IC Markets vs IG: Comprehensive Comparison

Compare IC Markets and IG, two leading brokers. Discover differences in regulation, trading platforms, fees, and trading instruments to find your best fit.

IC Markets and IG are established Forex and CFD brokers, but their strongest features are different. IC Markets focuses heavily on Raw Pricing, high leverage, MetaTrader, cTrader, and conditions designed for active Forex trading. IG combines a much larger market catalog with proprietary software, MetaTrader, TradingView, ProRealTime, and direct market access tools. In our platform and account review, IC Markets stood out for raw spread trading and leverage, while IG provided considerably more markets and research tools.

Regulation and Trustworthiness

IC Markets Operates Through Several Regulated Entities

IC Markets operates through separate companies in different jurisdictions. Raw Trading Ltd, which operates IC Markets Global, is regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority under Securities Dealer license SD018. International Capital Markets Pty Ltd is regulated by ASIC under Australian Financial Services License 335692. IC Markets (EU) Ltd is regulated by CySEC under license 362/18. During our regulatory review, this structure showed why the entity attached to the account matters, since leverage and client protections can change between jurisdictions.

IG Has a Larger Global Regulatory Footprint

IG has operated since 1974 and maintains regulated businesses across several major financial centers. The wider IG Group is authorized or supervised by regulators including the FCA, BaFin, ASIC, FINMA, FSCA, MAS, FMA, DFSA, Japanese regulators, the CFTC, and NFA. IG International Limited is separately licensed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. IG also holds client money in segregated accounts under applicable regulatory requirements.

IG Has the Broader Regulatory Reach

Both brokers operate through regulated entities rather than one global company serving every trader. IC Markets has established oversight through ASIC, CySEC, and the Seychelles FSA, while IG has a wider international regulatory network and more than 50 years of operating history. IG therefore has the advantage for regulatory breadth and longevity. At either broker, the protections that apply ultimately depend on the legal entity named in the account agreement.

Trading Platforms

IC Markets Supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView

IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, and WebTrader access. MT4 and MT5 support Expert Advisors and automated trading, while cTrader adds depth of market, advanced order types, and cTrader Algo. TradingView can be connected through the cTrader Raw Spread account. In our platform check, IC Markets gave algorithmic and technical traders several familiar third-party environments without forcing them into one proprietary terminal.

IG Has Expanded Its Platform Lineup

IG combines its proprietary web and mobile platforms with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer across its broader global offering. MT4 and MT5 support automated Forex strategies, while ProRealTime provides advanced charting and algorithm tools. L2 Dealer is IG's specialist DMA platform for supported share and Forex products. This is a much broader setup than the older IG offering that centered mainly on MT4 and its proprietary software.

Both Have Strong Platform Choice, but Their Strengths Differ

IC Markets is particularly attractive to traders who want cTrader alongside MT4 and MT5, especially when using raw spread accounts or automated strategies. IG provides more specialist options overall through ProRealTime, TradingView, MetaTrader, its proprietary platform, and L2 Dealer. Our comparison found IC Markets better aligned with traders already committed to MetaTrader or cTrader, while IG gives traders more ways to move between proprietary, third-party, and DMA environments.

Trading Instruments

IC Markets Now Offers More Than 2,850 Tradable Instruments

IC Markets Global currently advertises more than 2,850 tradable instruments. Its Forex lineup includes 61 currency pairs, while the wider CFD catalog covers stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and futures. Current product specifications include 25 indices, more than 20 commodity CFDs, 94 cryptocurrencies, more than 9 bond CFDs, and thousands of stock CFDs. During our market check, the biggest improvement from older IC Markets figures was the much larger equity and cryptocurrency selection.

IG Provides More Than 18,000 Markets

IG's broader global catalog exceeds 18,000 markets, including shares, Forex, indices, commodities, ETFs, bonds, cryptocurrencies, options, and other derivatives. Forex traders can access more than 80 currency pairs covering majors, minors, emerging currencies, and exotics. IG also provides exposure to more than 13,000 shares and thousands of ETF markets through its broader trading offering.

