IG
IG Group
4.3 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A globally regulated multi-asset powerhouse built for serious, diversified traders.
- Min deposit
- $250
- Max leverage
- 1:200
- Spread from
- 0.6 pips
- Regulators
- FCA, ASIC, MAS, SEC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/15/2026
IG Group vs Motilal Oswal: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
IG Group and Motilal Oswal serve very different types of traders, one built for global multi-asset access, the other for cost-conscious beginners in India. Our research gives IG Group the overall edge with a 4.3/5 rating, but Motilal Oswal fights back hard on fees and accessibility. Here's exactly how they stack up.
MO
Motilal Oswal
3.3 / 5Score: 2 / 4
A zero-deposit gateway into Indian markets with razor-tight spreads.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:5
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- SEBI
Overall Winner
IG Group
Best for Beginners
Motilal Oswal
Lowest Fees
Motilal Oswal
Top Regulation
IG Group
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | IG IG Group | MO Motilal Oswal |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Founded | 1974 | 1987 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Mumbai, India |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, MAS, SEC | SEBI |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $250 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0.6 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | None | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:5 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MT4 | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile, MO Investor |
| Markets Offered | Cfd, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Crypto | Stocks, Etf, Crypto, Commodities, Indices |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
IG Group
$250
Motilal Oswal
$0
Spreads From
IG Group
0.6 pips
Motilal Oswal
0 pips
Commission
IG Group
None
Motilal Oswal
None
Deposit Fees
IG Group
None
Motilal Oswal
None
Withdrawal Fees
IG Group
None
Motilal Oswal
None
Pros & cons
IG
IG Group
Pros
- Backed by four respected regulators for stronger fund safety
- Wider range of tradable markets across six asset classes
- Higher leverage ceiling for more flexible trading strategies
- MT4 support enables advanced charting and automated strategies
- No commission charges on standard trading activity
- Long-established broker with a 1974 founding history
- Higher overall independent rating at 4.3 out of 5
Cons
- Higher minimum deposit requirement of $250 compared to rivals
- Spreads from 0.6 pips are wider than some low-cost competitors
- Leverage of 1:200, while flexible, increases risk for inexperienced traders
- May feel less tailored to traders focused solely on Indian equities
MO
Motilal Oswal
Pros
- No minimum deposit makes it highly accessible to beginners
- Tighter spreads from 0 pips reduce trading costs
- Long operating history since 1987 builds established trust
- Conservative 1:5 leverage limits downside risk exposure
- No commission charged on standard trades
- Simple, India-focused platform ecosystem via MO Investor
Cons
- Limited to a single regulatory licence from SEBI
- Lacks forex and CFD trading available at competitor platforms
- Maximum leverage of 1:5 restricts flexibility for advanced strategies
- No MT4 support for traders wanting industry-standard tools
- Lower overall independent rating at 3.3 out of 5
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner IG Group
Lowest fees Motilal Oswal
Best regulation IG Group
Better for beginners Motilal Oswal
IG Group is our top recommendation in this matchup, earning a 4.3/5 overall rating compared to Motilal Oswal's 3.3/5. IG Group's superior regulatory footprint (FCA, ASIC, MAS, SEC) and broader market access make it the stronger all-round choice for most traders. That said, Motilal Oswal remains a compelling pick for budget-conscious beginners thanks to its $0 minimum deposit and tighter 0 pip spreads.
Regulation & Trustworthiness
Regulatory strength is one of the biggest differentiators in this comparison. IG Group is licensed by four major tier-1 regulators: the FCA, ASIC, MAS, and SEC, giving it one of the most robust oversight profiles in the retail trading industry.
Motilal Oswal, by contrast, is regulated solely by SEBI, India's securities regulator. While SEBI provides credible oversight for Indian residents, it doesn't offer the same multi-jurisdictional protection that global traders often look for.
For traders who prioritize fund safety and cross-border legal recourse, IG Group's four-licence structure is a clear advantage. Motilal Oswal remains a trustworthy option specifically for traders operating within India's regulatory framework.
Fees, Spreads & Trading Costs
Motilal Oswal wins on headline pricing, advertising spreads from 0 pips compared to IG Group's spreads from 0.6 pips. Neither broker charges a standard commission on the account types compared here, which keeps the cost structure simple for both.
Beyond spreads, both brokers charge no deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome feature for traders who move funds frequently. This levels the playing field somewhat despite the spread difference.
It's worth noting that Motilal Oswal's tighter spreads are especially attractive to high-frequency traders and scalpers focused on Indian markets. IG Group's slightly wider spreads are offset by its broader instrument range and stronger execution infrastructure across global markets.
