IG Review 2026: Our Complete Analysis

Last updated: 01/07/2026 · view the full broker profile

If you are looking for a comprehensive review of IG, you have come to the right place. IG Group Holdings plc is one of the oldest and most regulated brokers in the world, having pioneered CFD and spread betting since 1974. In this IG review, we examine every dimension of the broker — regulation, trading conditions, platforms, fees, and more — so you can decide whether it fits your trading style and profile.

Detailed Scoring

About IG

IG Group was founded in London in 1974, making it one of the longest-standing retail trading firms in existence. Its legal entity, IG Group Holdings plc, is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker: IGG), which subjects it to rigorous corporate disclosure obligations on top of its multi-jurisdictional regulatory requirements.

The company serves more than 313,000 active clients across more than 15 countries, with offices in London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Dubai, Singapore, Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland, and Chicago (through its tastytrade/tastyfx subsidiary). Its platform is available in ten languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic.

IG's business model is centred on CFDs, spread betting (UK/Ireland), and share dealing, giving retail traders access to more than 17,000 instruments. The broker operates under a hybrid execution model — market maker plus direct market access (DMA) — meaning it can cater to both casual retail traders and more sophisticated, high-frequency participants.

Being publicly listed and operating under some of the strictest global regulators adds a level of structural transparency that many offshore-based competitors simply cannot match.

Regulation and Fund Security

Regulation is arguably IG's most compelling differentiator. The broker holds licences in at least nine jurisdictions, with every single one of them qualifying as Tier-1 or otherwise reputable:

This is a rare regulatory footprint. Most retail brokers operate under one or two licences. IG holds nine, including the FCA — widely regarded as one of the strictest financial regulators globally.

Client fund protections include:

• Client funds are fully segregated from company operating funds
• Negative balance protection applies on all retail CFD accounts
• UK clients benefit from FSCS compensation up to 85,000 GBP per person
• EU clients benefit from ICF compensation up to 20,000 EUR
• UK accounts carry additional complementary coverage via Lloyd's of London

The combination of segregated funds, negative balance protection, investor compensation schemes, and Lloyd's supplementary insurance makes IG one of the most robustly protected brokers available to retail traders. If the question "is IG safe?" arises in your research, the regulatory record alone provides a strong answer: yes, by any reasonable standard.

Trading Conditions

Spreads and Commissions

IG operates on a variable spread model. For standard retail CFD and spread betting accounts, the commission is built into the spread rather than charged separately.

These figures are competitive relative to most regulated market makers, though pure ECN/STP brokers can offer tighter raw spreads with a separate commission. If you are an ultra-high-frequency scalper optimising for the absolute tightest spreads, you may find better pricing elsewhere. For the majority of retail traders, however, IG's spreads are very workable.

Share dealing commissions start from 3 GBP per order, which is reasonable for a full-service broker.

Account Types

The Spread Betting account is only available to UK and Irish residents, but it carries a meaningful tax advantage: spread betting profits in the UK are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT). This is a significant benefit for active UK-based traders.

The Professional client account unlocks leverage up to 1:222, compared to the retail cap of 1:30 imposed by FCA/ESMA rules. To qualify, you must meet at least two of the three MiFID II criteria: relevant professional experience, a portfolio of more than 500,000 EUR, and a history of significant trading volume.

Execution and Order Types

• Execution model: Market maker + DMA (via L2 Dealer)
• Minimum lot size: 0.01
• Retail leverage: 1:30 (FCA/ESMA cap)
• Professional leverage: up to 1:222
• Scalping: Allowed
• Hedging: Allowed
• Expert Advisors (EAs): Allowed on MT4
• Guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLO): Available (at a premium)
• Trailing stops: Available

The availability of guaranteed stop-loss orders is notable. Most brokers offer only standard stop-losses, which are subject to slippage. IG's GSLOs guarantee execution at your specified price regardless of market gaps — you pay a small additional premium, which is refunded if the GSLO is not triggered.

Trading Platforms

IG provides one of the broadest platform ecosystems in retail trading. You are not locked into a single interface.

IG Proprietary Platform is well-designed and responsive. It integrates Reuters news feeds, PIA First signals, price alerts, and advanced technical analysis tools natively. The interface works well for both beginners and experienced traders.

MetaTrader 4 is included for traders who rely on algorithmic strategies or prefer the familiar MT4 environment. Expert Advisors are fully supported.

