IG Review
IG is a London-listed broker founded in 1974 that combines a huge CFD and spread betting range with some of the strongest regulation in retail trading.
Updated
In this guide 9 sections
Few brokers can claim a history that predates the personal computer, and that longevity is the starting point for this IG review. The firm began in London in 1974 as a spread betting company offering bets on the price of gold, and it has grown into IG Group, a FTSE 250 constituent with a market value above £3.9 billion and more than 340,000 active clients. Here we look at whether that scale translates into a better experience for an individual trader in 2026.
Fifty Years of Oversight
IG’s regulatory map is one of the most extensive in the industry. Its main UK companies, IG Markets Ltd (FRN 195355) and IG Index Ltd (FRN 114059), are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. EU clients are served by IG Europe GmbH under BaFin (148759), Australians by IG Australia Pty Ltd under AFSL 515106, and the group also operates a Swiss bank supervised by FINMA, a Singapore entity under MAS, a Japanese securities firm, a South African unit (FSP 41393) and a Dubai office regulated by the DFSA (F001780). An international entity in Bermuda covers some other regions.
In the United States, IG trades forex through tastyfx, registered with the CFTC and a member of the NFA, while its tastytrade subsidiary offers futures and listed options. Because IG Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange, it publishes audited annual results, which adds a layer of transparency that private brokers lack.
An Enormous Market Menu
Breadth is IG’s defining feature. Depending on the entity, clients can access around 17,000 CFDs, 97 forex pairs, global share CFDs, indices, commodities, bonds, interest rate markets and vanilla and barrier options. UK and Irish residents can also use spread betting, and an IG Invest share dealing service offers more than 12,000 shares and ETFs. In 2025 IG launched spot crypto trading on 55 coins and added 30 crypto CFDs plus a Crypto 10 index. The Turbo24 product line was being retired in June 2026.
Costs: Spreads, DMA and the Small Print
Standard CFD accounts are spread-only. Independent testing in late 2025 found EUR/USD averaging about 0.9 pips, a little above raw-pricing specialists but reasonable for a full-service broker. Larger traders can apply for Forex Direct, a direct market access account requiring roughly £1,000, where spreads are tighter and commission starts around $6 per 100,000 units round turn before stepping down to $1 at the highest volume tier.
- Minimum deposit: none for standard accounts.
- Inactivity fee: £12 a month after 24 months with no trading.
- ProRealTime charting costs £30 a month, waived for clients placing four or more trades a month.
- Guaranteed stops are available for a premium built into the trigger.
Retail leverage is capped at 30:1 on major pairs in the UK, EU and Australia, 25:1 in Japan, and up to 200:1 through the Bermuda entity.
Platforms and Tools
IG’s proprietary web platform and mobile app are the core experience, with integrated news, client sentiment, Autochartist and Acuity signals and a TipRanks-powered screener. MetaTrader 4 and 5, TradingView, ProRealTime and the L2 Dealer DMA platform are also offered, along with a public REST and streaming API. A demo account is free. One caveat: MetaTrader users see far fewer instruments than those on IG’s own platform.
Where IG Is Weaker
IG does not offer copy trading or an Islamic swap-free account. Its education catalogue, IG Academy, has not been expanded much recently, and the IG Community forum and DailyFX brand have been closed. Funding options are mainstream rather than broad: cards, bank transfer, Apple Pay and, at certain entities, PayPal, with no Skrill or Neteller.
Final Take
IG is a strong all-round choice for traders who value regulatory depth, a huge product range and mature in-house platforms. Pure scalpers chasing the lowest raw spreads may find cheaper alternatives, but few brokers match IG’s combination of history, transparency and breadth.
Spread bets and CFDs are leveraged products, so losses can exceed expectations very quickly.
IG FAQ
Is IG a safe broker?
Does IG have a minimum deposit?
Can US residents trade with IG?
Does IG offer MetaTrader?
Does IG charge an inactivity fee?
IG: frequently asked questions
What is IG?
IG is covered on this page with the main facts in one place: what is offered, who can take part and which conditions apply. Offers like this change often, so always confirm the current details on the official page before you sign up.
Who can claim IG?
Eligibility usually depends on your country of residence, a verified account and, for most trading promotions, a new or qualifying account. Read the eligibility section of the terms first; residents of some countries are excluded by the provider or by local rules.
What should I check before using IG?
- The exact amount, percentage or reward and any maximum cap.
- Trading volume or lot requirements and the deadline to meet them.
- Which part can be withdrawn, and when.
- Which company and licence your account will be opened under.
Is IG worth it?
It can be useful if the conditions match how you already trade. Do not change your strategy or risk more just to reach a bonus target. Trading leveraged products such as forex and CFDs carries a high risk of losing money.
Related: Latest forex bonuses on FxBonusMeet · FxNewBonus – forex news and guides
Live chart & technical indicators
Summary
IG Group is a FTSE 250 company founded in London in 1974 and regulated in more than ten jurisdictions, including the UK, EU, Australia, Singapore, Japan and Switzerland. It offers around 17,000 CFDs, UK spread betting, share dealing and, for US clients, forex through tastyfx.
Account Types
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| CFD account | Spread-based pricing on forex, indices, shares and commodities |
| Spread betting | UK and Ireland only; tax-efficient for many UK residents |
| Forex Direct | Direct market access forex with commission of about $6 per 100k round turn, scaling down to $1 with volume; roughly £1,000 to open |
| Professional | Higher leverage for clients who meet professional criteria, with fewer retail protections |
Regulation & Licences
| Regulator | Licence No. | Country |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 195355 | United Kingdom |
| FCA | 114059 | United Kingdom |
| BaFin | 148759 | Germany |
| ASIC | AFSL 515106 | Australia |
| FINMA | Switzerland | |
| MAS | Singapore | |
| JFSA | Kanto LFB (Kinsho) No. 255 | Japan |
| FSCA | FSP 41393 | South Africa |
| DFSA | F001780 | United Arab Emirates |
| FMA | New Zealand | |
| BMA | Bermuda | |
| CFTC/NFA | NFA ID 0509630 | United States |
Pros
- Publicly listed with licences from FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FINMA, MAS, JFSA and others
- Around 17,000 CFDs plus spread betting, options and share dealing
- Wide platform choice: IG web and app, MT4, MT5, TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer
- No minimum deposit for standard accounts
Cons
- No copy trading and no Islamic swap-free account
- Standard CFD spreads are higher than raw-pricing specialists
- MetaTrader offers a much smaller instrument list than IG's own platform
- £12 monthly inactivity fee after 24 months without trading
Risk warning: Trading forex and CFDs on margin carries a high level of risk. Bonus terms are set by each broker and may change; always check the broker's official terms before claiming.