunities, which helps explain its 5-star Research rating and #2 ranking out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. BlackBull Markets still provides useful research features and earns a solid 4.5-star Research rating, but its smaller set of tools places it lower at #17 out of 36. For traders who want the wider mix of research resources, IG has the edge.
| 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.
For beginners looking for trading help, both IG and BlackBull Markets provide a wide range of educational content, including forex and CFDs lessons, monthly webinars, and at least 10 beginner-focused videos as well as 10 advanced videos. That means new traders can find basic guidance, while more experienced users can still access material that goes further. In plain terms, both brokers make learning a clear part of the experience, but IG goes a step further with stronger recognition for its education offering.
IG is rated 5 out of 5 stars for education and is ranked #7 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while BlackBull Markets is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranked #25. So, although both brokers offer solid learning tools for beginners, IG comes out ahead overall for education quality and depth.
| 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 #22.
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
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BlackBull Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 77 |
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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.
IG vs BlackBull Markets: both online brokers support ACH/SEPA and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, but IG offers PayPal (not Skrill) while BlackBull Markets offers Skrill (not PayPal); Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Regulation | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| 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 (FSA 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 CMA 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) - Spread-only account | 0.91 | 1.16 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.82 | 0.76 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | Yes | 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 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IG Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | IG | BlackBull Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 77 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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