Head-to-head · 2026
IG vs CMC Markets
IG edges it overall with 4.8 versus 4.7, winning 5 of six categories. CMC Markets is cheaper to trade: its lowest-cost account works out at about $7.0 per round-turn lot of EUR/USD versus $9.0 at IG.
| Feature | IG | CMC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| EUR/USD standard spread | 0.9 pips | 0.7 pips |
| Raw account | No | No |
| Cheapest cost per lot | $9.0 | $7.0 |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Tier-1 regulators | FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, JFSA, FINMA | FCA, ASIC, CIRO, MAS, BaFin |
| All regulators | FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, JFSA, DFSA, FINMA | FCA, ASIC, CIRO, MAS, BaFin, FMA, DFSA |
| Founded | 1974 | 1989 |
| Currency pairs | 80+ | 330+ |
| Max leverage | 1:30 retail (UK/EU/AU) | 1:30 retail |
| Platforms | IG Web, IG App, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView | CMC Next Generation, CMC App, MT4, TradingView |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Swap-free accounts | No | No |
| US clients | No | No |
Highlighted cells mark the better value where one is clearly better. Data checked October 2026.
Category by category
Costs: IG vs CMC Markets
CMC Markets is cheaper to trade: its lowest-cost account works out at about $7.0 per round-turn lot of EUR/USD versus $9.0 at IG. On its standard, commission-free account IG quotes around 0.9 pips on EUR/USD. On its standard, commission-free account CMC Markets quotes around 0.7 pips on EUR/USD. Neither offers a separate raw-spread account.
Regulation and safety
IG is regulated by FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, FSCA, JFSA, DFSA, FINMA. CMC Markets is regulated by FCA, ASIC, CIRO, MAS, BaFin, FMA, DFSA. IG scores higher for trust in our methodology. Both are available in United Kingdom, European Union, Australia and Most other countries. Only IG serves South Africa. Only CMC Markets serves Canada.
Platforms
Both support MT4, TradingView. IG offers IG Web, IG App, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView; CMC Markets offers CMC Next Generation, CMC App, MT4, TradingView.
Which should you choose?
Choose IG if…
- fTSE 250 listed, 50 years in business
- huge range of 17,000+ markets
- tight EUR/USD spreads from about 0.6 pips
Choose CMC Markets if…
- 330+ forex pairs, the most of any broker we track
- tight spreads from 0.5 pips on EUR/USD
- next Generation platform with pattern recognition
Frequently asked questions
Is IG better than CMC Markets?
IG edges it overall with 4.8 versus 4.7, winning 5 of six categories. CMC Markets is cheaper to trade: its lowest-cost account works out at about $7.0 per round-turn lot of EUR/USD versus $9.0 at IG.
Which is safer, IG or CMC Markets?
IG scores higher for trust (5.0 vs 4.9), with tier-1 regulation from FCA, ASIC, BaFin, MAS, JFSA, FINMA.
Which has the lower minimum deposit?
Both have a $0 minimum deposit.
Do IG and CMC Markets both offer MetaTrader?
IG: MT4. CMC Markets: MT4.
Risk warning: CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly. Between roughly 60% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs, depending on the provider. Consider whether you understand how they work and can afford to lose your money. Read the full risk warning.