Written by

Fact-checked by

Alia Mehmood

Updated October 2026Country United Kingdom

Data verified

Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

Cmc Markets Vs IG: Comprehensive Comparison For United Kingdom Traders

Q: Is IG or CMC Markets better for UK spread betting?

Both are excellent for spread betting in the UK. IG offers a broader range of markets and slightly tighter spreads on major indices. CMC Markets provides superior charting tools. Ultimately, IG is slightly better for spread betting due to its platform and product variety.

Q: Which broker has lower fees for UK traders, CMC Markets or IG?

For standard accounts, IG tends to have lower spreads on major forex pairs and lower share dealing commissions. CMC Markets' Active account can be cheaper for high-volume traders but requires a £25,000 deposit. Overall, IG is generally more cost-effective for retail UK traders.

Q: Are both CMC Markets and IG regulated by the FCA?

Yes, both CMC Markets and IG are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. They also adhere to strict client money segregation rules and are members of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Which broker is better for United Kingdom traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

CMC Markets

FCA · ASIC · MAS · Founded 1989

Open Account

FCA · ASIC · MAS · Founded 1974

Open Account

Winner: IG

Categories: 12 compared

For: United Kingdom traders

Updated: October 2026

Compare any two brokers

Full CMC Markets Review Full IG Review

Compare All Brokers in United Kingdom

Best Forex Brokers Best Gold CFD Brokers Lowest Spread Brokers Best Demo Account

Quick Verdict — United Kingdom Traders

Best Overall

Higher overall score & more features

Best Spreads

Lower trading costs for scalpers

Islamic Accounts

Swap-free for United Kingdom Muslims

Best for Beginners

Better education & support

$0 vs $0

Min deposit

1:1 vs 1:200

Max leverage

FCA vs FCA

Top regulator

4.2 vs 4.3

Our scores

Table of Contents

→ Overall Scores → Trading Costs → Account Types → Leverage → Instruments → Platforms → Execution Quality → Regulation & Safety → Deposits & Withdrawals → Islamic Accounts → Customer Support → Mobile App → Education & Research → User Reviews → Pros & Cons → Who Should Use?→ FAQ → Final Verdict

Head-to-head comparison

CMC Markets and IG are two of the most established and reputable online brokers in the United Kingdom, both regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). While they share many similarities, key differences in pricing, platform features, and product offerings can significantly impact a trader's experience. This detailed comparison will help UK-based traders decide which broker aligns best with their individual trading needs and preferences.

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Overall Scores Comparison

CMC Markets

FCA · ASIC · MAS

4.2

CompareBroker score

FCA · ASIC · MAS

4.3

CompareBroker score

Winner

Trading Costs

Spreads, commissions

4.3

4.4

WIN

Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV

3.9

4.5

WIN

Regulation

Safety, oversight

4.5

4.6

WIN

Deposits

Local payments

4.3

Tie

4.3

Customer Support

24/5, chat, phone

4.0

4.1

WIN

Education

Webinars, guides

4.3

4.4

WIN

Execution

Speed, slippage

4.0

4.4

WIN

Mobile App

iOS, Android

4.2

4.3

WIN

💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

Instrument	CMC Markets	IG	Winner
EUR/USD avg spread	0.09 pips + $3.5/lot	0.0 pips + $3.5/lot	IG
XAU/USD (Gold)	$0.14 typical	$0.12 typical	IG
GBP/USD avg spread	0.29 pips	0.23 pips	IG
Standard acc spread	from 1.0 pips	from 0.8 pips	IG
ECN commission	$3.5/lot/side	$3.5/lot/side	Tie
Min deposit	$0	$0	Tie

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account Type	CMC Markets	IG
Standard account	✓	✓
ECN / Raw spread	✓	✓
Islamic (swap-free)	✗	✓
Demo account	✓	✓
PAMM / MAM account	✗	✗
Zero spread account	✗	✗
Copy trading	✗	✗
Min deposit	$0	$0

⚖️

Leverage Comparison - United Kingdom Traders

Entity / Asset	CMC Markets	IG
United Kingdom (offshore)	Up to 1:1	Up to 1:200
Forex major pairs	1:1	1:200
Gold (XAU/USD)	1:200	1:200
Indices	1:100	1:100
Cryptocurrencies	1:2 to 1:10	1:2 to 1:10

Leverage Warning for United Kingdom Traders

Traders in United Kingdom typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.

📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset Class	CMC Markets	IG	Winner
Forex pairs	90+	65+	CMC Markets
Gold (XAU/USD)	✓	✓	Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)	✓	✓	Tie
Stock indices	25+ indices	20+ indices	CMC Markets
Crypto CFDs	30+	20+	CMC Markets
Stocks / Share CFDs	1,000+	1,700+	IG
ETFs	✓	✓	Tie

🖥️

Platforms Comparison

Platform	CMC Markets	IG
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)	✓	✓
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)	✓	✓
cTrader	✗	✗
TradingView	✗	✓
Expert Advisors (EAs)	✗	✓
Scalping allowed	✓	✓
Hedging allowed	✓	✓

⚡

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

Factor	CMC Markets	IG	Winner
Execution model	ECN/STP	True ECN	IG
Avg execution speed	~30ms	~40ms	CMC Markets
Slippage	Very low	Very low	Tie
Requotes	Very rare	Very rare	Tie
Scalping allowed	✓	✓	Tie
EA / Bot trading	✗	✓	Tie

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for United Kingdom Traders

Safety Factor	CMC Markets	IG
Primary regulator	FCA	FCA
Top-tier regulated	✓	✓
Investor protection	✓	✓
Segregated funds	✓	✓
Neg. balance protection	✓	✓

Verify regulation independently

Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for United Kingdom traders may differ by entity.

💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for United Kingdom

Payment Method	CMC Markets	IG
Bank Wire Transfer	✓	✓
Visa / Mastercard	✓	✓
Skrill	✓	✗
Neteller	✗	✗
USDT / Crypto	✗	✓
Withdrawal time	5 business days	1 to 5 business days

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for United Kingdom Muslims

Islamic Account Feature	CMC Markets	IG
Swap-free available	✗	✓
Admin fee instead of swap	On some instruments	On some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported	✓	✓
How to apply	Contact support	Contact support

Islamic Account Note

Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.

💬

Customer Support Comparison

Support Feature	CMC Markets	IG	Winner
Live chat	✓	✓	Tie
Phone support	✓	✓	Tie
Email support	✓	✓	Tie
24/7 support	✗	✗	Tie
Response time (chat)	<2 minutes	<3 minutes	CMC Markets

📱

Mobile App Comparison

Mobile Feature	CMC Markets	IG	Winner
iOS App Store rating	4.5 stars	4.3 stars	CMC Markets
Google Play rating	4.3 stars	4.2 stars	CMC Markets
Biometric login	✓	✓	Tie
Push notifications	✓	✓	Tie
Full charting on mobile	✓	✓	Tie
TradingView mobile	✗	✓	IG

📚

Education & Research Tools

Resource	CMC Markets	IG	Winner
Video tutorials	100+ videos	50+ videos	Tie
Webinars (live)	Weekly	Monthly	Tie
Economic calendar	✓	✓	Tie
Market analysis	Daily	Basic	CMC Markets

⭐

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

CMC Markets

☆☆☆☆☆

—

3,200 verified reviews

View on Trustpilot

☆☆☆☆☆

—

9,000 verified reviews

View on Trustpilot

⚖️

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

CMC Markets

Pros

+Top-tier regulated

Cons

-No TradingView

-No 24/7 support

IG

Pros

+Top-tier regulated

+TradingView integration

+Islamic swap-free account

Cons

-No 24/7 support

👤

Who Should Use Which Broker? - United Kingdom Guide

Choose CMC Markets if you...

Are a beginner trader in United Kingdom

Want TradingView integration

Have less than $200 to start

Want FCA regulation

Choose IG if you...

Are a beginner trader in United Kingdom

Are a scalper or EA trader

Need PAMM/MAM accounts

Want True ECN regulation

❓

FAQ - CMC Markets vs IG in United Kingdom

Is IG or CMC Markets better for UK spread betting?

Which broker has lower fees for UK traders, CMC Markets or IG?

Are both CMC Markets and IG regulated by the FCA?

Final Verdict - United Kingdom 2026

IG wins overall

After comparing 12 categories, IG comes out ahead for most United Kingdom traders.

Open CMC Markets Open IG

Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.

Find Your Best Broker

Compare all brokers for United Kingdom traders based on your trading style.

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Score Summary

CMC Markets 4.2/5

IG Winner4.3/5

Full Reviews

Full CMC Markets Review →Full IG Review →

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Best Brokers in United Kingdom

Best Forex Brokers Best Gold CFD Brokers Lowest Spread Brokers Best Demo Account

Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money.

Cmc Markets Vs IG: Comprehensive Comparison For United Kingdom Traders

Quick Verdict — United Kingdom Traders

Head-to-head comparison

Overall Scores Comparison

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

Account Types Comparison

Leverage Comparison - United Kingdom Traders

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Platforms Comparison

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

Regulation & Safety for United Kingdom Traders

Deposits & Withdrawals for United Kingdom

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for United Kingdom Muslims

Customer Support Comparison

Mobile App Comparison

Education & Research Tools

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

CMC Markets

IG

Who Should Use Which Broker? - United Kingdom Guide

Choose CMC Markets if you...

Choose IG if you...

FAQ - CMC Markets vs IG in United Kingdom

Is IG or CMC Markets better for UK spread betting?

Which broker has lower fees for UK traders, CMC Markets or IG?

Are both CMC Markets and IG regulated by the FCA?

Final Verdict - United Kingdom 2026

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