Markets.com vs. IG Markets
Today’s broker comparison will take a look at two well-established CFD brokers, Markets.com and IG Markets. The former has catered to traders since 2008, initially under the name GFC Markets; in 2010, they underwent an intensive rebranding campaign, which ultimately led to its acquisition by FTSE 250 constituent, Playtech PLC, in 2015. Traders have access to four trading platforms and over 2,200 assets across eight sectors. IG Markets has been a leader in online trading since it was founded in 1974. Excellent global coverage exists through an asset selection above 17,000, across eleven sectors from four trading platforms, all of which are supported by excellent research capabilities. The latest figures show that 73.9% and 76.0% of retail traders operate their portfolio at a loss at Markets.com and IG Markets, respectively.
This comparison will focus on the following four aspects plus an ultimate verdict:
- Features and Platforms
- Available Markets
- Typical Spreads and Fees
- Security and Trust
- Markets.com vs. IG Markets - Verdict
 |  | |
Headquarters | United States | United Kingdom |
Regulators | ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA | FCA |
Tier 1 Regulator(s)? | ||
Owned by Public Company? | ||
Year Established | 2008 | 1974 |
Execution Type(s) | Market Maker | Market Maker |
Minimum Deposit | $100 | 300€ |
Negative Balance Protection | N/A | |
Trading Platform(s) | Proprietary platform | MetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform |
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD | 0.7 pips | 0.9 pips |
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD | 1.1 pips | 1.4 pip |
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil | $0.05 | $0.03 |
Average Trading Cost Gold | $0.30 | $0.30 |
Retail Loss Rate | 79.90% | Undisclosed |
Minimum Raw Spreads | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Minimum Standard Spreads | 0.6 pips | 0.8 pips |
Minimum Commission for Forex | Commission-free | Commission-free |
Islamic Account | ||
Signals | ||
US Persons Accepted? | ||
Managed Accounts | ||
| Get Started | Get Started |
Features and Platforms
N/A N/A Get Started Get Started
Markets.com
CFD traders at Markets.com will trade using the Marketsx brand, which is also the name of its proprietary trading platform. Direct share dealing is available on Marketsi. They also offer 14 trading tools; namely, Bloggers Opinions, Hedge Funds Investment Confidence, Insider Trades, Trading Analyst Recommendations, Trends In Trading, Acuity News Alerts, Acuity News Trading Sentiment, Signals, Related Instruments, Advanced Charting, Financial Commentary, Advanced Alerts, Thomson Reuters Stock Report and Dow Jones News on Marketsx. This broker also maintains the MT4/MT5 trading platform, but only the out-of-the-box versions.
Marketsi also features a strategy builder for share trading, and this broker grants investment templates with various risk profiles. While the fourteen trading tools provide the bulk of research, Markets.com offers traders a well-executed Knowledge Center, with its financial live streaming service X-Ray at the core. The execution statistics are excellent, per data from 2019, where over 86% of orders had zero or positive slippage.
IG Markets
IG Markets maintains a proprietary trading platform, available as a webtrader or mobile version, which includes an extensive charting package, analytics, alerts, signals, and IG Live. The automated trading tool, ProRealTime, is fully integrated with the webtrader. Additionally, the MT4 trading platform is available together with 18 custom indicators and Autochartist, while the L2 Dealer handles direct share dealing. IG Markets has extensive support for automated trading solutions and offers numerous APIs.
The IG Academy offers new traders a quality introduction to financial markets, supported by its web TV channel and podcasts, together with excellent in-house research and trading signals. IG Smart Portfolios offers a more traditional approach to asset management. Valuable auxiliary trading services supplement the competitive core trading environment, creating a market-leading broker.
Available Markets
N/A N/A Get Started Get Started
Markets.com offers 67 currency pairs, six cryptocurrency pairs, and 26 commodities. The bulk of assets consist of 2,023 equity CFDs, 42 index CFDs, and 59 ETFs. Additional assets include four bonds and 23 blends, which are in-house created theme-based instruments. IG Markets counters that with 80 currency pairs, eight cryptocurrency pairs, and 27 commodities. Over 13,000 equity CFDs and index CFDs across 26 markets grant excellent trading opportunities. Completing the more than 17,000 assets is a mix of bonds, options, ETFs, and in-house created derivatives. The asset selection is significantly superior at IG Markets compared to Markets.com.