Minimum Deposit & Accessibility
Accessibility is where Motilal Oswal truly shines. With a $0 minimum deposit, it removes virtually all financial barriers to entry, making it an excellent starting point for new traders testing strategies with limited capital.
IG Group requires a $250 minimum deposit, a figure that, while not extreme by industry standards, is still meaningfully higher than Motilal Oswal's zero-dollar threshold.
Traders who want to start small and scale up gradually will find Motilal Oswal far more forgiving. Those with more capital ready to deploy, however, may not view IG Group's deposit requirement as a significant obstacle given its broader benefits.
Trading Platforms & Tools
IG Group offers a well-rounded platform suite consisting of its Proprietary Web platform, a Proprietary Mobile app, and the widely trusted MetaTrader 4 (MT4). This combination appeals to both casual traders and those who prefer MT4's advanced charting and automation tools.
Motilal Oswal provides its own Proprietary Web and Mobile platforms alongside the MO Investor app, which is tailored specifically toward Indian retail investors managing stocks, ETFs, and other local instruments.
While Motilal Oswal's platforms are functional and well-integrated for domestic markets, IG Group's inclusion of MT4 gives it an edge for traders who want industry-standard charting, expert advisors, and algorithmic trading capabilities.
Market Access & Instrument Range
IG Group offers a noticeably wider range of tradable markets, spanning CFDs, forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto. This breadth makes it a strong candidate for diversified traders who want to manage multiple asset classes from a single account.
Motilal Oswal covers stocks, ETFs, crypto, commodities, and indices, but does not offer CFDs or dedicated forex trading in the same capacity as IG Group.
For traders focused primarily on Indian equities and ETFs, Motilal Oswal's targeted market range may be perfectly sufficient. Global multi-asset traders, however, will likely lean toward IG Group's more expansive offering.
Leverage & Risk Profile
IG Group offers leverage up to 1:200, giving traders considerably more flexibility to control larger positions with smaller capital outlays, though this also increases risk exposure.
Motilal Oswal caps leverage at a conservative 1:5, reflecting SEBI's stricter regulatory stance on retail leverage limits in the Indian market.
Experienced traders comfortable managing higher leverage will find IG Group's offering more versatile, while risk-averse or newer traders may actually appreciate Motilal Oswal's built-in guardrails.
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 Motilal Oswal 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.
Motilal OswalLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
Motilal OswalStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
IG Group
Frequently asked questions
IG Group comes out ahead overall, earning a 4.3/5 rating on our independent scoring system compared to Motilal Oswal's 3.3/5. The gap is largely driven by IG Group's stronger regulatory coverage and broader market access, though Motilal Oswal remains competitive on cost and accessibility.
Motilal Oswal offers the tighter headline spreads, starting from 0 pips versus IG Group's 0.6 pips. Both brokers charge no commissions and no deposit or withdrawal fees, so the primary cost difference comes down to spread width.
IG Group requires a $250 minimum deposit, while Motilal Oswal has no minimum deposit requirement at all. This makes Motilal Oswal significantly more accessible for traders starting with limited capital.
IG Group holds licences from four major regulators: the FCA, ASIC, MAS, and SEC. Motilal Oswal is regulated only by SEBI in India, making IG Group the stronger choice for traders who prioritize multi-jurisdictional oversight.
IG Group provides its own Proprietary Web and Mobile platforms plus MetaTrader 4 support. Motilal Oswal offers its Proprietary Web and Mobile platforms alongside the dedicated MO Investor app tailored to Indian markets.
Yes, there's nothing stopping you from maintaining accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders actually diversify across multiple platforms to take advantage of different market access, tools, and fee structures.
IG Group offers substantially higher leverage of up to 1:200, compared to Motilal Oswal's conservative cap of 1:5. Traders seeking more flexibility in position sizing will find IG Group's leverage terms more accommodating, though higher leverage also carries increased risk.
Motilal Oswal is generally considered friendlier to beginners thanks to its $0 minimum deposit and simplified, India-focused platform ecosystem. Newer traders with limited capital may find it easier to get started there before potentially graduating to a more globally diverse broker like IG Group.
IG Group covers CFDs, forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and crypto across six broad categories. Motilal Oswal focuses on stocks, ETFs, crypto, commodities, and indices, without dedicated forex or CFD offerings.
Neither IG Group nor Motilal Oswal charges deposit or withdrawal fees, making fund transfers straightforward at both brokers. This is a notable convenience that keeps overall trading costs predictable for users of either platform.
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.