IG Review 2026

Our Overall Verdict

Founded in 1974 and headquartered in London, IG is a publicly traded broker listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The broker operates under regulatory oversight from authorities including the FCA, ASIC, MAS, CFTC, JFSA, and FSCA. It offers access to multiple asset classes, including forex pairs, indices, stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and options.

IG's trading infrastructure includes its proprietary web platform, native mobile applications, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ProRealTime, TradingView integration, and L2 Dealer for direct market access. Its pricing varies across instruments and services, including an average EUR/USD spread of 0.82 pips and zero commission on online share dealing when using instant conversion. Other charges include a 0.7% foreign exchange conversion fee and overnight financing charges. Standard Islamic swap-free accounts are not available to retail traders.

Who Should Use IG?

• Active forex, index, and CFD traders seeking low spreads, weekend trading, and high execution capacity.
• Algorithmic and technical traders requiring advanced platform choices such as MT4, MT5, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, and robust API solutions.
• Long-term investors and share dealers based in eligible jurisdictions looking for tax-efficient wrappers like ISAs and SIPPs alongside share dealing.
• Traders who prioritize safety, segregated funds, and multi-jurisdictional Tier-1 regulatory oversight.

Who Should Avoid IG?

• Traders requiring standard Shariah-compliant swap-free Islamic accounts for retail leveraged trading.
• Clients seeking direct, native one-click social copy trading platforms within the proprietary dashboard.
• Traders who frequently make transactions in foreign currencies without wanting to incur a 0.7% currency conversion fee.
• Beginners looking for low-threshold deposit requirements specifically via card payments, which require a minimum of £250.

Regulation and Licenses

IG was established in 1974 and is operated by IG Group Holdings plc, a publicly traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: IGG) and a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. This public listing requires high levels of financial transparency, regular public auditing, and corporate governance.

IG operates through authorized entities across multiple global regulatory jurisdictions, classified under Tier-1 regulatory standing. The broker holds regulatory licenses and authorizations from authorities including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom under license number 04677092, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the United States, the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA), and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. It also maintains operational oversight in Germany, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

Client Protection

IG segregates all retail client funds from its own corporate money in compliance with regulatory standards, such as the FCA client money rules. Client funds are deposited into segregated bank accounts held in trust at recognized financial institutions, including Barclays and Lloyds. These funds cannot be utilized to facilitate operational expenses, finance business activities, or settle company hedging obligations.

For retail traders operating under entities in the UK and EU, IG supplies automated negative balance protection on leveraged CFD and spread betting products, ensuring that trading losses do not exceed available account equity. Professional accounts do not receive this protection. In addition, eligible retail clients under the UK entity are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers qualifying claims up to £85,000 per person in the event of firm default or insolvency.

Regulatory History

With half a century of operating history, IG has operated under Tier-1 regulatory frameworks. The broker is publicly listed and maintains separation between retail client assets and its own assets.

IG is a global multi-asset brokerage headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and founded in 1974. It is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (IGG) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The broker is regulated by authorities including the FCA, ASIC, MAS, CFTC, JFSA, and FSCA. It offers forex pairs, indices, stocks, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and options through its proprietary web platform, mobile apps, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ProRealTime, TradingView, and L2 Dealer. The minimum deposit is £0 for bank transfers, £250 for card deposits, and £500 for Smart Portfolio, while maximum leverage ranges from 1:30 for retail clients in the UK, EU, and Australia to 1:200 for international entities and select products.

Spreads and Commissions

IG provides floating spread pricing across its leveraged products. Costs for most retail CFD and spread betting products are built directly into the spread, with average spreads tracked at 0.82 pips on EUR/USD and 0.94 pips on GBP/USD. For commodities and indices, benchmark spreads average approximately 0.34 Points on Gold (XAU/USD) and 0.51 Points on the S&P 500 CFD. Cryptocurrency trading carries a flat spread markup of 1.49%.

For share dealing and ISA accounts, IG offers £0 commission on global shares and ETFs when clients choose instant foreign exchange conversion. If clients opt for manual FX conversion, standard commissions apply, including 3 cents per share on US equities with a $15 minimum commission. When trading share CFDs, costs are levied as a direct commission rather than an expanded spread markup.

