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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
Trust rank #15 · Founded 1974
IG is a well-regarded forex broker that provides broad access to currency pairs, multiple trading platforms, and extensive research and education within a regulated framework. It emphasizes transparent pricing, diverse order types,…
Read the IG review
Trust rank #18 · Founded 2008
Markets.com is a well‐regarded forex and CFD broker offering broad access to currency pairs and multi‐asset CFDs on intuitive web and mobile platforms. It provides built‐in research, education, and risk management tools…
Read the Markets.com reviewIG (United Kingdom, founded 1974) holds 13 regulatory licences (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank…), 9 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime and sits in our low-fee bracket. Markets.com (Cyprus, founded 2008) holds 5 regulatory licences (ASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 175 countries; IG is available in 55 countries where Markets.com is not, and Markets.com in 0 where IG is not.
Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.
| Criteria | IG | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Trust rank | #15 | #18 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2008 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Cyprus |
| Regulators | ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA | ASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
| Broker type | Market Maker | Market Maker |
| Platforms | MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime | MT4, MT5, Proprietary |
| Instruments | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals | Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals |
| Countries accepted | 230 countries | 175 countries |
| Fee level | Low | Low |
| Trading types | CFD Trading, Spot Trading | CFD Trading |
| Best-for use cases | Professional Trading, Retail Trading | Retail Trading |
Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.
Available at both (175): Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czechia, Côte d'Ivoire and 135 more.
Only IG (55): American Samoa, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belize, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cook Islands, Guam, Haiti, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Macao, Maldives, Mali, Micronesia and 30 more.
Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.
IG holds more regulatory licences: IG (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA) versus Markets.com (ASIC, BVI FSC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA). Tier-1 licences: IG 9, Markets.com 2.
IG offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime; Markets.com offers MT4, MT5, Proprietary.
Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.
IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; Markets.com was founded in 2008.
They overlap in 175 countries. IG is additionally available in 55 countries (American Samoa, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belize and 49 more) and Markets.com in 0 countries ().
Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.