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Head-to-head
IG vs Eightcap: fees, regulation and platforms compared
IG and Eightcap side by side on the things that decide which one suits you: who regulates the company you would join, what a trade costs, which platforms you get and whether you can open an account where you live.
Short answer: Choose IG if you value a long track record: IG was founded in London in 1974. Choose Eightcap if you want TradeLocker or TradingView as well as MT4 and MT5. Neither of the companies we review accepts US retail forex clients.
IG vs Eightcap at a glance
| IG | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation of main companies | FCA, ASIC, DFSA | ASIC, FCA, CySEC (plus SCB and FSA offshore companies) |
| Minimum deposit | $0 by bank transfer (IG International); cards from $50 | $100 |
| EUR/USD pricing (headline) | From 0.6 pips, spread-only | Raw from 0.0 pips + $3.50 per lot per side |
| Platforms | IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime | MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker |
| US retail forex clients | No (for the CFD business we review) | No |
| Background | Founded 1974, London | Founded 2015, Melbourne |
| 1-lot EUR/USD round turn at headline prices | about $6 | about $7 |
Round-turn costs use each broker's headline "from" price for 1 standard lot (100,000 units, $10 per pip) including any published commission. Real spreads are often wider. Try your own numbers in our forex cost calculator.
Which should you choose?
Choose IG if:
- you value a long track record: IG was founded in London in 1974
- you are in the UK and want spread betting as well as CFDs
- you want ProRealTime charting
Watch out: MT5 and cTrader are not on its platform list, so EA traders who need MT5 should look elsewhere.
Choose Eightcap if:
- you want TradeLocker or TradingView as well as MT4 and MT5
- you want raw pricing with a published $3.50 per side commission
- you want an ASIC, FCA or CySEC company
Watch out: The $100 minimum is higher than at brokers with no minimum, and it has a shorter history than most brokers we review.
Regulation and safety
IG lists FCA, ASIC, DFSA. Eightcap lists ASIC, FCA, CySEC (plus SCB and FSA offshore companies). A broker's headline licences do not always cover you: the company that opens your account depends on where you live, and only that company's regulator protects you. Our legal entity guide shows how to check it on the regulator's own register.
Costs
IG: From 0.6 pips, spread-only. Eightcap: Raw from 0.0 pips + $3.50 per lot per side. Also compare overnight swap rates if you hold trades, and any deposit, withdrawal, inactivity or currency conversion fees. See spreads and commissions explained.
Platforms
IG: IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime. Eightcap: MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker. If you run Expert Advisors, check MetaTrader support first; see MT4 vs MT5.
FAQ
Is IG or Eightcap cheaper?
On headline figures, a 1-lot EUR/USD round turn costs about $6 at IG and about $7 at Eightcap. That makes IG cheaper on paper, but headline "from" prices are minimums and real spreads widen at quiet times.
Which is better regulated, IG or Eightcap?
IG: FCA, ASIC, DFSA. Eightcap: ASIC, FCA, CySEC (plus SCB and FSA offshore companies). What matters is the company that would hold your account, which depends on where you live.
Do IG and Eightcap accept US clients?
IG: No (for the CFD business we review). Eightcap: No.
What is the minimum deposit at IG and Eightcap?
IG: $0 by bank transfer (IG International); cards from $50. Eightcap: $100.
Which platforms do IG and Eightcap offer?
IG: IG platform, MT4, ProRealTime. Eightcap: MT4, MT5, TradingView, TradeLocker.
More comparisons
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Sources
- Forex Awards IG review (sources listed there)
- Forex Awards Eightcap review (sources listed there)
Forex and CFDs are leveraged products and most retail accounts lose money. Forex Awards may earn commissions from some links; see our affiliate disclosure. This is general information, not financial advice.