IG vs CMC Markets — Which Broker Is Better?
IG and CMC Markets are both heavyweight, globally established brokers with decades in online trading.
- IG tends to be better for traders who want the broadest market range, deep research tools, advanced platforms (including MetaTrader, ProRealTime, TradingView), share dealing, spread betting and institutionalgrade order execution.
- CMC Markets is better for traders who want a highly polished single platform experience (NextGeneration), extremely competitive CFD pricing, flexible charting, powerful pattern recognition tools and professionalgrade spreads.
In simple terms:
- IG wins overall for market depth, platform choice and global footprint.
- CMC Markets wins for technical charts, pricing transparency and retail CFD execution.
The best choice depends on whether you prioritise market variety and longterm investing tools (IG) or execution, tight CFD pricing and advanced trading tools (CMC Markets).
IG vs CMC Markets: HeadtoHead Snapshot
Feature | IG | CMC Markets |
Best for | Traders needing platform breadth & research | Traders who prioritise tight spreads & technical tools |
Founded | 1974 | 1989 |
Regulation | FCA (UK), ASIC, others | FCA (UK), ASIC, others |
Platforms | IG Web, MT4, ProRealTime, TradingView, IG Mobile | CMC NextGeneration, MT4, CMC Mobile |
MetaTrader Support | Yes | Yes |
Market Range | 16,000+ markets incl shares, ETFs | 10,000+ CFDs |
Spread Betting (UK) | Yes | Yes |
CFD Trading | Yes | Yes |
Forex Focus | Very strong | Very strong |
Minimum Deposit | Regiondependent | Regiondependent |
Research & Education | Excellent | Very good |
Best for Beginners | Good | Good |
Overall Edge | Market range & tools | Pricing & execution |
What Is IG?
IG is a globally recognised broker with a long history (founded in 1974) that has grown into one of the most comprehensive trading platforms available to retail and professional clients.
IG’s Core Strengths
- Massive Market Coverage: IG offers access to 16,000+ instruments including forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies (in some regions), shares, ETFs and options.
- Multiplatform Choice: IG’s proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime (advanced charting) and TradingView integration give traders flexibility.
- Share Dealing & Investing: In many regions, IG supports direct share ownership beyond CFDs.
- Deep Research & Tools: Economic calendars, news feeds, sentiment data, advanced order types and analyst insights.
- Spread Betting (UK): Taxefficient spread betting is available to UK clients.
IG suits traders who want depth, choice and professional research in one ecosystem.
What Is CMC Markets?
CMC Markets is a wellestablished online broker known for its NextGeneration trading platform, extremely competitive CFD pricing, advanced technical tools and deep customisation options.
CMC Markets’ Core Strengths
- CMC NextGeneration Platform: One of the most polished trading platforms with advanced charting, pattern recognition tools, smart order types and custom watchlists.
- Very Competitive Spreads: CMC is widely known for tight pricing across forex, indices and popular CFD markets.
- MetaTrader 4 Availability: For traders who prefer Metatrader workflows.
- Education & Market Insights: Strong learning resources and integrated tools.
- Market Range: 10,000+ CFDs across FX, stocks, indices, commodities, treasuries and more.
CMC Markets is ideal for traders who want execution quality, pricing and technical analysis tools.
Key Differences: IG vs CMC Markets
- Platform Choice
- IG offers more platform variety — IG Web, MT4, ProRealTime, TradingView and mobile apps.
- CMC Markets focuses on one flagship platform (NextGeneration) plus MT4.
Verdict: IG wins for platform breadth.
But CMC’s flagship platform is often cited as more advanced for charting and technical traders.
- Market Range
- IG: 16,000+ markets including share dealing, ETFs, forex, indices, commodities, options.
- CMC Markets: 10,000+ CFDs focused heavily on forex and derivatives.
Verdict: IG wins for sheer market range and asset diversity.
- Fees & Spreads
IG Fees
- Spreadbased pricing on forex & CFDs
- Competitive FX spreads on major pairs
- Commissions on share trading in some regions
- Overnight/rollover fees on leveraged positions
CMC Markets Fees
- Spreadbased pricing with generally tighter spreads on forex & CFDs
- No commission on CFDs
- Overnight/rollover fees
- No hidden platform charges
Spread Verdict: CMC Markets typically delivers tighter average spreads, especially on forex and major indices.
Fee Verdict: For active CFD traders, CMC generally has an edge on cost.
IG vs CMC Markets Trading Platforms
IG Platforms
- IG Web: Featurerich and customisable
- MetaTrader 4: Industry standard for many traders
- ProRealTime: Advanced charting for professional traders
- TradingView Integration: Charting + trading in one workflow
- Mobile App: Comprehensive execution + news + alerts
CMC Markets Platforms
- CMC NextGeneration: Very advanced charting, pattern recognition, custom layouts
- MetaTrader 4: For MT4 traders
- Mobile App: Full execution, modern design, live pricing
Platform Verdict:
- IG wins for variety and choice.
