Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs IC 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.
Founded in 1974, IG stands as a seasoned player in the online brokerage arena. It is publicly traded and holds the status of a bank. With a top-tier Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, IG is considered highly trusted. This is backed by its impressive acquisition of 8 Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a strong regulatory standing worldwide. Additionally, IG has 2 Tier-2 licenses that further enhance its credibility in providing secure investment services.
IC Markets, established in 2007, operates as a private entity and does not hold bank status. Its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score is 84, earning it a classification of "trusted". While newer to the scene compared to IG, IC Markets maintains credibility with its 2 Tier-1 licenses. However, the firm holds no Tier-2 licenses, which might be a consideration for those prioritizing extensive regulatory oversight.
| Feature |
IG
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
IG and IC Markets both earn 5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com’s 2024 rankings, IC Markets places #5 of 63 brokers while IG comes in at #7 of 63. Both cater to cost‑focused traders, but IC Markets tends to edge IG on all‑in EUR/USD pricing on its commission-based accounts, while IG appeals to high‑volume and DMA traders who want exchange‑style pricing and the ability to handle larger orders.
IG offers two main ways to trade forex pricing: spread-only CFDs and its DMA “Forex Direct” account. On its CFD account, typical EUR/USD spreads averaged 0.69 pips during the main trading session in July 2023 (0.98 pips across the full day globally; 1.18 pips for IG US). Spreads can widen during thinner liquidity, averaging about 1.03 pips in quieter hours. For qualifying pros, IG’s active-trader rebates cut spreads by 10%–20%; a 20% rebate can bring an example all‑in cost to about 0.60 pips. IG’s Forex Direct (DMA) averaged 0.62 pips on EUR/USD in July 2023; commissions are tiered by volume. At the best tier ($20 per million round‑turn), the all‑in cost is about 0.82 pips, while the base tier ($60 per million) is higher. Minimum deposit for DMA is £1,000.
IC Markets offers three account types: Standard (spread‑only) and two Raw Spread options (MetaTrader or cTrader). Its listed average raw spread on EUR/USD is 0.02 pips; after commissions, the all‑in cost is about 0.62 pips on cTrader ($3 per side, or $6 per standard‑lot trade) and about 0.72 pips on MetaTrader ($3.5 per side, or $7 per trade). The Standard account averages about 0.62 pips with no commission, and discounts are available for traders doing over 100 standard lots per month. Bottom line: IC Markets typically delivers slightly lower all‑in costs on EUR/USD, while IG is highly competitive for active and DMA traders who can benefit from tiered commissions and rebates.
| Feature |
IG
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | ÂŁ1 | $200 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.62 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG offers a wider range of investments than IC Markets. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, compared with IC Markets’ 3,583 symbols and 61 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs and spot. IG also lets you buy real shares on U.S. and international exchanges, while IC Markets offers real shares on international exchanges only (no access to U.S. exchanges). Reflecting this breadth, IG is rated 5 stars and ranked #4 out of 63 for Range of Investments, whereas IC Markets holds 4.5 stars and ranks #22.
Feature-wise, IC Markets supports copy trading, which IG does not. For crypto, IG lets you buy actual cryptocurrencies as well as trade crypto CFDs, while IC Markets offers crypto CFDs only. Choose IG if you want the biggest selection of markets, including U.S. shares and delivered crypto; pick IC Markets if copy trading is a priority and you’re comfortable with a smaller, but still varied, product lineup.
| Feature |
IG
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| 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.
Comparing IG vs IC Markets for trading platforms and tools, both brokers tick the essentials: each offers a free demo account for paper trading, Windows desktop and web-based platforms, the ability to trade directly from charts, and support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). The key differences are clear. IG provides its own proprietary, in-house platform in addition to MetaTrader, while IC Markets does not. On the other hand, IC Markets supports copy trading, which IG does not offer.
Independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com highlight the spread: IG is rated 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Trading Platforms and Tools, while IC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #17. In short, choose IG if you want a top-rated platform experience that includes a broker-built option, or go with IC Markets if copy trading is a priority and you’re happy using the MetaTrader platforms on web or desktop.
| Feature |
IG
|
IC 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Choosing between IG and IC Markets for mobile trading? Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, along with price alerts to keep you on top of market moves. Charting tools are strong on both: you can draw trendlines and your drawings auto-save. IG provides 33 technical studies in its app, while IC Markets lists 30. One standout difference is watchlists: IG syncs symbols between the mobile app and your online account, so changes carry over automatically; IC Markets does not offer cross-device watchlist syncing.
When it comes to recognition, IG leads the pack with a 5-star Mobile Trading Apps rating and a #1 ranking out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. IC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #22. If seamless watchlist syncing and slightly deeper charting matter to you, IG has the edge. If you’re already with IC Markets, its app still covers the essentials for on-the-go trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing IG vs IC Markets for market research, both brokers cover the essentials: daily market commentary, real-time forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Autochartist-driven technical ideas, sentiment tools showing long/short positioning, and a full economic calendar. That means traders at either broker get timely updates, trade ideas, and awareness of market-moving events.
IG widens its research lineup with TipRanks insights and Acuity Trading’s Signal Centre, while IC Markets counters with Trading Central analysis—an add-on IG doesn’t provide. If you want the most complete mix of third-party and in-house research, IG takes the edge, earning 5 stars and a #2 research ranking out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. IC Markets still offers plenty of helpful research, but it scores 4 stars and ranks #21, making it a solid choice if Trading Central is a priority.
| Feature |
IG
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| 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 IC Markets education for beginners: both brokers make it easy to start learning forex and CFD trading. Each hosts live client webinars at least once a month and offers 10+ beginner-friendly videos that explain core trading topics in plain language. As you progress, both brokers also provide 10+ advanced videos to help you level up your skills.
Where they differ is quality and recognition. IG earns a 5-star Education rating and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets scores 4 stars and ranks #16. If you want the strongest overall learning experience and clearer guidance as you grow, IG has the edge. If you mainly need steady webinars and a solid set of beginner videos, both IG and IC Markets will do the job.
| Feature |
IG
|
IC 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 IC Markets. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #21.
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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IC Markets
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 |
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IG vs IC Markets: IG lets you buy both actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency CFDs, while IC Markets offers crypto CFDs only and does not support purchasing the underlying coins.
Comparing online brokers IG vs. IC Markets for deposit and withdrawal methods: IG supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wires but not Skrill, while IC Markets supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA.
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 | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | IC Markets | |
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| Regulation | IG | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2007 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | IC 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 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.62 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | ÂŁ1 | $200 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | IC 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 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| 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 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | IC 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 | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | IG | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | IC Markets Review |
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