IG is one of the oldest and most established names in online trading. Founded in London in 1974 and now a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange, it has grown into a heavyweight broker offering more than 17,000 markets across forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds and more. For traders who value scale, regulation and a deep platform ecosystem, IG sits firmly in the premium tier. That scale is also the trade-off. IG is not the cheapest broker for active forex scalpers, its standard pricing is built around spreads rather than ultra-low raw spreads plus commission, and the sheer breadth of products and account options can feel overwhelming to a beginner. It is a strong all-rounder rather than a specialist — best suited to traders who want a trusted, well-regulated home for a wide range of markets.
Best for: IG is best for intermediate and experienced traders who want a heavily regulated, publicly listed broker with a genuinely broad market range, professional-grade platforms (including ProRealTime and L2 Dealer) and strong educational support via IG Academy. Beginners can start here too thanks to a low/no minimum deposit and a $20,000 demo, but they should expect a steeper learning curve than with a stripped-down beginner app.At a Glance
Pros
- Highly trusted: founded 1974, publicly listed (LSE: IGG) and regulated by top-tier authorities including the FCA and ASIC
- Enormous market range — 17,000+ instruments across forex, shares, indices, commodities, bonds, ETFs and more
- Five-platform ecosystem: proprietary web/app, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer (DMA) and TradingView
- Low barrier to entry — low/no minimum deposit plus a feature-rich $20,000 demo account
- Excellent education via IG Academy: free structured courses, daily webinars and live sessions
- No IG withdrawal fee, with requests typically processed within 24–48 hours
Cons
- Standard forex pricing (spreads from ~0.6 pips on EUR/USD) is competitive but not the cheapest for high-frequency scalpers
- ProRealTime's advanced package carries a monthly fee unless you trade actively enough to have it waived
- The breadth of products, account types and platforms can overwhelm beginners
- US residents cannot use the main IG offering — US forex runs through IG Group's separate tastyfx brand (forex only), CFDs unavailable to US clients
- Inactivity fee applies to dormant accounts
Rating Breakdown
Full Review
IG review: quick verdict
This IG review examines regulation, fees, markets and platforms so you can judge whether this premium broker fits your trading. IG is one of the oldest and most established names in online trading — founded in London in 1974 and now listed on the London Stock Exchange, it offers more than 17,000 markets across forex, indices, shares, commodities and bonds. For traders who value scale, regulation and a deep platform ecosystem it sits firmly in the premium tier — compare it with the rest of the market on our broker reviews hub.
Is IG safe? Regulation and listed status
On trust, IG scores about as highly as a retail broker can. It is owned by IG Group Holdings plc, listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker IGG, which means audited accounts and public disclosure. In the UK, IG Markets Ltd and IG Index Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority — you can check their references on the FCA register. In Australia, IG Markets Limited holds an ASIC licence (AFSL 220440). Client funds at IG’s regulated entities are held in segregated accounts, and UK clients benefit from FSCS eligibility subject to limits.
Account types and fees
IG keeps account opening accessible, with a low or no minimum deposit (around £1 in the UK, region-dependent). Beyond the standard live account it offers a limited-risk account with guaranteed stops, professional/select accounts for eligible clients, and Forex Direct — a DMA route using commission-plus-raw-spread pricing. Standard forex pricing is spread-based, with EUR/USD from around 0.6 pips. Watch for an inactivity fee on dormant accounts and the optional ProRealTime subscription (around £30/month, waived if you trade actively enough).
Trading platforms
Platform breadth is one of IG’s strongest cards. You get a five-platform line-up: the IG proprietary web platform and mobile app (polished and beginner-friendly); MetaTrader 4 for EAs and the familiar MT4 ecosystem; ProRealTime for advanced charting and backtesting; L2 Dealer, IG’s DMA platform with Level 2 order-book depth; and TradingView. A beginner can start on the simple app and grow into ProRealTime or L2 Dealer without ever switching broker.
Markets and instruments
This is where IG separates itself from most rivals — over 17,000 markets spanning forex (major, minor and exotic pairs), thousands of global shares with extended hours on key US names, 80+ global indices, commodities such as gold, oil and natural gas, plus bonds, ETFs, options and IG’s spread betting lines in eligible regions. Always confirm which specific instruments and product types are available in your jurisdiction.
Deposits, withdrawals and support
Funding is straightforward via debit/credit card, bank transfer and PayPal, with availability varying by region. Card deposits are typically instant; bank transfers take a few business days. IG does not charge its own withdrawal fee and requests are generally processed within 24–48 hours. On education, IG Academy offers free structured courses, daily webinars, live sessions and a demo account funded with $20,000 of virtual money — excellent for testing platforms risk-free.
Who IG is best for
IG suits intermediate and advanced traders who want a heavily regulated, financially solid broker with a broad market range and a platform that scales from a simple app up to DMA and professional charting. Beginners are well catered for by the low entry barrier, demo and IG Academy, but should expect more depth than a minimalist app. It is less ideal for ultra-cost-sensitive scalpers chasing the lowest raw spreads — those traders might prefer our Pepperstone review or our Exness review.
Final verdict
IG earns its premium reputation. A 1974 founding, a London Stock Exchange listing, FCA and ASIC regulation, 17,000+ markets and a five-platform ecosystem add up to one of the most complete and trustworthy offerings in retail trading. The honest caveats — middle-of-the-pack scalping costs, some paid tools, a learning curve and no US access under the main brand — are real but modest against that foundation. Overall: 4.4 / 5.
Trading forex and CFDs carries a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Check the latest spreads, fees and account terms directly with IG before opening an account. This is educational content, not financial advice.
Who Is It Best For?
IG is best for intermediate and experienced traders who want a heavily regulated, publicly listed broker with a genuinely broad market range, professional-grade platforms (including ProRealTime and L2 Dealer) and strong educational support via IG Academy. Beginners can start here too thanks to a low/no minimum deposit and a $20,000 demo, but they should expect a steeper learning curve than with a stripped-down beginner app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IG a good broker?
Yes — IG is widely regarded as a strong, premium broker, combining a 50-year track record, a public stock-exchange listing, top-tier regulation, 17,000+ markets and a deep platform lineup. Its main weaknesses are that forex spreads are competitive rather than the cheapest, and the platform breadth can overwhelm beginners.
Is IG regulated?
Yes, extensively. IG is regulated by the UK's FCA and Australia's ASIC (AFSL 220440), among others. Its parent, IG Group Holdings plc, is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ticker IGG), adding a further layer of transparency.
Does IG accept US clients?
The main IG brand does not serve US residents. US-based forex traders are handled through IG Group's separate US brand, tastyfx (the rebranded former IG US), registered with the NFA and CFTC and offering forex only — CFDs are not permitted for US clients.
What is the minimum deposit at IG?
Effectively low or no minimum (around £1 in the UK), varying by region and funding method. You can also practise with a free demo funded with $20,000 of virtual money.
Does IG charge withdrawal or inactivity fees?
IG does not charge its own withdrawal fee, and withdrawals are typically processed within 24–48 hours (a minimum amount and third-party charges may apply). IG does apply an inactivity fee to dormant accounts — confirm the current amount on IG's site for your region.
