IG
Markets.com
IG vs Markets.com
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.
IG and Markets.com are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. IG, founded in 1974 and headquartered in London, UK, is regulated by FCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin and offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips with a minimum deposit of $250. Markets.com, established in 2008 in Limassol, Cyprus, holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, FSCA with spreads from 0.6 pips and a $100 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, IG scored 9.2/10 overall compared to Markets.com's 7.8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Markets.com holds its own with overall value, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.
Trust stack
Trust stack for this head-to-head
This comparison uses the same review dataset, methodology, disclosure, and corrections standards as the rest of TBR money pages. Head-to-head verdicts still need an entity-level regulation check before signup.
Risk layer
Risk & regulation snapshot for IG
Regulation
Third-partyFCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin · brand-level entity model
Leverage / exposure
Broker-stated1:200 (moderate-to-high retail risk)
Trust read
VerifiedTier 1 trust profile
Regulation status
Third-partyFCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin gives this broker a cleaner top-tier regulation read than the average CFD brand.
Entity nuance
Third-partyIG shows 4 regulators in the shared broker dataset. Treat that as a brand-level trust signal, not proof of the exact legal entity you will onboard with.
Investor protection
UnknownTop-tier regulation helps on paper, but the canonical dataset still does not lock the exact compensation scheme or client-money safeguards for every onboarding entity.
Verification state
VerifiedVerification state: brand-level regulator mapping is in place, but the exact contracting entity is still inferred rather than fully pinned in the canonical dataset.
High-risk warning
Broker-statedA 1:200 ceiling still creates meaningful downside if position sizing is sloppy. Regulation does not remove market risk.
Risk layer
Risk & regulation snapshot for Markets.com
Regulation
Third-partyCySEC, FCA, FSCA · brand-level entity model
Leverage / exposure
Broker-stated1:300 (moderate-to-high retail risk)
Trust read
VerifiedTier 1 trust profile
Regulation status
Third-partyCySEC, FCA gives this broker a cleaner top-tier regulation read than the average CFD brand.
Entity nuance
Third-partyMarkets.com shows 3 regulators in the shared broker dataset. Treat that as a brand-level trust signal, not proof of the exact legal entity you will onboard with.
Investor protection
UnknownTop-tier regulation helps on paper, but the canonical dataset still does not lock the exact compensation scheme or client-money safeguards for every onboarding entity.
Verification state
VerifiedVerification state: brand-level regulator mapping is in place, but the exact contracting entity is still inferred rather than fully pinned in the canonical dataset.
High-risk warning
Broker-statedA 1:300 ceiling still creates meaningful downside if position sizing is sloppy. Regulation does not remove market risk.
Evidence labels
How to read the evidence in IG vs Markets.com
Comparison pages mix our own review work with broker-published facts and outside records. The labels make that visible instead of flattening everything into one fake confidence level.
Overall verdict and score differences
VerifiedThese come from our review methodology and the underlying hands-on review dataset used for scoring.
Spreads, minimum deposits, leverage, and platform lists
Broker-statedThese are usually published broker facts unless a review explicitly documents a direct test.
Regulation and entity background
Third-partyThose checks rely on regulator registers and other external records, not just broker marketing copy.
Cells the source reviews do not support cleanly
UnknownIf the underlying evidence is thin or conflicted, the safe answer is to keep the gap visible.
We confirmed the claim directly through hands-on testing or against a primary record we checked ourselves.
Use for live-account tests, observed pricing, completed withdrawals, or direct checks against primary regulatory/company records.
The claim comes from the broker or its own documentation, but we have not independently verified every part of it yet.
Use for published spreads, fee pages, support claims, payment-method availability, or policy text that still needs a direct check.
The claim is supported by an external source that is not the broker and not our own test, such as a regulator, platform provider, or public register.
Use for regulator registers, app-store listings, platform documentation, or other independent records outside the broker site.
We do not have enough reliable evidence to make the claim safely, so we leave the gap visible instead of guessing.
Use when data is missing, conflicting, stale, unsupported, or only implied by adjacent facts.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 📊
IG scores 9.2/10 overall vs 7.8/10 for Markets.com — a 1.4-point difference.
