IG Review 2026 – 50 Years of Trading Excellence
The world's largest CFD broker with 17,000+ markets, ProRealTime charting, and 50+ years of regulatory excellence. Our expert analysis for serious traders.
IG Overview – The Original CFD Broker
IG is the world's largest CFD and spread betting provider, founded in London in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler. A FTSE 250 company with 313,000+ active clients and £3+ billion market cap, they pioneered financial spread betting and remain the industry benchmark for quality and reliability.
The Industry Standard
IG isn't just another broker - they effectively invented the retail CFD and spread betting industry. Here's what sets them apart:
Unmatched Heritage
- Founded: 1974 - predating most competitors by decades
- First Mover: Pioneered financial spread betting in 1974
- IPO: Listed on London Stock Exchange since 2000
- FTSE 250: One of UK's largest financial services firms
- Survived Everything: 1987 crash, 2000 bubble, 2008 crisis, COVID-19
Key Metrics
- Market Cap: £3+ billion
- Active Clients: 313,000+
- Markets: 17,000+ tradeable instruments
- Revenue: £800M+ annually
- Employees: 2,500+ globally
- Offices: 17 countries worldwide
Why Experience Matters
In an industry where brokers come and go, IG's 50-year track record provides meaningful assurance:
- Regulatory Relationships: Decades of working with FCA, ASIC, and other regulators
- Technology Investment: Billions invested in trading infrastructure over the years
- Risk Management: Proven systems tested through multiple market crises
- Corporate Governance: Public company scrutiny with institutional shareholders
Target Audience
IG positions itself for experienced, serious traders who value quality over rock-bottom costs. They're not trying to compete on price alone but rather on the total trading experience.
Complete IG Company Overview
Essential company information, trading conditions, and account details
Deposits & Accounts
- Minimum Deposit: $250
- Base Currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY
- Islamic Account: Available
Trading Conditions
- Max Leverage: 1:30 (UK retail)
- Instruments: 17,000+
- Execution: Market Maker/DMA
Company Info
- Founded: 1974
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Regulations: FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CFTC
Why Choose IG in 2026?
50 years of excellence, 17,000+ markets, and platforms that professionals actually use.
this broker Key Features
What makes this broker stand out
50+ Years Experience
Operating since 1974, FTSE 250 listed company
17,000+ Markets
Largest market selection of any broker
ProRealTime Included
Professional charting platform free with active trading
Spread Betting
Tax-free trading for UK clients
DMA Access
L2 Dealer for direct market access
Research Excellence
Industry-leading analysis and education
Open an IG Account
Follow these simple steps
1. Apply
Complete online application (5-10 minutes)
2. Verify
Upload ID and proof of address
3. Fund
Deposit $250 or more to activate
4. Trade
Access 17,000+ markets immediately
IG Fees & Trading Costs
Competitive spreads with transparent pricing. Premium features may have costs.
Fee Comparison: IG vs Competitors
Compare features, pricing, or specifications
| Fee Type | IG | Saxo Bank | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.6 pips | 0.4 pips | 1.2 pips |
| Stock CFD Commission | 0.1% min $10 | 0.1% min $10 | 0.2% |
| UK Spread Bet | From 0.6 | N/A | From 1.0 |
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free | Free |
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free | $25 |
| Inactivity Fee | $12/month | $100/year | $10/month |
Complete Cost Analysis
Is IG Safe? Regulation & Security
50+ years of regulatory excellence with tier-1 licenses across multiple jurisdictions.
Safety & Regulation
Licensed across multiple tier-1 jurisdictions with client fund protection
Safety & Regulation
Licensed across multiple tier-1 jurisdictions with client fund protection
Safety & Regulation
Licensed across multiple tier-1 jurisdictions with client fund protection
Safety & Regulation
Licensed across multiple tier-1 jurisdictions with client fund protection
Trading Platforms
Four professional platforms including ProRealTime and L2 Dealer for direct market access.
Trading Platforms
Choose from multiple professional trading platforms
IG Trading Platform
Award-winning proprietary platform with advanced charting, news feed, and comprehensive risk management tools.
- Advanced Charts
- News Feed
- Economic Calendar
- Risk Management
MetaTrader 4
Industry-standard platform with Expert Advisors support and custom indicators.
