Alexandra Winters
Reviewed by:
Sikirty Chatterjee
USPs: FTSE 250-listed broker | 17,000+ markets | Award-winning trading platforms
IG's extensive market range, regulatory strength, and feature-rich platform provide a solid foundation for its reputation, though some traders may find the higher deposit requirements and inactivity fees to be potential limitations.
🏦 Headquarters: London, UK
📅 Founded: 1974
📜 Regulation: FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), MAS (Singapore), BMA (Bermuda)
🌐 Supported Countries: Global presence (18 offices worldwide)
💻 Platforms: IG Web/Mobile platform, MT4, L2 Dealer, ProRealTime, TradingView
💵 Min Deposit: $50 (card), $0 (bank)
IG began by offering gold derivative trading and evolved steadily into a broad-market broker. Over time, it launched CFDs on forex, commodities, indices, shares and crypto. IG’s mission has been to give traders transparent access to global markets with professional tools. The group now serves 346,000+ active clients worldwide, offering both DMA (raw) and OTC trading with 15,000–17,000 available markets. IG is listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250), reflecting its strong financial position and regulatory standing. Its growth milestones include expanding into multi-regional operations, receiving Tier-1 licenses in multiple jurisdictions (FCA UK, ASIC AU, MAS SG, etc.), and becoming known for high-speed execution and an outstanding platform suite. Today IG is considered one of the most established brokers globally, balancing a long legacy with cutting-edge technology.
IG has a very strong regulatory framework. It is Tier-1 regulated in multiple regions: for example, IG Markets Ltd and IG Index Ltd are authorised and regulated by the UK’s FCA, IG Asia is regulated by MAS in Singapore, IG Australia by ASIC, and IG International (Bermuda) is licensed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. This multi-jurisdiction oversight means IG must meet high capital requirements, client fund segregation rules, and regular audits. Tier-1 regulation (FCA, ASIC, MAS) implies robust customer protection: strict conduct rules, compensation schemes, and oversight. In practical terms, retail clients benefit from protections like segregation of funds, negative balance protection for trading debt (for those in applicable regions), and access to compensation schemes (e.g. FSCS coverage up to £85,000 in the UK). Overall, IG’s regulatory status is solid and inspires trust – it operates with full transparency as a listed company and adheres to the strictest financial regulations in each jurisdiction.
✅ Instruments: Over 17,000
✅ Spreads: From 0.1 points.
✅ Commission: From $0
✅ Leverage: Up to 1:500
Instruments: IG provides access to over 17,000 markets via CFDs — including forex, indices, commodities, shares, crypto, bonds, and more — all from a single account, enabling traders to diversify their portfolios seamlessly under one platform.
Spreads: IG offers highly competitive pricing, with Forex CFDs and MT4 spreads starting from just 0.6 pips on major currency pairs (such as EUR/USD, EUR/GBP, USD/JPY), index spreads from around 0.8 points, and commodity spreads from approximately 0.1 points.
Commissions: IG does not charge a commission on its main CFD or forex trades; costs are embedded in spreads. On share CFDs in select regions (e.g., Singapore), commission starts from 0.1% .
Leverage: It depends on the client’s entity: IG International (Bermuda) offers up to 500:1 on forex, while regulated entities impose local limits (e.g. 30:1 in UK/EU for retail). Overall, IG provides a low-cost structure for volume traders, with professional-grade pricing and funding costs.
IG offers a rich set of research integrations. The broker includes an economic calendar and live news feeds in its platforms, as well as proprietary tools like an interactive Stock Screener and Market Sentiment gauge. IG also provides Autochartist (pattern-recognition software) to identify trading opportunities, and access to TradingView charts and data. Its platform has built-in trade alerts, risk-management tools, and fundamental news, all natively integrated. These features (many of which are IG’s own) ensure traders can analyze markets without leaving the platform.
| Account Type | Min Deposit | Spread | Commission | Platforms |
| CFD Trading Account | $0 via bank transfer; $50 via card | From 0.1 pips | $0 on CFDs; share CFDs ~0.1% | IG web, MT4 |
| Spread Betting Account (UK only) | $0 via bank; $50 via card | From 0.1 pips | $0 on CFDs; share CFDs via spread betting | IG web, MT4 |
| Options Trading Account | $0 via bank transfer; $50 via card | Variable per option | Included in quote | IG web |
IG also offers these special account features:
Managed Accounts: Institutional managed accounts via IG Prime and API services.
Limits: $50 min card deposit; no minimum bank; card refunds capped as above.
IG’s account setup and funding process is straightforward, with an intuitive online form and instant card deposits. Its web and mobile platforms are user-friendly, even for beginners, with built-in charts and guides. In summary, opening an IG account and executing a trade is quick and accessible, making IG suitable for traders of all experience levels.
Support Channels: Live Chat (via website), Email, Phone, WhatsApp and more. IG provides a 24/5 help desk: new client phone sales (+44 20 7633 5430) and email (sales.en@ig.com), plus a WhatsApp support channel during market hours. Existing clients can open support tickets in the “Help & Support” section, and IG maintains an active community on Twitter/Telegram for market news.
Support Hours: IG offers round-the-clock support on weekdays. The trading desk and help team are available 24 hours a day, Monday to Friday, covering all major market sessions (support is limited on weekends).
Additional Details:
“Ideal for global traders seeking deep liquidity, diverse markets and professional-grade tools.”
Avoid if you need an Islamic (swap-free) account or you’re based in a restricted jurisdiction (e.g. the USA). Also steer clear if you want built-in social/copy-trading features (IG does not offer them) or are seeking fixed-spread pricing (IG uses floating spreads except for guaranteed stops).
In summary, IG offers a compelling package: it’s a mature, well-capitalized broker (FTSE 250) with top-tier regulation, extensive market coverage, and sophisticated platforms. Its competitive pricing (raw spreads on DMA accounts and no-commission standard accounts) is a major strength. We recommend IG for serious traders who value regulatory security and market access. Beginners will find the interface and support approachable, though those requiring niche features (swap-free accounts, social trading) may look elsewhere.
Is IG regulated and safe?
Yes. IG is regulated by major authorities worldwide (e.g. FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia, MAS in Singapore). It is listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250) and follows strict client fund rules. All in all, IG’s multi-tier regulation and long track record make it a very secure broker.
What is the minimum deposit on IG?
The minimum deposit for a live IG account is $50 if you fund by credit/debit card. There is no minimum for a bank transfer. Card deposits (Visa/MasterCard) are processed instantly.
What trading platforms does IG offer?
IG offers its own web and mobile trading platform (award-winning with advanced charting), as well as MetaTrader 4. It also integrates with third-party solutions like L2 Dealer, ProRealTime, and TradingView. You can trade your IG account on any of these interfaces.
Does IG have a demo account?
Yes. IG provides a free demo account for practice. You can sign up on their website (click “Create demo account”) and start trading virtual money on real market data. This is useful for beginners to learn without risk.
How do I withdraw funds from IG?
Withdrawals can be made back to your bank account or card. If you deposited by card, IG will refund money to that card (up to your deposited amount); card withdrawals take about 2–5 business days to process. Bank wire withdrawals usually arrive in 1–3 business days.
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