CMC Markets vs. IG Markets

IG Markets and CMC Markets share many similarities in their core trading environment. IG Markets remains the leading CFD broker, writes new CFDs if demand exists, and is a liquidity provider for smaller brokers. Traders get the proprietary web-based trading platform, ProRealTime, MT4, and L2 Dealer. IG Markets upgrades the core MT4 with 18 add-ons plus the Autochartist plugin, creating a superior MT4 trading experience.

CMC Markets also features a cutting-edge proprietary web-based trading platform. It includes an automated pattern recognition scanner, a price projection box, and detailed trade analytics. It supports algorithmic trading via the core MT4, where IG Markets also offers API trading.

I have conducted an in-depth review of IG Markets and CMC Markets to determine which one presents the better overall choice and which traders will benefit the most at either broker.

• Features and Platforms
• Available Markets
• Typical Spreads and Fees
• Security and Trust
• CMC Markets vs. IG Markets - Verdict

Headquarters	United Kingdom	United Kingdom
Regulators	FCA	FCA
Tier 1 Regulator(s)?
Owned by Public Company?
Year Established	1989	1974
Execution Type(s)	Market Maker	Market Maker
Minimum Deposit	N/A	300€
Negative Balance Protection	N/A
Trading Platform(s)	MetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform, Web-based	MetaTrader 4, Proprietary platform
Average Trading Cost EUR/USD	0.6 pips ($6.00)	0.9 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD	0.9 pips ($9.00)	1.4 pip
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil	$0.03	$0.03
Average Trading Cost Gold	$0.34	$0.30
Retail Loss Rate	N/A	Undisclosed
Minimum Raw Spreads	N/A	Not applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads	N/A	0.8 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex	N/A	Commission-free
Islamic Account
Signals
US Persons Accepted?
Managed Accounts
	Get Started	Get Started

Features and Platforms

MT4
MT5
MT4/MT5 Add-Ons	N/A
cTrader
Proprietary Platform
Automated Trading
Social/Copy Trading	N/A
DOM?
Guaranteed Stop Loss
Scalping
Hedging
One-Click Trading
OCO Orders
Interest on Margin
	Get Started	Get Started

Noteworthy:

Both brokers offer beginner traders high-quality educational content and in-house market research. The similarities extend to the lack of funding methods at both UK publicly listed brokers.

Available Markets

Currency Pairs
Cryptocurrencies
Commodities
Crude Oil
Gold
Metals
Equity Indices
Stocks (non-CFDs)
Bonds
ETFs
Options	N/A
Futures
Synthetics
	Get Started	Get Started

The overall asset selection at IG Markets remains broader, but CMC Markets features industry-leading Forex exposure with 330+ currency pairs. It also takes a minor edge in cryptocurrencies, but neither broker serves the sector well. IG Markets and CMC Markets offer in-depth cross-asset exposure, catering to retail and professional traders alike.

Typical Spreads and Fees

Average Trading Cost EUR/USD	0.6 pips ($6.00)	0.9 pips
Average Trading Cost GBP/USD	0.9 pips ($9.00)	1.4 pip
Average Trading Cost WTI Crude Oil	$0.03	$0.03
Average Trading Cost Gold	$0.34	$0.30
Average Trading Cost Bitcoin	$75.00	$90
Minimum Raw Spreads	N/A	Not applicable
Minimum Standard Spreads	N/A	0.8 pips
Minimum Commission for Forex	N/A	Commission-free
Deposit Fee	N/A
Withdrawal Fee	N/A
Inactivity Fee	N/A	$12 per month after 24 months
	Get Started	Get Started

Both brokers present a commission-free Forex pricing environment, where IG Markets has a minor edge while the commission-based equity cost structure remains identical. Traders get deep liquidity at both brokers, who maintain institutional services. High-volume traders benefit from rebate programs available at IG Markets and CMC Markets.

Security and Trust

Country of the Regulator	United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom	Australia, Bermuda, Switzerland, Cyprus, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, United States
Name of the Regulator	FCA	FCA
Regulatory License Number	173730, 170627,154814, 238054, 41187, 101320, F002740, Undisclosed but confirmed	195355, 378/19, 10148759, confirmed, but no regulaary license number, F001780, 41393, 1489, unconfirmed, 220440, 18923, 0509630, 54814
Regulatory Tier	1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2	N/A
	Get Started	Get Started

IG Markets and CMC Markets segregate client deposits from corporate funds and offer negative balance protection. They are both publicly listed companies, FTSE 250 constituents, and offer equally secure and trustworthy trading environments with clean track records.

CMC Markets vs IG Markets – Verdict

CMC Markets

Pros	Cons
Cutting-edge proprietary trading platform for manual traders	Low leverage for retail traders
Excellent asset selection and leading Forex broker with 330+ currency pairs	Limited deposit and withdrawal methods
In-depth educational platform for beginner traders and quality research
Publicly listed company with a clean track record and decades of experience

IG Markets

Pros	Cons
Excellent choice of trading platforms and superior asset selection	Limited deposit and withdrawal methods
Competitive trading costs with a volume-based cash rebate program	Higher minimum deposit requirement, but within a reasonable demand
Outstanding trading environment for algorithmic trading, including API support
Comprehensive educational tools for beginner traders

Traders will get a cutting-edge trading environment at both brokers. IG Markets maintains an overall edge in trading costs, asset selection, and support for algorithmic trading solutions via its superb choice of trading platforms. CMC Markets excels with its market-leading Forex selection.

You might also be interested in reviewing the below broker comparisons:

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• IG Markets vs ActivTrades
• IG Markets vs SAXO Markets
• IG Markets vs Admirals

Read full CMC Markets Review

Read full IG Review