- Expert Advisors
- Custom Indicators
- Automated Trading
- Mobile Apps
ProRealTime
Professional-grade charting platform with 100+ indicators, pattern recognition, and automated trading.
- 100+ Indicators
- Pattern Recognition
- Automated Trading
- Scanner
L2 Dealer
Direct Market Access platform for professional traders with Level 2 pricing and algorithmic trading.
- DMA Access
- Level 2 Pricing
- Advanced Orders
- Algo Trading
Account Types
CFD trading, spread betting, and share dealing all available under one roof.
CFD Account
- 17,000+ markets
- Leveraged trading
- Long and short
- All platforms access
Best for: Traders who want leveraged access to global markets
Spread Betting Account
- Tax-free profits (UK)
- Same spreads as CFDs
- Leveraged trading
- All markets access
Best for: UK/Ireland residents seeking tax-efficient trading
Share Dealing Account
- Own real shares
- Dividend payments
- ISA eligible
- Long-term investing
Best for: Investors who want to own actual shares
Deposits & Withdrawals
Free deposits and withdrawals with multiple payment options.
Payment Methods
Multiple ways to fund your account and withdraw profits
| Method | Deposit Time | Withdrawal Time | Deposit Fee | Withdrawal Fee | Min/Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bank Transfer | 1-3 business days | 1-3 business days | Free | Free | $250 / No limit |
 Credit/Debit Card | Instant | 2-5 business days | Free | Free | $250 / $50,000 |
 PayPal | Instant | 24 hours | Free | Free | $250 / $30,000 |
 Apple Pay | Instant | N/A | Free | N/A | $250 / $10,000 |
Withdrawal & Payment Information
Complete overview of payment processing, fees, and conditions
Key Details
Quick Analysis
Trading Instruments
17,000+ markets across forex, indices, stocks, commodities, crypto, and bonds.
Trading Instruments
Access global markets with competitive conditions
Major, minor, and exotic currency pairs with tight spreads
Global stock indices including 24-hour markets
CFDs on shares from global exchanges plus real share dealing
Precious metals, energy, and agricultural commodities
Major cryptocurrencies as CFDs
Government bond futures from major economies
IG Pros & Cons
Our honest assessment based on comprehensive testing.
Pros & Cons
Balanced evaluation of advantages and disadvantages
Pros
- Pro: 50+ years of experience since 1974
- Pro: FTSE 250 publicly traded company
- Pro: 17,000+ tradeable markets - largest selection
- Pro: Advanced ProRealTime charting (free with 4+ trades/month)
- Pro: Excellent research and educational content
- Pro: Spread betting available (tax-free for UK)
- Pro: L2 Dealer for direct market access
- Pro: Strong multi-jurisdiction regulation
- Pro: Real share dealing alongside CFDs
- Pro: Weekend trading on select markets
Cons
- Con: Higher minimum deposit ($250)
- Con: $12/month inactivity fee after 2 years
- Con: Complex fee structure for beginners
- Con: Stock CFD commissions (0.1% min $10)
- Con: Limited cryptocurrency selection (11 coins)
- Con: No copy trading feature
- Con: ProRealTime charges apply if under 4 trades/month
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about IG.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IG a safe broker?
IG is one of the safest brokers globally. Founded in 1974, they are regulated by FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), BaFin (Germany), and CFTC (US). As a FTSE 250 public company with £3+ billion market cap, they maintain the highest standards of transparency, with audited accounts publicly available.
What is IG's minimum deposit?
IG requires a minimum deposit of $250 (or equivalent) to open a CFD or spread betting account. This is higher than some competitors but reflects their focus on more experienced traders. The Share Dealing account has no minimum deposit requirement.
Does IG offer spread betting?
Yes, IG offers spread betting for UK and Ireland residents. Spread betting is completely tax-free in the UK (no capital gains tax or stamp duty on profits), making it highly attractive for active traders. Spreads are identical to CFD trading.
What platforms does IG offer?
IG offers four main platforms: their proprietary IG Trading Platform (web/mobile/desktop), MetaTrader 4 for EA users, ProRealTime for advanced charting, and L2 Dealer for direct market access. Each serves different trading styles and experience levels.
Does IG charge inactivity fees?
Yes, IG charges a $12 monthly inactivity fee if you haven't placed a trade for 24 consecutive months. This is more generous than many competitors who charge after just 3-12 months. Placing just one trade resets the clock.
What is ProRealTime on IG?
ProRealTime is a professional charting and analysis platform integrated with IG. It includes 100+ indicators, pattern recognition, automated trading capabilities, and advanced scanning tools. It's free if you place 4+ trades per month; otherwise, there's a monthly subscription fee.
Can I trade US stocks on IG?
Yes, IG offers CFDs on 12,000+ stocks including major US companies. Through the Share Dealing service, you can also buy and own actual US shares. Stock CFDs have a commission of 0.1% with a minimum of $10 per trade.
Does IG accept US clients?
Yes, IG accepts US clients through IG US, which offers forex trading via their CFTC/NFA-regulated entity. However, CFDs and spread betting are not available to US residents due to regulatory restrictions.
What leverage does IG offer?
For retail clients: 1:30 for forex, 1:20 for indices and commodities, 1:5 for stocks, and 1:2 for crypto. Professional clients who meet eligibility criteria can access higher leverage up to 1:200 on forex.
How does IG compare to Interactive Brokers?
IG excels in CFD trading, spread betting, and has better research tools. Interactive Brokers is better for actual stock ownership, options, and offers lower commissions for high-volume traders. IG has a more user-friendly interface, while IBKR offers more asset classes globally.
Analyst Recommendation
We recommend IG for experienced traders who value research, platform quality, and regulatory security over rock-bottom pricing. The spread betting option makes them particularly attractive for UK traders seeking tax-efficient trading.
IG has earned their position as the world's #1 CFD provider through five decades of excellence. If you're serious about trading and want a broker that will be around for another 50 years, IG deserves strong consideration.
Best For
- UK spread bettors
- Research-focused traders
- Platform power users
- Investors wanting CFDs + share dealing
- Those seeking long-term trusted relationships
Not Ideal For
- Cost-sensitive beginners
- Scalpers needing lowest spreads
- Crypto-focused traders
- Copy trading users
- Traders with small accounts
*We may receive compensation when you sign up with our partners. This doesn't influence our honest review.
Our Assessment
After extensive testing and analysis, IG earns its position as the industry benchmark. Here's our final take:
What IG Does Exceptionally Well
- Trust & Reliability: 50+ years, FTSE 250, survived every market crisis
- Market Access: 17,000+ instruments is genuinely unmatched
- Platform Quality: ProRealTime and L2 Dealer are genuinely professional-grade
- Research: Industry-leading analysis and education
- Spread Betting: Tax-free trading for UK clients with identical spreads
- Regulatory Standing: Multi-jurisdictional tier-1 regulation
Where IG Falls Short
- Minimum Deposit: $250 excludes smaller accounts
- Inactivity Fee: $12/month after 2 years (though generous timeframe)
- Stock CFD Commissions: 0.1% minimum $10 can be expensive for small trades
- Crypto Selection: Only 11 cryptocurrencies vs. 50+ at specialists
- No Copy Trading: Missing feature that eToro and others offer
Who Should Choose IG?
Ideal For:
- UK spread bettors seeking tax efficiency
- Research-driven traders
- Platform power users (ProRealTime/L2)
- Those wanting CFDs + share dealing
- Traders valuing long-term stability
- Experienced traders with larger accounts
Look Elsewhere If:
- You have a small account (<$500)
- You need the absolute lowest spreads
- You're crypto-focused
- You want copy trading
- You need MetaTrader 5 (only MT4 available)
The Bottom Line
IG has earned their position as the world's #1 CFD provider through five decades of consistent excellence. They're not the cheapest option, but for traders who value quality, reliability, and comprehensive service, IG sets the standard others aspire to.
Our Rating: 4.4/5 - The benchmark for serious CFD and spread betting trading. Premium service at premium prices, justified for the right trader profile.
✓ Best For
- UK spread bettors
- Research-focused traders
- Platform power users
- Investors wanting CFDs + share dealing
- Those seeking long-term trusted relationships
✗ Not Ideal For
- Cost-sensitive beginners
- Scalpers needing lowest spreads
- Crypto-focused traders
- Copy trading users
- Traders with small accounts
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