IG vs CMC Markets

Comparing two brokers is seldom an easy task. In this article, we will compare IG vs CMC Markets two forex brokers in terms of regulation, fees, investment options, market research & analysis, and platforms. Here’s our detailed comparison of IG and CMC Markets, which evaluates the two brokers in terms of regulations, pricing, platforms, investment options, etc.

IG vs CMC Markets – Regulation

CMC Markets has four global Tier-1 licenses, whereas IG has six. CMC Markets has two worldwide Tier-2 licenses, whereas IG has three.

CMC Markets is regulated by:

ASIC (Australian Securities & Investment Commission)
MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore)
FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)
IIROC (Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada)

IG is regulated by:

ASIC (Australian Securities & Investment Commission)
JFSA (Japanese Financial Services Authority)
MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore)
FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority)
FCA (Financial Conduct Authority)
CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission)

IG vs CMC Markets – Investment Options

CMC Markets

CMC Markets provides access to global equities markets, as well as over 12,000 CFDs and a huge number of currency pairings. The broker lists all 158 currency pairings in both directions (such as EUR/USD and USD/EUR). This one-of-a-kind characteristic doubles the number of possible pairings, making the total number 316.

Crypto: CFDs allow users to trade cryptos, but they can’t trade the underlying asset directly (meaning purchasing Bitcoin). Crypto CFDs aren’t accessible to retail traders or individuals who reside in the United Kingdom via any broker’s United Kingdom branch (the sole exception is Professional clients).

Forex Trading
CFD Trading
11927 Tradeable Symbols in total
158 Forex Pairs in total
Int’l Stock Trading (Non CFD)
Cryptocurrency (CFD)
Social Trading / Copy-Trading

IG has amassed an extensive range of over 17,000+ markets throughout the world. Futures & options are accessible on a wide range of products, ensuring that users will never be without anything to trade. IG (United Kingdom) also provides a wide range of professional as well as institutional solutions, which is significantly more than the industry standard. IG Smart Portfolios, an account basket that combines savings and retirement plans along with low-fee ETFs, allows accounts of all tiers to invest for the long run.

Forex Trading
CFD Trading
19537 Tradeable Symbols in total
100 Forex Pairs in total
US Stock Trading (Non-CFD)
Int’l Stock Trading (Non-CFD)
Cryptocurrency (CFD)
Social Trading / Copy-Trading

IG vs CMC Markets – Pricing

CMC Markets

CMC Markets has its users covered if they are price-conscious traders. CMC Markets continuously provides low spreads, that are offered to all user categories and account varieties. On the EUR/USD currency pair, the broker provides competitive rates that are above the industrial average, with average spreads of 0.73 pips.

Minimum Deposit is $0.00
Average Spread EUR/USD – Standard 0.73
All-in Cost EUR/USD – Active N/A
Active Trader or VIP Discounts
Execution: Market Maker

IG’s prices (spreads, commissions, and fees) are quite competitive internationally, and this is also true for US customers.

IG generates money on the spread, especially from client trades that “cross” the bid/ask spread. Whenever trading CFDs, there is a “commission” fee, but it is applied to two sides of the market spread, and there is a commission for each share-CFD transaction. IG (United Kingdom) also takes a premium on GSLO (guaranteed stop-loss orders), which are only activated if the order is activated, and there are various extras as well as third-party expenses that are fully listed on the United Kingdom site.

Minimum Deposit is £250.00
Average Spread EUR/USD – Standard 0.828
All-in Cost EUR/USD – Active 0.365
Active Trader or VIP Discounts
Execution: Agency Broker
Execution: Market Maker

IG vs CMC Markets – Platforms

CMC Markets

The Next Generation trading platform of the broker is quick, dependable, and loaded with useful tools and features. Even the most captious traders will be impressed by CMC’s platform.

The simplicity of the platform: The platform prioritizes quickness and usability. In addition to standard layouts and customizable settings, the platform’s layout wizard allows users to make a choice between floating or fixed windows. Module linking is available, with 5 levels of color-coding. When users click on the matching symbol in their watchlist, this essential tool prompts an update to the item shown on the chart, saving them time.

Virtual Trading (Demo)
Proprietary Platform
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Web Platform
Social (Copy) Trading
MT4 (MetaTrader 4)
86 Charting – Indicators / Studies in total
40 Charting – Drawing Tools in total
Charting – Trade From Chart
9 Watchlists – Total Fields
Order Type – Market

Starting with its own web-based platform that is configurable and easy to access, IG provides a number of platform options and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) globally. This simple trading interface is reliable and simple to use in any browser, however, IG advises using Google Chrome. It has a simplistic appearance, particularly in the United States version, that conceals its complexity. There aren’t as many bells and whistles as other rival interfaces, however, what it lacks in number, it makes up for in value. The industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (downloadable) platform, and its mobile application, make up IG’s whole online offering to users who are based in the United States.

Users who are based in the United Kingdom have access to the same features as their peers in the United States, as well as the option to switch to the downloadable, ProRealTime enhanced charting platform that is fee-based, which is free if the specific minimum monthly trading activity criteria are reached. Furthermore, through a welldeveloped Application Programming Interface, technologically skilled users may connect their own systems or a Bloomberg terminal.

Virtual Trading (Demo)
IG’s own Platform
Desktop Platform (Windows)
Web Platform
Social (Copy) Trading
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
Charting – Indicators / Studies: 32 in total
Charting – Drawing Tools: 20 in total
Charting – Trade From Chart
14 Watchlists – Total Fields
Order Type – Market

Educational Offering

CMC Markets

The broker competes with the top companies in the market by providing FX and CFD traders with a wide range of education options, such as written pieces, videos, podcasts, as well as live webinars.

Educational Material – Forex and CFDs
User Webinars
User Webinars (Archived)
Videos – Beginner Trading Videos
Videos – Advanced Trading Videos
Investor Dictionary (Glossary)

IG’s teaching resources seem to be better than those of any other online brokerage. Newbies will benefit from the comprehensive trader’s library, which is led by the remarkable “IG Academy,” whilst experienced traders will find sophisticated trading technique articles instructive. “Topics range from platform walk-through to future trading opportunities,” according to a long list of online webinars.

Educational Material – Forex and CFDs
User Webinars
User Webinars (Archived)
Videos – Beginner Trading Videos
Videos – Advanced Trading Videos
Investor Dictionary (Glossary)

Final Thoughts

We compared the two brokers in detail and determined that the overall winner is IG. In terms of trading instruments, IG provides a superior experience. When it comes to areas such as market research, and trading platforms, again, we discovered that IG is unmatched.