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IG vs IC Markets 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

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.

IG
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £250.00
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 19537
IC Markets
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $200
  • Trust Score: 84
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 3583

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.

Regulation

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 logoIG
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Year Founded info 1974 2007
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Tier-1 Licenses info 8 2
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 3

Fees

IG and IC Markets both hold strong reputations in the world of online forex trading, receiving high ratings for commissions and fees. IG shines with its five-star rating, offering a variety of execution methods and tools such as Forex Direct accounts to support both active and large order traders. IG's spreads are close to the industry average, with Forex Direct spins averaging 0.62 during July 2023, resulting in an all-in cost of 0.82 pips. For CFDs, IG offers competitive average spreads of 0.69 pips during main trading hours. Moreover, IG uses a three-tier active trader rebate program offering up to 20% spread rebates for high-volume traders who qualify as professionals.

IC Markets is also highly regarded, earning a five-star rating and the Best in Class for Commissions & Fees. Its offerings include the Standard account, which is commission-free with an average spread of 0.62 pips, and commission-based accounts such as the Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts. IC Markets' average spread on the EUR/USD is an impressive 0.02 pips, with an all-in cost of 0.62 pips when commission is considered for cTrader accounts. The Raw Spread account using MetaTrader charges slightly different commission rates, contributing to an overall cost of 0.72 pips. For traders executing over 100 standard lots monthly, IC Markets offers attractive discounts.

Both brokers are top contenders, but IC Markets outranks IG, landing the number five spot out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com, compared to IG’s eighth-place ranking. Each firm provides its set of advantages, allowing traders to select the platform that best meets their trading style and volume needs.

Feature IG logoIG
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Minimum Deposit info £250.00 $200
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.98 info 0.62 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.82 info 0.62 info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes Yes
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

IG and IC Markets both offer forex trading either as a CFD or spot contract, catering to traders looking to explore currency pairs. When it comes to the overall number of tradeable symbols, IG offers a significant advantage with 19,537 options compared to IC Markets' 3,583. For forex enthusiasts, IG provides 97 forex pairs, surpassing IC Markets, which offers 61 pairs. IG also expands its range by enabling clients to trade exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, whereas IC Markets offers this service only on international exchanges.

While neither broker allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrency, both IG and IC Markets offer cryptocurrency derivatives. For those interested in social trading, IC Markets supports copy trading, a feature IG does not provide. These differences are reflected in their ratings: IG scores an impressive 5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 4th out of 63 brokers, while IC Markets receives 4.5 stars, with a rank of 25th. Overall, IG provides a wider array of investment opportunities compared to IC Markets, appealing to those seeking broad market access.

Feature IG logoIG
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 19537 3583
Forex Pairs (Total) info 97 61
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info No No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

When comparing IG and IC Markets in terms of trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without financial risk. However, IG boasts a proprietary platform developed in-house, while IC Markets relies on third-party platforms. Both brokers support a Windows-based desktop download and web-based trading, providing accessibility on various devices. While IG does not offer copy trading, IC Markets provides this feature for traders interested in mirroring others' trades. Additionally, both brokers support MetaTrader 4, but only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 5 and the popular ZuluTrade, catering to more diverse trading preferences.

When it comes to features for charting, IG provides 20 drawing tools, surpassing IC Markets, which offers 15. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, delivering a seamless trading experience. For watchlists, IG presents 5 columns, whereas IC Markets offers 7, giving traders more tracking capabilities. In the Trading Platforms and Tools category, IG holds a remarkable 5-star rating and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #16, reflecting IG's slight edge in this area.

Feature IG logoIG
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 33 30
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 20 15
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 5 7
View More

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

When it comes to mobile trading apps, both IG and IC Markets offer robust options for iPhone and Android users. They provide important features like stock and forex price alerts, real-time quotes for watchlists, and the ability to view multiple time frames on charts. However, there is a key difference when it comes to organizing and managing your investments: IG's app allows watchlist symbol syncing with your online account, ensuring that any changes made on your phone automatically update on other devices. In contrast, IC Markets lacks this syncing feature.

