Circle Markets
IG
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Overview
Circle Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while IG was established in 1974 and is based in UK. Circle Markets holds licences including Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), while IG is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Circle Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; IG has 178,500+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Circle Markets and $200 at IG.
| Feature | Circle Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Regulation | Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) |
| Founded | 2007 | 1974 |
| Country | New Zealand | UK |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 178,500+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Circle Markets and IG, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Circle Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $200 at IG). Circle Markets charges withdrawal fees while IG does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Circle Markets charges deposit fees; IG does not. Overall, IG scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Circle Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Circle Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while IG supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. IG supports social and copy trading features, which Circle Markets does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Circle Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Desktop, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, Mac, Web Trader, L2 Dealer, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Circle Markets and IG compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Circle Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Circle Markets accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while IG supports 3 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal). IG uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. IG scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Circle Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | No |
| Neteller | No | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Circle Markets and IG offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Circle Markets supports 2 languages and IG supports 5, giving IG broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Circle Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese |