In this study, G-quadruplex DNA (Q-DNA) binding abilities of two platinum complexes ([Pt(bpy)(pip)](NO3)(2) (1) and [Pt(bpy)(hpip)](NO3)(2) (2) (bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine; pip is 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10] phenanthroline; hpip is 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl) imidazo[4,5-f][1,10] phenanthroline) those previously reported were compared with double stranded DNA (ds-DNA) binding abilities. The interactions of both derivatives with human telomere Q-DNA (both the antiparallel basket and the mixed-hybrid G-quadruplex) and ds-DNA have been comparatively studied by UV-visible (UV-Vis), fluorescent intercalator displacement (FID) assays and thermal melting methods. The results show that both derivatives can stabilize Q-DNA and they show different binding affinities for different Q-DNA and ds-DNA. All spectroscopic studies have shown that the derivatives have a modest selectivity for Q-DNA vs ds-DNA. Increase in melting temperature was detected for both DNA forms but increase in Q-DNA melting temperature was significantly higher.