In a head-to-head on trust, fees, and platforms, FP Markets and IG push different value propositions. The matchup tests whether raw pricing or breadth of tools matters most.
IG leads overall with a higher editorial score (4.8 vs 4.5) and stronger platform tools. FP Markets remains strong on true ECN pricing and regulation.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose FP Markets if…
Choose FP Markets if you want true ECN pricing from 0 pips with $6/lot. You also get MT4, MT5, and cTrader support and no inactivity fee.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want a proprietary platform with advanced tools. You also gain access to 19,000+ markets and a broad regulator footprint.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
FP Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.60 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Pros
True ECN pricing from 0.0 pips + $6 round-turn commission
Supports MT4, MT5, and cTrader, all three major platforms
IRESS platform for direct-access share CFD trading
Strong ASIC and CySEC regulation
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | FP 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) | Pass | 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 |
The scores are close: FP Markets rates 4.5/5 and IG rates 4.8/5. IG has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
FP Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than IG's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
IG has no minimum deposit, while FP Markets requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FP Markets and IG hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: IG has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
FP Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while IG lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
FP Markets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
FP Markets supports cTrader, IRESS, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide TradingView and MetaTrader 4. FP Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and IRESS and MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
IG has a broader regulator stack including NFA, DFSA, FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FMA.
FP Markets wins for active traders due to true ECN pricing with 0 pips and $6/lot.
FP Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
FP Markets offers the widest platform mix with MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
IG's $0 minimum deposit and user-friendly proprietary platform ease entry.
IG provides 19,000+ markets, far more than FP Markets' 10,000.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.4 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 1974 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $100 | No minimum▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.6 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1▲ higher | 30:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | £12/month (after 24 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPOLiPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerPOLi | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CySEC | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader IRESS MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
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, real 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
IRESS platform has a monthly fee for lower-volume traders
Customer support primarily oriented toward Australian trading hours
Not available to US residents
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
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.5 / 5
Personalised recommendation
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