Other Trading and Non-Trading Fees

IG maintains a fee-friendly structure for funding operations, charging no deposit fees, no withdrawal fees, and no inactivity fees. However, traders must account for other trading-related expenses:

• Overnight Funding Fees: Leveraged cash CFD positions held open past 10:00 PM UK time incur daily swap charges. For forex, the rate includes an annual IG administration fee of 1% added to the tom-next rate. For shares and indices, an administration fee of 3% is added to the benchmark interbank rate. Daily funding fees on long cryptocurrency positions are 0.0694% for Bitcoin and 0.0764% for other cryptocurrencies. Futures contracts carry no overnight swap fees as financing costs are incorporated into the forward spread.
• Currency Conversion Fee: When trading an instrument denominated in a currency different from the account's base currency, IG applies a standard 0.7% foreign exchange conversion fee calculated against the mid-market rate. This applies to share dealing purchases, foreign dividend credits, and the settlement of realized gains or losses on CFD and spread bet positions.
• VPS Fees: IG provides MT4 VPS hosting through BeeksFX, which is free for clients maintaining an MT4 account balance of at least £5,000 (or $2,000), otherwise incurring a monthly charge of £50. MT5 VPS access is integrated directly into the platform and is free for accounts maintaining a balance of at least $1,000.

Trading Platforms

IG offers a versatile selection of platforms suitable for varying trading styles, devices, and levels of technical complexity:

• IG Proprietary Web Platform: A browser-based trading terminal built on HTML5 that requires no local installation. It features clear navigation, customizable workspace layouts, watchlists, technical indicators, built-in Reuters news feeds, and integrated risk management tools.
• Mobile Trading Apps: Native trading applications for iOS and Android devices, offering interactive charting, price alerts, order tracking, and mobile account management.
• MetaTrader 4 & MetaTrader 5: Support for the widely utilized third-party platforms, offering algorithmic automation through Expert Advisors (EAs), custom indicators, and advanced backtesting capabilities.
• ProRealTime: A specialized charting package integrated with IG, offering automated trading routines, over 100 indicators, and trendline detection software.
• TradingView: Direct integration allowing users to link their IG accounts to TradingView’s charting interface and social charting utilities.
• L2 Dealer: A dedicated proprietary platform designed for professional traders, providing Direct Market Access (DMA) for equities and forex, algorithmic order routing, and Level 2 market depth.

Execution and Trading Tools

IG acts as a market maker while also delivering DMA access via L2 Dealer for qualified traders. Order execution is designed to minimize latency. When slippage occurs, fills can move in either direction from the requested price depending on prevailing market liquidity; however, if market prices move past IG’s internal tolerance levels, orders may be rejected rather than filled at an unfavorable price.

Traders can access built-in tools such as economic calendars, real-time client sentiment indicators showing long and short positioning percentages, and automated trade ideas powered by Autochartist and PIA-First. Furthermore, IG facilitates extended news trading, offering 24/5 continuous trading on major indices and FX pairs, weekend markets on select assets (including EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, indices, and gold), and extended pre-market and post-market trading across more than 700 US equities.

Automated and Copy Trading

IG provides extensive automation solutions through API trading, offering a REST API for automated execution, a streaming API for tick-level data, and an institutional FIX API via its IG Labs framework. MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 enable automated trading through custom Expert Advisors supported by optional low-latency VPS hosting.

IG does not have an internal, native one-click social copy trading network. Copy trading is supported indirectly through MetaTrader 4 integration, which allows users to subscribe to external signal providers. Social trading interaction is otherwise facilitated through the IG Community forum and TradingView charts.

Forex and CFDs

IG offers an extensive collection of leveraged contracts across global financial markets. In the currency arena, traders have access to major, minor, and exotic currency pairs with leverage up to 1:30 for retail clients in Tier-1 regions and up to 1:200 through international subsidiaries. The broker also features weekend trading markets on benchmark forex pairs such as EUR/USD, GBP/USD, and USD/JPY.

Traders can access index CFDs covering primary global benchmarks, including around-the-clock trading and weekend coverage on major indices, with spreads averaging 0.51 points on the S&P 500 CFD. Commodity contracts include agricultural goods, energy markets, and precious metals, with Gold (XAU/USD) trading at average spreads of 0.34 points. In addition, leveraged cryptocurrency CFDs and options products are available where local regulatory frameworks permit.