For technical traders, IG's app provides 33 technical studies in its charting tools, slightly surpassing the 30 offered by IC Markets. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and auto-save these drawings, enhancing chart analysis. In terms of user satisfaction, IG leads with a perfect 5-star rating, while IC Markets earns a commendable 4 stars. ForexBrokers.com ranks IG as the top choice out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, in contrast to IC Markets, which holds the 22nd spot. This distinction reflects IG's superior app features and overall user experience.

Feature IG logoIG
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Android App info Yes info Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 33 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

When it comes to market research, both IG and IC Markets provide valuable resources for traders. Each platform offers daily market commentary and access to forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They both also deliver technical analysis tools from Autochartist and have sentiment-based trading tools to gauge market trends. Additionally, the two platforms feature economic calendars that highlight key global news events, assisting traders in making informed decisions.

Amidst these similarities, there are key differences that set IG apart in research offerings. Unlike IC Markets, IG includes market research from TipRanks and tools from Acuity Trading, enhancing its service. While IC Markets offers resources from Trading Central, IG does not, but this doesn't overshadow IG's comprehensive suite of research tools which has earned it a perfect 5-star rating. In the competitive landscape of 63 brokers, IG holds the impressive rank of #2 for research, in contrast to IC Markets, which stands at #23 with a 4-star research rating.

Feature IG logoIG
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes Yes
Trading Central (Recognia) info No Yes
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
TipRanks info Yes No
Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) info Yes No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both IG and IC Markets provide solid offerings for those looking to learn about forex and CFDs. Both brokers have a wide selection of at least ten educational materials, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, all focused on forex or CFDs. They also conduct regular online webinars, with each offering at least one educational session per month. Additionally, IG and IC Markets feature searchable archives of previously recorded webinars, making it easy for users to find resources that suit their learning pace and schedule.

Both IG and IC Markets go the extra mile by providing at least ten beginner-focused videos that cover trading topics. For those ready to delve deeper, they also both offer advanced educational video content. An important feature for new traders is an investor dictionary, which both platforms include, offering definitions for at least 50 trading terms. However, when looking at ratings and rankings, IG shines a bit brighter. It receives a perfect 5-star rating for education and is ranked as the top broker out of 63 by ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets is rated 4 stars and holds the 16th position. This makes IG slightly more attractive for those prioritizing education in their trading journey.

Feature IG logoIG
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info Yes Yes
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

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 #20.

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 logoIG
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 84
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with IG or IC Markets?

Neither IG nor IC Markets offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency; however, both brokers do provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.

What funding options does each broker offer?

When comparing online brokers IG and IC Markets, IG provides ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing funds, whereas IC Markets offers PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options but lacks ACH or SEPA transfer capabilities.




announcementPlease 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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Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating IG IC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 84
Winner check_circle
Review IG Review IC Markets Review
Broker Screenshots IG IC Markets
Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) info
Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) info
Research Gallery (click to expand) info
Education Gallery (click to expand) info
Regulation IG IC Markets
Trust Score info 99 84
Year Founded info 1974 2007
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 8 2
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 3
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) IG IC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info No No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info Yes No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info Yes No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes No
USA (CFTC Authorized) info Yes No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) IG IC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No No
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes No
UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) info Yes No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info No No
Investments IG IC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 19537 3583
Forex Pairs (Total) info 97 61
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info No No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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 info 0.98 info 0.62 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.82 info 0.62 info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes Yes
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Execution: Agency Broker info Yes Yes
Execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding IG IC Markets
Minimum Deposit info £250.00 $200
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
Trading Platforms IG IC Markets
Proprietary Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
cTrader info No Yes
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No Yes
Trading Tools IG IC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 5 7
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 33 30
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 20 15
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading IG IC Markets
Android App info Yes info Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 33 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research IG IC Markets
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes Yes
Trading Central (Recognia) info No Yes
TipRanks info Yes No
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education IG IC Markets
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info Yes Yes
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs IG IC Markets
GBP/USD info Yes Yes
USD/JPY info Yes Yes
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF info Yes Yes
USD/CAD info Yes Yes
NZD/USD info Yes Yes
AUD/USD info Yes Yes
Review IG Review IC Markets Review
Overall IG IC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 84
Winner check_circle
Review IG Review IC Markets Review
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