Comparison of eToro and IG
| Feature | eToro | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1974 |
| Broker Type | MM, Social | MM, DMA |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book, A-book |
| Execution | Instant | Market |
| Regulation | SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC | FCA, BMA, BaFin, FSAN, AFM, CONSOB, CNMV, ACPR, FI, FINMA, NFA, CFTC, ASIC, NZ FMA, JFSA, JFFA, MAS, FSCA, DFSA |
| Platforms | eToro | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer |
| Spread | ⬈ High | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:30 | 1:200 |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, AUD, NZD, JPY, NOK, SEK, SGD, HKD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $18 per month after 24 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | $5 | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
| Protection Size | €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✔ |
| Copy Trading | ✔ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✖ | ✖ |
| EAs/Robots | ✖ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | eToro Review | IG Review |
About eToro
eToro is a globally renowned social trading platform, offering a unique approach to forex and CFD trading through its innovative copy trading feature. Established in 2007 and regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, eToro has become a popular choice for traders of all experience levels. The platform allows users to follow and copy successful traders, making it particularly appealing to beginners seeking to learn and profit from experienced professionals. Beyond social trading, eToro offers a diverse range of instruments, including forex, stocks, ETFs, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile platform for portfolio diversification. Its proprietary platform is user-friendly and comes with robust analytical tools, catering to both novice and seasoned traders. However, while eToro's zero-commission stock trading is a standout feature, its relatively high spreads and inactivity fees may deter cost-conscious traders.
Pros
- Unique copy trading feature for following successful traders
- Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC, ASIC, etc.)
- Offers a wide range of instruments, including cryptocurrencies and stocks
- User-friendly proprietary platform with robust analytical tools
- Zero-commission stock trading for non-leveraged positions
- Integrated social features for sharing insights and strategies
Cons
- Relatively high spreads compared to other brokers
- Inactivity fees applied after 12 months of non-use
- Limited options for advanced trading platforms like MT4 or MT5
- Withdrawal fees for certain transactions
- Customer support may have delayed response times during peak periods
About IG
IG is one of the most established and reputable brokers in the forex and CFD trading industry, having been founded in 1974. Regulated by top-tier financial authorities, including the FCA (UK) and ASIC (Australia), IG offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and shares. The broker is well-suited for both beginner and professional traders, providing access to an advanced trading platform, competitive spreads, and a comprehensive suite of educational resources. IG's long-standing presence in the market and robust regulatory compliance make it a trusted choice for traders worldwide. In addition to its proprietary platform, IG supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), which is ideal for traders who prefer algorithmic strategies or a familiar interface. The broker also excels in market research and analysis, providing clients with detailed insights, trading signals, and technical tools. However, while IG offers extensive features, its services might not be ideal for smaller retail traders due to higher minimum deposit requirements in some regions. Furthermore, the absence of certain features like cent accounts or high leverage options may deter specific trading styles.
Pros
- Highly regulated by top-tier financial authorities (FCA, ASIC, etc.)
- Wide range of tradable assets, including over 99 forex pairs
- Advanced proprietary platform and support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
- Comprehensive market research and educational resources
- Long-standing reputation with nearly five decades of experience
- Competitive spreads and reliable trade execution
Cons
- Limited high-leverage options compared to some competitors
- No support for cent accounts, which may not suit small-scale traders
- Inactivity fees for dormant accounts
- Customer support may not be available 24/7 for all regions
eToro & IG Regulation
| Feature | eToro | IG |
|---|---|---|
Companies | eToro (Seychelles) Limited, eToro (UK) Ltd, Etoro (Europe) Ltd, eToro AUS Capital Limited, eToro USA Securities Inc. | IG Markets Ltd, IG International Limited, IG Europe GmbH, IG Bank SA, IG US LLC, IG Australia Pty Ltd., IG Securities Limited, IG Asia Pte Ltd, IG Markets South Africa Limited, IG Limited |
Countries | Seychelles, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Australia, United States | United Kingdom, Bermuda, Germany, Switzerland, United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
Regulators | SFSA, FCA, CySEC, ASIC, SEC | FCA, BMA, BaFin, FSAN, AFM, CONSOB, CNMV, ACPR, FI, FINMA, NFA, CFTC, ASIC, NZ FMA, JFSA, JFFA, MAS, FSCA, DFSA |
Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
Investor Protection Size | €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | eToro | IG |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | eToro | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Instant | Market |
| Min Spread | 1 | 0.6 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 100% |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | — | DMA |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.16 |
| Fee | — | $12 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 50% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | eToro | IG |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, AUD, NZD, JPY, NOK, SEK, SGD, HKD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, Rapid Transfer, Trustly | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $18 per month after 24 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | $5 |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | eToro | IG |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | eToro | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), IG Trading Platform, L2 Dealer |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | - |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | high | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | eToro | IG |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 47 | 99 |
Indices | 13 | 46 |
Stocks | 2500 | 13000 |
Cryptocurrencies | 112 | 15 |
Bonds | 0 | 19 |
Metals | 7 | 11 |
Energies | 2 | 9 |
Soft Commodities | 4 | 20 |
ETFs | 250 | 5400 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | eToro | IG |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | eToro | IG |
|---|---|---|
Email | customerservice@etoro.com | newaccounts.uk@ig.com |
Phone | +1800778439 | +442076335430 |
Facebook | — | |
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing eToro and IG, eToro comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.