HotForex vs IG Group

HotForex vs IG Comparison Table 2024
HotForex IG
4
HotForex is now HF Markets. See our review of HF Markets for our latest findings and expert verdict.
4.4

HotForex, now HF Markets, is a hugely popular broker with millions clients and authorization from several trusted regulators, including the FCA and CySEC. Leveraged CFDs are available on popular asset classes alongside industry-leading software, flexible account types and an accessible minimum deposit.

Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.

Customer Reviews
4
Comment by Reviewer
"HotForex is a great all-rounder that will serve traders of all experience levels. We appreciate the regulated and secure trading environment, low minimum deposit, wide market access and user-friendly copy trading solution." "IG continues to provide a comprehensive package with an intuitive web platform and best-in-class education for beginners, plus advanced charting tools, real-time data, and fast execution speeds for experienced day traders."
Pros
  • Unlimited usage demo account
  • Easy to sign up with no starting deposit
  • Range of deposit and withdrawal methods
  • Transparent fee and commission structures
  • Hugely popular brand with millions of traders
  • Advanced mobile apps with full trading access
  • Market-leading insurance for up to €5,000,000
  • Virtual private server (VPS) integration support
  • Regulated by tier-one agencies including the FCA
  • Various account types plus Islamic and joint accounts
  • Comprehensive educational platform and trading tools
  • Live chat option with customer support available in 27 languages
  • IG is amongst the best in terms of its range of instruments, which includes stocks, forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, providing ample diversification opportunities
  • The proprietary web-based platform continues to caters to traders of all levels, with advanced charting tools and real-time market data useful for day trading
  • The IG app offers a superb mobile trading experience with a clean design that helped it secure Runner Up at our Best Trading App award
  • As a well-established broker, IG operates under strict regulatory guidelines in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining a high level of trust
  • IG offers an extensive collection of professional and engaging educational resources, including webinars, articles, and analysis
  • The ProRealTime advanced charting platform is free as long as certain modest monthly trading activity requirements are met
Cons
  • No cryptocurrency trading
  • No proprietary trading software
  • Beginners might find IG’s fee structure complex, with various fees for different types of trades or services, potentially leading to confusion or unexpected charges
  • While there is negative balance protection in the UK and EU, there is no account protection or guaranteed stop losses for US clients
  • IG has discontinued its swap-free account, reducing its appeal to Islamic traders
  • Stock and CFD spreads still trail the cheapest brokers like CMC Markets based on tests
  • IG applies an inactivity fee of $12 per month after 2 years, deterring casual investors
Awards
  • Top 100 Companies - World Finance Magazine
  • Best Forex Broker Asia - Global Business Review Magazine 2021
  • Best Customer Service Experience - Global - World Business Outlook
  • Best Client Fund Security Global - International Business Magazine 2021
  • Most Transparent Broker - The European - Global Banking & Finance Review Awards
  • Best Customer Service 2022 - Online Money Awards
  • Best Spread Betting Provider 2022 - Online Money Awards
  • Best Platform for the Active Trader 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Multi Platform Provider 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
  • Best Finance App 2022 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
Instruments
CFDs, Forex, Stocks, ETFs, Commodities CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, ETFs, Futures, Options, Crypto, Spread Betting
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$100 $0
Trading Platforms
  • MT4
  • MT5
  • Web
  • ProRealTime
  • L2 Dealer
  • MT4
  • AutoChartist
  • TradingCentral
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
FCA, DFSA, FSCA, CySEC, FSC, CMA, JFSA FCA, ASIC, NFA, CFTC, DFSA, BaFin, MAS, FSCA
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
Margin Rate
2.5%
STP Account
No No
ECN Account
Yes No
DMA Account
Yes Yes
MAM Account
No No
PAMM Account
No No
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No Yes
Negative Balance Protection
No Yes
Market Maker
No Yes
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
Yes Yes
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
App Review

IG offers a superb all-round trading app. One of the pioneers of mobile trading, the application has been developed and refined over many years, meaning it is now among the best trading apps. Quick response, user-friendly layout, access to full charting and a stable and reliable application. It also offers guaranteed stops – an important risk management tool not available on many apps we’ve tested.

Android App Rating
4
iOS App Rating
4.6
Auto Trading
HotForex supports automated trading through access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both of which have extensive expert advisor integration systems. Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, build your own on ProRealTime
Copy Trading
No No
Social Trading
No No
Trade Signals
Yes Yes
VPS Hosting
No Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
Yes No
Ethical Investing
No Yes
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No Yes
Inactivity Fee
$12
Islamic Account
Yes No
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • PLN
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • JPY
  • ZAR
  • SEK
  • DKK
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Stock Exchanges
Commodities
CFD Trading
HotForex has CFD trading in stocks and shares, indices, ETFs, metals, energies, agricultural commodities and forex. Leverage is in line with the relevant regulatory jurisdictions and spreads are tight with no hidden charges. IG offers a huge selection of 17,000+ CFDs, providing more trading opportunities than most CFD brokers. Traders can go long or short on popular markets like stocks, currencies, commodities and cryptos, while custom price alerts and the IG Academy continue to enhance the trading experience.
Leverage
1:30 1:30 (Retail), 1:250 (Pro)
FTSE Spread
1.16 1.0
GBPUSD Spread
1.8 0.9
Oil Spread
0.05 2.8
Stocks Spread
Variable 0.02
Forex Trading
HotForex has CFD trading on over 50 major, minor and exotic currency pairs with MT4 and MT5 accounts. This is a strong selection of currencies with advanced analysis software available to plan and execute trades. IG offers an above-average suite of 80+ currency pairs on its proprietary web platform, mobile app or MetaTrader 4, with more advanced charts and forex analysis tools available on the ProRealTime software. Forex spreads are competitive based on tests, starting from 0.1 pips on majors like the EUR/USD.
Forex App

IG offers a superb all-round trading app. One of the pioneers of mobile trading, the application has been developed and refined over many years, meaning it is now among the best trading apps. Quick response, user friendly layout, access to full charting and a stable and reliable application. Top marks.

GBPUSD Spread
1.8 0.9
EURUSD Spread
1.3 0.8
EURGBP Spread
1.5 0.9
Assets
50 80+
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
Crypto trading not offered IG's modest selection of 11 crypto CFDs trails top crypto brokers like Vantage which offers 40+ tokens. That said, it stands out with its crypto index, which tracks the value of the top 10 digital currencies by market cap and provides a holistic way to speculate on the value of the crypto market.
Spread
Variable
Coins
  • BTC
  • BCH
  • LTC
  • ETH
  • ADA
  • DOT
  • DOGE
  • LINK
  • UNI
  • XLM
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No No
Auto Market Maker
No No
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