BlackBull Markets vs IG Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of BlackBull Markets and IG across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Score 4.1 / 5
2 bonusesNew Zealand-regulated ECN broker with all three major platforms, no minimum deposit on standard accounts, and good Asia-Pacific coverage.
VS
IG invented spread betting in 1974 and remains the benchmark for experienced UK and European traders: unmatched market breadth, a genuinely excellent proprietary platform, and regulatory credibility that few brokers can match - at the cost of slightly higher charges than specialist ECN desks.
Our Verdict
IG winsClear Winner
IG comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.8/5 compared to BlackBull Markets's 4.1/5.
IG
4.8/5
BlackBull Markets
4.1/5
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
BlackBull Markets offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.6 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
IG has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
BlackBull Markets has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer an equivalent platform selection with similar exclusive and proprietary options.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IG edges out BlackBull Markets with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
BlackBull Markets vs IG: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2014 | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FMA FSC | FCA ASIC DFSA BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CMVM CBI KNF Finanstilsynet |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 TradingView MetaTrader 5 cTrader DXtrade | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit BlackBull Markets | Visit IG |
BlackBull Markets vs IG Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports all three major platforms: MT4, MT5, and cTrader
Regulated under FSC - well-established for offshore clients
No minimum deposit on standard account
Good for Asia-Pacific timezone traders
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
LSE-listed with FCA and ASIC regulation - among the most credible regulatory stacks in retail CFDs
19,000+ markets including weekend crypto, volatility indices, and EM pairs - genuine breadth, not a padded count
Proprietary platform with ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and DMA equity routing built in
Spread betting available for UK clients - tax-free gains on the same account used for CFD trading
No minimum deposit and no deposit or withdrawal fee on standard methods
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
ECN commission of $6/lot round-turn is above some peers
Customer support timezone is NZ-centric
Brand recognition outside APAC is limited
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Cons
Market maker on forex - not suitable for scalpers who need sub-0.1 pip raw ECN spreads
Inactivity fee of £12/month kicks in after 24 months with no trades
Onboarding verification is slower than smaller or offshore brokers
Customer support quality drops outside UK business hours
BlackBull Markets vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
BlackBull Markets
criteria wins
2
IG
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | BlackBull Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
BlackBull Markets vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.8/5 vs 4.1/5 for BlackBull Markets. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; BlackBull Markets and IG may each suit different trader profiles.
BlackBull Markets offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to IG's spreads from 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither BlackBull Markets nor IG requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both BlackBull Markets and IG hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
BlackBull Markets offers maximum leverage of 500:1, while IG offers up to 30:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
BlackBull Markets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
BlackBull Markets supports MetaTrader 4, TradingView, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade and IG offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; both support MetaTrader 4, TradingView; BlackBull Markets exclusively offers MetaTrader 5, cTrader, DXtrade; IG exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Ready to get started?
Open an account directly with the broker that suits you best.
Score 4.1 / 5
More Broker Comparisons
More BlackBull Markets comparisons
More IG comparisons
Personalised recommendation
Not sure which broker is right for you?
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker