A highly regulated broker with diverse offerings for serious traders.
IG is a solid choice for traders who prioritize strong regulation and a wide selection of trading platforms and instruments. Its main compromise involves recent regulatory warnings and a lack of specific withdrawal details in our research. We recommend IG for experienced traders seeking a comprehensive and secure trading environment, especially those in well-regulated jurisdictions.
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, BaFin, DFSA, BMA, CFTC, NFA, SEC, FINRA |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom (London) |
| Minimum Deposit | £1 |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:200 (retail) |
| US Clients | Accepted |
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.86 pips (average) |
| Trading Platforms | IG Platform, MT4, MT5, TradingView, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer |
| Instruments | Forex, CFDs, Indices, Commodities, Shares, Options, ETFs |
| Deposit Methods | Credit/Debit Card, PayPal, Bank Wire |
| Withdrawal Time | Same Day |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat & Email |
| Website | ig.com |
Capital at risk. CFD trading involves significant risk. This may be an affiliate link.
Our Full Rating Breakdown
Our scoring methodology evaluates brokers across key areas like regulation, fees, platforms, and customer service. We assign scores from 3.0 to 5.0, with higher scores indicating stronger performance. This approach helps traders quickly understand a broker’s strengths and weaknesses.
Is IG Regulated & Safe?
IG operates under a robust regulatory framework, holding licenses from multiple top-tier authorities like the FCA, ASIC, and FINMA. This broad oversight ensures client fund segregation and negative balance protection for retail traders. While the regulatory landscape is strong, recent warnings and class actions highlight areas where the broker has faced scrutiny.
- Regulator
- FCA, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, JFSA, BaFin, DFSA, BMA, CFTC, NFA, SEC
- License Number
- FRN 195355, AFSL 515106, CH-660-3073013-1, CMS100049-5, NFA ID 0509630, CRD 277027, etc.
- Tier
- Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3
- Client Fund Segregation
- Yes
- Compensation Scheme
- Yes (FSCS up to £85,000 for UK, FGDR up to €100,000 for EU)
- Negative Balance Protection
- Yes (for retail clients)
- Founded
- 1974
- Headquarters
- United Kingdom (London)
FINRA fined tastytrade, an IG Group subsidiary, $30,000 for supervision failures between July 2021 and June 2023. Additionally, IG Markets and IG Australia faced a class action in August 2023, alleging misleading conduct in CFD and binary options supply to retail investors from 2017 to 2023.
Always verify the specific regulatory entity serving your region to understand the applicable client protections and compensation schemes.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
IG offers a competitive fee structure where most CFD and Forex trades are commission-free, with costs embedded in the spreads. Spreads on major forex pairs start from 0.6 pips, which is generally tight for a market maker. However, share trading and DMA accounts do incur commissions, and overnight funding fees apply to all CFD instruments.
| Instrument | Retail CFD accounts ℹ | Forex Direct DMA account ℹ |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.6 (min), 0.86 (avg) | n/a |
| GBP/USD | 0.9 (min), 0.9 (avg) | n/a |
| USD/JPY | 1.0 (usual) | n/a |
| Gold XAUUSD | 0.3 (min) | n/a |
| Oil USOIL | 2.8 (min) | n/a |
IG generally provides transparent fee disclosure, with most costs clearly outlined in spreads or as commissions for specific asset classes.
Swap/overnight funding fees are applicable for all CFD instruments, including Forex pairs, indices, and commodities, calculated based on trade size and the Tom-next rate.
Account Types Explained
IG provides a range of account types designed for different trading styles, from standard Retail CFD accounts to specialized Forex Direct DMA and Spread Betting accounts. The minimum deposit for a Retail CFD account is low, making it accessible, though card/PayPal deposits have a higher threshold. Traders can choose an account that aligns with their preferred instruments and execution model.
- Access to a wide range of CFDs
- Costs embedded in spreads
- Negative Balance Protection
- Direct Market Access for Forex
- Suitable for experienced traders
- Requires higher minimum deposit
- Tax-efficient trading for UK/Ireland
- Costs embedded in spreads
- Leveraged trading on price movements
Account Comparison
| Feature | Retail CFD accounts | Forex Direct DMA account | Spread Betting Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min Deposit | £1 | £1,000 | £250 |
| Spread From | 0.6 pips | EUR/USD 0.165 pips | EUR/USD From 0.6 pips |
| Commission | No Commission | Applicable | Applicable |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 (international), 30:1 (regulated) | 1:30 UK/EU/Australia | 1:30 leverage |
| Instruments | Forex, Indices, Commodities, Shares | Forex | Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities |
| Account Currency | USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, SGD, and HKD | USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, SGD, and HKD | GBP |
While a £1 minimum deposit is advertised for retail CFD accounts, deposits via Credit/Debit card or PayPal typically require a minimum of $250 / £250 / €300.
