Written by StockBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG vs CMC Invest, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, investment options, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
Alongside the cost per trade, most UK online brokers also charge a monthly, quarterly, or annual management fee, which varies based on the account type and balance. Based on our thorough review, IG offers better pricing than CMC Invest for share dealing.
Assuming a £30,000 portfolio size, here are the total annual costs for share dealing with both brokers, given different monthly activity scenarios.
5 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
12 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
36 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
120 trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 / £120 / £300 per year.
3 fund trades per year - IG would cost £0 per year, while CMC Invest would cost £0 per year.
What type of trader are you?
New to the world of investing? See our picks for the Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners. More experienced traders should read our guide to the Best UK Trading Platforms for Active Traders.
When comparing the investment choices available through IG and CMC Invest, both online brokers in the UK cater to various trading interests with a few distinctive differences. IG enables share trading, ETF trading, CFD trading, and investment trusts, while CMC Invest also provides access to share trading, ETFs, and investment trusts, but notably differs by offering funds trading instead of CFDs. Neither broker offers trading in crypto or bonds including corporate and government gilts, nor do they provide adviser services.
Both IG and CMC Invest have been rated 4.5 stars for their range of investment choices by UK.StockBrokers.com. However, in terms of overall ranking out of 21 brokers, IG positions slightly higher at #11 compared to CMC Invest, which is ranked at #14. This positions IG as a strong contender, particularly for those interested in CFD trading, whilst CMC Invest may appeal more to those looking for fund investment options.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | No | Yes |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No |
| Crypto Trading | No | No |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Investment Choices |
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Low-cost US and UK shares.
Professional’s Gateway to the World’s Markets.
When comparing the trading tools of UK-based brokers IG and CMC Invest, IG stands out with its wide range of features. IG allows users to display important corporate events, such as earnings, splits, and dividends, directly on charts, a feature not available with CMC Invest. Additionally, IG provides 19 drawing tools and 33 technical indicators for comprehensive charting, whereas CMC Invest offers neither. IG also enables traders to add notes on charts, enhancing the ability to track and plan trades, a functionality CMC Invest currently does not provide.
Both IG and CMC Invest offer real-time market data and the ability to create price alerts. However, only IG supports a browser-based trading platform, making it more accessible for those who prefer trading on different devices without downloading software. While neither service offers index or stock overlays on their charts, IG's comprehensive charting tools cater to a more in-depth trading experience compared to CMC Invest's more basic offerings.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 0 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 0 |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
For UK investors comparing retirement investment options between IG and CMC Invest, both online brokers offer a variety of tax-efficient accounts to suit your needs. IG provides both Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) and Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), giving you flexibility in managing your savings and retirement investments. Similarly, CMC Invest also offers ISAs and SIPPs. Choosing between them may come down to other factors such as platform features or customer service, as both brokers offer the essential retirement account types needed for British investors seeking to maximize their tax benefits while planning for the future.
Dive deeper: Best SIPP Providers, Best Stocks and Shares ISA Providers.
For UK investors seeking a reliable mobile trading experience, both IG and CMC Invest offer iPhone and Android apps to suit your needs. Rated 5 stars for its mobile app, IG ranks as the second-best choice among 21 brokers according to UK.StockBrokers.com, reflecting its superior user experience. Meanwhile, CMC Invest provides a strong offering with a 4.5-star rating, securing the 11th spot on the same list, making it a commendable option for mobile trading enthusiasts.
Dive deeper: Best Stock Trading Apps UK.
When it comes to educating beginner investors, IG and CMC Invest each have their strengths and weaknesses. IG stands out by offering educational client webinars that can be accessed live or viewed on demand, alongside tutorials focusing on key investing topics like share trading and retirement. In contrast, CMC Invest does not provide webinars, but offers educational materials on investing in shares, funds, and preparing for retirement. While IG lacks resources specifically for fund investing, it's rated 5 stars and holds the top rank for beginner education by UK.StockBrokers.com, compared to CMC Invest, which is ranked 15th with a 4-star rating. UK investors seeking comprehensive beginner education with accessible format options might find IG a more compelling choice.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes |
| Education |
|
|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
When deciding between IG and CMC Invest for market research features, it's essential to consider your specific investment needs. Both brokers provide research reports for funds, but while CMC Invest stands out by offering detailed research on Funds specifically, IG does not. For shares and ETFs research, either platform has you covered, providing resources to help you make informed decisions. However, if you're interested in CFDs research, IG is the go-to choice, as CMC Invest does not offer this feature. Neither broker provides insights into portfolio allocation by asset class or research on Bonds, making them rather similar in these areas for UK investors.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Research - Bonds | No | No |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | No |
Which broker is better overall, IG or CMC Invest? After collecting more than 900 data points over a 10-week period, we found IG to be a better trading platform overall.
IG is an investment platform aimed at experienced investors looking to make frequent trades on the stock market, with thousands of shares, trusts and ETFs to trade. It offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use trading platform that is used by both private and professional investors.
| Feature |
IG
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CMC Invest
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|---|---|---|
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| Mobile App |
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When comparing online brokers IG and CMC Invest, both platforms do not offer cryptocurrency trading, providing investors who prioritize traditional asset classes with focused options for managing their portfolios.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | CMC Invest | |
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| Review | IG Review | CMC Invest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
| Investments | IG | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISA | Yes | Yes | |
| SIPP | Yes | Yes | |
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No | |
| Funds | No | Yes | |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Bonds - Corporate | No | No | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) | No | No | |
| Investment Trusts | Yes | Yes | |
| Spread Betting | Yes | No | |
| Crypto Trading | No | No | |
| Advisor Services | No | No |
| Trading Fees | IG | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 0-9 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 10-19 Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| Share Trading: 20+ Deals/ Month | £0 | £0 | |
| 5 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | £0 | £0 / £120 / £300 | |
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | N/A | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £0 - £250,000 | £0 / £96 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | £120 | |
| Annual Custody Fee: £1m and over | £0 / £96 | £120 | |
| Bonds - Corporate - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| Bonds - Government (Gilts) - Fee | N/A | N/A | |
| ETFs - Fee | £0 - £8 | £0 | |
| Investment Trusts - Fee | £0 - £8 | £0 | |
| Telephone Dealing Fee | £50 | £0 |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Website Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Mobile Trading Apps Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Platforms & Tools | IG | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web Platform | Yes | No | |
| iPhone App | Yes | Yes | |
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Stock Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 0 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools | 19 | 0 | |
| Charting - Notes | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Display Corporate Events | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Stock Overlays | No | No | |
| Charting - Index Overlays | No | No |
| Research | IG | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - CFDs | Yes | No | |
| Research - Funds | No | Yes | |
| Fund Research - Research Reports | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - ETFs | Yes | Yes | |
| Research - Bonds | No | No | |
| Portfolio Allocation Breakdown | No | No |
| Education | IG | CMC Invest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Share Trading) | Yes | Yes | |
| Education (Funds) | No | Yes | |
| Education (Retirement) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Overall Summary | IG | CMC Invest | |
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| Review | IG Review | CMC Invest Review | |
| Winner | check_circle |
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