Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs easyMarkets, 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 easyMarkets, IG stands out as a highly trusted choice in the trading industry. Founded in 1974, IG is both publicly traded and operates as a bank, adding to its credibility and financial stability. It boasts an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99, indicating it is highly trusted. IG is further reinforced by possessing 8 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, symbolizing its strong compliance with top regulatory standards worldwide.
In contrast, easyMarkets, established in 2001, is privately owned and does not function as a bank. It holds a respectable ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 84 out of 99, placing it in the trusted category. easyMarkets is regulated with 2 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a secure but more limited regulatory presence compared to IG. Overall, IG’s long-standing market presence and extensive regulatory endorsements make it a top choice for traders seeking a trusted online broker. Meanwhile, easyMarkets remains a solid option, particularly for those who prioritize simpler regulatory coverage.
| Feature |
IG
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of IG and easyMarkets, IG emerges as a strong contender for traders seeking competitive pricing, especially for active market participants. IG offers scalable execution with multiple methods, including the Forex Direct accounts which cater to large order executions. While not classified as a discount broker, IG shines with its spreads averaging 0.62 pips in July 2023 and active trader rebates for high-volume traders. The broker offers tiered pricing structures, providing significant savings for purchases exceeding £50 million in volume. IG's overall average spread during July 2023 was 0.98 pips globally. The Direct Market Access (DMA) account further enhances discounts with a £1,000 minimum and tiered commissions starting at $60 per million.
easyMarkets, on the other hand, offers a simpler pricing structure with fixed spreads starting at 0.8 pips for EUR/USD on its platform and TradingView, but higher spreads of 1.7 pips when using the MT4 Standard account. The VIP account reduces the spread to 0.7 pips, while MT5 offers variable spreads starting at 0.7 pips. Despite its clear pricing models, easyMarkets doesn't provide the same level of discounts or execution flexibility as IG.
According to ForexBrokers.com, IG receives a top-tier rating of 5 stars for its commissions and fees, ranking it at #8 among 63 brokers. Conversely, easyMarkets has a mid-tier rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked #52 in the same category. Overall, IG appears to be better suited for those prioritizing reduced trading costs, particularly for high-volume traders who stand to benefit from IG’s extensive rebate programs and tiered pricing structures.
| Feature |
IG
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of investment options, IG outshines easyMarkets significantly. IG provides an expansive selection of 19,537 tradeable symbols compared to only 230 offered by easyMarkets. Forex enthusiasts will also find a broader choice with IG, which offers 97 tradeable forex pairs, while easyMarkets provides access to 63 pairs. Importantly, IG offers the ability to invest in actual exchange-traded securities on major U.S. and international exchanges, something easyMarkets does not provide. This includes the possibility to buy recognizable shares such as Apple and Vodafone without relying on CFDs, offering investors more flexible trading options.
Cryptocurrency investors will also discover more opportunities with IG, as it allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, in addition to derivatives, whereas easyMarkets only offers derivatives. While IG does not support copy trading, a feature easyMarkets does provide, it consistently garners praise for its extensive range of investments. IG boasts a five-star rating in this category and ranks fourth out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, easyMarkets earns 3.5 stars and ranks 54th, indicating that IG offers a more comprehensive selection for investors looking to diversify their portfolio.
| Feature |
IG
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 230 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 63 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 easyMarkets are both popular online brokers offering a range of trading platforms and tools to meet the needs of traders. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, a great option for beginners to practice trading without risk. They each have developed proprietary platforms and offer web-based trading, alongside Windows-based desktop downloads. For those interested in established third-party platforms, both brokers support MetaTrader 4, but only easyMarkets offers MetaTrader 5, which could be a deciding factor for those seeking more advanced features.
When it comes to features within their platforms, both IG and easyMarkets enable direct trading from stock charts, although easyMarkets provides 30 drawing tools compared to IG's 20. Additionally, IG's watch lists offer five columns, whereas easyMarkets offers eight. For copy trading, easyMarkets takes the lead as IG does not support this feature. IG boasts a higher rating with five stars for their trading platforms and tools, ranking them #2 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while easyMarkets holds a four-star rating and a #35 ranking. For traders prioritizing platform features, these distinctions may guide a more informed choice tailored to their specific trading needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IG and easyMarkets, both offer iPhone and Android compatibility, providing users with a seamless experience across devices. One distinct advantage of the IG app is its stock and forex price alerts, a feature that easyMarkets does not provide. Furthermore, both brokers allow watchlist symbol syncing, enabling users to maintain consistency between their mobile app and online account. IG manages to shine with its 33 technical studies available for charting, some traders, however, might prefer easyMarkets as it offers a substantial 81 technical studies. Both apps offer key functionalities like the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames, but only IG app auto-saves these drawings for user convenience.
For traders keen on real-time data, either app allows the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. Yet, IG edges out in overall performance, clinching a 5-star rating for its mobile app, as well as being ranked #1 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Mobile Trading Apps category. EasyMarkets holds a respectable 4-star rating but falls short at a rank of #30. This makes IG a strong choice for those who prioritize comprehensive trading tools and high app ratings. EasyMarkets, however, can still appeal to traders who require extensive technical analysis features.
| Feature |
IG
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 81 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of online brokers IG and easyMarkets, both provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also offer sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars for tracking global news. However, IG stands out with additional resources, including analysis tools from Autochartist, market insights from TipRanks, and support from Acuity Trading. In contrast, easyMarkets partners with Trading Central for technical analysis tools, filling in where IG does not.
IG's comprehensive research offerings have earned it a 5-star rating and a #2 ranking out of 63 brokers in the research category on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, easyMarkets, with its mixture of commentary and analytics, holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #43. Thus, for traders prioritizing extensive research tools and global market insights, IG offers a more robust selection, while easyMarkets provides a solid, though less extensive, research framework.
| Feature |
IG
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners in forex and CFDs trading, both IG and easyMarkets provide a wealth of materials to help new traders get started. IG and easyMarkets each offer over 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and webinars to introduce beginners to the essentials of trading. Furthermore, both brokers host online educational webinars regularly, ensuring that there are always new opportunities to learn live with experts. If you miss a session, both platforms have you covered with searchable archives of recorded webinars. For beginners looking to start with video content, each broker offers more than 10 videos tailored specifically for newcomers and more advanced videos for seasoned traders. Additionally, both IG and easyMarkets provide an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, making it easier for beginners to understand the trading jargon.
Despite offering similar resources, IG stands out in the educational landscape with a perfect 5-star education rating and a top rank at #1 out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. This high accolade suggests a superior educational experience that might be particularly appealing to beginners looking for structured and high-quality materials. In contrast, easyMarkets is rated at 3.5 stars and ranked #39, indicating room for improvement but still providing a solid foundation in trading education. For beginners prioritizing educational quality and resources, IG seems to offer the more comprehensive learning environment, while easyMarkets remains a reliable choice for those seeking a basic introduction.
| Feature |
IG
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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 easyMarkets. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while easyMarkets finished with an overall rank of #42.
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
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 |
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While IG allows users to buy actual cryptocurrencies as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, easyMarkets only offers the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both IG and easyMarkets allow ACH and SEPA transfers, as well as Visa and Mastercard and bank wire transactions for depositing or withdrawing funds; however, IG additionally offers the convenience of PayPal, while easyMarkets provides Skrill for their users.
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 | easyMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | easyMarkets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | easyMarkets | |
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| Regulation | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 230 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 63 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 81 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IG Review | easyMarkets Review |
| Overall | IG | easyMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | easyMarkets Review |
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