A head-to-head comparison of IG and TMGM across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
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.
ASIC-regulated Australian broker with 10,000+ instruments including DMA equities, well-positioned for Asian traders who want Australian regulatory standards alongside a broad asset range.
IG comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.8/5 compared to TMGM's 4/5.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
TMGM offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.6 pips for IG, reducing trading costs.
IG has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
TMGM has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
IG offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, a proprietary platform.
IG edges out TMGM with a higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.8/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.3 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Melbourne, Australia |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 30:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA CMVM BaFin Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet FMA CBI KNF Finanstilsynet | ASIC VFSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 IRESS |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit IG | Visit TMGM |
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
Pros
10,000+ instruments including real equities via IRESS DMA
ASIC regulated - Tier 1 Australian investor protections
ECN Edge account: raw spreads from 0.0 pips at $7 commission
Strong multilingual support for Asian clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
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
Cons
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
Less brand recognition than IC Markets or Pepperstone in Australia
IRESS DMA platform requires separate setup
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IG | TMGM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IG ranks higher with a score of 4.8/5 vs 4/5 for TMGM. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; IG and TMGM may each suit different trader profiles.
TMGM offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to IG's spreads from 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
IG has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while TMGM requires at least $100. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IG and TMGM 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.
IG offers maximum leverage of 30:1, while TMGM offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
TMGM charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
IG supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView and TMGM offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, IRESS; both support MetaTrader 4; IG exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView; TMGM exclusively offers MetaTrader 5, IRESS.
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