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 the commissions and fees of IG and Capital.com, both brokers earn top marks with a 5-star rating. However, in ForexBrokers.com's ranking of 62 brokers, IG comes in at #8, while Capital.com ranks higher at #3. This suggests both platforms offer commendable pricing structures, yet Capital.com appears slightly more competitive in the fee arena.
IG offers a variety of account options and pricing structures tailored to different trading needs. Its Forex Direct accounts provide active traders with competitive pricing, featuring spreads around the industry average. In July 2023, IG's main Forex Direct account had an average spread of 0.62 pips with an all-in cost of 0.82 when including the commission. Meanwhile, for CFD accounts, average spreads were 0.98 pips throughout July 2023. Moreover, IG provides active trader rebates based on monthly trading volume, enabling professional traders to reduce costs effectively. The firm's DMA account caters to seasoned traders seeking deeper discounts with a low minimum deposit requirement and tiered pricing based on trading volume.
Conversely, Capital.com distinguishes itself with slightly better pricing than the industry average, especially for forex trading. With an average dynamic spread of 0.67 pips for the EUR/USD pair as of April 2024, Capital.com offers one of the lower-cost options for forex trading. This universal account option is accessible to both retail and professional traders, providing a straightforward pricing structure that combines value with simplicity.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $20 |
| 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.
Comparing IG and Capital.com, both platforms excel in providing a wide range of investment opportunities tailored to different trader preferences. IG takes the lead with an outstanding offering of 19,537 tradeable symbols, covering a vast breadth of markets including 97 forex pairs. It also enables investors to purchase exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing direct investment in major global companies such as Apple and Vodafone. However, it does not feature copy trading or the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies. Instead, IG offers cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to those interested in crypto market movements without owning the assets directly.
On the other hand, Capital.com presents a more focused selection with 3,007 tradeable symbols, but it surpasses IG in forex variety by offering 125 forex pairs. While it doesn't allow buying exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international markets, it does provide an option for trading cryptocurrency derivatives similar to IG. Both platforms share a common ground in not supporting actual cryptocurrency purchases and lack a copy trading feature. Rated 5 stars for its range of investments, IG secures a higher ranking (#4) compared to Capital.com’s 4.5 stars and rank of #22 on ForexBrokers.com. This indicates IG's leading position in investment diversity, though Capital.com also offers a strong array of trading opportunities.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 3007 |
| 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 IG and Capital.com, both online brokers provide a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools, making them accessible to a wide range of traders. Both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, serving as a helpful way for beginners to get accustomed to trading without financial risk. Each broker has developed its own proprietary trading platform, available for download on Windows-based systems, and accessible via a web browser, ensuring flexibility in trading methods. Additionally, both platforms offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for those who prefer traditional trading software, but neither offers support for MetaTrader 5 (MT5). While copy trading is not available on either platform, both allow users to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing trade efficiency.
In terms of charting tools, IG offers 20 drawing tools, slightly outpacing Capital.com's offering of 18. IG also distinguishes itself with more limited options for watchlist customization, providing five columns, compared to Capital.com's eleven. IG's trading platforms and tools are rated five stars by ForexBrokers.com, highlighting superior performance compared to Capital.com's 4.5-star rating. This is further reflected in their rankings among 62 brokers, where IG secures the second position, while Capital.com is ranked eleventh. Overall, IG's higher ratings and rankings suggest a strong emphasis on providing an enhanced user experience with its trading tools.
| 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 | 83 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 18 |
| 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 provide apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Users of each app can receive stock and forex price alerts, essential for timely trading decisions. However, IG stands out with its watchlist symbol syncing feature, allowing watchlists to stay in sync across devices by seamlessly linking mobile updates with online accounts—something Capital.com currently does not offer. Both platforms provide an impressive array of features, such as the ability to draw trendlines and view various time frames, and both apps automatically save chart drawings.
In terms of technical analysis tools, IG offers 33 technical studies, slightly edging out Capital.com's 30 studies. Both apps support creating watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring that users have up-to-date information at their fingertips. Overall, IG's mobile trading app holds a rating of 5 stars and is ranked first by ForexBrokers.com, making it the top choice among 62 brokers. Capital.com closely follows with a 4.5-star rating and a ranking of 12th. This makes IG the more favored option for mobile trading, offering a superior experience for traders on the go.
| 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 the market research capabilities of online brokers IG and Capital.com, both offer daily market commentary to keep traders updated with the latest trends. However, IG stands out by providing forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, while Capital.com does not include such high-profile information services. Additionally, IG offers access to technical analysis tools from Autochartist and market research insights from Acuity Trading's Signal Centre, enhancing their research offering. Capital.com, on the other hand, does not have these particular tools, although both brokers share features like sentiment-based trading tools and market research from TipRanks.
IG and Capital.com both provide an economic calendar to keep track of global news events. Despite the similarities, IG scores a 5-star rating for research, according to ForexBrokers.com, with an impressive rank of #2 out of 62 brokers. Capital.com follows closely with a commendable 4.5-star rating and a rank of #14. These differences highlight IG's more comprehensive research resources, which cater to traders seeking in-depth market evaluations and advanced analytical tools.
| Feature |
IG
|
Capital.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| 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.
When it comes to educational resources tailored for beginners, both IG and Capital.com provide a wealth of materials focusing on forex and CFDs. Each broker offers more than 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also have a collection of beginner-friendly videos that cover various trading topics in an easy-to-understand manner. For those looking to deepen their knowledge, these brokers offer advanced trading videos to cater to more seasoned traders as well. Additionally, both IG and Capital.com take pride in having an investor dictionary, which includes definitions for over 50 investing terms, adding a valuable resource for any learning trader. Where Capital.com falls short is in offering monthly live educational webinars, a service that IG does provide. However, both brokers maintain a searchable archive of past webinars.
Rated 5 stars for its educational offerings, IG holds the top rank among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, showcasing its commitment to comprehensive trader education. Capital.com, while slightly behind at 4.5 stars, still holds an impressive 8th position in the same list, reflecting the quality and variety of its educational content. For beginners looking for extensive educational resources, IG seems to have a slight edge, especially with its live monthly webinars. Nonetheless, both platforms offer considerable educational support to help budding traders gain confidence and skill in navigating the markets.
| 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 62 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 | |
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| 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 | 3007 | |
| 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 | $20 | |
| 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 | 83 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 18 | |
| 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 | No | |
| 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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