IG
IG Group
4.3 / 5Score: 2 / 4
Five decades of trusted, multi-market trading backed by top-tier global regulation.
- Min deposit
- $250
- Max leverage
- 1:200
- Spread from
- 0.6 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, ASIC, MAS, SEC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/6/2026
IG Group vs Cash App Investing: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
IG Group and Cash App Investing serve very different types of investors. IG Group takes our top spot overall with a 4.3/5 rating thanks to deep regulation and multi-asset access, while Cash App Investing appeals to cost-conscious beginners with its $1 minimum deposit and zero-spread model.
CA
Cash App Investing
3.2 / 5Score: 2 / 4
Start investing with just $1 and zero spreads on a dead-simple mobile app.
- Min deposit
- $1
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SEC, FINRA
Overall Winner
IG Group
Best for Beginners
Cash App Investing
Lowest Fees
Cash App Investing
Top Regulation
IG Group
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | IG IG Group | CA Cash App Investing |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 1974 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | San Francisco, USA |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, MAS, SEC | SEC, FINRA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $250 | $1 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:1 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MT4 | Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Cfd, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Etf, Crypto |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
IG Group
$250
Cash App Investing
$1
Spreads From
IG Group
0.6 pips
Cash App Investing
0 pips
Commission
IG Group
None
Cash App Investing
None
Deposit Fees
IG Group
None
Cash App Investing
None
Withdrawal Fees
IG Group
None
Cash App Investing
None
Pros & cons
IG
IG Group
Pros
- Backed by four major regulators for strong global credibility
- Wide market access spanning six distinct asset classes
- Supports MT4 for advanced charting and automated trading
- No commission charged on standard trades
- Higher leverage ceiling gives active traders more flexibility
- Long-standing reputation dating back to 1974
- Zero deposit and withdrawal fees keep costs predictable
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $250 is a higher barrier for new traders
- Spreads from 0.6 pips are wider than some low-cost competitors
- More complex platform suite may overwhelm absolute beginners
- Higher leverage carries increased risk for inexperienced traders
CA
Cash App Investing
Pros
- Extremely low $1 minimum deposit removes entry barriers
- Advertised 0 pip spreads reduce headline trading costs
- Simple, beginner-friendly mobile interface
- No commission charged on trades
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Backed by established US regulators SEC and FINRA
Cons
- No forex or CFD market access whatsoever
- No leverage available, limiting trading flexibility (1:1)
- Only supports a single proprietary mobile platform
- Lacks international regulatory coverage outside the US
- Much shorter operating history since founding in 2019
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner IG Group
Lowest fees Cash App Investing
Best regulation IG Group
Better for beginners Cash App Investing
IG Group is our recommended pick, earning a 4.3/5 rating compared to Cash App Investing's 3.2/5. IG Group's four-tier regulatory coverage (FCA, ASIC, MAS, SEC), broader asset range, and professional-grade platforms make it the stronger all-around choice for serious traders. Cash App Investing still wins on pure cost accessibility, with a $1 minimum deposit and 0 pip spreads, making it a reasonable entry point for absolute beginners with limited capital. However, for traders wanting depth, regulatory security, and long-term scalability, IG Group is the clear winner.
Regulation & Safety
IG Group operates under four major regulatory bodies: the FCA, ASIC, MAS, and SEC. This multi-jurisdictional oversight gives traders strong protections including segregated client funds and adherence to strict capital adequacy requirements across several of the world's most respected financial hubs.
Cash App Investing, by contrast, is regulated solely within the United States by the SEC and FINRA. While these are credible regulators for US-based investors, the lack of international licensing means Cash App Investing offers less appeal or protection for traders operating outside the US.
For anyone prioritizing regulatory depth and multi-region legitimacy, IG Group is significantly stronger. Its 1974 founding date also speaks to five decades of operational track record, versus Cash App Investing's much shorter history since 2019.
Fees & Spreads
Cash App Investing technically wins on headline pricing, offering spreads from 0 pips compared to IG Group's spread starting at 0.6 pips. Neither broker charges a standard commission on trades, and both waive deposit and withdrawal fees, which is a welcome similarity for cost-sensitive traders.
However, the 0 pip figure at Cash App Investing largely reflects its narrower product set, which is centered on simple stock, ETF, and crypto purchases rather than leveraged CFD or forex trading. IG Group's slightly wider spread reflects the added complexity and market depth available across CFDs, forex, and commodities.
