Across a head-to-head comparison, easyMarkets and IG balance cost, platform breadth, and global access. The outcome hinges on which strengths matter most to you.
IG edges easyMarkets on editorial score, making IG the overall winner.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you want fixed spreads on share CFDs and dealCancellation protection. You also benefit from CySEC and ASIC oversight.
Choose IG if…
Choose IG if you want real share dealing and a Stocks & Shares ISA in one account. You also access 13,000+ shares across 30+ exchanges.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
IG delivers stronger safety and regulation with broader oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 4.5/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $25 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | £12/month (after 24 months) |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | 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 | Fail | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IG is the stronger choice: it rates 4.5/5 versus 3.4/5 for easyMarkets, a gap that reflects clear differences across regulation, fees, and platform quality in our review.
IG lists tighter spreads from 0.6, compared with easyMarkets's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
IG has no minimum deposit, while easyMarkets requires at least $25. This makes IG more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets 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.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, 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.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while IG supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. easyMarkets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5. IG has exclusive access to ProRealTime and TradingView.
Neither easyMarkets nor IG is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both easyMarkets 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 provides extended hours and research tools for active trading.
easyMarkets is better for low-cost trading due to fixed share CFD spreads.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferDebit cardPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | Yes |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC CNV HCMC CySEC MNB | FCA ASIC DFSA FMA CMVM BaFin Finanstilsynet Finanstilsynet Finansinspektionen CBI NFA KNF |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | ProRealTime Proprietary Web/Mobile TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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