IG Has the Clear Advantage in Total Market Coverage

IC Markets has developed into a much broader multi-asset CFD broker than its older 230-instrument reputation suggests, with more than 2,850 tradable instruments now advertised globally. IG still operates on another scale, with more than 18,000 markets and over 80 Forex pairs. IC Markets provides enough depth for most Forex and CFD strategies, while IG is stronger for traders who regularly move into less common shares, ETFs, options, bonds, and specialist markets.

Spreads and Fees

IC Markets Raw Spreads Start From 0 Pips

IC Markets' MetaTrader Raw Spread account starts from 0 pips and currently averages about 0.1 pips on EUR/USD. The standard Raw Spread commission is $3.50 per lot per side, or $7 round turn. The cTrader Raw Spread account also starts from 0 pips and charges $3 per $100,000 traded. The Standard account has no trading commission and spreads from 0.8 pips. In our pricing check, this gave traders a clear choice between spread-only pricing and lower raw spreads with separate commission.

IC Markets Has Added Lower Commission Raw Pro Accounts

IC Markets also currently lists early-access Raw Pro and Raw Pro+ accounts. Raw Pro starts from 0 pips with a $1.50 commission per lot per side and a $5,000 minimum deposit. Raw Pro+ reduces commission to $1 per lot per side but requires $100,000. These accounts are not the same as the standard Raw Spread account, so the $1 commission should not be presented as the normal cost available to every IC Markets trader.

IG Starts From 0.6 Pips Without Raw Account Pricing

IG's minimum EUR/USD spread starts from 0.6 pips. Other published minimums include 0.7 pips on USD/JPY and 0.9 pips on GBP/USD and EUR/GBP. Forex costs are normally incorporated into the spread, while share CFDs can carry commission. Overnight funding, currency conversion, live market data, guaranteed stops, and inactivity charges can also apply depending on the product and account. For the lowest available Forex spread, IC Markets has the advantage with pricing from 0 pips, while IG uses a simpler spread-based Forex structure.

Leverage

IC Markets Forex Leverage Reaches 1:5000

IC Markets Global now offers maximum Forex leverage of 1:5000 on eligible MetaTrader accounts. Metals reach up to 1:2000, indices up to 1:200, and cryptocurrency leverage can reach 1:500 on MetaTrader. The cTrader Raw Spread account has a lower maximum of 1:1000. This is a major change from older IC Markets comparisons that used 1:500 as the broker's global maximum.

IG Maximum Leverage Reaches About 1:222

IG publishes professional margin requirements as low as 0.45% on selected markets, which is equivalent to leverage of approximately 1:222. The actual ratio changes by instrument and account classification. During our leverage review, IG's maximum remained well below the 1:5000 available through IC Markets Global, even though it is still substantially higher than the retail limits applied in tightly regulated jurisdictions.

IC Markets Has the Much Higher Global Maximum

Maximum leverage is one of the clearest differences between these brokers. IC Markets reaches 1:5000 on eligible Forex accounts, compared with approximately 1:222 at IG. That does not mean these ratios are available to every trader. Regulatory entity, account equity, instrument, client classification, and market conditions can reduce the permitted leverage, with retail limits substantially lower in some regions.

Order Execution and Speed

IC Markets Uses Raw Pricing With No Dealing Desk

IC Markets' Raw Pricing environment receives executable prices from multiple pricing providers and passes them through without a dealing desk or requotes. The broker currently references pricing from up to 25 providers and averages Forex execution below 40 milliseconds. Its MetaTrader servers are located in the Equinix NY4 data center, while the cTrader server is hosted in LD5 in London. Our execution review found this infrastructure particularly relevant for Expert Advisors, scalpers, and traders placing frequent Forex orders.

IG Combines Fast Proprietary Execution With DMA

IG publishes an average execution figure of 0.0107 seconds, or 10.7 milliseconds, although that published measurement is based on execution data collected during February 2022. The broker also provides direct market access through L2 Dealer for supported markets, allowing eligible traders to view market depth and interact more directly with available liquidity. IG additionally offers API access for traders building automated execution systems.

