IG Review 2026
Established in 1974
•
United Kingdom
• FCA Regulated
IG is one of our top-rated forex brokers, scoring 4.6/5 in our comprehensive testing. Regulated by FCA (highest protection tier), this broker offers spreads from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD with a minimum deposit of $250. Trade 17000+ instruments including forex, CFDs, and more.
📊 IG Overview
IG (IG Group Holdings plc) is a well-established broker founded in 1974 headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The broker operates under the supervision of FCA , one of the world's most respected financial regulators known for strict oversight and investor protection .
With access to 17000+ tradable instruments including 80 forex pairs , 11 cryptocurrencies , 12000 stocks , and various indices, IG caters to diverse trading strategies.
| Legal Name | IG Group Holdings plc |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters |
London, United Kingdom
|
| Primary Regulation | FCA (Tier 1 - Highest Protection) |
| Publicly Traded | Yes (IGG.L) |
| Instruments | 17000+ assets |
| Min Deposit | $250 |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 |
📖 IG — In-Depth Introduction
Few brokers can match the 52-year legacy of IG, a true industry pioneer that has weathered multiple market cycles. The FCA license held by IG represents the gold standard in forex regulation. Traders can operate with confidence knowing their funds are protected by one of the world's most respected financial authorities. IG caters to serious traders with its professional-grade execution and comprehensive platform offerings.
Company Background
IG (legally IG Group Holdings plc) has been operating in the financial services industry for 52 years. Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the company has weathered multiple market cycles including the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic volatility, demonstrating operational resilience.
As a publicly traded company (IGG.L), IG is subject to enhanced financial disclosure requirements, providing an additional layer of transparency.
The broker provides access to 17000+ tradable instruments.
💸 IG Fees — Complete Cost Analysis
Trading costs at IG are reasonable, with 0.86 pip spreads on EUR/USD representing fair value in the current market. There are no commission fees on IG's standard accounts. All trading costs are embedded in the spread, making it straightforward to calculate your expenses. For context, a day trader executing 5 round-turn trades daily at 1 lot each would pay roughly $43 in spread costs per day with IG. Over a month (22 trading days), that's $946.
Trading Costs Breakdown
💡 Cost Calculator: IG
Non-Trading Fees
| Fee Type | IG | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free - $25 |
| Withdrawal Fee | Varies by method | $0 - $50 |
| Inactivity Fee | None | $10-50/month |
Want to compare fees with other brokers?
⚖️ Compare🛡️ Is IG Safe? — Complete Security Analysis
IG's 98/100 Trust Score places it among the safest brokers in our database. This score is calculated using 15+ safety factors including regulation, fund segregation, and company transparency. Client funds at IG are held in segregated accounts at top-tier banks, completely separate from the company's operational funds. This means even in the unlikely event of broker insolvency, your money remains protected and inaccessible to creditors.
Regulatory Framework
IG is regulated by FCA.
Security Features Checklist
Understanding the Trust Score
Our 98/100 Trust Score is calculated using 15+ safety factors including regulation, company history, financial transparency, and client fund protection.
📋 Methodology👤 Who Should Use IG?
✅ Best For
- Muslim traders can benefit from IG's swap-free Islamic accounts, which comply with Sharia principles. No interest is charged on overnight positions.
- Professional traders will appreciate IG's institutional-grade features: tight spreads, advanced platforms, API access, and high leverage options (where permitted).
❌ May Not Suit
- Those seeking the absolute lowest trading costs.
Looking for alternatives?
📝 The Bottom Line on IG
IG earns our strong recommendation as a top-tier broker with a 4.6/5 rating.
📈 IG Detailed Scores
Our expert team evaluates brokers across 8 key categories. Here's how IG performed in our rigorous testing:
IG is among the best brokers we've reviewed, excelling in multiple categories.
💰 IG Fees & Spreads
Understanding trading costs is crucial for profitability. IG uses a Variable spread model with no commission on standard accounts. The average EUR/USD spread is 0.86 pips — competitive compared to industry average.
📊 Typical Spreads
| Pair | Min | Average |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.6 | 0.86 pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.8 | 1.2 pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.6 | 1.0 pips |
| XAU/USD | 15 | 25 cents |
💳 Other Fees
| Commission (ECN) | No commission |
| Deposit Fee | Free |
| Withdrawal Fee | Free (method dependent) |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
| Swap-Free (Islamic) | ✓ Available |
💡 Trading Cost Example
Trading 1 standard lot (100,000 units) of EUR/USD with IG:
- Spread Cost: 0.86 pips × $10/pip = $8.6
- Commission: $0
- Total Cost: $8.6 per lot
🛡️ IG Regulation & Safety
IG is regulated by FCA, a Tier 1 - Highest Protection regulatory authority. This means the broker must adhere to the strictest financial regulations, including capital requirements, regular audits, and mandatory investor protection schemes.
📜 Regulatory Licenses
- FCA 195355
- ASIC 515106
- NFA 0509630
- MAS
- BaFin
🔒 Safety Features
- ✓ Segregated Client Funds
- ✓ Negative Balance Protection
- ✓ Investor Compensation (up to £85,000)
- ✓ Publicly Traded (IGG.L)
🎯 Trust Score: 98/100
High Trust: IG has demonstrated excellent regulatory compliance and safety standards.
