| Feature | eToro | IG Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 1974 |
| Regulation | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles) | FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), FINMA (Switzerland), MAS (Singapore), JFSA (Japan), CFTC (US) |
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$200 (varies by region) | $0 for bank transfers, $300 for card payments |
| Trading Instruments | 2,075+ stocks, 22 ETFs, 24 cryptocurrencies, 49 forex pairs | 17,000+ assets including shares, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, bonds, options, 200+ forex pairs |
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary platform, mobile app | Proprietary platform, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, mobile app |
| Social Trading | Yes, offers CopyTrade and Popular Investor Program | No |
| Spreads | From 1.0 pips on EUR/USD | From 0.6 pips on EUR/USD |
| Commission on Stocks | Commission-free | 0.10% per trade |
| Withdrawal Fees | $5 per withdrawal | None |
| Inactivity Fees | $10 per month after 12 months of inactivity | £12 per month after 24 months of inactivity |
| Leverage | Up to 1:30 for retail clients (varies by instrument and region) | Up to 1:30 for retail clients (varies by instrument and region) |
| Educational Resources | Basic tutorials and articles | Comprehensive IG Academy with webinars, courses, and articles |
| Customer Support | 24/5 live chat and email | 24/7 live chat, phone, and email |
| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Research Tools | Market news, analysis, and charting tools | Advanced charting, news, analysis, and trading signals |
| Mobile Trading | Yes, iOS and Android apps | Yes, iOS and Android apps |
| Deposit Methods | Credit/debit cards, bank transfer, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller | Credit/debit cards, bank transfer, PayPal |
| Account Types | Standard, Islamic (Swap-Free) | Standard, Islamic (Swap-Free), Professional |
| Cryptocurrency Trading | Yes, 24 cryptocurrencies available | Yes, limited selection |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Regulatory Protection | Investor compensation schemes, negative balance protection | Investor compensation schemes, negative balance protection |
| Order Types | Market, Limit, Stop Loss, Take Profit, Trailing Stop | Market, Limit, Stop, Guaranteed Stop, Trailing Stop |
| CFD Trading | Yes, available on multiple asset classes | Yes, wide range of CFDs on shares, forex, indices, and commodities |
| Market Execution | Instant execution on most trades | Instant and market execution options |
| Indices Offered | 13 indices, including SPX500, DJ30, and NSDQ100 | 80+ indices, including niche and international markets |
| Commodities Offered | 14 commodities, including gold, silver, oil, and natural gas | 30+ commodities, including softs like coffee, sugar, and cocoa |
| Bond Trading | No | Yes, government and corporate bonds |
| Option Trading | No | Yes, European-style options on indices and forex |
| Fractional Shares | Yes, buy fractions of popular stocks | No |
| Cryptocurrency Wallet | Yes, eToro Wallet for transferring and storing crypto | No, but cryptocurrencies are tradeable via CFDs |
| Regulation for US Clients | Yes, via FinCEN and FINRA (cryptocurrencies only) | Yes, via CFTC and NFA (forex only) |
| Web-based Trading | Proprietary web platform | IG's web platform, advanced tools |
| Advanced Trading Tools | Limited advanced tools, focuses on simplicity | Advanced features like DMA (Direct Market Access) for professional traders |
| API Trading | No | Yes, with support for automated and algorithmic trading |
| Spread Betting | Not available | Yes, tax-efficient option in the UK |
| Forex Pairs | 49 major, minor, and exotic pairs | 200+ major, minor, and exotic pairs |
| Funding Fees | Conversion fees for non-USD deposits | No funding fees, except for overnight financing |
| Professional Accounts | No | Yes, with higher leverage and lower margin requirements |
| News Integration | Basic news feed | In-platform Reuters and Bloomberg news |
| Charting Tools | Basic charting with limited indicators | Advanced charting, over 100 indicators, ProRealTime |
| Partnerships | Partnered with TipRanks for analyst insights | Partnered with ProRealTime and TradingView |
| User Interface | Simple and beginner-friendly | Advanced, more suited for experienced traders |
| Customizable Workspaces | No | Yes, for advanced platform users |
| Tax Reporting Tools | Limited reporting features | Comprehensive tools for generating tax reports |
| Market Accessibility | Restricted in some countries | Broader global reach and coverage |
| Trading Fees Structure | Spreads only, no commissions on stocks | Spreads, commissions on stocks and DMA trades |
| Dividend Payments | Yes, on eligible stocks and ETFs | Yes, on eligible stocks and ETFs |
| IPO Trading | No | Yes, access to initial public offerings (IPOs) |
| Guaranteed Stop-Loss | No | Yes, available for an additional premium |
| Interest on Unused Margin | No | Yes, on professional accounts |
| Access to Pre/Post-Market | No | Yes, on specific markets |
| Account Currency Options | USD | Multiple currencies including GBP, EUR, USD, AUD |
| Custom Indicators | Not supported | Supported via ProRealTime and custom APIs |
| Leverage Customization | Yes, adjustable within regulatory limits | Yes, adjustable per instrument and account type |
| ETF Offering | 22 ETFs | Over 2,000 ETFs |
| Sentiment Analysis | Yes, based on social trading activity | Yes, professional sentiment indicators |
| Market Depth (Level 2) | No | Yes, available for professional traders |
| Tick-by-Tick Data | No | Yes, for DMA users |
| Portfolio Analytics | Limited, focus on simplicity | Comprehensive, including performance tracking and diversification tools |
| Islamic Trading Features | Islamic (Swap-Free) accounts for stocks, ETFs, and crypto | Islamic (Swap-Free) accounts on all major asset classes |
| Scalping and Hedging | Limited scalping allowed, hedging permitted | Fully supports scalping and hedging |
| Trade Execution Speed | Average speed | Industry-leading speed |
| Regional Limitations | Not available in Canada, Japan, or some Middle Eastern countries | Available in a broader range of countries, with some exceptions |
| White Label Partnerships | No | Yes, offers white label solutions for institutional clients |
| Advanced Risk Management | Basic, with stop-loss and take-profit options | Comprehensive, including alerts, margin protection, and advanced stops |
| Server Stability | Reliable for retail traders | Enterprise-grade reliability for high-volume trading |
| Live Trading Competitions | No | Occasionally available for promotional purposes |
| Fees Transparency | Transparent, with clear fee disclosures | Transparent, though fees can vary based on account type and platform |
| Promotional Offers | Occasional referral bonuses | Rare, primarily aimed at professional traders |
| Regulation in Emerging Markets | Yes, via local subsidiaries | Broader presence with licenses in several emerging markets |
| Sustainable Investments | Limited ESG-focused tools | ESG screening tools for ethical investing |
| Trade Notifications | Basic notifications for trade execution and price alerts | Advanced, including margin alerts and custom thresholds |
| Third-Party Integrations | Limited, integrates with some social trading tools | Extensive, integrates with ProRealTime, TradingView, and APIs |
| Platform Updates | Infrequent, focuses on stability | Frequent updates with new features for advanced traders |
eToro excels in social trading with a user-friendly platform and diverse assets, while IG Markets offers advanced tools, lower spreads, and a broader range of instruments.