When IG Markets Isn't the Right Fit
IG Markets is the world's largest CFD and spread-betting provider with 17,000+ markets, ProRealTime charting, and 50 years of trading heritage. Real institutional pedigree. Three limits push traders elsewhere: CFD/spread-betting focused (US clients get a limited forex-only version), higher-tier features locked behind account minimums or high volume, and inactivity fees if you don't trade regularly.
The alternative depends on the gap. If you're US-based and want serious forex + multi-asset: Forex.com or Interactive Brokers. If you want tighter ECN spreads (non-US): IC Markets or FxPro. If you want CFDs without inactivity fees: OANDA or CMC Markets. If you want social/copy trading with CFDs: eToro.
Best IG Markets Alternatives by Use Case
| Use Case | Best Alternative | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| US-based multi-asset (forex + stocks + futures) | Interactive Brokers | Institutional-grade multi-asset globally. Best pricing at scale. |
| US-legal forex specifically | Forex.com | US-regulated (CFTC/NFA) with tight spreads on 80+ pairs. |
| Cheapest ECN spreads (non-US) | IC Markets | Raw 0.0 pip spreads on all account types. Not US-available. |
| Multi-platform (MT4/MT5/cTrader) | FxPro | Four platforms + top-tier FCA/CySEC/FSCA regulation. |
| Long-form no-inactivity CFD | OANDA | No inactivity fee structure. Strong regulation across jurisdictions. |
| Copy trading + social CFDs | eToro | CopyTrader + 35M-user community. Multi-asset including CFDs. |
What IG Markets Does Better Than Alternatives
Two things: the 17,000+ market coverage and ProRealTime charting. No CFD peer offers as broad a market catalog as IG — index CFDs, forex, commodities, individual stocks across global markets, bonds, ETFs, crypto CFDs. If you want a single account to trade nearly anything as a CFD, IG's breadth is unmatched.
ProRealTime charting (available via IG for eligible clients) is one of the strongest professional charting platforms in retail trading. For traders who value serious technical analysis, this is a differentiator vs stripped-down broker platforms.
Feature Comparison
- IG Markets: 17,000+ markets, ProRealTime, tiered spreads, inactivity fee applies. US-limited.
- Interactive Brokers: Global multi-asset, professional API, lowest institutional pricing.
- Forex.com: US-legal, tight forex spreads, Active Trader tier.
- IC Markets: Raw 0.0 pip + commission. Non-US.
- FxPro: Four platforms + top-tier regulation.
- OANDA: No inactivity fee, strong TradingView + API.
- eToro: CopyTrader + community + multi-asset CFDs.
The Bottom Line
IG Markets is the broadest CFD/spread-betting broker for non-US traders. If you value 17,000+ markets and ProRealTime charts, no CFD alternative matches. If you're US-based, Interactive Brokers or Forex.com. For tighter ECN spreads (non-US), IC Markets. For social + copy trading, eToro. See the forex broker hub for the full comparison.