In practical terms, active traders working with derivatives or high-frequency setups may still find IG Group more cost-efficient once leverage and market range are factored in, while casual buy-and-hold investors may appreciate Cash App Investing's simplicity.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
Cash App Investing is dramatically more accessible for new investors, requiring just $1 to open an account and start trading. This is a major draw for beginners or younger investors testing the waters with minimal capital at risk.
IG Group's $250 minimum deposit is far more substantial, positioning it as a platform aimed at traders who are ready to commit meaningful capital. This higher bar may deter absolute beginners but aligns with the broker's more sophisticated product offering.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, so once funds clear the initial threshold, ongoing account maintenance costs remain neutral on both platforms.
Trading Platforms & Tools
IG Group offers a considerably more robust platform suite, including a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and full MetaTrader 4 (MT4) integration. This gives traders flexibility to use advanced charting, automated strategies, and expert advisors through MT4, alongside IG's own polished interfaces.
Cash App Investing supports only its Proprietary Mobile app, which is intentionally streamlined for simplicity. While this suits casual investors buying stocks or crypto on the go, it lacks the depth, customization, and automation tools that active traders typically expect.
Traders who rely on technical analysis, algorithmic trading, or multi-device workflows will find IG Group's platform ecosystem far more capable.
Market Range & Leverage
IG Group provides access to six market categories: CFDs, forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto, with leverage up to 1:200. This breadth allows traders to diversify strategies and hedge across asset classes within a single account.
Cash App Investing limits its offering to stocks, ETFs, and crypto, with no leverage available (1:1). This makes it fundamentally a cash-account investing app rather than a full-service trading platform, which is an important distinction for anyone expecting margin or derivatives access.
Traders seeking forex or CFD exposure have no option but IG Group, since Cash App Investing simply doesn't support those markets.
Our Verdict
IG Group earns our recommendation as the stronger overall broker, backed by a 4.3/5 rating, extensive regulation, and a far broader trading ecosystem suited to intermediate and advanced traders. Its half-century of operating history adds a further layer of trust.
Cash App Investing remains a sensible starting point for absolute beginners who want to dip into stocks or crypto with as little as $1, without concern for spreads or commissions. It simply isn't built for forex, CFD, or leveraged trading.
Ultimately, your choice should hinge on your trading ambitions: choose IG Group for a serious, multi-market trading career, or Cash App Investing for low-stakes, simplified investing.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
IG Group wins overall
IG Group edges out Cash App Investing overall based on our expert rating score.
IG
Highest Rated
IG Group
4.3 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (4.3/5).
IG GroupBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
Cash App InvestingLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Cash App InvestingStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
IG Group
Frequently asked questions
Based on our independent rating system, IG Group scores 4.3 out of 5, outperforming Cash App Investing's 3.2 out of 5. IG Group's advantage comes from deeper regulation, broader market access, and more advanced trading platforms, though Cash App Investing remains a solid pick for simple, low-capital investing.
Cash App Investing advertises spreads from 0 pips, technically undercutting IG Group's spreads which start from 0.6 pips. That said, IG Group's pricing reflects access to leveraged CFD and forex markets that Cash App Investing does not offer at all.
IG Group requires a minimum deposit of $250, while Cash App Investing only requires $1 to get started. This makes Cash App Investing dramatically more accessible for beginners testing the market with minimal capital.
IG Group is regulated by four separate authorities: the FCA, ASIC, MAS, and SEC, giving it much broader international oversight. Cash App Investing is regulated only in the US by the SEC and FINRA, making it a solid but more geographically limited option.
IG Group supports a Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and full MetaTrader 4 integration for advanced traders. Cash App Investing only offers its own Proprietary Mobile app, which is designed for simplicity rather than advanced trading features.
While IG Group's $250 minimum deposit and broader platform suite are aimed more at committed traders, beginners can still use it successfully by starting small and utilizing its educational resources. However, those wanting the absolute lowest entry point may prefer Cash App Investing's $1 minimum instead.
Only IG Group offers forex and CFD trading, alongside stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto, with leverage up to 1:200. Cash App Investing is limited to stocks, ETFs, and crypto with no leverage available.
Yes, there is nothing preventing you from opening accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders use IG Group for leveraged forex and CFD strategies while keeping a Cash App Investing account for simple stock or crypto purchases.
IG Group is the stronger choice for multi-asset, long-term investors due to its access to six market categories and higher leverage ceiling. Cash App Investing's narrower focus on stocks, ETFs, and crypto makes it better suited to simple, single-strategy investing.
Neither IG Group nor Cash App Investing charges deposit or withdrawal fees, making ongoing account management cost-neutral on both platforms. The main cost differences instead come down to spreads, market access, and available leverage.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.