The Published Speed Figures Should Not Be Compared Directly

IC Markets and IG both publish fast execution statistics, but the figures come from different measurement periods and methodologies, so treating 10.7 milliseconds and under 40 milliseconds as a direct speed test would be misleading. IC Markets has the stronger Raw Pricing setup for traders focused on no-dealing-desk Forex execution. IG has the advantage in execution choice because L2 Dealer and DMA add another route for advanced traders. Our comparison therefore favors different brokers depending on whether raw Forex execution or specialist market access is the priority.

Customer Support and Education

IC Markets Provides 24/7 Support

IC Markets provides customer service 24/7 through live chat, telephone, and email. Its official support email is [email protected], while separate addresses are available for accounts and client relations. Educational resources include webinars, tutorial videos, Web TV, a podcast, Forex calculators, an economic calendar, and educational articles. During our support review, the full seven-day schedule was useful for traders who may need account or platform assistance outside normal Forex market hours.

IG Combines Client Support With IG Academy

IG International provides support through live chat, WhatsApp, telephone, and email, with near round-the-clock coverage apart from a scheduled Saturday window. The international client services email is [email protected]. IG Academy provides beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses together with webinars, seminars, exercises, and quizzes covering market basics, technical analysis, risk management, trading psychology, and more.

IC Markets Has Longer Weekly Support, While IG Has Deeper Structured Education

IC Markets has the advantage for support availability because its international service operates 24/7. IG has the stronger structured education program through IG Academy, which organizes learning material by subject and experience level. IC Markets still provides a useful education library, but its strongest additional value is in trading tools and platform resources rather than a formal course progression. Beginners focused on education may prefer IG, while traders prioritizing weekend support have an advantage with IC Markets.

Account Types and Features

IC Markets Offers Standard, Raw Spread, and Swap-Free Options

IC Markets' core global accounts include the Standard MetaTrader account, Raw Spread MetaTrader account, and cTrader Raw Spread account. It also provides a Swap-Free option on eligible Standard and Raw Spread accounts for traders who cannot receive or pay interest because of religious beliefs. Swap-Free accounts can still carry holding fees on positions kept open overnight. Free demo accounts are available across the main trading platforms, and the current global lineup also includes the early-access Raw Pro and Raw Pro+ tiers.

IC Markets Also Has a Separate Real Share Service

IC Markets should not be treated only as a CFD broker when looking at the wider group. Its Australian operation offers a separate Aussie Share Trading service with access to more than 2,200 Australian listed companies. This is different from trading stock CFDs because the share trading service provides exposure to actual listed shares. The standard global CFD accounts remain derivative accounts, so this real share product is available through a separate service and jurisdiction.

IG Offers a Wider Range of Trading and Investment Accounts

IG's global account structure can include CFD trading, professional accounts, spread betting, options and futures, and dedicated share dealing or investment accounts depending on the jurisdiction. Where share dealing is available, investors can buy and own real shares rather than trading stock CFDs, with more than 13,000 shares available through some IG investment services. IG also provides demo trading, with its international demo using $20,000 in virtual funds. Overall, IG has more account variety, while IC Markets has more distinct pricing choices inside its Forex and CFD accounts.

Deposit and Withdrawal Methods

IC Markets Supports a Wide Range of Global Funding Methods

IC Markets supports credit and debit cards, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, UnionPay, wire transfer, BPAY, broker-to-broker transfer, and several regional online banking methods. Cryptocurrency deposits using BTC, ETH, USDC, and USDT are also supported through the global funding setup. Many card and e-wallet deposits are processed instantly, while international wire deposits normally require two to five business days.

IC Markets Does Not Normally Add Internal Withdrawal Fees

IC Markets does not normally charge an internal fee for deposits or withdrawals, although banks and payment providers can apply their own charges. Withdrawal requests submitted before the daily cutoff can be processed on the same business day. Card withdrawals can take three to five business days after processing and may take up to 10 business days in rare cases. International bank wire withdrawals can take considerably longer, with the broker allowing up to 14 days.

IG Funding Is More Dependent on the Account Entity

Across its international operations, IG supports methods including credit cards, debit cards, bank transfers, and PayPal, with additional local methods available in some jurisdictions. Certain international accounts have no minimum for bank transfer funding, while card payment minimums depend on the entity. In our funding comparison, IC Markets provided the broader global e-wallet and cryptocurrency payment selection, while IG relied more heavily on cards and direct bank funding. Payment availability and fees at both brokers depend on the account jurisdiction.