Typical Spreads and Fees
0.7 pips 0.9 pips 1.1 pips 1.4 pip $0.05 $0.03 $0.30 $0.30 $51.50 $90 Not applicable Not applicable 0.6 pips 0.8 pips Commission-free Commission-free N/A $12 per month after 24 months Get Started Get Started
Markets.com offers the EUR/USD with a spread as low as 0.5 pips, slightly less competitive than IG Markets at 0.4 pips. Equity trading at Markets.com incurs a commission of 0.1%. An £8 minimum for the UK, €10 for the EU, A$10 for Australia, and $15 for the US applies. IG Markets also charges a 0.10% cost, except for the US, where it is $0.02 per share, with a minimum of £10/€10/$10. Trading over the phone is more expensive at £15/€35/$25. Core trading costs are more cost-efficient at IG Markets, especially for frequent traders favoring international exposure. Both brokers also earn money from client losses where they act as the counter-party.
Swap rates on overnight positions, as well as corporate actions such as dividends, mergers and splits, apply, and both brokers pass them on accordingly. Markets.com charges a $10 monthly inactivity fee after 90 days, slightly below the £12 inactivity fee levied by IG Markets. Third-party payment processor costs exist, but Markets.com reimburses traders any external expenses on deposits which exceed $2,500. IG Markets comes with a series of additional costs but remains transparent about them. These costs include charges for guaranteed stop orders, for direct market access (DMA), live price data feeds, £30 monthly fee for ProRealTime Charts, and a £50 account documentation fee. IG Markets has a superior cost structure for core trading costs, but Markets.com is significantly better priced overall.
Security and Trust
Australia, Cyprus, United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands, South Africa Australia, Bermuda, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United States ASIC, BVIFSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA FCA 607305, 092/08, 424008, SIBA/L/14/1067, 46860 195355, 378/19, 10148759, confirmed, but no regulaary license number, F001780, 41393, 1489, unconfirmed, 220440, 18923, 0509630, 54814 Get Started Get Started
While the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates the corporate ownership of Markets.com, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa are the regulators of this broker. The Cypriot entity complies with the Financial Instruments Directive 2014/65/EU or MiFID II, and the EU’s 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive. Client deposits are fully segregated and protected by the Investor Compensation Fund (CIF) up to €20,000 per EU Directive 2014/49/EU. Markets.com maintains a secure and trustworthy trading environment.
The primary regulator for IG Markets is the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), where client deposits remain segregated from corporate funds. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) offer deposit protection up to a maximum of £85,000. This broker has numerous operating subsidiaries globally with various regulatory bodies. International clients will manage portfolios out of the Bermuda-based entity, regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA). Other notable regulators include Germany, Singapore, Dubai, and New Zealand. IG Markets is additionally listed on the FTSE250 and adheres to strict capital requirements. The trading environment is very secure, and this broker is a leader in transparency.
Markets.com Vs. IG Markets – Verdict
Markets.com and IG Markets are both well-established brokerages with outstanding corporate ownership. Both are market makers, but Markets.com adopted the straight-through processing model (STP). The asset selection at IG Markets is significantly superior, with over 17,000 assets available versus 2,200 at Markets.com. The former deploys a more competitive cost structure in the core pricing environment, while the latter has notably less additional costs. Both brokers offer exceptional trading platforms, while IG Markets has broader support for automated trading solutions. Retail traders will find the educational tools and asset selection outstanding at both Markets.com and IG Markets. More advanced traders and portfolio managers will benefit more from the asset selection at IG Markets.
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FAQs
Does Markets.com or IG Markets offer lower pricing?
The core pricing environment is marginally lower at IG Markets, starting with spreads as low as 0.4 pips versus 0.5 pips at Markets.com. Equities face a minimum commission of 0.10% at both, while the minimums are lower at IG Markets. Markets.com has less additional costs, but frequent traders will find IG Markets superior from a pricing standpoint.
Is Markets.com or IG Markets safer for Forex and CFDs trading?
Both brokers offer a well-regulated, secure, and trustworthy trading environment with the respective corporate owners listed on the London Stock Exchange. The safety of both rank on par with each other.
Which trading platform is better: Markets.com or IG Markets?
Markets.com and IG Markets, once again, are head-to-head. A proprietary trading platform filled with exceptional tools is available at both brokers. MT4 traders have a better option at IG Markets due to 18 custom indicators versus 0 at Markets.com.