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.
Your capital is at risk.
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.
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 IG and CMC Invest, both online brokers cater to UK investors with a variety of trading options. IG allows share trading, ETFs, CFDs, and investment trusts, while notably lacking in funds trading. Meanwhile, CMC Invest offers share trading, ETFs, and investment trusts, but does not support CFDs. Neither broker provides options for crypto trading, funds trading, corporate or government bonds, nor advisor services. If spread betting is a priority, you may want to research further as details on that are less clear from both brokers.
Both IG and CMC Invest have been well-received by UK.StockBrokers.com, each earning 4.5-star ratings for their investment choices. However, IG is ranked 11th out of 21 brokers, slightly ahead of CMC Invest, which is positioned at 14th. This makes IG a compelling choice if you are looking for broader investment options, particularly in CFD trading. However, CMC Invest could be a preferable alternative for those who prioritize funds trading. Ultimately, the right choice will depend on your specific trading needs and preferences.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Share Trading | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Trading | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | Yes |
| Mutual 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 |
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|
Dive deeper: Best UK Trading Platforms for Beginners.
For UK investors considering the market research capabilities of IG versus CMC Invest, both brokers provide research reports for funds and shares, but only CMC Invest extends its research to include funds. While both platforms support research on ETFs, neither can provide insights into bonds or portfolio allocation by asset class. Therefore, if fund research is especially critical to your investing strategy, CMC Invest could be a more fitting choice. However, for general research on shares and ETFs, either broker will serve you well.
| Feature |
IG
|
CMC Invest
|
|---|---|---|
| Research - Shares | Yes | Yes |
| 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
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Investment Choices |
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| Mobile App |
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| Ease of Use |
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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 | |
| Mutual 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 | |||
| 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) | |||
| 12 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 36 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 120 trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| 3 fund trades per year (£30k portfolio) | |||
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £0 - £250,000 | £0 / £96 | £120 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £250K-£500K | £0 / £96 | £120 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £500,000 - £1m | £0 / £96 | £120 | |
| Annual Platform Fee (Funds): £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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
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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 | |||
| 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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