IG Review 2026

Company Background

Founded in London in 1974, IG started with gold price speculation and later expanded into spread betting, CFDs, forex, shares, investment accounts, and digital assets. The parent company trades on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker IGG.

Corporate details are easier to verify than with most private CFD brokers. IG Group Holdings plc uses company number 04677092, and UK trading and investment entities use Cannon Bridge House, 25 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2YA as the registered address. The public listing adds another layer of disclosure.

Available Countries

Access depends on the local entity. The UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Africa, Dubai, Switzerland, Bermuda, and the US operate with different account scopes, leverage caps, protections, and product lists. A fair comparison starts with the entity that will actually hold the account.

The restricted list has 44 locations: Afghanistan, Angola, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burundi, Central African Republic, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Republic of Congo, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United States, Venezuela, Western Sahara, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

Trading Fees

The fee profile is mixed. Index, gold, share dealing, and multi-asset users can find good value here. Raw-spread forex specialists, especially high-volume scalpers, may get lower all-in pricing elsewhere.

Spreads and Commissions

Most forex, index, commodity, CFD, and spread betting costs sit inside the spread. Share CFDs are commission-based. Share dealing and UK investment accounts can be zero commission under instant currency conversion, but taxes, levies, market spreads, and FX charges still matter.

Deposit and Withdrawal Fees

No internal deposit or withdrawal fee applies where no currency conversion is needed. Banks and card providers can still add their own charges.

Inactivity and Account Fees

UK spread betting and CFD pages list account opening, closing, maintenance, and inactivity fees as free. There are still account-related charges to watch outside the basic spread betting and CFD fee line. ProRealTime real-time charting costs GBP 30 per month, although the fee is refunded when at least four qualifying trades are placed in the month. For UK investing accounts, optional shareholder services cost GBP 100 plus VAT, and IG SIPPs are administered by Options Pensions with a GBP 205 annual fee.

The inactivity position changes by entity. IG International closes CFD accounts after 24 consecutive months with no activity, no open positions, and no deposits. IG Bank in Switzerland uses the same 24-month inactivity trigger, but if a dormant account still has a balance, it charges a rolling monthly inactivity fee of CHF 18. This is why the local entity matters: the UK account-fee line is clean, while some non-UK accounts apply dormant-account rules after two years.

Bonus and Promotions

This is not a bonus-led broker. In June 2026, UK investing clients could qualify for up to GBP 500 cashback after investing at least GBP 500 before June 30, 2026. Other UK investing promotions showed up to 5% AER variable cash interest for 12 months, subject to a minimum GBP 2,000 investment and a qualifying balance cap, plus a GBP 50 Junior ISA boost. These promotions sit around investment accounts, not necessarily leveraged trading.

Non-UK traders see a different promotion mix. IG International offers a welcome cashback offer of up to $150 during the first two months of trading, a refer-a-friend reward of up to $10,000, and volume-based rebates for high-volume activity. In Australia, IG promoted a crypto offer of up to AUD $100 for eligible first investments. These offers are entity-specific, so a trader in the UK, Australia, Switzerland, Singapore, or another region should not assume the same reward terms apply.

Promotions should remain secondary when choosing a broker. A one-off cashback or referral reward has less long-term value than execution quality, spread stability, overnight funding, withdrawal reliability, platform depth, and regulatory protection.

Currency Conversion Fees

FX conversion is one of the main non-spread costs. UK spread betting and CFD pages list a 0.8% conversion fee. Share dealing material lists a 0.7% foreign exchange fee when the trade currency differs from the account currency.

For multi-currency clients, this cost can erase a small spread advantage. A trader who deposits in USD, trades GBP products, and withdraws in another currency should calculate conversion before comparing brokers.

Overnight and Swap Fees

Leveraged cash positions held after the daily cutoff, usually 10 p.m. UK time, can attract overnight funding. Futures and forwards usually build funding into the spread instead of charging daily interest. Forex funding is linked to tom-next rates plus an administration fee.

No standard swap-free Islamic account is offered. Traders who require that structure should avoid opening an account unless the relevant local entity confirms an alternative in writing.

Spread Betting Account

The spread betting account is mainly an account type for clients in the UK and Ireland. It lets clients speculate on rising or falling markets with leverage. In the UK, spread betting can be free from capital gains tax and stamp duty, although tax treatment depends on personal circumstances and future law changes.

CFD Trading Account

The CFD account is the broader leveraged account type. Traders gain price exposure to forex, indices, commodities, shares, options, and other markets without owning the underlying asset. It suits users who already understand margin, overnight funding, slippage, and stop-out risk.

