IG Trading Platform Review

Established in 1974, IG is a prominent London-based online broker serving over 313,000 clients worldwide. It provides access to more than 15,000 markets, including CFDs across stocks, forex, commodities, and indices, US options and futures, and spread betting, an offering available exclusively to UK and Irish customers. Additionally, IG enables investing in physical stocks and ETFs, accommodating a broad spectrum of trading and investment needs.

IG Contact Information

The broker operates under the regulation of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with licence number 195355, ensuring compliance with strict financial standards and consumer protection policies. Its parent company, the IG Group, is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, reflecting its established market presence and financial stability.

IG has collected multiple industry awards for its platform and services, underscoring its significant role in the UK trading landscape. Among its latest achievements is winning in the category of Best Platform for the Active Trader at the 2024 ADVFN International Financial Awards. Continue reading for all the details on what trading with IG entails.

Highlights of Trading with IG

• IG offers access to more than 90 forex pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics.
• Forex trading is commission-free, with competitive spreads from 0.6 pips on major pairs.
• The Direct Market Access (DMA) option provides forex traders with significantly narrower spreads that reflect raw market prices.
• Retail clients benefit from FCA-mandated negative balance protection, ensuring they cannot lose more than their deposited funds.
• Forex traders have access to advanced charting capabilities and analytical tools, including the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and ProRealTime platforms.

Advantages and Disadvantages of IG

Available Markets at IG

IG offers a comprehensive range of markets that covers a wide spectrum of assets, including forex, indices, shares, commodities, IPOs, bonds, ETFs, cryptocurrencies, options, and futures. The platform provides access to over 15,000 markets, allowing clients to diversify their portfolios and choose products tailored to their individual needs.

The broker supports both leveraged trading via CFDs and spread betting, as well as investing in physical shares and ETFs. Additionally, customers can engage in spot cryptocurrency trading, buying, selling, and holding actual crypto in their dedicated investing accounts.

Forex

IG provides access to around 90 currency pairs, encompassing majors, minors, and exotic forex markets. Separate categories are available for Australasian, Emerging, and Scandinavian pairs. The broker complies with FCA regulations by limiting retail client leverage to a maximum of 1:30 on major pairs, while maintaining competitive spreads from 0.6 pips for key pairs like EUR/USD and AUD/USD.

• IG offers trading on approximately 90 forex pairs.
• Major pairs like EUR/USD, AUD/USD, and GBP/USD have spreads starting from 0.6 and 0.9 pips.
• Maximum leverage for retail clients is 1:30 for majors and 1:20 for non-major pairs.
• There are no commissions on forex trades as all costs are included in the spread.
• The broker provides advanced charting and risk management tools to aid forex traders in decision-making.

Average Forex Spreads at IG

Indices

IG provides access to over 80 global indices, including popular options such as the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250, as well as major international indices. The broker offers both index CFDs and spread betting on indices. Trading indices over the weekend is also possible. Index spreads are competitive, starting from 1 point for the FTSE 100, 1.2 points on DAX 40, and 0.4 points on S&P 500. The maximum leverage retail index traders can use is 1:20 for select indices.

• UK clients can trade key indices like FTSE 100 and FTSE 250.
• Spreads on FTSE 100 are as low as 1 point.
• Maximum retail leverage for indices is capped at 1:20 for major and 1:10 for other indices.
• No commissions are charged on index trades.
• IG supports both CFD and spread betting for indices, with the option to trade key indices over the weekend.

Shares

The London-based broker enables trading in over 11,000 shares from the UK, US, Europe, Australia, and other regions, enabling both leveraged CFD trading and spread betting, and direct investment in physical shares. Commission-free investing is available on UK and US shares through share dealing accounts. Investing does not involve leverage, but investors can benefit from dedicated GIA, ISA, and SIPP accounts. After-hours trading is also possible.

• Over 11,000 shares available for trading or investing.
• Share trading is possible online or over the telephone.
• Average costs reflect market bid-ask spreads without hidden fees.
• Leverage is unavailable for physical share investments, but spread bettors and retail CFD traders can access ratios of 1:5.
• Commissions of 0.10% per side when trading UK shares through CFDs.