Stocks, Indices, Commodities and Other Markets

Beyond standard CFD products, IG provides non-leveraged investment solutions and physical share trading. Clients can trade thousands of international equities and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through direct share dealing accounts, alongside tax-efficient wrappers for eligible UK residents such as Stocks & Shares ISAs and SIPPs. IG also provides US options and futures contracts, giving access to American exchange-traded derivatives.

The minimum contract size across leveraged markets starts at a micro-lot of 0.01 lots. Traders can also implement full hedging across CFDs, futures, and options, or engage in high-frequency scalping strategies assisted by direct market access through L2 Dealer.

Available Account Types

IG caters to leveraged traders, institutional clients, and long-term investors through several specialized account types:

• CFD Trading Account: Standard leveraged account for trading contracts for difference across currencies, indices, commodities, shares, and cryptocurrencies without owning the underlying asset.
• Spread Betting Account: Available to residents of the UK and Ireland, offering tax-free leveraged trading on thousands of global assets.
• Share Dealing Account: Non-leveraged cash investment account allowing users to buy, hold, and sell international stocks and ETFs with £0 online commission when using instant FX conversion.
• Stocks & Shares ISA / SIPP: Dedicated tax-efficient vehicles for eligible UK residents wishing to save and invest in stocks and funds for retirement or general capital growth.
• Professional Account: Designed for clients meeting elective professional criteria, providing higher leverage limits and direct market access, but waiving retail protections such as negative balance protection.
• US Options and Futures Account: Specialized account structure providing access to exchange-traded US options and futures contracts.
• IG Smart Portfolio: Managed investment portfolios consisting of asset-allocated portfolios based on risk preference.

Islamic swap-free accounts are not available as a standard retail offering. Trading accounts can be opened in two primary base currencies: GBP and USD.

Minimum Deposit

IG has no minimum deposit requirement when funding via standard bank transfer. For traders choosing to fund their accounts using debit or credit cards, a minimum deposit of £250 is enforced. Clients utilizing the IG Smart Portfolio must meet a £500 minimum capital threshold to begin automated investing, though initial deposits can start at £50 prior to deployment.

Leverage and Margin

Leverage parameters at IG depend on regional regulatory jurisdictions and asset classes. In strictly regulated zones like the UK, EU, and Australia, maximum retail leverage is capped by regulators at 1:30 on major currency pairs, 1:20 on non-major currency pairs, indices, and gold, 1:10 on general commodities, and 1:5 on individual equities. International branches offer higher leverage up to 1:200 for select products.

The margin call level across IG trading accounts is set at 100%. If an account's equity falls to 50% of the required margin requirement, the stop-out level is triggered, and positions will be automatically closed to curtail further capital erosion.

Deposit Options

IG accepts a variety of convenient payment methods for account funding, including:

• Debit and Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
• Bank Wire Transfer
• Apple Pay
• PayPal

IG charges no deposit fees. In terms of processing speed, card deposits and e-wallets (PayPal, Apple Pay) credit balances instantly, while electronic bank wire transfers generally process within approximately two hours. While bank transfers carry no minimum deposit threshold, card transactions require a minimum funding amount of £250.

Withdrawal Options

Withdrawals from IG accounts can be executed via Visa, Mastercard, or bank wire transfer. IG does not levy any withdrawal fees on outbound payouts. Processing times vary by method: wire transfers are typically finalized within 1 to 3 business days, while card withdrawals generally take between 2 and 5 business days to clear through card issuers.

In accordance with regulatory anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, IG mandates full identity and address verification before withdrawals can be processed. Account holders must provide proof of identity (passport or driver's license) and proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement issued within the last three to six months).

Support Channels and Availability

IG provides customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, accommodating traders across global time zones. Support can be accessed through multiple communication channels:

• Phone: Direct desk support via +44 (0)207 896 0011.
• Email: General queries handled via [email protected].
• Web Chat: Live chat accessible directly from the IG website and client dashboard.
• WhatsApp: Direct messaging through dedicated corporate WhatsApp channels.

Support services are delivered in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin Chinese.

