This BlackBull Markets vs IG review looks at how an STP forex broker compares to a market maker. Both brokers have MT4, with IG having 3 other trading platforms and BlackBull offers over 60 forex pairs. See how each broker compares.
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Our full comparison covers the 10 most important trading factors. Here are five noticeable differences between BlackBull Markets and IG:
Spreads are crucial factors that can significantly impact your trading experience and profitability in regard to forex trading. BlackBull Markets and IG Markets offer competitive spreads, but with differences.
BlackBull Markets offers an average spread of 0.85 pips on the EUR/USD pair. A competitive spread that is beneficial for traders who trade frequently or in large volumes. Note: Spreads can vary depending on market conditions and the type of account you have.
While IG Markets offers an even more competitive average spread of 0.75 pips on the EUR/USD pair. A significant savings over time for traders if they go for lower spreads, especially for high-volume traders.
Standard Account Spreads
Interesting patterns are evident as BlackBull Markets and IG have quite competitive spreads looking at both’s average standard account spreads in forex pairs despite its obvious differences.
Compared to IG Group, BlackBull Markets spreads are high for the EUR/USD and USD/JPY pairs, but a higher spread on AUD/USD pair. A factor for traders who frequently use these pairs to decide on.
| Standard Account | BlackBull Markets Spreads | IG Group Spreads | Industry Spreads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Average | 1.5 | 1.62 | 1.6 |
| EUR/USD | 1.1 | 1.13 | 1.2 |
| USD/JPY | 1.4 | 1.12 | 1.4 |
| GBP/USD | 1.4 | 1.66 | 1.6 |
| AUD/USD | 1.2 | 1.01 | 1.5 |
| USD/CAD | 1.4 | 1.98 | 1.8 |
| EUR/GBP | 1.7 | 1.71 | 1.5 |
| EUR/JPY | 1.8 | 2.27 | 1.9 |
| AUD/JPY | 2 | 2.06 | 2.1 |
Standard Account Analysis Updated January 2025[1]January 2025 Published And Tested Data
But for traders using GBP/USD and USD/CAD pairs, it might be the best option to trade with BlackBull Markets due to their lower spreads compared to IG Group.
Both are quite competitive if compared with each broker to the industry average. IG has lower spreads for the EUR/USD, AUD/USD, and AUD/JPY pairs, while BlackBull Markets has lower spreads for the GBP/USD and USD/CAD pairs.
Conclusion: The choice will still fall on traders on what they usually trade on due to the fact that both offer competitive spreads compared to the industry average. Both brokers are equally reliable.
Commission
Aside from spreads, commissions should also be considered. BlackBull Markets charges a higher than the industry average commission of $9.00 per lot. This commission applies to their ECN Prime and ECN Institutional accounts, while their Standard account is commission-free but comes with slightly higher spreads.
While IG Markets does not charge a commissions due to their spread-only basis for their standard account. Traders, who prefer a simpler pricing structure, can take advantage of these features. commission is charged though for their DMA account, but with a tighter spreads.
| Broker | Average Spread (EUR/USD) | Commission |
|---|---|---|
| BlackBull Markets | 0.85 pips | $9.00 per lot |
| IG Group | 0.75 pips | No commission |
Verdict
IG Markets leads in this category due to lowest spreads and fees and commission-free trading on their standard account.
| Trading Platform | BlackBull Markets | IG Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 | Yes | No |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| TradingView | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
IG Markets has their own proprietary platform that comes with a range of additional features and tools. Which include:
In addition to these, IG Markets comes with a platform that is web-based. This way you can access from any device without needing to install any software.
Verdict
IG Markets subtly outshines due to their better proprietary trading platform with features not available on MetaTrader 4.
BlackBull Markets comes with three types of accounts:
The Standard account is perfect for beginners with no commission and higher spreads. The Prime account comes with a commission and lower spreads and is best for experienced traders. The Institutional account which comes with lowest spread and commission is great for professional traders.