Mobile Trading

IC Markets Gives Mobile Traders Several Platform Choices

IC Markets supports mobile trading through MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and its own mobile app. Traders can monitor prices, place orders, modify stops and limits, review account metrics, and manage open positions from iOS and Android devices. The IC mobile app also includes account funding and an economic calendar. Traders using cTrader or MetaTrader can keep the same platform ecosystem when moving between desktop and mobile.

IG's Proprietary App Includes Research and Trading Tools

IG's mobile app combines order management with charts, technical indicators, price alerts, live Reuters news, IG client sentiment, watchlists, and account controls. MetaTrader mobile apps are also available for traders using MT4 or MT5. In our mobile review, IG's native application provided more integrated market research than the standard MetaTrader apps, while IC Markets gave traders more choice between independent platform ecosystems.

IC Markets Has More Mobile Platform Variety

IC Markets is the stronger fit for traders who want the option to move between MT4, MT5, cTrader, and the broker's own app. IG's proprietary mobile platform is more integrated around its research, sentiment, alerts, and broader market catalog. Neither approach is universally better. IC Markets favors platform flexibility, while IG makes more of its own research and trading tools available inside one mobile environment.

Research and Market Analysis

IC Markets Combines Trading Central With IC Insights

IC Markets provides Trading Central, an economic calendar, market commentary, webinars, and technical resources. It also offers IC Insights, a research service powered by TipRanks. IC Insights includes analyst ratings, price targets, news sentiment, trending stocks, and data covering shares, cryptocurrencies, and selected Forex CFDs. During our research check, this gave IC Markets considerably more fundamental equity research than older versions of the broker's research package.

IG Provides Reuters News, Signals, and Client Sentiment

IG integrates live Reuters news, market analysis, economic calendars, client sentiment, technical chart patterns, alerts, and trading signals into its wider platform environment. Forex signals are currently provided through tools including Autochartist and Acuity. TradingView and ProRealTime add further technical analysis options, while IG's in-house analysts publish regular commentary on Forex, equities, indices, commodities, and macroeconomic events.

IG Still Has the Deeper Overall Research Environment

IC Markets now has a strong research package through Trading Central and TipRanks-powered IC Insights, especially for traders who want analyst data alongside Forex tools. IG goes further by combining Reuters, proprietary client sentiment, trading signals, in-house analysis, economic data, and several advanced charting platforms. Our comparison found IC Markets capable for technical and data-driven research, while IG provides a broader environment for traders combining fundamental, technical, sentiment, and macroeconomic analysis.

Conclusion

IC Markets Is Strongest for Raw Pricing and High Leverage

IC Markets is particularly well suited to active Forex traders who prioritize spreads from 0 pips, Raw Pricing, cTrader, MetaTrader automation, and high leverage. Its global Forex leverage reaches 1:5000, EUR/USD averages about 0.1 pips on the Raw Spread account before commission, and more than 61 currency pairs are available. The wider CFD catalog now exceeds 2,850 instruments, making the broker considerably more diverse than its older market count suggested.

IG Is Strongest for Market Range and Research Depth

IG is the stronger choice for traders who want access to a very large market catalog and several specialist platforms. The wider group provides more than 18,000 markets, more than 80 Forex pairs, proprietary trading software, MT4, MT5, TradingView, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer. Its research environment also combines Reuters news, client sentiment, trading signals, economic data, and extensive educational material through IG Academy.

IC Markets Wins on Forex Trading Conditions, While IG Wins on Breadth

In the IC Markets vs IG comparison, IC Markets has the stronger proposition for traders focused on raw Forex pricing, cTrader, automated strategies, and maximum leverage of 1:5000. IG is stronger for traders who want more than 18,000 markets, deeper research, DMA tools, and a wider mix of trading and investment products. Both groups also provide real share investing through dedicated services in supported jurisdictions. Maximum leverage, account types, payment methods, and available markets can vary by regulatory entity, so regional restrictions may reduce the headline global figures.