- CMC Markets wins for a single, highly refined platform that many technical traders prefer.
IG vs CMC Markets Regulation & Safety
Both brokers are wellregulated across major jurisdictions:
- IG: FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), other licences depending on region.
- CMC Markets: FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and additional entities globally.
Regulation Verdict: Tie — both brokers meet strong regulatory standards, segregate client funds and operate in major global markets.
Account Types: IG vs CMC Markets
IG Account Types
- Standard account — CFD, forex, spread betting & share trading (where allowed)
- Professional account (for eligible clients)
- Regional entity accounts with local protections
CMC Markets Account Types
- Standard trading account — forex & CFD access
- Professional account (for experienced traders with qualification)
Account Verdict: Tie — both brokers offer straightforward retail and professional account options.
Deposits & Withdrawals
Both brokers support common funding methods depending on the client’s country, including:
- Bank transfer
- Credit/debit cards
- Ewallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller in supported regions)
Funding Verdict: Tie — both brokers provide familiar methods with typical processing times and few fees, though thirdparty bank or card charges may apply.
Customer Support
- IG: Offers live chat, phone support, help centre articles, webinars and regional support.
- CMC Markets: Live chat, phone support, email, help centre resources and educational support.
Support Verdict: Tie — support quality varies by region and language, but both brokers offer standard global support.
Education & Research
- IG: Excellent research suite — market news, economic calendars, analyst access, webinars, commentary and sentiment data.
- CMC Markets: Very good education — trading tutorials, platform guides, market insights and pattern tools.
Research & Education Verdict: IG wins for sheer depth of market research and insight tools.
Mobile Trading
Both brokers offer robust mobile apps with live pricing, charting, alerts and execution.
- IG App: Mature, welldesigned with integrated news, watchlists and multiasset execution.
- CMC Markets App: Modern UI, strong charting, price alerts and execution tools.
Mobile Verdict: Tie — both deliver excellent mobile experiences.
IG vs CMC Markets: Which Is Better for Beginners?
Winner: IG — its platform choice, simplified onboarding, research tools and educational content make it slightly easier for beginners to start and grow.
CMC Markets is also beginnercapable, but its NextGeneration platform has many advanced tools that can be overwhelming for total newcomers.
IG vs CMC Markets: Which Is Better for Advanced Traders?
Winner: CMC Markets (for active CFD/forex traders) — its tighter CFD spreads, refined platform tools and advanced charting make it compelling for technical traders.
IG still wins for traders who want platform choice and broader markets, especially if you plan to trade share CFDs, ETFs, options or use ProRealTime.
Pros & Cons
IG Pros
- Very broad market range
- Multiple platform options (IG Web, ProRealTime, MT4, TradingView)
- Strong research & educational resources
- Share dealing + spread betting in supported regions
- Global regulatory coverage
IG Cons
- Fee complexity varies by product
- Spreads can widen during volatility
- Some advanced tools may require learning curve
CMC Markets Pros
- Extremely competitive CFD spreads
- Highly polished NextGeneration platform
- Powerful charting and technical tools
- Strong execution and order types
- Very competitive pricing for active traders
CMC Markets Cons
- Smaller market range compared to IG
- Platform choice is narrower
- Some advanced features may feel complex at first
Final Verdict: IG vs CMC Markets
Category | Better Broker |
Overall broker | IG |
CFD & forex pricing | CMC Markets |
Platform variety | IG |
Advanced charting & execution | CMC Markets |
Research & market insights | IG |
Beginnerfriendly | IG |
Active/technical traders | CMC Markets |
Share dealing & multiasset | IG |
Overall Winner: IG — due to market range, platform choice and research depth.
Best for CFD spread and pricesensitive traders: CMC Markets
Best for beginners & multiasset traders: IG
Best for advanced platform users: CMC Markets (NextGen)
Best for research tools: IG
FAQs: IG vs CMC Markets
Q: Is IG better than CMC Markets?
A: IG is generally better for traders who prioritise market variety, research depth, platform choice and share dealing. CMC Markets is better for traders focused on tight CFD spreads and advanced execution tools.
Q: Which broker has lower fees?
A: CMC Markets typically offers tighter average CFD spreads, making it more costefficient for active CFD/forex traders. IG’s fees vary by instrument and platform.
Q: Which broker is better for beginners?
A: IG — its platform choice, research content and educational tools make it slightly more accessible.
Q: Does IG offer MetaTrader?
A: Yes — IG offers MetaTrader 4 as one of its platform options.
Q: Does CMC Markets offer MetaTrader?
A: Yes — CMC Markets offers MetaTrader 4 alongside its flagship NextGeneration platform.
Q: Which broker is safer?
A: Both IG and CMC Markets are regulated by top-tier authorities like FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia), offering strong oversight and client fund protections.
