This article will look at Eightcap vs IG where I will compare their main features, trading conditions, costs, regulations, account options, and help traders decide which broker is better for them.
While Eightcap offers better access to crypto CFDs and has lower minimum deposits, IG has greater coverage of the markets and more sophisticated trading tools. I will help show you the differences and help you decide on the best fit for your trading.
What is Eightcap?
Eightcap, which is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, is a renowned Australian forex and CFD broker established in 2009. It holds licenses from ASIC and SCB, which guarantees safe and secure trading.
Eightcap offers access to diverse markets, forex pairs and crosses, indices, varied commodities and CFDs on shares, and even cryptocurrencies. Traders benefit from the capability of automated trading and advanced charting on MT4, MT5, and TradingView, which are widely used trading applications.
The broker has a reputation for swift execution, different account options to suit diverse approaches to trading, and generous customer service that has made Eightcap popular among all levels, from beginners to professionals.
What is IG?
Founded in 1974 and based in London, IG has become one of the largest and most well-established online trading brokers in the world. IG is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, and other authorities worldwide which offers strong protection and transparency for traders.
IG also provides a wide array of markets including forex, indices, stocks, commodities, cryptos, and options. Besides offering IG’s own powerful trading platform, they also offer MetaTrader 4 and other advanced analysis tools.
IG’s liquidity is unparalleled and offers well-researched material at reasonable spreads which caters to all traders. Due to educational material and support, IG has also gained trust in the industry.
Key Differences between Eightcap vs IG
| Feature | Eightcap | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Founded / Headquarters | Founded 2009, Melbourne, Australia | Founded 1974, London, UK |
| Regulation & Jurisdictions | Regulated by ASIC (Australia), FCA (UK – limited), CySEC, SCB depending on entity | Regulated by FCA (UK) and other global regulators; large global presence |
| Platforms Offered | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView integration | Proprietary IG platform + MetaTrader 4 + other advanced third-party platforms |
| Minimum Deposit / Account Types | Raw and Standard accounts; minimum deposit as low as USD 100 for some entities | Broad account options; some regions have very low minimums; one review shows “$0” but actual requirement depends on region |
| Spread & Fee Structure | Raw account spreads from ~0.0 pips + commission (e.g., USD $3.50 per side) for major FX; Standard account higher spreads, no commission | Competitive spreads across broad markets; fee structure depends on instrument and region. |
| Range of Tradable Instruments | “800+ CFDs” (forex, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies) in many entities | Very large range of instruments (e.g., over 17,000 across asset classes) in some markets ) |
| Best Suited For | Traders seeking low cost ECN-style spreads, use of MetaTrader/TradingView | Traders seeking broad market access, advanced platforms, global presence |
| Notable Strengths | Tight spreads in Raw account, solid platform suite for MT4/MT5, modern brokers’ tools | Very established brand, deep global regulation, huge instrument range, advanced tools & research |
| Potential Weaknesses | Smaller instrument range than top global brokers in some regions; research/education may be less extensive | Because of global size, certain fee structures vary by jurisdiction; platform options may be overwhelming for beginners |
Who Should Choose Which Broker?
Who Should Choose Eightcap?
- Forex & Crypto Focused Traders: Perfect for high-frequency traders, Eightcap offers crypto CFD with tight spreads.
- MT4/MT5 & Algo Trading Users: Automated strategies, bots, and TradingView integration is supported.
- Low-Cost ECN-Style Traders: For scalpers and day traders, the raw account with low commissions and near zero spreads is a game changer.
- Beginner to Intermediate Traders: Easy account structure and seamless onboarding make it a great choice for beginners.
Who Should Choose IG?
- Traders Wanting the Widest Market Access: Shares, options, and indices among the thousands of instruments on the platform.
- Professional & Advanced Investors: Advanced proprietary platform for trading, research, and analytics.
- Regulation-Focused Traders: Many jurisdictions and safe regulation foster a great deal of trust.
- Long-Term & High-Capital Investors: Premium account perks, better liquidity, and account stability.
Regulation & Security
Eightcap
- Regarded under ASIC by Australian authorities which is under licence 391441.
- Also permitted under the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Other jurisdictions are supported by different entities (i.e., Europa region by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission – CySEC).
- Client funds are held in segregated and regulated entities as accounts. Also indicates Trust Score 85/99 and noted as high-tier regulators.
- Since they have different jurisdictions, you should verify what regulatory body your account is under, as offshore entities (Bahamas, Seychelles) may provide less protection.
IG
- Occupies foremost and highest positions in the United Kingdom and in the realm of the FCA, your funds cannot be utilized for the broker’s business. This is all noted in ([IG][8]).
- Other jurisdictions are noted by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for Singapore entity.
- As a public entity, having part of your group public as in IG Group Holdings plc adds tranquillity and scrutiny on your part.
- Other jurisdictions are noted by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for Singapore entity.
- As a public entity, having part of your group public as in IG Group Holdings plc adds tranquillity and scrutiny on your part.
- Although there is some level of regulation, make sure you check which jurisdiction you are trading under, particularly for cross-border clients.
