Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs Capital.com, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When choosing between online brokers IG and Capital.com, understanding their regulatory standings can give you peace of mind. Founded in 1974, IG has a long history and is a publicly traded bank with an exceptional reputation, achieving a perfect Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. It holds 8 highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and 2 trusted Tier-2 licenses, highlighting its strong compliance and reliability.
In comparison, Capital.com, established in 2016, is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. It holds a still-respectable Trust Score of 87, thanks to its 3 highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and 1 trusted Tier-2 license. While it may not match IG's regulatory clout, Capital.com remains a reliable choice for many traders, offering reassurance through its secure licensing and solid trust score.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing IG and Capital.com, both brokers shine with a 5-star rating for their commissions and fees, although they hold different rankings according to ForexBrokers.com. IG ranks at #8, whereas Capital.com is ahead at #3, suggesting its competitive edge in pricing. IG stands out for its scalable execution across various products and active trader pricing through Forex Direct accounts. Typical spreads for IG's Forex Direct account hover around 0.62 pips, with an all-in cost rising to 0.82 pips when including a commission equivalent of 0.2 pips. For those trading via CFD accounts, spreads averaged 0.69 pips for June 2023, dipping slightly below the industry average even during lower liquidity periods. Professional traders may also benefit from IG's tiered rebate program, which offers rebates up to 20%, significantly lowering the cost per trade.
Capital.com, on the other hand, offers relatively straightforward and budget-friendly pricing, maintaining an average spread of 0.67 pips for the EUR/USD pair as of April 2024. Unlike IG, Capital.com simplifies trading with a universal account option for both retail and professional traders. This competitive dynamic spread well below the industry average positions Capital.com as an attractive choice for those focusing on low-cost forex trading. Although professional accounts at Capital.com come with fewer regulatory protections compared to retail accounts, they provide appealing terms for those qualifying as professional clients.
Overall, while both brokers receive top marks for their competitive pricing structures, Capital.com's slight edge in rankings, paired with its straightforward account logistics and lower average spreads, may appeal more to traders who prioritize cost-effectiveness and simplicity in forex trading. Meanwhile, IG's advanced platform options and dynamic rebate programs are likely to attract highly active traders or those dealing with large trade volumes.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 0.67 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.67 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments offered by online brokers IG and Capital.com, several key differences arise. IG provides an extensive selection of tradeable symbols, boasting a total of 19,537 options compared to Capital.com's 5,585. Despite this, Capital.com offers a slightly higher number of tradeable forex pairs, with 125 pairs available against IG's 97. Both brokers support forex trading through CFDs and spot contracts, and allow users to engage with cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither offers the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies.
IG stands out by allowing clients to invest in exchange-traded securities directly on U.S. and international markets, enabling purchases of stocks like Apple and Vodafone, which Capital.com does not offer. Neither broker provides copy trading, but IG's capability to deliver diverse investment options earns it a 5-star rating in the Range of Investments category, ranking 4th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, Capital.com is rated with 4.5 stars, ranking 21st, reflecting a slightly less extensive but still competitive range of offerings in the realm of online trading.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 5585 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 125 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of IG and Capital.com, both brokers offer versatile features to cater to the needs of traders. Both platforms provide the option for simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts and have developed their in-house proprietary platforms. They also offer Windows-based desktop download options and web-based platforms. However, a key distinction is that Capital.com offers a more extensive selection of drawing tools for charting with 60 options compared to IG's 20. Yet, IG makes a strong impression in platform versatility by offering MetaTrader 4 (MT4), although neither platform supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5), DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade.
In terms of trading experience, both IG and Capital.com allow users to trade directly from stock charts, though there is a notable difference in watchlist customizability with IG offering 5 columns while Capital.com provides 11. This functionality contributes to IG receiving a higher rating of 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, while Capital.com scores 4.5 stars. When ranked among 63 brokers, IG stands out at the #2 position for trading platforms and tools according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas Capital.com is positioned at #10. These insights highlight IG's slight edge in overall platform capabilities and recognition in the trading community.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 97 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 60 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IG and Capital.com, both platforms offer apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility for traders on the go. Users will find essential features like stock and forex price alerts available on both apps, helping them stay informed about market movements. However, IG’s app stands out with watchlist symbol syncing, making it easier to maintain consistency between mobile and online accounts, a feature not currently available with Capital.com.
For traders interested in technical analysis, IG provides 33 technical studies for charting, slightly more than Capital.com's 30. Both platforms enable drawing trendlines and viewing various timeframes on charts, along with auto-saving these drawings, enhancing the user experience. Real-time quote watchlists can be created on both apps. While both apps receive high praise, IG’s mobile app earns a perfect 5-star rating and the top ranking out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Capital.com's app is rated 4.5 stars, placing it 11th. With these strengths, IG's mobile app offers a slight edge for users seeking comprehensive trading tools at their fingertips.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing IG and Capital.com for market research capabilities, both platforms stand out by offering daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They each provide a sentiment-based trading tool, allowing users to understand the market's long and short positions better. Additionally, both brokers offer market research from TipRanks and have an economic calendar to keep traders informed of global economic events. However, IG has the edge with more research tools. It integrates with Autochartist and Acuity Trading, unlike Capital.com, which doesn't support tools from these companies. This difference might appeal to traders seeking more technical analysis and fundamental research options.
IG outperforms Capital.com in research according to ForexBrokers.com, earning a stellar 5-star rating and ranking as the second-best out of 63 brokers, while Capital.com follows closely with a 4.5-star rating and ranks 14th. These ratings reflect IG's broader range of research tools, including exclusive options like Autochartist and Acuity Trading, which enhance the overall user experience. Traders looking for comprehensive research options may find IG more suitable, whereas Capital.com provides a solid selection but falls short of IG's extensive offerings.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IG and Capital.com both provide substantial educational resources for beginners delving into forex and CFDs. They each offer over ten guides in various formats, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, to help newbies get started. While both brokers maintain searchable archives of previous webinars and offer a rich collection of beginner and advanced videos, IG pulls ahead with its commitment to monthly live webinars that allow for real-time learning and interaction. In comparison, Capital.com does not offer such regular live sessions.
Both platforms provide a helpful investor dictionary with over 50 terms, fostering a better understanding of trading vocabulary. Yet, when evaluating their educational offerings, IG shines brighter with a perfect five-star rating and holds the top spot out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for education. Capital.com follows closely with a respectable 4.5-star rating, ranking eighth. This difference in ratings highlights IG's slight edge in creating a more comprehensive educational experience for budding traders.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IG is better than Capital.com. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while Capital.com finished with an overall rank of #10.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
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Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 87 |
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Both IG and Capital.com do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
IG and Capital.com both support PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire for transactions, but IG uniquely offers ACH/SEPA transfers, while Capital.com provides the additional option of using Skrill.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | Capital.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 87 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Capital.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | Capital.com | |
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| Regulation | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 87 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 5585 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 125 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 0.67 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 0.67 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 97 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 60 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IG Review | Capital.com Review |
| Overall | IG | Capital.com | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 87 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | Capital.com Review |
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