IG Group vs Capital.com 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
IG Group suits traders who value tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $20), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 6,800). Capital.com suits traders who prioritise no inactivity fee.
Head to head
| IG Group | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 195355 | FCA 793714 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | None | $20 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | 0.6 pips |
| Instruments | 17,000+ | 6,800+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | Yes | No — CFDs only |
| Inactivity fee | $12/mo after 2mo | None |
| Founded | 1974 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | London, UK |
Regulation: IG Group vs Capital.com
IG Group is regulated by FCA under licence 195355 (IG Markets Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Capital.com is regulated by FCA under licence 793714 (Capital Com (UK) Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Spreads and fees
IG Group's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. Capital.com's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. IG Group offers tighter spreads on this pair.
IG Group charges an inactivity fee of $12/month after 2 months without trading. Capital.com does not charge an inactivity fee.
Platforms and tools
Both IG Group and Capital.com support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
IG Group requires a minimum deposit of None. Capital.com requires $20. IG Group has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider IG Group.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
IG Group also has the lower minimum deposit of None, making it easier to start with a small amount. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Both IG Group and Capital.com support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. IG Group's tighter spreads (0.6 pips) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. IG Group offers more instruments (17,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: IG Group vs Capital.com
Choose IG Group if you want tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $20), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 6,800). The FCA licence (195355) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose Capital.com if you want no inactivity fee. The FCA licence (793714) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
IG Group vs Capital.com: which is better?
IG Group is better for tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit (None vs $20), real stock ownership, more instruments (17,000 vs 6,800). Capital.com is better for no inactivity fee. If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is IG Group or Capital.com safer?
Both IG Group (FCA 195355) and Capital.com (FCA 793714) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for IG Group and Capital.com?
IG Group minimum deposit: None. Capital.com minimum deposit: $20. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do IG Group and Capital.com have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.