This comparison pits Capital.com and IG, two regulated brokers with distinct fee models and product suites. The tension centers on cost, access to global shares, and long-term investing features.
IG edges Capital.com on the editorial score, bolstered by top-tier regulation and broader exchange access. Capital.com offers commission-free trading and AI insights, but IG provides an ISA wrapper and wider market reach.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose Capital.com if…
Choose Capital.com if you want commission-free share CFDs. You also get 24/5 live chat support.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want a Stocks & Shares ISA with no annual platform fee and access to 13,000+ shares across 30+ exchanges. You also get real share dealing alongside options and bonds in one account.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com wins for low-cost trading due to commission-free share CFDs.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $20 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | $10/month (after 3 months)▼ lower | £12/month (after 24 months) |
| Deposit fee |
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, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Pass | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
IG rates 4.5/5 versus 3.9/5 for Capital.com. IG edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both Capital.com and IG start from the same spread of 0.6. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
IG has no minimum deposit, 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. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: IG has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Capital.com lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while IG lists up to 1:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Capital.com offers commission-free stock trading while IG does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Capital.com and IG are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
IG wins for safety & regulation, backed by the highest trust score.
IG wins for long-term investing with a Stocks & Shares ISA.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPalApple PayGoogle Pay | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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