eToro vs IG (2026): regulation, platforms and costs compared
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Data refreshed 25 Aug 2026 · Compiled by David Ispiryan
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…
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,…
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.
Copy Trading, Professional Trading, Retail Trading
Professional 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.
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).
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.