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.
IG vs IC Markets: IG was founded in 1974, is publicly traded, and is a bank. IC Markets launched in 2007, is not publicly traded, and is not a bank. On regulation, IG holds eight Tier-1 licenses (the highest level) and two Tier-2 licenses, while IC Markets holds two Tier-1 licenses and no Tier-2 licenses.
ForexBrokers.com Trust Score scale: 90–99 highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, under 59 not trusted. IG scores 99 (highly trusted); IC Markets scores 83 (trusted). Both are regulated, but IG carries more top-tier oversight and the higher Trust Score.
| 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 are both strong choices for traders who want low trading costs, but they do it in slightly different ways. IG is not a discount broker, yet it offers competitive pricing for active traders, especially through its Forex Direct DMA account and volume-based rebate programs. Its Forex Direct pricing can work out to about 0.82 pips all-in on EUR/USD, while its CFD account averaged 0.69 pips during the main trading session in July 2023. IG is rated 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers.
IC Markets is especially appealing for traders focused on tight spreads and commission-based pricing. It offers a commission-free Standard account, plus Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts with low commissions and very small effective spreads. On its cTrader Raw Spread account, the all-in cost on EUR/USD can come to about 0.62 pips, while the MetaTrader Raw Spread account is around 0.72 pips. IC Markets also gives discounts to higher-volume traders. It is rated 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #5 out of 36 brokers.
Overall, both brokers are very competitive, but IC Markets has a slight edge for pure price-sensitive trading thanks to its lower all-in costs and stronger ranking in the commissions and fees category. IG still stands out for active traders who want flexible execution, large-order handling, and rebate options that can bring costs down further at higher volumes.
| Feature |
IG
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $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, making it a stronger choice for traders who want more variety. IG supports forex trading as a CFD or spot contract and gives access to 19,537 tradeable symbols, including 97 forex pairs. It also lets clients buy exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, buy actual cryptocurrency as well as crypto CFDs, and access a broad mix of assets overall.
IC Markets also offers forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, with 3,583 tradeable symbols and 61 forex pairs, but its selection is smaller. It does not offer exchange traded U.S. securities, though it does provide international shares, copy trading, and crypto CFDs. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, IG is rated 5 stars and ranked #4 out of 36 brokers, while IC Markets is rated 4.5 stars and ranked #22.
| 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.
IG and IC Markets both give traders a strong range of platform choices, including free demo accounts, Windows desktop software, web-based trading, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5. Each also lets users place trades straight from a chart, which is helpful for active traders who want to react quickly to price moves. IG stands out by offering its own in-house platform, giving it an extra option that IC Markets does not provide.
When it comes to extra tools, IC Markets has copy trading, while IG does not. IG also comes out ahead overall in this category, earning 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranking #1 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. IC Markets is still competitive, but it is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #17, making IG the better choice for traders who want the widest platform selection and top-rated tools.
| 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.
IG and IC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts, trendline tools, and auto-saving chart drawings. That means traders can watch the markets, mark up charts, and stay on top of price moves from either app with ease. Both platforms cover the basics well for mobile trading, making them useful choices for trading on the go.
Where IG stands out is in a few key areas. Its mobile app supports watchlist symbol syncing, so changes made in the app also show up in the online account, while IC Markets does not offer this feature. IG also gives traders 33 technical studies in its mobile charts, compared with 30 at IC Markets. Those differences help explain why IG is rated 5 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps and ranked #1 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #22.
| 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.
IG and IC Markets both give traders a solid range of market research tools. Each broker offers daily market commentary, news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, Autochartist tools, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar with global events. This means both platforms can help traders stay on top of market moves and upcoming news that may affect prices.
That said, IG has a clear edge for research depth. It includes Trading Central, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading tools, while IC Markets offers Trading Central but does not include TipRanks or Acuity Trading. This stronger research lineup is reflected in its higher Research score, with IG rated 5 stars and ranked #2 out of 36 brokers, compared with IC Markets at 4 stars and ranked #21.
| 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.
When it comes to beginner-friendly learning, both IG and IC Markets give new traders plenty to work with. Each broker offers forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces, plus online educational webinars at least once a month. They also both provide at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so traders can keep learning as their skills grow. For someone just starting out, either platform offers a solid mix of lessons, videos, and live sessions.
That said, IG has the edge in overall education quality. It is rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets is rated 4 stars and ranks #16. In simple terms, both brokers support beginners well, but IG stands out as the stronger choice for educational content and learning support.
| 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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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 |
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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 | 83 | |
| 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 | 83 | |
| 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 CMA 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 | £1 | $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 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | IC Markets Review |
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