ProRealTime is a premium charting platform popular among advanced technical analysts, offering a level of customisation that goes beyond what most web-based tools deliver. It may carry a monthly subscription fee depending on usage frequency.

L2 Dealer provides direct market access (DMA) to exchange order books. It is primarily designed for professional and institutional-grade clients who want to execute directly on exchange rather than through a market maker.

TradingView integration allows you to execute trades directly from within TradingView's interface using your IG account — a useful feature for traders already embedded in TradingView's ecosystem.

Tradable Instruments

IG's instrument catalogue is one of the most extensive available to retail traders.

The depth in equities (13,000+ stock CFDs) and ETFs (5,500+) is exceptional and surpasses most competing brokers. Whether you want to trade major Forex pairs, equity indices, individual stocks, hard commodities, or listed options, IG covers it in a single account.

Options trading deserves a mention: retail options access is uncommon among regulated UK/EU brokers, and IG's inclusion of this asset class broadens the strategic toolkit available to you significantly.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Deposit Methods

Bank transfer deposits carry no minimum, which effectively makes IG accessible at any funding level via that method. Card deposits require a minimum of 250 GBP.

Withdrawal Methods

Both withdrawal methods are free of charge, which is a positive. The absence of e-wallet withdrawals (such as Skrill or Neteller) is a minor limitation for traders who prefer faster digital payment routes.

Inactivity Fee

If your account remains inactive for 24 months, IG charges 12 GBP per month until activity resumes or the balance is depleted. This is worth noting if you open an account and do not trade regularly. The 24-month grace period is generous compared to some brokers that trigger this fee after just 3 months.

Customer Support and Education

Support

Support is available 24 hours a day, five days a week, across all major channels. The multilingual capability (eight languages) is a meaningful advantage for non-English-speaking clients. The absence of weekend support is a minor inconvenience, but consistent with industry norms for regulated brokers.

Education

IG Academy is genuinely one of the better free educational offerings in retail trading. It is not a thin marketing exercise — it covers structured courses from beginner to advanced level.

Weekly webinars allow you to engage with market analysis in real time. The combination of IG Academy for structured learning, Reuters for live news, and PIA First signals for trade ideas provides a reasonably complete research and education stack.

Our Experience with IG

Account Opening and KYC

The registration process is fully online and straightforward. You will be asked to provide standard identity documentation (government-issued ID and proof of address) as required by FCA KYC procedures. Account approval typically occurs within one business day, though it can be faster during business hours. The suitability questionnaire includes questions about trading experience and financial background — standard practice under FCA rules.

Live Trading Experience

On the proprietary web platform, execution feels responsive with no noticeable requotes during normal market conditions. The interface is clean and avoids unnecessary complexity, though the depth of available tools means there is a learning curve for complete beginners. Switching between asset classes is seamless. The integrated Reuters news and PIA First signals within the platform reduce the need to toggle between multiple applications.

On MT4, execution and connectivity were stable. EA functionality worked without issues during testing. Spreads on EUR/USD were observed around the quoted 0.6 pip average during London session hours.

Withdrawal Process

Withdrawal via bank transfer was processed within the stated 1–3 business day window. No additional documentation was requested beyond what was already submitted at KYC. No withdrawal fees were applied.

Support Quality

Live chat response times were under two minutes during European trading hours. The support agent was knowledgeable and addressed questions about account upgrade to Professional status clearly, including the documentation requirements. Email response arrived within a few hours.

Comparison with Competitors

How does IG stack up against its three closest direct competitors?

IG competes most directly with CMC Markets in the UK/Australia spread betting and CFD space. CMC's platform (Next Generation) rivals IG's proprietary tool in terms of charting capability. Saxo Bank offers a broader instrument universe but carries a higher minimum deposit and is more oriented toward professional and high-net-worth clients. Pepperstone wins on raw ECN spread pricing for scalpers but offers far fewer instruments and no spread betting.

