CFD broker comparison

CMC Markets vs IG

A comparison for traders choosing between two large CFD and forex platforms with broad market access.

Entity first

Confirm which legal entity opens your account and what client protection applies.

Total cost

Compare spreads, commissions, swaps, conversion, funding and inactivity rules together.

Product risk

Check whether you are trading spot forex, CFDs, futures, options or another leveraged product.

Verdict

The useful answer depends on account fit.

CMC Markets is usually strong for traders who want a polished CFD platform and broad instrument discovery. IG is usually stronger when research depth, education and a mature multi-market ecosystem are the deciding factors.

Choose CMC Markets if

CMC Markets

8.7

Traders who want a broad CFD platform, market discovery and detailed platform workflow.

You want a polished CFD discovery and platform workflow.
You care about watchlists, charting and instrument coverage.
You are comfortable checking financing and margin rules.

Full review

Choose IG if

IG

9.2

Traders who want research depth, education and a large multi-market broker environment.

You want strong research and education around market decisions.
You prefer a large multi-market broker ecosystem.
You value brand maturity and broad platform support.

Full review

Side by side

Key account differences.

CheckCMC MarketsIG

Best fit

Charting tools, CFD market range, Platform-driven analysis

Forex and CFD research, Platform depth, Experienced traders

Trading costs

Check current terms

Financing and swaps

Check current terms

Regulation

FCA, ASIC, CIRO, MAS and other entities

FCA, ASIC and other local entities

Client protection

Depends on local entity and product

Entity-specific client money and compensation rules

Platforms

Web, iOS, Android, Desktop

Best fit

CMC Markets: Charting tools, CFD market range, Platform-driven analysis

IG: Forex and CFD research, Platform depth, Experienced traders

Trading costs

CMC Markets: Check current terms

IG: Check current terms

Financing and swaps

CMC Markets: Check current terms

IG: Check current terms

Regulation

CMC Markets: FCA, ASIC, CIRO, MAS and other entities

IG: FCA, ASIC and other local entities

Client protection

CMC Markets: Depends on local entity and product

IG: Entity-specific client money and compensation rules

Platforms

CMC Markets: Web, iOS, Android, Desktop

IG: Web, iOS, Android, Desktop

Winners by category

Where each broker is stronger.

CFD platform workflow

CMC Markets

CMC Markets can be stronger for detailed CFD platform exploration.

Research and education

IG usually has the deeper research and education layer.

Market breadth

Tie

Both are broad multi-market choices; the useful difference is product availability by entity.

Risk clarity

Tie

Both require careful CFD, margin and financing checks.

Risk checks

Do not skip these before funding.

Compare CFD product labels, overnight financing and margin settings before trading.
Review platform watchlists, charting, alerts and order controls in demo mode.
Check spreads, commissions and conversion costs for your actual instruments.
Verify client-protection rules and risk warnings for the entity that will onboard you.

Red flags

Do not treat broad CFD availability as a reason to trade every market.
Do not ignore overnight financing on index, commodity or equity CFDs.
Do not skip legal-entity checks when comparing protection language.

Cost score

8.3 / 8.8

Compare the real trade pattern before treating either score as universal.

Platform score

9.0 / 9.4

Platform fit depends on order types, charting needs and error tolerance.

Regulation score

9.0 / 9.5

Always verify the exact entity that opens your account.

FAQ

Common decision questions.

Is CMC Markets or IG better for CFDs?

Both are serious CFD platform choices. CMC Markets can be attractive for platform-led market discovery, while IG often stands out for research depth and education.

Which broker has lower costs?

The answer depends on the instrument, spread, commission, financing and account entity. Compare your actual trade pattern rather than a headline spread.

Sources

What this comparison is based on.

Official CMC Markets and IG platform, pricing, CFD and risk disclosure materials.
Forextrade broker records and editorial scoring model.

Last checked: June 2026. Ratings weigh regulation, client protection, platform quality, trading costs, product clarity, support and reliability. Affiliate relationships do not affect verdicts.

This comparison is educational, not personal financial advice. Re-check the broker websites for your country before opening or funding an account because fees, leverage, CFDs, margin rules and client protection can change by entity.

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