A head-to-head comparison of Capital.com and IG across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Very low minimum deposit, AI-powered trading insights, zero commission, and strong FCA/ASIC/CySEC regulation - accessible for new traders.
IG invented spread betting in 1974 and remains the benchmark for experienced UK and European traders: unmatched market breadth, a genuinely excellent proprietary platform, and regulatory credibility that few brokers can match - at the cost of slightly higher charges than specialist ECN desks.
IG edges ahead with a score of 4.8/5 vs Capital.com's 4.3/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.6 pips.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
IG offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 4, TradingView, a proprietary platform.
IG edges out Capital.com with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 4.3/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2016 | 1974 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | $20 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 30:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI KNF Finanstilsynet |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Capital.com | Visit IG |
Pros
Very low $20 minimum deposit
AI-powered pattern recognition built into proprietary platform
Zero commission on all trades
FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and MAS regulation
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Pros
LSE-listed with FCA and ASIC regulation - among the most credible regulatory stacks in retail CFDs
19,000+ markets including weekend crypto, volatility indices, and EM pairs - genuine breadth, not a padded count
Proprietary platform with ProRealTime charts, Reuters news, and DMA equity routing built in
Spread betting available for UK clients - tax-free gains on the same account used for CFD trading
No minimum deposit and no deposit or withdrawal fee on standard methods
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Proprietary platform only - no MT4 or MT5
Limited product range for advanced traders
No phone support
No raw spread account option
No MetaTrader support
Cons
Market maker on forex - not suitable for scalpers who need sub-0.1 pip raw ECN spreads
Inactivity fee of £12/month kicks in after 24 months with no trades
Onboarding verification is slower than smaller or offshore brokers
Customer support quality drops outside UK business hours
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Capital.com | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Fail | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.8/5 vs 4.3/5 for Capital.com. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Capital.com and IG may each suit different trader profiles.
Both Capital.com and IG offer spreads starting from 0.6 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
IG has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Capital.com requires at least $20. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Capital.com and IG hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: IG has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Capital.com offers maximum leverage of 30:1, while IG offers up to 30:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and IG offers MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; both support Proprietary Web/Mobile; IG exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, TradingView.
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