eToro vs IG (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared

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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan

eToro

Trust rank #8 · Founded 2007

eToro is a well‐regarded forex broker and multi‐asset platform offering broad access to currency markets via web and mobile trading. It provides social trading features, research, and education within an integrated interface…

Read the eToro review

IG

Trust rank #15 · Founded 1974

IG is a well-regarded forex broker that provides broad access to currency pairs, multiple trading platforms, and extensive research and education within a regulated framework. It emphasizes transparent pricing, diverse order types,…

Read the IG review

eToro (Israel, founded 2007) holds 3 regulatory licences (ASIC, CySEC, FCA), 2 of them tier-1, offers Proprietary and sits in our low-fee bracket. IG (United Kingdom, founded 1974) holds 13 regulatory licences (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank…), 9 of them tier-1, offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime and sits in our low-fee bracket. The two overlap in 215 countries; eToro is available in 2 countries where IG is not, and IG in 15 where eToro is not.

Verdict at a glance

  • eToro leads on trust rank.
  • IG leads on track record, regulatory coverage, platform choice, country coverage and tier-1 licences.
  • Level on instrument range and fee level.

Scored on 8 measurable dimensions where both brokers have verified data. Dimensions missing for either side are excluded rather than guessed. This is a data summary, not a recommendation.

eToro vs IG: side-by-side data

CriteriaeToroIG
Trust rank#8#15
Founded20071974
HeadquartersIsraelUnited Kingdom
RegulatorsASIC, CySEC, FCAASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA
Broker typeMarket MakerMarket Maker
PlatformsProprietaryMT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime
InstrumentsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, MetalsCommodities, Cryptocurrencies, Forex, Indices, Metals
Countries accepted217 countries230 countries
Fee levelLowLow
Trading typesCFD TradingCFD Trading, Spot Trading
Best-for use casesCopy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail TradingProfessional Trading, Retail Trading

Highlighted cells mark the stronger value where a direction is objectively better (e.g. more licences, lower fees). "Not verified" means the field is not yet in our catalogue for that broker — we never fill gaps with estimates.

Pros

eToro

  • Tier-1 regulation (FCA/ASIC/CySEC)
  • Negative balance protection
  • Built-in social/copy trading
  • Multi-asset CFD account
  • Spread-only FX pricing

IG

  • Tier-1 regulation (FCA, ASIC, NFA/CFTC) with segregated client funds
  • Competitive spreads and deep liquidity
  • Fast, reliable execution and high uptime
  • Advanced platforms (IG web/mobile, MT4, ProRealTime) with GSLO and advanced order types
  • Wide FX pair coverage and strong research/education

Cons

eToro

  • Higher spreads than ECN/STP brokers
  • No MT4/MT5 or third-party platform support
  • Market-maker execution (not true ECN/STP)
  • No guaranteed stop-loss orders
  • Withdrawal and currency conversion fees

IG

  • No MetaTrader 5 or cTrader support
  • Inactivity fee for dormant accounts
  • DMA/L2 access restricted to professional clients
  • Leverage capped by regional regulations
  • Market-maker model for retail accounts

Key features

eToro

  • CFD forex trading on majors minors and exotics
  • Regulated by FCA CySEC and ASIC with segregated client funds
  • Social copy trading CopyTrader and Smart Portfolios
  • Proprietary web and mobile platform with ProCharts and economic calendar
  • Risk management orders stop loss take profit and negative balance protection
  • Two factor authentication and KYC AML security controls

IG

  • Top tier regulation and segregated client funds
  • Negative balance protection and guaranteed stop loss
  • CFDs spread betting and options on forex indices commodities shares and crypto
  • Advanced trading platforms IG web and mobile MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime
  • Fast execution deep liquidity and competitive spreads
  • API and algorithmic trading support

Country availability: eToro vs IG

Available at both (215): Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bonaire, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Colombia, Comoros and 175 more.

Only eToro (2): Belgium, United States of America.

Only IG (15): Afghanistan, American Samoa, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Ethiopia, Guam, Iraq, Lebanon, Mali, Nicaragua, Somalia, Venezuela, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Availability reflects the countries each broker declares it serves. Local rules change; confirm on the broker's own site before signing up.

eToro vs IG: common questions

Which broker is more regulated, eToro or IG?

IG holds more regulatory licences: eToro (ASIC, CySEC, FCA) versus IG (ASIC, BaFin, BMA, CFTC, Deutsche Bundesbank, DFSA, FCA, FINMA, FMA, FSCA, JFSA, MAS, NFA). Tier-1 licences: eToro 2, IG 9.

Which trading platforms do eToro and IG offer?

eToro offers Proprietary; IG offers MT4, Proprietary, ProRealTime.

Which has lower fees, eToro or IG?

Both sit in the same fee bracket (low) in our catalogue; compare the spreads and commission rows above for detail.

Which is older, eToro or IG?

IG is the older of the two, founded in 1974; eToro was founded in 2007.

Are eToro and IG available in the same countries?

They overlap in 215 countries. eToro is additionally available in 2 countries (Belgium, United States of America) and IG in 15 countries (Afghanistan, American Samoa, Central African Republic, China, Congo, Ethiopia and 9 more).

Keep comparing

eToro

IG

Risk warning: CFDs and forex are complex, leveraged instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly. A majority of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Nothing on this page is financial advice; verify licence status on the regulator's register before depositing. Full risk disclosure.