- 💵
Markets.com requires just $100 to start, while IG needs $250 — Markets.com is 3x more accessible.
- 📈
IG offers 17,000+ instruments vs 2,500+ at Markets.com — a massive gap in market coverage.
- 🖥️
IG runs on IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, while Markets.com uses Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5 — different ecosystems for different trading styles.
- ⚡
The biggest gap is in Trading Costs: IG scores 8.5 vs 7.0 for Markets.com — a 1.5-point difference.
Our Verdict
IG
Score: 9.2/10 · Wins 8 categories- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- You need advanced trading platforms and tools
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
Markets.com
Score: 7.8/10 · Wins 0 categories- You prefer a low minimum deposit ($100)
- You prefer Markets.com's trading environment overall
IG takes the lead with an overall score of 9.2/10 compared to 7.8/10, winning in 8 out of 8 scoring categories. IG stands out for lower trading costs and better trading platforms, while Markets.com remains a solid alternative.
Broker recommendation block
If you only shortlist two names after this comparison, make it IG first and Markets.com second
IG is the stronger default pick on the numbers here, but Markets.com still makes sense if its edge lines up with how you actually trade.
IG
🟢 Tier 1 RegulatedFCA · ASIC · MAS
IG wins this matchup on overall score, especially for lower trading costs and better trading platforms.
Overall score
9.2/10
Minimum deposit
$250
Markets.com
🟢 Tier 1 RegulatedCySEC · FCA · FSCA
Markets.com is the fallback option here if you prefer its pricing, platform feel, or account terms after a live test.
Overall score
7.8/10
Minimum deposit
$100
Detailed Verdict
After testing both brokers with real accounts, IG comes out ahead with a 9.2/10 overall rating, winning 8 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Regulation & Trust where it scores 10.0/10. IG holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. Markets.com is not without merit — it scores 7.8/10 overall and excels in Regulation & Trust (9.0/10). For a complete breakdown, read our full IG review and Markets.com review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.
Score Breakdown
IG wins by 1.5 points
IG wins by 1.5 points
IG wins by 1.0 points
IG wins by 1.5 points
IG wins by 1.0 points
IG wins by 1.5 points
IG wins by 0.5 points
IG wins by 1.0 points
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 9.2/10 ✓ | 7.8/10 |
| Min Deposit Lower is better | $250 | $100 ✓ |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:300 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Platforms | IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer | Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5 |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin | CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
| Founded Older track record highlighted | 1974 ✓ | 2008 |
| Markets | 17,000+ ✓ | 2,500+ |
Fees & Costs
When it comes to trading costs, IG has the edge with a score of 8.5/10 versus 7/10 for Markets.com. IG offers spreads starting from 0.6 pips, while Markets.com starts from 0.6 pips. The minimum deposit at IG is $250, compared to $100 at Markets.com. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.
Trading Platforms
IG scores 9.5/10 for platforms compared to 8/10 for Markets.com. IG provides IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, while Markets.com offers Markets.com Platform, MT4, MT5. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is crucial for fund safety. IG is regulated by FCA, ASIC, MAS, BaFin (Tier 1), while Markets.com holds licenses from CySEC, FCA, FSCA (Tier 1). IG scores 10/10 and Markets.com scores 9/10 in this category. IG shows 4 regulators in the shared broker dataset. Treat that as a brand-level trust signal, not proof of the exact legal entity you will onboard with. Markets.com shows 3 regulators in the shared broker dataset. Treat that as a brand-level trust signal, not proof of the exact legal entity you will onboard with. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, but you should still verify the specific entity covering your jurisdiction before opening an account.
Education & Research
For learning resources, IG leads with 9/10 compared to 7.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. IG and Markets.com both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.
Customer Support
IG offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 8.5/10, while Markets.com provides 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 7.5/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.
Deposit & Withdrawal
IG scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Markets.com scores 7.5/10. IG accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, and Markets.com supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, PayPal. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. IG requires a minimum deposit of $250 versus $100 for Markets.com. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.
Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choose IG if you...
- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- You need advanced trading platforms and tools
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
Choose Markets.com if you...
- You prefer a low minimum deposit ($100)
- You prefer Markets.com's trading environment overall
🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?
Cast your vote — see what other traders think
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Frequently Asked Questions
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