Deposit & Withdrawal Methods
| Feature / Method | Eightcap | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 (but $250 required when using credit/debit card or PayPal) |
| Bank Transfer – Deposit | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Bank Transfer – Withdrawal | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Credit/Debit Card – Deposit | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Credit/Debit Card – Withdrawal | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| PayPal – Deposit | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Wise – Deposit | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Revolut – Deposit | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
| Category | Eightcap | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Spread Type | Variable spreads | Variable spreads |
| Average EUR/USD Spread | From 0.0 pips (Raw Account) ~1.0 pip (Standard/TradingView Accounts) | ~0.6 – 0.8 pips (depending on region & platform) |
| Account Commission | Raw Account: ~$3.5 per lot per side Standard/TradingView: No commission | Varies by asset type Typically no FX commission on standard spread pricing |
| Overnight Swap Fees | Yes, based on instrument & position type | Yes, varies by instrument & funding rate |
| Deposit Fees | Mostly Free (depends on method & region) | Free for most deposit methods |
| Withdrawal Fees | Free via most methods | Free except some bank transfers depending on region |
| Inactivity Fee | No inactivity fee | Yes, inactivity fee may apply after long dormancy |
| Guaranteed Stop-Loss Fee | ❌ Not available | ✅ Available (extra premium applies if triggered) |
Trading Platforms & Tools
| Feature | Eightcap | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✅ Supported. | ✅ Supported. |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✅ Supported. | ✅ Supported. |
| cTrader | ❌ Not clearly supported. ( | ❌ Not listed as standard. (No strong evidence) |
| TradingView | ✅ Supported. | ✅ Supported via integration. |
| Proprietary Platform | ❌ (No strong from-broker proprietary platform claim) | ✅ Yes, IG offers its own web/mobile platform. |
| Automated Trading | ✅ Supported (via MT4/MT5) | ✅ Supported (via MT4, proprietary tools) ( |
| Social + Copy Trading | ❌ Not clearly supported. | ❌ No strong evidence for full copy/social trading feature across all accounts |
| Standard Stop Loss | ✅ Supported (basic stop orders) | ✅ Supported. (Basic stop-loss features) |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ❌ Not offered. | ✅ Offered. |
| Demo Account | ✅ Yes. | ✅ Yes. |
Eightcap vs IG Features
Eightcap Features
- 1000+ trading instruments includes Forex, Crypto CFDs, Indices, Commodities, and Stocks CFDs.
- Leverage is 500:1 under SCB regulation and 30:1 under ASIC, CySEC & FCA jurisdictions.
- Minimum deposit: $100 or equivalent for accounts.
- Three account types available in: Raw Account, Standard Account variations & TradingView Account.
- Competitive fees in trading with:
- Raw Account: ~$3.5 per lot per side + tight spreads
- Standard & TradingView Accounts: ~1 pip spread over total account.
- PAMM / MAM solutions available for fund managers.
- Scalping is allowed.
- News trading unrestricted.
- EA / Robot trading available. Specified trading systems for trading automation with MT4/MT5 and TradingView.
IG Features
- 17,000+ trading instruments includes Forex, Indices, Shares, Crypto, Commodities, Bonds, Options, and More.
- Leverage of 30:1 – 200:1 mainly determined by asset class and location along with other trader variables.
- No minimum stipulated deposit, however, $250 is mandatory when account is funded through cards or PayPal. All other methods account balances are left unrestricted.
- Multiple account features and options available consisting of:
- Standard Accounts
- Limited Risk Accounts
- Spread Betting Accounts
- Options and Turbo24 Accounts
- Share Dealing Accounts
- Professional Accounts
- PAMM/MAM support available
- Scalping support available
- News trading support available for all major assets
- EA/Automated trading available on MT4 and proprietary platforms
Pros & Cons
Eightcap Pros
- Minimizing costs with Raw Account’s tight spreads and low commissions is perfect for active traders.
- Supports MT4 and MT5, also TradingView, which is advantageous for algo and crypto traders.
- Crypto CFD offering with high liquidity, making crypto traders benefit the most.
- Offered to fund managers.
- Scalping, hedging, and EA/robot trading are all allowed.
- Fast onboarding.
Eightcap Cons
- Compared to the major global brokers, global trading instruments availability is limited.
- Educational and research content is not as well rounded.
- Leverage is jurisdiction and strict regulation dependent. It is lower for coveting nation.
- No guaranteed stop-loss protection circumvents most of professional traders.
IG Pros
- Very high regulation and protection of client funds.
- Research and proprietary trading platform is advanced with self-analytical tools.
- Guaranteed stop-loss protection.
- Great for professional trading.
- Supports diverse institutions with various specialized accounts.
IG Cons
- Account types and numerous features might be overwhelming for newbies.
- Inactivity and some regional withdrawal fees might be annoying.
- Control over comparatively low jurisdiction trading limits.
- Increased trading costs for some assets relative to ECN-style brokers.
Conclusion
Both Eightcap and IG are licenced forex and CFD brokers, with IG and Eightcap holding customers from different ranges of traders profiles. Eightcap is focused on traders who are looking for affordability in their transactions, as well as for those traders who find interest in high trading leverage in certain jurisdictions.
In terms of platform, Eightcap is more favorable to traders who use MT4, MT5 and Trading View, as well as for automated trading strategies which is appealing to scalpers, crypto traders and algorithmic traders.
For professional traders, in which we mean traders having considerable capital, stability and advanced trading resources, IG is suited to their needs because of the combination of the high proprietary platform they have along with advanced market research. In a nutshell, cost-effective and technical trading goes to Eightcap, while broader market access and strong safety goes to IG.
FAQ
What’s the minimum deposit for each broker?
Eightcap: The minimum deposit is $100 or equivalent.
IG: Technically $0 to open, although if you fund via credit/debit card or PayPal, you’ll typically need a $250 minimum.
What trading instruments do they offer?
Eightcap: Offers 1000+ instruments including Forex, Crypto CFDs, Indices CFDs, Commodities CFDs and Stocks CFDs.
IG: Offers 17,000+ instruments across Forex, Shares, Indices, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, Bonds, Options and more.
Can I use automated trading (EAs/robots), scalping, news trading?
Both brokers allow automated trading/EAs/robots, scalping and news-trading (subject to jurisdictional rules).
For instance, Eightcap confirms that scalping and hedging are allowed.
