IC Marketsvs
IGStock Broker Comparison
Two brokers compete on regulatory strength, platform depth, and international equity access. The tension is over costs, access, and tools for stock traders.
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.4 pts
IG edges IC Markets with a higher overall score of 4.5 to 4.1. The lead rests on IG's stronger trust and regulation and broader platform tools.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IG offers 30+ exchanges while IC Markets covers 12.
- 2IG offers share dealing with a Stocks & Shares ISA; IC Markets does not.
- 3IG includes research tools and stock screener; IC Markets lacks.
Who should choose IC Markets vs IG?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want 2,000+ stock CFDs and commission-transparent pricing on US shares via MT4 or IRESS. You also gain DMA-style equity access via IRESS and regulatory oversight from ASIC and CySEC, with a 5:1 leverage cap.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want real share dealing across 30+ exchanges and a Stocks & Shares ISA in one account. You also access 13,000+ shares with integrated research tools, though share dealing incurs higher commissions.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
IG wins for safety & regulation with higher-rated oversight across multiple major regulators.
Best for active traders
Recommended
IC Markets vs IG: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $200 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
IC Markets vs IG Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- 2,000+ share CFDs across US, UK, ASX, European, and Asian exchanges on MT5 and IRESS
- IRESS provides genuine DMA access to ASX and major global equity markets
- Commission-transparent pricing: USD 0.02/share on US stocks, no spread markup
- ASIC and CySEC regulated, tier-1 regulatory coverage for equity CFD trading
Cons
- CFDs only, no real share ownership, ISA wrapper, or dividend reinvestment programme
IC Markets vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
IC Markets
criteria win
2
IG
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.1/5 and IG rates 4.5/5. 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.
IC Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with IG's 0.6. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
IG has no minimum deposit, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC 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.
IC Markets lists maximum leverage of 5:1, while IG lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
IC Markets charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for IG are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide TradingView and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither IC Markets nor IG is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both IC Markets and IG are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