IG Markets offers two main types of accounts:
CFD account allows you to trade contracts for differences on a wide range of markets, while Spread Betting account is designed for UK residents and offers tax-free trading.
| Blackbull Markets | IG Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Account | Yes | Yes |
| Raw Account | Yes | Yes |
| Swap Free Account | Yes | No |
| Active Traders | Yes | No |
| Spread Betting (UK) | No | Yes |
Verdict
BlackBull Markets marginally exceeds because of their superior accounts and features that caters to different types of traders.
Trading experience is vital for traders, so execution speed, slippage, and the stability of the trading platform are an important factors to consider which can greatly affect a traders’ practice.
Offering one of the fastest execution speeds in the industry are BlackBull Markets; they do excel in this field. Every millisecond counts are important for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Fast execution speeds can help ease slippage and ensure that your orders are filled at the requested price.
While not fast as BlackBull Markets, IG Markets offers a reliable and efficient trading environment. In addition, they offer a range of trading tools where trading information can be accessed, their trading platform is stable and user-friendly.
| Broker | Execution Speed |
|---|---|
| BlackBull Markets | Fastest |
| IG Group | Fast |
Verdict
BlackBull Markets takes the top spot here due to their superior execution speed which gives traders the best trading experience and ease.
BlackBull Markets Trust Score
IG Group Trust Score
Both brokers are regulated by reputable financial authorities. BlackBull Markets is regulated by the New Zealand Financial Markets Authority, while IG Markets is regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and several other regulatory bodies worldwide. These said regulations gives brokers the credibility to interact with traders as they are meant to be: Trusted.
| BlackBull Markets | IG Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 Regulation | FMA (New Zealand) | ASIC (Australia) FCA (UK) BaFin (Germany) FINMA (Switzerland) NFA/CFTC (USA) CYSEC (Cyprus) MAS (Singapore) FMA (New Zealand) |
| Tier 2 Regulation | JFSA (Japan) DFSA (Dubai) |
|
| Tier 3 Regulation | FSA-S (Seychelles) | BMA (Bermuda) FSCA (South Africa) |
Verdict
Both brokers are tied in this category in account of better trust and regulations by reputable financial authorities which gives the best assurance of investor protection.
BlackBull Markets and IG Markets have a lot to offer in regard to range of products and CFD that comes with differences in their offerings every trader should be aware of.
Here’s a comparative table showcasing the range of CFDs, products, and markets available with both brokers:
| CFDs | BlackBull Markets | IG Group |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Pairs | 72 | 110 |
| Indices | 10 | 130 |
| Commodities | 9 Metals 5 Energies 8 Softs | 11 Metals 7 Energies 23 Softs |
| Cryptocurrencies | 9 | 13 |
| Shares | 26000+ | 13000+ |
| ETFs | 7 | 2000+ |
| Bonds/Treasuries | No | 14 |
| Other Products(Options,Futures) | No | Yes |
Verdict
IG Markets takes the win in this category because of top product range and CFD markets.clearly offers a more extensive range of CFDs and markets compared to BlackBull Markets. Trading conditions, fees, and platform features should always be in consideration before making a decision which broker to trade with.
Both BlackBull Markets and IG Markets are known for their commitment to educate traders by using their educational resources which are tailored to cater to both beginners and experienced traders. Here’s a comparison based on our own testing:
Verdict
Based on our team’s scoring from the testing, IG Markets barely leads in this level owing to their superior, in terms of the breadth and depth, educational resources.
In forex trading, customer service is very important due to the fact that issues need to be resolved fast and discussed with to prevent potential losses. These excellent customer services, which is served with multiple channels of communication and quick response time, have been deployed by both BlackBull Markets and IG Markets offer excellent customer service. These services, though, differ between the two brokers: IG Markets offers 24/7 customer support, while BlackBull Markets provides support only during weekdays (24/5).
| Broker | Customer Service Availability |
|---|---|
| BlackBull Markets | 24/5 |
| IG Group | 24/7 |
Verdict
IG Markets stands out in this category owing to their superior customer services.
