Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs CMC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
IG and CMC Markets are both well-established online brokers with impressive trust profiles. Founded in 1974, IG is not only publicly traded but also operates as a bank, providing an additional level of security and trust for its clients. With a perfect Trust Score of 99 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, IG demonstrates a high level of reliability, backed by 8 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses, indicating its strong regulatory standing across various jurisdictions.
Similarly, CMC Markets, founded in 1989, is a publicly traded entity known for its strong regulatory credentials. While CMC Markets does not operate as a bank, it matches IG with a commendable ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99. This broker holds 6 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, showcasing its commitment to adhering to stringent regulatory standards. Both brokers are aligned in terms of trustworthiness, offering traders secure trading environments bolstered by stringent oversight.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1989 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 6 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing IG and CMC Markets on commissions and fees, both brokers are strong choices for traders who care about low trading costs, but CMC Markets has the edge overall. IG is not a discount broker, yet it offers competitive pricing for active traders through its Forex Direct DMA account, with July 2023 EUR/USD average spreads of 0.62 pips and an estimated all-in cost of 0.82 pips after commission. Its CFD pricing is also solid, with average spreads of 0.69 pips during the main trading session, though costs can rise during quieter market hours. IG is rated 5 stars and ranked #7 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
CMC Markets stands out for its consistently low spread pricing across account types and customer groups, which is why it won #1 in our 2025 Annual Awards for Commissions and Fees. Its average EUR/USD spread was 0.61 pips in August 2023, and its FX Active commission-based plan can bring the all-in EUR/USD cost down to 0.5 pips with $2.50 per side commissions and minimum spreads from zero pips. CMC also offers an active trader program with Trading Points-based discounts, helping frequent traders lower costs even more. CMC Markets is rated 5 stars and ranked #4 out of 36 brokers.
In simple terms, IG is a good option for active traders who want flexible execution and decent pricing, while CMC Markets is the better pick for those focused on keeping commissions and spreads as low as possible. If your main goal is trading cost savings, CMC Markets has the stronger fee structure overall; if you value large-order handling and DMA-style pricing, IG is still highly competitive.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | 1.3 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.65 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG and CMC Markets both give traders access to forex as CFDs or spot contracts, and both also let clients trade shares on U.S. and international exchanges. Each broker earns a 5-star rating for range of investments, but IG is ranked higher overall by ForexBrokers.com, placing 4th out of 36 brokers compared with CMC Markets at 9th. IG also offers a much larger total list of tradeable symbols, with 19,537 versus CMC Markets’ 12,029, while CMC Markets offers more forex pairs, with 141 compared with IG’s 97.
There are also some important differences in what each broker lets you buy. IG supports copy trading no, but it does allow access to actual cryptocurrency as well as crypto CFDs, which CMC Markets does not offer in delivered crypto form. On the other hand, CMC Markets does offer copy trading. In short, IG stands out for its wider overall market selection, while CMC Markets has the edge for forex pair count and social trading features.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 12029 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 141 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
IG and CMC Markets both give traders a strong set of platforms and tools, including free demo accounts, in-house platforms, Windows desktop downloads, web-based trading, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the ability to trade directly from charts. Both brokers also earn 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, which shows they are well matched for traders who want flexible ways to place orders and analyze markets.
The main difference is that CMC Markets offers copy trading, while IG does not. IG, however, is ranked higher by ForexBrokers.com for this category, coming in at #1 out of 36 brokers, compared with CMC Markets at #6. For most traders, both brokers cover the key platform features, but CMC Markets may appeal more to those who want copy trading, while IG stands out for its top industry ranking.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 73 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and CMC Markets both deliver mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each one includes useful tools like price alerts, watchlist syncing with the web platform, trendline drawing, and automatic saving of chart drawings. Both apps are also rated 5 out of 5 stars for mobile trading, so either choice gives traders a strong on-the-go experience.
The main difference is in charting depth and overall ranking. IG offers 33 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with 29 for CMC Markets, giving IG a slight edge for chart-focused users. That advantage is reflected in ForexBrokers.com’s mobile trading apps rankings, where IG placed #1 out of 36 brokers, while CMC Markets ranked #5.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 29 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IG and CMC Markets both give traders a strong set of market research tools. Each platform offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus an economic calendar to track upcoming global events. They also both include Autochartist and sentiment tools that show how traders are positioned across different markets. In independent ratings, both brokers earn 5 out of 5 stars for research.
Where IG stands out is in the extra research depth it offers. IG includes TipRanks and Acuity Trading tools, while CMC Markets does not. Both brokers are useful for traders who want regular market updates and chart-based ideas, but IG has the edge overall in research, ranking #2 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com research category, compared with CMC Markets at #6.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for broker education, both IG and CMC Markets offer plenty of learning material, and each earns a 5-star Education rating. Both providers have at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so new traders and more experienced users can find content that fits their level. However, IG has the edge in live learning support, offering online educational client webinars at least once a month, while CMC Markets does not.
IG also has a stronger overall education standing, ranking #7 out of 36 brokers for the Education category with ForexBrokers.com, compared with CMC Markets at #10. When it comes to forex or CFD-focused education, IG offers the required set of learning pieces on these topics, helping beginners build core knowledge in a more active way. CMC Markets also provides forex or CFD education, but IG stands out slightly more for frequent webinars and a higher education ranking.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than CMC Markets. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
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CMC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 |
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Comparing online brokers IG and CMC Markets for cryptocurrency, IG supports buying actual (delivered) crypto and trading crypto CFDs, whereas CMC Markets offers crypto CFDs only and does not allow purchasing real cryptocurrency.
IG and CMC Markets both support ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and bank wires, do not support Skrill, and do not specify whether Visa or Mastercard deposits or withdrawals are available.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | CMC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | CMC Markets | |
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| Regulation | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 1989 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 6 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 12029 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 141 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | 1.3 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.65 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £1 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 73 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 29 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Overall | IG | CMC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 99 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | CMC Markets Review |
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