IG vs CMC Markets
How IG and CMC Markets compare on fees, safety, tools, mobile and regional availability — scored independently of any commercial relationship.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you open an account or sign up through links on this page. This does not cost you extra. Our rankings are based on our published methodology, not on commission amount.
| Overall score | 4.1/5 | 4.1/5 |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | UK/EU active traders, CFD and spread-betting users | UK/EU CFD & spread-betting traders, Advanced platform users |
| Regulation & trust | 88/100 Better | 86/100 |
| Fees & hidden costs | 76/100 | 78/100 Better |
| Ease of use | 74/100 | 74/100 |
| Tools & features | 86/100 | 88/100 Better |
| Mobile app quality | 84/100 | 84/100 |
| Assets | Forex, CFDs, Shares, Indices, Commodities, Spread Betting (UK) | Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Shares (CFD), Spread Betting (UK) |
| Minimum deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Paper trading | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean Union | United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean Union |
| Fees summary | Spread-based CFD/forex pricing; share-dealing commissions; overnight financing on leveraged positions. | Spread-based (with commission on share CFDs); overnight financing on leveraged positions. |
| Protection | UK: FSCS protection up to £85,000 (eligibility varies by product/entity). | UK: FSCS protection up to £85,000 (eligibility varies by product/entity). |
| Affiliate offer | Official link only | Official link only |
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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- Best for
- UK/EU active traders, CFD and spread-betting users
- Regulation & trust
- 88/100Better
- Fees & hidden costs
- 76/100
- Ease of use
- 74/100
- Tools & features
- 86/100
- Mobile app quality
- 84/100
- Assets
- Forex, CFDs, Shares, Indices, Commodities, Spread Betting (UK)
- Minimum deposit
- $0
- Paper trading
- Yes
- Mobile app
- Yes
- Availability
- United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean Union
- Fees summary
- Spread-based CFD/forex pricing; share-dealing commissions; overnight financing on leveraged positions.
- Protection
- UK: FSCS protection up to £85,000 (eligibility varies by product/entity).
- Affiliate offer
- Official link only
- Pros
- Large, listed, well-regulated
- Huge range of markets
- Strong platform and research
- Cons
- Leveraged products are high-risk
- US-restricted
- Fee schedule can be complex
- Best for
- UK/EU CFD & spread-betting traders, Advanced platform users
- Regulation & trust
- 86/100
- Fees & hidden costs
- 78/100Better
- Ease of use
- 74/100
- Tools & features
- 88/100Better
- Mobile app quality
- 84/100
- Assets
- Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Shares (CFD), Spread Betting (UK)
- Minimum deposit
- $0
- Paper trading
- Yes
- Mobile app
- Yes
- Availability
- United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean Union
- Fees summary
- Spread-based (with commission on share CFDs); overnight financing on leveraged positions.
- Protection
- UK: FSCS protection up to £85,000 (eligibility varies by product/entity).
- Affiliate offer
- Official link only
- Pros
- Award-winning platform
- Thousands of markets
- Listed and well-regulated
- Cons
- Leveraged products are high-risk
- US-restricted
- Platform depth has a learning curve
Our verdict
On our commission-independent scoring, IG edges ahead overall (4.1/5 vs 4.1/5). But the right choice depends on your priorities: consider IG for uk/eu active traders, and CMC Markets for uk/eu cfd & spread-betting traders. Rankings are never affected by commissions.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission when you click some links on our site. This does not cost you extra. Our comparisons are educational and transparent, and our rankings are not affected by commissions.
Risk warning: Trading stocks, options, futures, forex, crypto, CFDs and funded accounts involves risk. You can lose money. This website is educational only and does not provide financial, investment, tax or legal advice.
Leverage, volatility, fees, spreads, liquidity and platform rules can increase losses.