Our Support Experience

While availability is continuous throughout the week and direct phone lines connect users to knowledgeable operational personnel, overall customer experiences can be mixed. Digital front-line support channels, such as web chat and messaging apps, often route inquiries through automated virtual assistants before escalating them to human representatives. When direct telephone assistance or human escalation is secured, inquiries concerning platform tools, order parameters, and account administration are resolved professionally.

IG provides a well-rounded suite of market research and trader education resources suitable for both novices and seasoned market participants. Core educational resources are anchored by the IG Academy, which features structured training modules, interactive quizzes, video guides, and live webinars hosted by market professionals. Educational seminars are also organized to explore advanced trading concepts and market psychology.

Market research capabilities integrated into the proprietary platform include real-time financial news coverage delivered via Reuters, in-depth daily market commentary from internal analysts and DailyFX, and an interactive economic calendar highlighting upcoming macroeconomic releases and central bank announcements. Advanced technical analysis utilities include integration with Autochartist for automated pattern recognition, trade signal feeds from PIA-First, and proprietary client sentiment gauges that display the real-time ratio of buyers to sellers across individual assets.

IG for Beginners

Beginners will find IG's extensive educational archive, structured courses at the IG Academy, and unlimited demo accounts helpful for learning the fundamentals of financial markets without financial exposure. The intuitive layout of the proprietary web platform simplifies order entry, trade tracking, and chart analysis. However, newcomers should note that card deposits carry a £250 minimum threshold, standard swap-free Islamic accounts are absent, and mastering leverage requires careful attention to stop-out rules.

IG for Day Traders and Scalpers

Day traders and scalpers benefit from IG's fast execution, deep liquidity, tight floating spreads (such as 0.82 pips on EUR/USD and 0.51 Points on the S&P 500 CFD), and lack of restrictions on high-frequency trading. Scalping is fully supported, and traders who require direct market depth can utilize L2 Dealer for DMA execution. Furthermore, extended hours on over 700 US equities and weekend markets on select assets give active day traders additional opportunities to trade outside standard exchange sessions.

IG for Algorithmic Traders

Automated trading is supported through MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and ProRealTime, all of which accommodate automated trading strategies and custom indicators. Low-latency VPS hosting is available, with free access provided to traders maintaining qualifying balance thresholds (£5,000/$2,000 on MT4; $1,000 on MT5). Institutional and advanced technical developers can utilize IG's REST API, Streaming API, and institutional FIX API through the IG Labs portal to deploy custom algorithmic trading models.

IG for Experienced Traders

Experienced investors and seasoned professionals can take advantage of IG’s broad asset selection, incorporating physical share dealing, ISAs, SIPPs, futures, options, and spread betting under a single institutional roof. Professional classification is available for eligible traders seeking access to Direct Market Access, higher leverage limits up to 1:200 where permissible, and dedicated VIP services like the IG Club, which offers tiered volume-based cash rebates and dedicated support.

Common Positive Feedback

Traders who review IG positively often highlight the stability and versatility of the proprietary trading software, praising its intuitive charting, reliable execution speeds, and smooth integration with tools like TradingView. The mobile trading applications enjoy favorable ratings, averaging 4.58 out of 5 stars across 34,000 reviews on the iOS App Store and 4.3 out of 5 stars across 23,014 reviews on the Google Play Store. Users frequently commend the broad range of tradable markets—specifically the availability of 24-hour index trading and weekend forex options. Additionally, long-term investors appreciate the low costs associated with online share dealing and the convenience of managing ISAs and leveraged spread betting accounts from a single dashboard.

Common Complaints

Conversely, critical feedback visible across external review forums, where IG holds an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 across nearly 10,000 Trustpilot reviews, centers primarily around customer service and operational delays. A frequent source of frustration is the initial reliance on automated chatbots across digital support channels, which users report can complicate simple inquiries before reaching a human representative. Other recurring grievances involve prolonged identity verification checks for updated banking details, delays in processing certain manual withdrawal requests, and technical issues or platform update adjustments that impact portfolio visibility. Some traders also express dissatisfaction with the 0.7% foreign exchange conversion fee applied to international share purchases and non-base currency trading balances.

Trustpilot and App Store Ratings