🖥️ IG Trading Platforms
IG offers 3 trading platforms, giving traders flexibility in how they access the markets. Mobile apps are also available for iOS and Android.
MetaTrader 4
The world's most popular forex platform. Ideal for beginners and algo traders with Expert Advisor support.
- ✓ Expert Advisors (EAs)
- ✓ Custom Indicators
- ✓ One-Click Trading
- ✓ Mobile & Desktop
TradingView
Popular charting platform with social features and extensive technical analysis tools.
- ✓ Social Trading
- ✓ Pine Script
- ✓ Cloud-Based
- ✓ Paper Trading
IG Platform
IG's custom-built trading platform designed specifically for their clients.
- ✓ Custom Features
- ✓ Integrated Tools
- ✓ Web-Based
- ✓ Mobile App
📋 Platform Comparison
| Feature | MT4 | MT5 | cTrader | IG Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Available | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy Trading | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Algo Trading | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| VPS Available | Not offered | |||
| API Access | ✓ Available | |||
🌐 IG Tradable Instruments
IG offers access to 17000+ tradable instruments across multiple asset classes. This includes 80 forex pairs , 11 cryptocurrencies , and 12000 global stocks.
👤 IG Account Types
IG offers various account types to suit different trading needs and experience levels. Demo accounts are available for practice. Swap-free Islamic accounts are also available for Muslim traders.
Practice with virtual funds
Compliant with Sharia law
Not available
Not available
Not available
💳 IG Deposits & Withdrawals
IG requires a minimum deposit of $250 .
📥 Deposit Methods
- 💳Credit/Debit Cards
- 🏦Bank Wire Transfer
- 📱E-Wallets (Skrill, Neteller)
📤 Withdrawal Methods
- 💳Credit/Debit Cards
- 🏦Bank Wire Transfer
- 📱E-Wallets
⚖️ IG Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Competitive spreads with average 0.86 pips on EUR/USD
- Top-tier FCA regulation ensures high safety standards
- Free demo account available for practice
- Negative balance protection for retail traders
- Swap-free Islamic accounts available
❌ Cons
- No copy trading feature
- Limited educational resources for advanced traders
📚 IG Education & Research
IG provides educational resources to help traders improve their skills.
Available
Available
Daily analysis provided
Available on trading platforms
🎧 IG Customer Support
IG offers customer support to assist traders with their queries.
⭐ IG User Reviews
📝 User reviews will be displayed here. Share your experience with IG!
Write a Review🏆 IG — Our Verdict
IG is among the best forex brokers we've tested. With FCA regulation, 0.9 pips EUR/USD spreads, and a $250 minimum deposit, this broker is well-suited for both beginners and experienced traders .
Best for: Safety-focused traders
⚠️ Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. Consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.
❓ IG — Frequently Asked Questions
Is IG a safe and regulated broker?
Yes, IG is regulated by FCA, which is a Tier 1 - Highest Protection regulatory authority. The broker also holds licenses from 4 additional regulators. Client funds are kept in segregated accounts with negative balance protection. Investor compensation up to £85,000 is available.
What is the minimum deposit at IG?
The minimum deposit at IG is $250.
What trading platforms does IG offer?
IG offers the following trading platforms:
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4) — The most popular forex trading platform
- TradingView — Popular charting and analysis platform
- IG Platform — Custom-built trading solution
- Web Platform — Trade directly from your browser
- Mobile Apps — Available for iOS and Android
What are IG's spreads on EUR/USD?
IG offers EUR/USD spreads from 0.6 pips with an average of 0.86 pips. The broker uses Variable spreads.
How long do withdrawals take at IG?
Withdrawal processing times at IG depend on the payment method:
- E-wallets: 0-24 hours
- Credit/Debit Cards: 2-5 business days
- Bank Transfers: 3-7 business days
Does IG offer a demo account?
Yes, IG offers free demo accounts with virtual funds so you can practice trading without risking real money. This is an excellent way to test the platform and develop your trading strategy.
What is IG's maximum leverage?
IG offers maximum leverage of 1:200. However, note that leverage limits vary by region due to regulatory requirements:
- EU/UK/Australia: Up to 1:30 for major forex pairs (retail)
- Professional traders: Higher leverage may be available upon qualification
- Other jurisdictions: Leverage up to 1:200 may be available
Higher leverage increases both potential profits and potential losses.
Can I use IG in ?
IG accepts traders from . The broker operates under FCA regulation. Always verify current availability and applicable regulations on the broker's website.
Does IG offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts?
Yes, IG offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. These accounts do not incur swap charges for positions held overnight. Contact IG's support to request an Islamic account.
What instruments can I trade with IG?
IG offers access to 17000+ tradable instruments:
- 80 Forex currency pairs
- 11 Cryptocurrencies
- 12000 Stock CFDs
- 80 Index CFDs
- 35 Commodities
- 6000 ETF CFDs