Share Dealing, ISA, JISA, and SIPP Accounts

UK investing accounts include GIA, ISA, JISA, and SIPP options. These accounts are built for owning shares, ETFs, funds, or investment products. They are separate from leveraged CFD speculation. Zero-commission dealing may apply, with FX fees on trades in another currency.

Professional Account

Professional status can bring higher leverage and additional services. The trade-off is serious: retail protections are reduced, and losses can exceed deposits. Casual traders should not treat this as an upgrade.

US Options and Futures Account

Through the group and partner structure, selected clients can access US-listed options and futures. The headline option commission is $1 per contract to open and $0 to close, with possible exchange, clearing, and regulatory fees.

Signup Process

Account opening starts with selecting the relevant entity and account type. The application asks for personal details, trading experience, financial information, and product suitability. This step matters because spread betting, CFDs, share dealing, options, and professional status have different rules.

Verification Requirements

Verification normally starts with identity and address checks. Extra documents may be requested for bank account ownership, card ownership, source of funds, or payment references. During account review, funding and withdrawal checks were the most common causes of delay.

Minimum Deposit

Bank transfers have a $0 minimum. Card minimums vary by currency. Examples include GBP 1 for GBP card deposits and $50 for USD card deposits. Bank transfers list no maximum deposit amount, while card limits depend on currency and card type.

How Long Account Approval Takes

Many applications can be approved quickly when automated checks pass. Timelines lengthen when documents are unclear, addresses do not match, payment details need review, or the selected product requires extra suitability checks.

Forex Pairs

The forex range covers more than 80 currency pairs, giving traders access to major, minor, and selected exotic markets. The minimum trade size is 0.01 lots, which helps with position sizing on smaller accounts. The main trading platform gives access to market, limit, stop, guaranteed stop, and trailing stop orders, although availability can depend on the account type, product, and local entity.

Indices

Index markets cover major global benchmarks such as the S&P 500, FTSE 100, Germany 40, US Tech 100, and other regional indices. Leverage limits are not the same everywhere. Retail clients in stricter regulatory regions usually face lower caps, while professional or international accounts may have higher limits. The practical point is to check the margin requirement on the order ticket before opening a position.

Commodities

The commodity range gives access to gold, silver, oil, natural gas, and other widely traded markets. Gold is one of the stronger headline markets, with a weighted average spread of 0.30 points. That pricing is useful for active traders, but commodity conditions can change quickly around inventory data, central-bank decisions, inflation releases, and geopolitical shocks.

Shares and ETFs

Share access depends on the account and region. Some clients can trade leveraged share CFDs, while others may also access non-leveraged share dealing or investment products. The wider investment range can include more than 12,000 shares, funds, and investment trusts in supported markets. Share CFDs usually use commission, while non-leveraged share dealing may follow a different fee model, especially where currency conversion is involved.

Options, Futures, Bonds, and Rates

Options, futures, bonds, and interest-rate markets sit in the more advanced part of the product range. These markets need more experience because expiry dates, contract values, margin treatment, settlement rules, and pricing behavior differ from spot forex or standard CFDs. They are better suited to traders who already understand product mechanics before placing live orders.

Cryptocurrencies

Crypto availability depends on the client’s region, entity, and app version. The risk level remains high because crypto markets can move sharply outside normal trading hours and spreads can widen during volatile periods. Specialist crypto exchanges are stronger for deep coin selection, staking, and on-chain transfers. This setup is more practical for traders who want crypto exposure alongside forex, indices, commodities, and shares.

Leverage and Market Limits

Maximum leverage can reach 1:200 in selected regions or account categories. UK retail clients face stricter caps, including 1:30 on major forex, 1:20 on major indices and gold, and 1:5 on shares. The margin call level is 100%, and the stop-out level is 50%.

IG Web Platform

The web platform is the main trading interface. Its order ticket brings together market orders, limits, stops, guaranteed stops, trailing stops, alerts, watchlists, advanced charts, and account tools. In testing, the layout felt powerful but dense. Demo practice is important before live use.

IG Mobile App

On mobile, users can manage the account, fund it, track watchlists, review charts, set alerts, and place orders. It works well for monitoring positions and closing trades. Complex setup is still easier on the desktop. Google Play shows a 4.1 rating from 21.5K reviews, and one Apple App Store regional listing shows 4.5 from 550 ratings.

TradingView

TradingView is the cleanest route for chart-first users who already build watchlists, alerts, and layouts there. The benefit is workflow continuity: analysis stays in TradingView while execution runs through the trading account.

MetaTrader 4

MT4 is the narrower, forex-led route. It covers forex, indices, oil, and major metals, with market orders, limits, stops, stop-loss, take-profit, Expert Advisors, custom indicators, and 0.01 lot trading. The 18 free add-ons and indicators are useful, but market range is the trade-off because MT4 does not cover the full product list.

