eToro vs IG for US stocks
Both give you real share ownership, so the decision comes down to cost, country eligibility and platform.
Pick eToro if beginners. Pick IG if UK and AU investors.
Whether a position is a real share or a derivative is decided by your region and leverage setting — check before assuming ownership.
Visit eToroOne of the few names offering genuine share dealing and CFDs under one login, with the rules changing by jurisdiction.
Visit IGSide by side
| eToro | IG | |
|---|---|---|
| What you hold | The share | The share |
| US stock access | 3,000+ stocks across US and global exchanges | US share dealing plus a large US share CFD list |
| Minimum deposit | $50 | None |
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
| Published pricing | $0 commission on real stock investing in most regions; currency conversion and withdrawal fees apply. | US share dealing commission is reduced or waived above a monthly trade count in supported regions; CFD costs are separate. |
| Platforms | eToro web, eToro mobile | IG web, IG mobile, ProRealTime, MetaTrader 4 |
| Extended hours | Not offered on real-stock orders | Out-of-hours pricing on selected US shares |
| Regulation | FCA 583263, CySEC 109/10, ASIC 491139 | FCA 195355, ASIC 220440, MAS CMS100519 |
| Founded | 2007 | 1974 |
Where each one wins
eToro
- Beginners
- Copy trading
- Mixing real shares and CFDs in one app
- Whether you get a real share or a CFD depends on your region and whether leverage is applied
- FX conversion costs on non-USD deposits
IG
- UK and AU investors
- Traders who want share dealing and CFDs side by side
- Inactivity fees on dormant accounts
- Product mix differs sharply by country
Frequently asked questions
eToro or IG — which is better for US stocks?
Both give you real share ownership, so the decision comes down to cost, country eligibility and platform. eToro: beginners. IG: UK and AU investors.
Which is cheaper?
eToro: $0 commission on real stock investing in most regions; currency conversion and withdrawal fees apply. IG: US share dealing commission is reduced or waived above a monthly trade count in supported regions; CFD costs are separate. Both figures are restated from each broker's own pricing page; for small non-USD accounts, currency conversion usually costs more than commission does.
Which is better regulated?
eToro is authorised by FCA, CySEC, ASIC; IG by FCA, ASIC, MAS. What matters is which entity holds your account, since that determines your compensation scheme and leverage limits.
Reviewed August 2026. Figures restated from each broker's published pages.