Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs eToro, 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.
IG vs eToro: IG was founded in 1974, while eToro began in 2007. Both are publicly traded, but only IG is a bank; eToro is not.
On regulation, IG holds 8 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, compared with eToro’s 4 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2. ForexBrokers.com gives IG a Trust Score of 99/99 and eToro 96/99; under its scale (90–99), both are highly trusted. IG’s higher license count and perfect score indicate stronger oversight, while eToro remains a highly trusted choice with broad regulation.
| Feature |
IG
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
IG aims for competitive pricing, especially if you trade often. On its standard CFD account, typical EUR/USD spreads averaged 0.69 pips during peak hours in July 2023 (0.98 pips across all sessions; IG US averaged 1.18 pips). Qualified professionals can get 10%–20% spread rebates, which can push costs down to about 0.60 pips in the example given. IG’s DMA “Forex Direct” account caters to high-volume traders with raw spreads that averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023, plus a tiered commission; at top tiers, the all‑in cost can be about 0.82 pips. Rating: 5/5 stars. Commissions & Fees ranking: #7 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
eToro follows a simpler market‑maker model with a typical variable spread of 1.0 pip on EUR/USD, which is a touch higher than the industry average. Its main draw is social copy trading rather than ultra‑low spreads. eToro Club (Silver to Diamond) offers perks for balances of $5,000–$250,000, including discounted withdrawal and deposit fees, access to research, and account support. Rating: 4.5/5 stars. Commissions & Fees ranking: #22 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
Bottom line: if your goal is the lowest possible trading costs—especially at higher volumes—IG generally comes out cheaper thanks to rebates and its DMA pricing. If you value copy trading and convenience and can accept slightly higher spreads, eToro may fit better. Both brokers are competitive, but IG has the edge on pure commissions and fees.
| Feature |
IG
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | ÂŁ1 | $50-$10,000 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG offers a wider range of investments than eToro by the numbers: 19,537 tradeable symbols vs. 7,441, and 97 forex pairs vs. 55. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, buy U.S.-listed stocks like Apple as actual shares (not CFDs), and access international stocks such as Vodafone. Crypto fans are covered on both platforms too, with access to actual cryptocurrencies as well as crypto CFDs.
A key difference is copy trading: eToro offers it, while IG does not. Both earned 5 stars for Range of Investments, but IG ranks higher overall in this category (#4 of 63) compared with eToro (#11 of 63). If you want the widest selection and more forex pairs, IG is the stronger fit; if copy trading matters alongside a broad lineup of markets, eToro is compelling.
| Feature |
IG
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 7441 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 55 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
IG and eToro both offer free demo (paper) accounts and easy-to-use proprietary platforms you can access in your browser. If you need a Windows desktop download, IG has one while eToro does not. IG also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which eToro doesn’t offer. Both brokers let you place trades directly from charts. For social and copy trading, eToro stands out, whereas IG focuses on traditional and MetaTrader-powered workflows.
For trading platforms and tools, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while eToro earns 4.5 stars and ranks #8. If you want copy trading in a simple web platform, eToro is a strong pick. If you want MT4/MT5 or a Windows desktop platform alongside a polished web experience, IG is the better choice.
| Feature |
IG
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and eToro both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts and watchlist syncing, so your symbols and notifications carry over between phone and web. That makes it easy to track markets and manage your account wherever you are.
For charting, eToro packs in more technical studies (104 vs. IG’s 33), while IG stands out with handy drawing tools like trendlines and automatic saving of your annotations—features eToro doesn’t offer. According to ForexBrokers.com, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #1 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while eToro scores 4.5 stars and ranks #10. In short, pick IG if you value drawing tools and top-rated mobile performance; choose eToro if having a wide range of indicators is your priority.
| Feature |
IG
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IG and eToro both deliver daily market commentary, top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, sentiment tools that show the ratio of long vs. short positions, TipRanks research, and a clear economic calendar. That means traders on either platform get timely headlines, expert insights, and an easy way to plan around major events.
The key differences come down to third‑party tools. IG includes Autochartist for technical and fundamental ideas and adds Acuity Trading’s Signal Centre, but it does not offer Trading Central. eToro goes the other way: it features Trading Central but lacks Autochartist and Acuity. In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, IG earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers, while eToro scores 4.5 stars and ranks #13. If you value Autochartist and Signal Centre, IG is the stronger fit; if you prefer Trading Central, eToro has the edge—though IG holds the higher overall research rating.
| Feature |
IG
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing IG vs eToro for beginner trading education, both brokers make it easy to get started. Each runs ongoing client webinars at least once a month and offers sizable video libraries with 10+ beginner lessons, plus 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper. That mix gives new traders a clear path from basics to more complex strategies without needing to search elsewhere.
In terms of quality metrics, IG earns a 5-star Education rating, while eToro scores 4.5 stars. Yet in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category, eToro ranks #3 out of 63 brokers and IG ranks #7. If you want the highest star-rated lessons, IG stands out; if you value a higher category ranking among peers, eToro has the edge. Either way, beginners will find plenty of helpful learning content at both brokers.
| Feature |
IG
|
eToro
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | 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 eToro. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while eToro finished with an overall rank of #9.
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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eToro
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 |
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IG vs eToro: both online brokers let you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and trade cryptocurrency CFDs, offering flexible options for crypto investors and CFD traders.
For funding and withdrawals, online brokers IG and eToro both support ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wires, but only eToro also offers 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 | eToro | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | eToro Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | eToro | |
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| Regulation | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| 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 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 7441 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.91 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | ÂŁ1 | $50-$10,000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | Yes | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IG | eToro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IG Review | eToro Review |
| Overall | IG | eToro | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 96 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review | eToro Review |
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