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CMC Markets vs IG 2026
A detailed head-to-head comparison of CMC Markets and IG across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and more.
Score Breakdown
Category-by-Category Winner
Detailed Comparison
Overview
Trading Costs
Platforms & Features
Instruments
CMC Markets vs IG: Our Analysis
Overall Verdict
With an overall score of 83.7/100 vs 83.5/100, IG is nearly identical to CMC Markets by 0.2 points. Both brokers are closely matched, so your choice should come down to specific features that matter most to you.
Trading Costs
On the EUR/USD pair, CMC Markets offers an average spread of 0.70 pips with a $5.00 round-turn commission, while IG comes in at 0.60 pips commission-free. IG offers tighter pricing on EUR/USD. Minimum deposit is $0 at CMC Markets and $0 at IG.
Regulation & Safety
CMC Markets holds 5 regulatory licenses with a highest tier of Tier 1 (FCA, ASIC, BaFin), while IG has 6 licenses at Tier 1 (FCA, ASIC, BaFin). IG has more regulatory licenses overall.
Platform Comparison
CMC Markets offers MT4, Next Generation — uniquely offering Next Generation which IG does not have. IG supports MT4, IG Trading Platform, with exclusive access to IG Trading Platform. Both brokers offer a comparable range of platforms.
Who Should Choose Which?
CMC Markets suits cost-conscious traders, traders who want advanced tools, while IG is better for beginners seeking education, traders who prioritize safety. Both brokers offer demo accounts, so you can test each before committing real funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our testing, IG scores higher overall at 83.7/100 compared to CMC Markets's 83.5/100. However, "better" depends on your priorities — CMC Markets may be superior in specific categories like trading costs.
IG offers tighter spreads with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.60 pips, compared to 0.70 pips at CMC Markets. Check our detailed comparison table above for GBP/USD and USD/JPY spreads as well.
IG scores higher for regulation and trust at 98/100, holding licenses from FCA, ASIC, BaFin. CMC Markets scores 92/100 with FCA, ASIC, BaFin.
For beginners, IG is the stronger choice with an education and research score of 85/100. It offers structured trading courses, webinars, and a free demo account. CMC Markets scores 80/100 for education.
Yes, there is no restriction on having accounts with both CMC Markets and IG simultaneously. Many experienced traders maintain accounts with multiple brokers to take advantage of each broker's strengths — for example, using one for its lower spreads on majors and another for its wider instrument range or better platform features.
Reviewed by
Neil CNeil C is a financial markets analyst and forex trading specialist with over 10 years of experience evaluating broker platforms, trading conditions, and regulatory frameworks. He has personally tested accounts with dozens of brokers and brings a data-driven methodology to every review.
Last updated: April 2026