MetaTrader 5

MT5 availability depends on region and product setup. Where it appears, traders get a more modern MetaTrader environment. The main platform lineup still puts more emphasis on web, mobile, TradingView, MT4, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer.

ProRealTime

ProRealTime is the specialist charting route. It works best for advanced charting, screening, automated strategies, and direct chart trading. Order workflows cover market orders, limits, stops, trailing stops, and market-if-touched instructions. A monthly charge can apply, although it may be refunded when the monthly trade threshold is met.

L2 Dealer and API Access

L2 Dealer sits at the advanced end of the platform range. It is built for traders who need direct market access on forex and share CFDs where available, plus deeper order control such as algorithmic and time-in-force instructions. API access gives systematic users a route to custom tools built around prices, account data, and execution.

Research and Charting Tools

Research feels more complete than the basic news feed found at many CFD brokers. The toolkit brings together economic calendars, signals, technical analysis, Reuters news, market data, alerts, and in-house commentary. Active traders get enough context to combine chart setups with event risk.

Educational Resources

Education runs through IG Academy, videos, trading guides, webinars, and seminars. For beginners, the material gives a structured path into platform basics and core market concepts. It does not reduce the risk of leveraged products.

Payment Methods

Funding methods depend on the client’s country, account type, and local IG entity. Main methods usually include Visa, Mastercard, and bank transfer. Some regions also add Apple Pay, PayPal, or local bank payment systems. The important point is not only whether a method is listed, but whether the same method can be used for both deposits and withdrawals.

Deposit Times

Card deposits are usually the fastest option and are often credited immediately after approval. E-wallet or mobile wallet deposits, where available, can also be near-instant. Bank transfers take longer and commonly range from same-day processing to three business days, depending on the country, currency, banking network, and whether the payment reference has been entered correctly.

Withdrawal Times

Withdrawal speed depends on the method used, the cutoff time, and whether the account has passed all payment checks. Card or wallet withdrawals may be processed on the same working day when submitted before the local cutoff, but receipt can still take up to five working days. Bank withdrawals can arrive faster through local payment systems, while international bank transfers usually take longer.

Withdrawal Limits

Limits are not universal across all IG entities. Card limits vary by currency, card type, and region, while bank transfer limits are usually more flexible. Withdrawal availability also depends on cleared funds, open positions, account verification, and the original funding method.

Support Channels

Support runs through web chat, WhatsApp, phone, and email. The email is [email protected], and the phone number is +44 (0)207 896 0011.

Response Times

During our test, chat replies took around 30 seconds, phone support took around 1 minute, and email replies arrived in about 3 hours. Public reviews tell a less even story. Quick live-chat praise sits beside complaints about long waits and repeated routing.

Support Quality

Basic platform and account questions are usually the easiest support cases. Payment references, withdrawal checks, bank name mismatches, and account-transfer issues generate more friction. That is the main service risk in this review.

Languages Available

Support languages include English, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, and Spanish. App language coverage is broader, with several major languages available.

Positive User Reviews

Positive reviews often focus on helpful staff, fast issue resolution, stable platforms, transparent costs, and smooth funding. The strongest comments usually name a support agent who fixed an account or payment issue.

"I've been using IG trading for several years now."

Negative User Reviews

Negative feedback has a different pattern. Users complain most about delayed support, verification requests, slow phone response, bot routing, and platform usability. These issues matter because they affect account access, funding, withdrawals, and trade management.

"No customer service."

Common IG Complaints

• Slow support during account and payment problems
• Extra verification before withdrawals
• Confusion between trading and investing accounts
• Mobile-app freezes and delayed quotes
• Difficulty finding the right support channel

Trustpilot and App Store Ratings

Verification Issues

Verification complaints usually involve proof that the card, bank account, and recipient account belong to the same person. Problems become more likely when a card has expired, a payment reference is missing, or the bank account name does not match exactly.

Platform Problems

Platform complaints focus on usability, chart delays, quote freezes, and unclear mobile account states. For active day trading, the desktop platform is the safer workflow than relying only on the app.

Best Alternative for Beginners

For beginners, XTB has the cleaner path. Its platform is simpler, education is broad, and the trading interface feels more direct. IG makes more sense once deeper markets, UK spread betting, advanced orders, and wider platform choice become more important.

Best Alternative for Low Fees

FP Markets is the stronger low-fee alternative for forex traders who want tighter spread-based pricing. Its Raw MT4 and MT5 accounts list spreads from 0.0 pips, commission of $3 per lot each way, and an AUD $100 or equivalent minimum deposit. That structure is more suitable for scalpers and high-volume forex traders than IG’s broader market-maker pricing. IG is still the better fit when guaranteed stops, wider market access, in-house research, and investment-account options matter more than the lowest forex execution cost.