IG Markets grants a vast range of payment options which gives them better traction despite both IG Markets and BlackBull Markets’ capacity to grant various payment methods such as credit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallet services.
| Funding Methods | BlackBull Markets | IG Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit/Debit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | Yes | No |
| Neteller | Yes | No |
| POLi | Yes | Yes |
| Other methods (Crypto, digital wallets, cheque) | Yes | Yes |
Verdict
IG Markets takes the lead thanks to their better funding options.
Both BlackBull Markets and IG Group have a minimum deposit requirement of $0. Remarkably, this minimum is only for bank wire transactions for both brokers.
BlackBull Markets
| Minimum Deposit | GBP | USD | EUR | AUD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card / Debit Card | £50 | $50 | €50 | $50 |
| Bank Wire | £0 | $0 | €0 | $0 |
| Skrill | £50 | $50 | €50 | $50 |
| Neteller | £50 | $50 | €50 | $50 |
IG Group
| GBP | USD | EUR | AUD | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card / Debit Card | £250 Minimum Deposit | $50 Minimum Deposit | €300 Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Paypal | £250 Minimum Deposit | $50 Minimum Deposit | €300 Minimum Deposit | $100 |
| Bank Wire | £0 Minimum Deposit | $250 Minimum Deposit | €0 Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Skrill | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Verdict
BlackBull Markets and IG Markets both shines in this level owing to their lower minimum deposit. Notably, BlackBull Markets margin is higher in contrast to IG Markets.
| Criteria | BlackBull Markets | IG Group |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest Spreads And Fees | Yes | No |
| Better Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Superior Accounts And Features | No | Yes |
| Best Trading Experience And Ease | No | Yes |
| Stronger Trust And Regulation | Yes | Yes |
| Top Product Range And CFD Markets | Yes | No |
| Superior Educational Resources | Yes | No |
| Superior Customer Service | Yes | No |
| Better Funding Options | Yes | No |
| Lower Minimum Deposit | Yes | No |
IG Markets is best for beginner traders due to their comprehensive and user-friendly platform, making it the better choice for beginner traders.
BlackBull Markets stands out as the preferred choice for experienced and seasoned traders seeking advanced and robust features in trading.
IG Markets generally offers lower costs compared to BlackBull Markets. They have competitive spreads and are known for their transparency in pricing. For traders who are particularly cost-conscious, understanding the spread dynamics is crucial. You can find a detailed comparison of brokers with the lowest spreads on our Lowest Commission Brokers page.
Both IG Markets and BlackBull Markets support MetaTrader 4, but BlackBull Markets is often praised for its seamless MT4 integration and enhanced features. MetaTrader 4 remains a popular choice among traders globally. For a comprehensive list of the best MT4 brokers, you can visit our best MT4 brokers.
BlackBull Markets stands out when it comes to offering social or copy trading options. They have integrated platforms like Myfxbook and ZuluTrade, allowing traders to follow and replicate strategies of successful traders. Social trading can be a game-changer, especially for new traders. For more insights on the best platforms for social trading, check out our best social trading platforms guide.
IG Markets offers spread betting to its clients. Spread betting is a popular form of trading in the UK, allowing traders to speculate on the price movements of various financial instruments without owning the underlying asset.
In my opinion, BlackBull Markets has a slight edge for Australian Forex traders. Both brokers are ASIC regulated, ensuring a high level of trust and security for traders. However, BlackBull Markets was founded in New Zealand and has a strong presence in the Australian market, while IG Markets is headquartered overseas. For a deeper dive into the best options for Australian traders, you can check out our Best Forex Brokers In Australia guide.
Personally, I believe IG Markets stands out for UK Forex traders. Both brokers are FCA regulated, which is a testament to their commitment to maintaining high standards of operation and customer protection. However, IG Markets, founded in the UK, has a long-standing reputation and a deep understanding of the UK trading environment. For those in the UK looking to explore their options further, our Best Forex Brokers In UK guide offers a detailed comparison.
No commission account spread propiety testing data and published wesbite spread information, centralised on our Standard Account Spreads page.
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