CMC Marketsvs
IGForex Broker Comparison
In a head to head comparison of trust, costs, and platform depth, CMC Markets and IG vie for dominance in retail FX and CFDs.
Our Verdict
IG winsby 0.3 pts
IG edges out CMC Markets on editorial score, reflecting a stronger overall rating (4.8 vs 4.5).
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IG offers 19,000+ markets vs 12,000 at CMC Markets.
- 2IG is a forex market maker, unlike CMC Markets.
- 3IG has a broader regulator footprint across multiple jurisdictions.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs IG?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you value FCA regulation and LSE listing.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want a wider instrument universe with 19,000+ markets.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
IG offers tighter spreads from 0.60 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
CMC Markets vs IG: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
CMC Markets vs IG Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
FCA-regulated, LSE-listed
Excellent proprietary platform
MT4 also available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
CMC Markets vs IG: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs IG: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 and IG rates 4.8/5. IG has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
IG starts from 0.6 pips, tighter than CMC Markets's 0.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither CMC Markets nor IG requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and IG hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while IG lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. IG has exclusive access to TradingView.
