CMC Markets vs IG Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - CMC Markets or IG?
Our pick: CMC Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - CMC Markets looks preferable to IG.
CMC Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 15 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 38.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is CMC Markets suitable for?
Broker CMC Markets is suitable for all traders thanks to its reliability, low commissions, and excellent trading platform.
Who is IG suitable for?
Broker IG.com is suitable for traders of all levels, offering reliability, convenience, a wide selection of instruments, and good customer support.
Comparison Table of CMC Markets and IG
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 1973 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.165 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:200 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | CMC Markets Review | IG Review |
CMC Markets Review
CMC Markets has been a reliable CFD and Forex broker in the business for a long time. Top-tier financial authorities regulate the company, offers an excellent trading platform, and has low commission fees.
We believe it is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced traders. CMC Markets is a good option if you are seeking a trustworthy broker with extensive experience.
Pros and Cons of CMC Markets
Pros
- Low trading fees.
- Wide range of markets and products.
- Access to the popular MetaTrader 4 and CMC Markets platforms.
- Extensive analytical materials.
- Comprehensive educational materials.
Cons
- Limited account options.
- Inactivity fee.
- No online chat.
CMC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
IG Review
IG is a highly regulated broker with licenses from reliable financial authorities, providing clients with high funds protection. Thanks to narrow spreads, traders can effectively manage their costs and increase the profitability of their operations. Quality trading platforms and advanced analytical tools support informed trading decisions, while extensive educational resources make IG attractive to traders of all experience levels.
Pros and Cons of IG
Pros
- Licenses from regulators with a high level of credibility.
- Tight spreads.
- A variety of markets and products.
- Extensive set of analytical tools and content.
- Quality educational resources for different levels of traders.
Cons
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
- High trading fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Limited choice of payment methods.
IG is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 1973 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
| Regulators | FCA FCA BaFin BaFin FMA FMA KNF KNF FSAN FSAN CNMV CNMV CIRO CIRO ASIC ASIC NZ FMA NZ FMA MAS MAS DFSA DFSA | FCA FCA BMA BMA BaFin BaFin FSAN FSAN AFM AFM CONSOB CONSOB CNMV CNMV ACPR ACPR FI FI FINMA FINMA NFA NFA CFTC CFTC ASIC ASIC NZ FMA NZ FMA JFSA JFSA JFFA JFFA MAS MAS FSCA FSCA DFSA DFSA |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets demonstrates a high level of regulation and protection of client funds.
Pros
- Regulation in multiple countries.
- Adherence to CASS rules to protect client funds.
- Compensation through FSCS in case of financial problems.
IG
The company is subject to numerous international regulators, ensuring a high degree of transparency.
Account Opening
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
CMC Markets
The account opening process is standard but has some limitations.
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirement.
- Clear and transparent registration process.
Cons
- Requirement to provide extensive information.
- Restrictions for residents of certain countries.
IG
The account opening process is simple, fast, and convenient for traders of any experience level.
Pros
- No minimum deposit required.
- Quick registration process (5-10 minutes).
Cons
- Necessity to provide extensive personal and financial information.
- Verification may take a couple of days.
- There is a possibility of being denied account opening.
Account Types
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.3/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
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| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.165 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:200 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
CMC Markets
Accounts meet basic needs but do not offer a wide selection.
Pros
- Availability of a demo account.
Cons
- No cent or Islamic accounts.
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
- No investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading).
IG
IG offers a limited selection of accounts, meeting the basic needs of traders, but not accommodating specific requirements.
Pros
- Availability of DMA account for professional traders.
- Premium service offered for high-value clients.
- Free demo account for practice and training.
Cons
- Absence of Islamic and investment accounts.
- No fixed spread accounts and cent accounts.
Commissions
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.7/5 | 3/5 |
| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.165 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Commission per Lot | $6.48 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers competitive spreads and does not charge fees for depositing/withdrawing.
Pros
- No deposit or withdrawal fees.
- Competitive spreads and swaps.
- Cashback on trading commissions.
Cons
- Monthly inactivity fee.
IG
IG provides an average level of commissions, with low spreads but high transaction fees on DMA accounts.
Pros
- Low spreads.
- No fees for deposits/withdrawals.
Cons
- High transaction fee on DMA account.
- Inactivity fee.
- Currency conversion fee and guaranteed stop fee.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
CMC Markets
The broker offers flexibility and transparency in transactions.
Pros
- No fees for deposits or withdrawals.
- Fast processing of withdrawal requests.
Cons
- Some competitors offer more payment methods.
IG
Broker IG offers an average level of services for deposits/withdrawals, not charging a fee, but has limitations on available methods.
Pros
- No commission for funding and withdrawal.
- PayPal available as a deposit/withdrawal option.
- Transparent information about limits.
Cons
- Absence of cryptocurrencies and most electronic wallets.
- Withdrawal processing time can take up to 5 business days.
- Restrictions on the minimum withdrawal amount.
Markets and Products
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.4/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 336 | 99 |
| Precious Metals | 19 | 11 |
| Energy Carriers | 45 | 9 |
| Soft Commodities | 58 | 20 |
| Indices | 99 | 46 |
| Stocks | 10099 | 13000 |
| ETF | 1200 | 5400 |
| Bonds | 71 | 19 |
| Cryptocurrency | 336 | 15 |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets offers various trading instruments for multiple markets but with limited maximum leverage.
IG
IG offers an extensive range of products and markets for trading, with an impressive selection of CFDs, options, and thematic baskets.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
CMC Markets
The broker provides two powerful and flexible trading platforms.
Pros
- Availability of the popular MetaTrader 4 platform.
- Proprietary platform with extensive functionality and customization options.
Cons
- The proprietary platform may be complex for beginners.
- Lack of MetaTrader 5 platform.
IG
IG offers a variety of trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, and L2 Dealer, catering to traders of all levels.
Analytics
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers extensive analytical resources that assist traders in decision-making.
Pros
- Comprehensive commentary and forecasts from experts.
- Technical and fundamental analysis.
- News from Reuters and economic calendar.
IG
IG provides an impressive array of research and analytical tools that will appeal to traders of any experience level.
Education
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers extensive and quality educational resources for traders of all levels.
Pros
- A wide range of educational forms: seminars, webinars, video conferences, courses.
- Classes conducted by leading traders and guest experts.
- Most materials are available for free to company clients.
IG
IG offers high-quality and comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders of various levels.
Customer Support
| Broker | CMC Markets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
|
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| Hotline Phones |
|
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| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedInCMC Markets
CMC Markets provides quality technical support operating 24/5, with prompt and professional responses.
Pros
- Support available 24/5.
- Prompt and professional responses.
Cons
- Lack of online chat for instant communication.
IG
IG provides fast and professional support.
Comparisons of CMC Markets and IG with other brokers
Conclusion
CMC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while IG trails on aggregate criteria.
CMC Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 15 in our rating; IG has 4.1/5 and ranks 38.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: CMC Markets or IG?
CMC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 15) versus IG (score 4.1/5, position 38).
Which broker is better for beginners: CMC Markets or IG?
CMC Markets is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — CMC Markets or IG?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with CMC Markets and IG?
CMC Markets: MetaTrader 4, CMC Markets. IG: MetaTrader 4, IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with CMC Markets and IG?
CMC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. IG: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by CMC Markets and IG?
CMC Markets: CFD. IG: CFD, DMA. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by CMC Markets and IG?
CMC Markets: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Online banking. IG: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Credit and Debit Cards. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — CMC Markets or IG — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