Trading Platforms & Tools
IG offers a comprehensive suite of trading platforms, including its proprietary IG Online Platform and mobile app, alongside popular third-party options like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView. This diverse selection caters to various trader preferences, from those seeking advanced charting and algorithmic capabilities to those needing full dealing functionality on the go. The availability of specialized platforms like ProRealTime and L2 Dealer further enhances its appeal for advanced users.
Platform Feature Comparison
| Feature | IG Online Platform | IG Trading App | MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform Type | Web-based | Mobile | Desktop, Web, Mobile | Desktop, Web, Mobile |
| Expert Advisors | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | No | No | No |
| Chart Types | Customisable charts | Customisable charts | Customisable charts | Customisable charts |
| One-Click Trading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Depositing funds with IG is flexible, with options like credit/debit cards, PayPal, and bank wires. While bank wire deposits have no minimum, card and PayPal deposits require a higher initial amount. The research does not specify typical withdrawal processing times or fees, which makes it harder to assess the full funding experience.
| Payment Method | Deposit Speed | Withdrawal Speed | Broker Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit/Debit card | Instant | 2 to 5 business days to clear | Free ($0) from IG |
| PayPal | Instant | Same day | Free ($0) from IG |
| Bank wires | Within 24 hours | up to 3 working days | Free ($0) from IG |
Always check the minimum deposit requirements for your preferred payment method, as they can vary significantly.
Education, Research & Analysis
The research indicates that IG integrates several research and analysis tools directly into its platforms. These include news and analysis, an economic calendar, and client sentiment indicators. While these features are valuable for informing trading decisions, specific educational content like courses or webinars were not detailed in our research.
IG offers good research and analytical tools integrated into its platforms, which is beneficial for active traders. However, the research does not provide enough detail to assess its educational content for beginners or those seeking structured learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IG regulated and considered a safe broker for trading?
Yes, IG is regulated by numerous top-tier authorities globally, including the FCA, ASIC, FINMA, MAS, and JFSA. It offers client fund segregation and negative balance protection for retail clients, contributing to its strong safety profile despite some past regulatory warnings for its subsidiaries.
What is the minimum deposit required to open an IG trading account?
The minimum deposit for a Retail CFD account with IG is £1. However, if you deposit via Credit/Debit card or PayPal, the minimum is typically higher, around $250 / £250 / €300, while bank wire deposits have no minimum requirement.
What are the typical spreads and commissions for trading Forex with IG?
IG offers competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips on major Forex pairs, with the EUR/USD typically averaging 0.86 pips. Most CFD and Forex trades are commission-free, with costs embedded in these spreads. Commissions apply to share trading and DMA accounts.
What is the maximum leverage available to retail traders at IG?
For retail clients trading through IG’s international entity (Bermuda subsidiary), the maximum leverage can be up to 1:200 for Forex and Indices. Under top-tier regulators like the FCA or ASIC, retail leverage is restricted to 30:1 for major currency pairs and 2:1 to 30:1 for other CFDs, depending on the product.
Which trading platforms does IG offer to its clients?
IG provides a wide selection of trading platforms, including its proprietary IG Online Platform and IG Trading App. It also supports popular third-party platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), TradingView, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer for advanced users.
Does IG provide an Islamic, swap-free trading account?
No, IG does not offer an Islamic or swap-free trading account. Traders seeking Sharia-compliant options will need to consider other brokers.
Can US clients trade with IG?
Yes, US-based forex traders can use tastyfx, which is IG’s US brand specifically for forex trading. For listed US derivatives like futures and equity options, IG operates its tastytrade subsidiary to serve clients in the United States.
What are the fees for inactivity or overnight positions at IG?
IG applies swap or overnight funding fees for all CFD instruments, including Forex pairs, indices, and commodities. These fees are calculated based on the number of nights a position is held. For UK investment accounts, inactivity fees were removed as of January 2026, though some sources suggest a £12 fee for CFD and spread betting accounts after two years of inactivity.
Why Choose IG Group?
IG is a solid choice for traders who prioritize strong regulation and a wide selection of trading platforms and instruments. Its main compromise involves recent regulatory warnings and a lack of specific withdrawal details in our research. We…
- Regulated by multiple top-tier authorities
- Offers MT4, MT5, TradingView, and proprietary platforms
- Broad range of instruments including Forex, CFDs, Options
Capital at risk. CFD trading involves significant risk.
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