Best Alternative for Advanced Traders

4XC is a better alternative for advanced traders who want a MetaTrader-led setup with higher leverage and more account flexibility. Its Pro account starts from $100, lists spreads from 0.0 pips, charges $5 per round lot, and gives access to MT4 and MT5. The VIP account lowers the listed commission to $4 per round lot but requires a $10,000 minimum deposit. This makes 4XC more appealing for experienced forex and CFD users who prioritize leverage, MetaTrader tools, and strategy flexibility. IG remains stronger for regulatory depth, platform variety, research, guaranteed stops, and public-company transparency.

Best Alternative for Forex or CFD Trading

Plus500 is the cleaner CFD alternative for traders who want a simple proprietary platform rather than a multi-platform setup. Its CFD range covers forex, commodities, shares, options, indices, crypto, ETFs, and other markets, and the group highlights 33 million registered customers, 65 countries, and more than 15 licenses. Plus500 is easier to navigate for straightforward CFD trading, while IG is better for traders who want TradingView, ProRealTime, MT4, L2 Dealer, deeper research, spread betting in supported regions, and more advanced order-control tools.

IG for Beginners

Beginners can use IG, but it is not the easiest starting point. IG Academy and demo trading help, especially for learning order tickets and margin. New users should practice first and avoid high leverage.

IG for Day Trading

For day trading, the appeal is the combination of tight index spreads, alerts, Reuters news, TradingView, ProRealTime, MT4, and advanced order types. The practical advice is simple: complete payment verification and save platform layouts before urgent trade management is needed.

IG for Forex Trading

Forex traders benefit most from the regulation, platform choice, and risk tools. EUR/USD at 0.85 pips average is competitive for a market-maker model. GBP/USD at 1.84 pips average is less impressive, and raw-spread brokers can suit high-frequency strategies better.

IG for Long-Term Investors

Long-term investors should look at the share dealing side rather than the CFD tools. In supported regions, the investment range can include share dealing, tax-efficient accounts, and access to thousands of shares, funds, and investment trusts. For this group, FX fees, account wrappers, fund range, and transfer charges matter more than short-term trading tools.

IG for Crypto Trading

Crypto works best here as an add-on alongside forex, indices, and shares. It is not a replacement for a crypto-native exchange with deep coin selection, staking, on-chain withdrawals, and specialist tools.

Licensing and Regulation

IG ranks above most CFD brokers on regulatory coverage. The group operates through several licensed entities, with oversight from major regulators such as the FCA in the United Kingdom, ASIC in Australia, MAS in Singapore, CFTC and NFA oversight in the United States, JFSA in Japan, FSCA in South Africa, FINMA in Switzerland, DFSA in Dubai, and the Bermuda Monetary Authority for its international entity. The exact regulator depends on the client’s country and the IG entity that opens the account.

This structure matters because leverage caps, compensation schemes, negative balance protection, product access, and complaint routes are not identical across all regions. A client under a top-tier local regulator gets a different protection profile from a client under an international entity. IG’s public-company status also adds more disclosure than most private offshore CFD brokers, but traders should still confirm the legal entity, regulator, and client-protection rules before funding the account.

Security Features

Security controls include secure login, encrypted platform access, card and bank verification, source-of-funds checks, and payment controls. Mobile material also refers to 256-bit SSL encryption. These checks can slow withdrawals, but they reduce fraud risk.

Investor Protection

Investor protection depends on the legal entity that holds the account. Clients under stronger local regulators may have access to a formal compensation scheme if the authorized firm fails and client money is missing. For example, UK coverage can reach GBP 85,000 under the FSCS, while other regions use different limits, rules, or no equivalent scheme. The protection does not cover normal trading losses, market moves, poor strategy decisions, or losses on open positions.

Negative Balance Protection

Negative balance protection applies to eligible retail clients where required. Under those rules, retail clients should not lose more than the funds in their account. Professional clients and some non-UK or non-European clients may not receive the same protection.

Segregated Client Funds

Eligible client money is held separately from company funds, according to IG's client-money disclosures. Segregation protects money handling, not trading performance. Losses from bad trades remain the client's responsibility.

For active forex, CFD, spread betting, and multi-asset traders, IG remains a strong option. Deep markets, mature tools, and serious regulation are the main reasons. The best parts are research, charting, account variety, and operating history. The drawbacks are complexity, entity-specific rules, and pricing, which is not always the cheapest for raw-spread forex trading.

The most practical way to use the broker is to prepare before trading live. Verify payment methods, learn the order ticket, check conversion costs, confirm the correct entity, and practice risk controls on a demo account. Traders who do that can build a powerful setup. Those who expect a very simple app, instant support, and no paperwork may find the experience frustrating.