For most UK retail traders seeking breadth of instruments, tax-efficient spread betting, and the strongest regulatory protection, IG represents the most complete package.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Founded in 1974 — one of the oldest active retail brokers; publicly listed on LSE (IGG)
• Regulated in nine jurisdictions, all Tier-1 or major reputable authorities (FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, DFSA, FMA, BMA)
• 17,000+ instruments across CFDs, spread bets, shares, ETFs, and options
• Five platforms available: proprietary, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer (DMA), TradingView
• FSCS protection up to 85,000 GBP (UK) plus complementary Lloyd's insurance
• Guaranteed stop-loss orders available
• IG Academy provides structured educational content from beginner to advanced level
• Spread betting profits are tax-exempt for UK residents
• Negative balance protection on all retail accounts

Cons

• Spreads are not the tightest available — pure ECN brokers offer lower raw spreads with a separate commission structure
• Inactivity fee of 12 GBP/month applies after 24 months with no trades
• Retail leverage capped at 1:30 by FCA/ESMA regulation (this is a regulatory constraint, not a broker decision)
• No MT5 support — only MT4
• E-wallet withdrawal options (Skrill, Neteller) are absent
• ProRealTime may carry a subscription fee for less active traders

FAQ

1. Is IG a regulated broker? Yes. IG is regulated by nine authorities, including the FCA (UK licence 195355), ASIC (Australia licence 515106), BaFin (Germany), FINMA (Switzerland), MAS (Singapore), JFSA (Japan), DFSA (Dubai), FMA (New Zealand), and BMA (Bermuda). This is one of the broadest regulatory profiles in retail trading.

2. Is IG safe for retail traders? IG is considered one of the safest brokers for retail traders. Client funds are segregated, negative balance protection applies, and UK clients benefit from FSCS compensation up to 85,000 GBP plus supplementary Lloyd's of London insurance. Being publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange adds further transparency.

3. What is the minimum deposit at IG? The minimum deposit is 0 GBP via bank transfer. If you fund by credit or debit card, the minimum is 250 GBP. Share dealing accounts carry no minimum deposit.

4. Does IG charge withdrawal fees? No. Withdrawals via bank transfer and credit/debit card are both free of charge. Bank transfers are processed in 1–3 business days; card refunds take 3–5 business days.

5. What platforms does IG offer? IG offers five platforms: its own proprietary web/desktop/mobile platform, MetaTrader 4 (with EA support), ProRealTime (advanced charting), L2 Dealer (DMA for professional clients), and TradingView integration.

6. Is spread betting with IG tax-free in the UK? Under current UK tax rules, profits from spread betting are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Stamp Duty. This applies to UK residents only. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change. You should consult a qualified tax adviser for personal guidance.

7. What leverage can I get with IG? Retail clients regulated under FCA/ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 for major Forex pairs (lower for other instruments). Professional clients who qualify under MiFID II criteria can access leverage up to 1:222. Applying for professional status means you waive certain retail protections, including FSCS eligibility in some scenarios.

8. Does IG allow scalping and automated trading? Yes. Scalping, hedging, and Expert Advisors (EAs) are all permitted. MT4 is available and fully supports automated strategies.

9. What is the inactivity fee at IG? IG charges 12 GBP per month if your account has no trading activity for 24 consecutive months. This fee is applied until you make a trade or your account balance reaches zero. Many competing brokers apply inactivity fees after a much shorter period.

10. How are capital gains from IG CFD trading taxed? For UK residents, profits from CFD trading are generally subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) at rates of 18% or 24% depending on your income band (post-April 2024 rates). The annual CGT exemption may offset some gains. Losses on CFDs can typically be offset against other capital gains. Spread betting profits, by contrast, are currently exempt from CGT in the UK. Tax rules differ significantly by jurisdiction — US, Australian, and Canadian residents face their own reporting obligations. Always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

Verdict

After thorough analysis for this IG review 2026, one conclusion is clear: IG is a benchmark broker for regulation, instrument breadth, and platform quality. It is not the cheapest option for high-volume scalpers chasing sub-pip ECN spreads, but it is arguably the most complete and trustworthy all-round broker available to retail traders in the UK, Australia, and beyond.

The regulatory profile alone — nine jurisdictions including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FINMA, and MAS — is unmatched among non-bank retail brokers. Add a 50-year operating history, London Stock Exchange listing, 17,000+ instruments, five distinct trading platforms, and FSCS protection up to 85,000 GBP, and IG reviewed 2026 emerges as a clear top-tier choice for serious retail traders.

The main drawbacks are the spread pricing relative to pure ECN alternatives and the absence of MT5. Neither is a dealbreaker for the vast majority of users.

Overall Score: 8.7/10

Article by the Analyse Trading team (@analysetrading) · Updated 01/07/2026 · view the full broker profile

Disclaimer: Trading involves high risk of capital loss. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.