Broker comparison · updated 2026-07-09
CMC Markets vs IG
CMC Markets and IG are both established, multi-entity brokers, but their costs, platform depth, and deposit rules vary by country and legal entity.
Our verdict
It depends on what you trade.
CMC Markets has the edge if you want the broader platform stack and a clean published no-minimum-deposit offer in its UK-facing materials. IG is the better fit if you want a larger menu of named regulators, a clear web-and-mobile workflow, and strong public disclosures on client-money handling and withdrawals. On spreads, CMC’s standard EUR/USD pricing is tighter on the sources checked, while IG’s published EUR/USD figure is also competitive but not as low in the U.S. materials reviewed. The right choice depends on which legal entity you open, since funding, protections, and product access differ by country.
CMC Markets vs IG at a glance
 CMC Markets |
 IG |
|
|---|---|---|
| Our comparison score | 69.5 / 100 | 67.5 / 100 |
| Founded | 1989 | 1974 |
| Minimum deposit | No minimum published | £10 card / none bank xfer |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.7 pips standard | 0.8 min / 1.1 avg (US) |
| Platforms | Next Gen, MT4, MT5, TV | Web, mobile, MT4 |
| Inactivity fee | £10/month if dormant | Not clearly universal |
| Named regulators | FCA and regional entities | FCA, BMA, BaFin, ASIC+ |
marks the stronger side on that row. Key numbers were re-checked on 2026-07-09. Terms differ by legal entity and country — confirm on the broker's own legal pages before funding.
Score breakdown
How CMC Markets and IG earn their comparison scores, component by component — same methodology as every review on this site.
CMC Markets vs IG on fees and spread pricing
CMC Markets publishes a standard EUR/USD spread of 0.7 pips on its trading-costs page, while its FX Active pricing can show 0.0 pips on selected major pairs with commission terms attached. IG’s U.S. forex page shows EUR/USD with a 0.8 minimum spread and 1.1 average spread, and its U.K. help pages say deposits and withdrawals are generally free when no currency conversion is involved. CMC also says its dormant-account charge is £10 per month, though the amount depends on account currency and no deduction is made if the account has no funds. That makes CMC look slightly sharper on headline FX pricing, but IG is still competitive and more nuanced by region. Always compare the exact legal entity and account type before treating any published number as your own deal.
CMC Markets vs IG on platforms and trading tools
CMC Markets offers a wider visible platform mix on its current public pages: Next Generation, MT4, MT5, and TradingView connectivity in some regions. Its site also says TradingView can be connected to a CMC Markets account for trade management, which gives it extra depth for chart-focused users. IG’s public platform pages show a simpler core stack: its web platform, mobile app, and MT4, with additional references to MT5 in help navigation and specialist tools in some markets. For most retail traders, IG’s web and mobile experience is enough, but CMC looks more flexible if you want multiple platform routes and more obvious third-party connectivity. Platform availability still varies by country, so the legal entity matters more than the brand name on the homepage.
CMC Markets vs IG on regulation and legal structure
Both brands are established and heavily regulated, but IG’s public footprint shows a broader list of named regulators across multiple regions, including the FCA, BMA, BaFin, ASIC, FSCA, MAS, FMA, JFSA, and CFTC on the materials reviewed. CMC Markets’ current public materials clearly show FCA-linked disclosures and regional legal documents, but the verified set here is narrower. That does not make CMC weaker in every market; it means IG is easier to document as a multi-jurisdiction firm from primary sources. In both cases, protections differ by entity and country, and leveraged products remain high risk. Regulation should be treated as a starting point, not a safety guarantee.
CMC Markets vs IG on deposits, withdrawals, and account funding
CMC Markets states there is no minimum deposit required to open a live trading account on its current site. Its Australia-facing legal documents also show region-specific funding charges, including card and PayPal deposit fees in some cases and monthly dormant-account fees in certain jurisdictions. IG’s current help pages are more method-dependent: bank transfers can have no minimum, while card, Apple Pay, and Open Banking deposits can start at £10 in the U.K. IG also publishes withdrawal limits and timing, including same-day processing for some bank requests and card/Apple Pay minimums from £100 in the U.K. That makes IG more explicit on operational details, while CMC is cleaner on the headline minimum-deposit question. In both cases, the exact funding rules depend on the account’s country and entity.
CMC Markets vs IG on research and market information
CMC Markets leans into in-platform market data and product pricing disclosures, especially around forex and CFD costs. Its public materials also emphasize integrated charting and platform-connected trade management. IG’s site goes further on ecosystem depth, with references to Reuters news, Autochartist add-ons for MT4, and its own help center covering platform and product details across regions. IG therefore looks stronger for traders who want a broader bundle of platform-adjacent research and workflow tools, while CMC is more focused on a tightly documented trading experience. If you care most about fast access to charting plus news and screening tools, IG has the edge; if you mainly want concise pricing disclosure and a proprietary platform, CMC is still strong.
Which broker fits you
- You want the broader published platform lineup
- You prefer a no-minimum-deposit headline
- You focus on tighter reviewed EUR/USD pricing
- You want more named regulators across regions
- You value explicit funding and withdrawal rules
- You want a larger research/tool ecosystem
Common questions
Is CMC Markets better than IG for forex trading?
It depends on what you value. CMC Markets has the edge on the reviewed standard EUR/USD spread and a wider published platform lineup. IG is stronger on multi-jurisdiction regulation disclosure and detailed funding rules. The exact winner changes by entity, account type, and country.
Does IG or CMC Markets have a minimum deposit?
CMC Markets says there is no minimum deposit required to open a live account on its current site. IG’s deposit minimum varies by method and region; its current U.K. help pages show £10 for card, Apple Pay, and Open Banking, with no minimum for bank transfer.
Are CMC Markets and IG equally regulated?
Not exactly. Both are regulated and well established, but IG’s current public materials list more named regulators across different regions. CMC Markets also has strong regulatory disclosures, but the exact protections still depend on the legal entity and country where the account is opened.
Which broker has better platforms, CMC Markets or IG?
CMC Markets has the broader published stack on the sources checked, including Next Generation, MT4, MT5, and TradingView connectivity in some regions. IG’s core offering is simpler: web, mobile, and MT4, with additional tools and platform references depending on the market.