Commodities

Clients can speculate on the moving prices of 35 commodities, including energy products, precious metals, and agricultural goods. Trading is primarily conducted via CFDs and spread betting, with retail leverage capped at 1:20 for positions in gold, in line with FCA rules. Spreads start from 0.3 pt on spot gold. Some of the other available markets include spot silver, crude oil, cobalt, zinc, iron, natural gas, sugar, and wheat.

• Includes 30+ popular commodities like gold, oil, silver, and natural gas.
• Spreads start from 0.3 pt for spot gold and 2.8 pt for crude oil (Brent/US).
• Retail leverage capped at 1:10 for all commodities bar gold.
• All costs are included in spreads.
• IG offers both CFDs and spread betting on commodity markets.

IPOs

The broker provides UK investors with early access to new equity listings from both domestic and international companies. Investors can purchase physical shares rather than derivatives, but spread betting on the increasing or decreasing market cap of companies is also possible. IG fills IPO orders at an average speed of 13 milliseconds. Minimum investment requirements vary by IPO, and availability depends on investor eligibility and allocation.

• Facilitates trading in the pre-IPO, launch, and post-listing phases
• Commission structure varies, but is generally competitive.
• Trading and investing in IPOs are both available.
• Minimum investment amounts depend on the IPO.
• IPO participation depends on eligibility and availability.

Bonds

IG provides access to government gilts and selected corporate bonds, allowing UK traders and investors to diversify their portfolios with fixed-income products. Bonds are traded primarily as CFDs or in some cases physical bonds via share dealing investment accounts. Spread betting on government bond futures is another option. Certain bond trades may incur commissions, based on position size, type, and market conditions.

• Includes UK government gilts and selected corporate bonds.
• Spreads from 1 pip for spread betting on bonds and CFDs.
• Retail leverage of up to 1:5 for spread bets and CFDs on bonds.
• Fractional trading for spread betting and bond CFDs, executed off-exchange.
• £0 commissions on bond ETF investments with a notional value of up to £25,000.

ETFs

IG customers can further diversify their portfolios with over 5,400 exchange-traded funds (ETFs) covering sectors, commodities, currencies, and indices. UK clients can invest without leverage when using ISA and SIPP accounts. IG also enables speculation on ETF prices via spread betting and CFD accounts, offering maximum retail leverage of 1:5. Commissions, where applicable, are generally as the broker charges only £3 per ETF trade on investment accounts.

• Over 5,400 ETFs available on major exchanges.
• Competitive conditions for Vanguard FTSE 250 UCITS and other UK ETFs.
• Leverage caps of 1:5 apply to retail clients.
• Supports ISA and SIPP accounts for ETF investments.
• Provides a broad exposure to sectors, industries, asset types, and regions.

Cryptocurrencies

IG launched a direct spot cryptocurrency trading service for UK retail investors in early June 2025, effectively becoming the first LSE-listed company to enable non-institutional customers to buy, sell, and hold actual crypto assets. The service was launched in partnership with the popular cryptocurrency exchange Uphold.

The product range encompasses over 35 major and emerging coins like BTC, ETH, SOL, and DOGE, among others, providing customers with 24/7 exposure to the cryptocurrency markets. Leverage and margin are unavailable as all trading occurs on the spot, aligning with the FCA ban on retail crypto derivatives.

• No trading fees or commissions for purchasing crypto with debit/credit cards.
• Competitive spreads of 1.49%.
• Offers a varied selection of more than 35 digital coins.
• Trade execution and price data are courtesy of Uphold.
• Crypto investments are ineligible for FSCS compensation.

US Options and Futures

IG provides access to US-listed options and futures via the Tastytrade platform and infrastructure, which it acquired in late June 2021. This enables trading across a wide range of US exchange-traded derivatives, including equity and ETF options and futures on indices, forex, and commodities.
Clients can choose between cash and margin accounts. Options traders incur competitive commissions of $1 per equity or ETF contract, with a $10 cap per leg. Closing options positions is not associated with any commissions. Micro futures incur a $0.85 commission per contract, each way. All accounts are USD-denominated, necessitating a currency conversion fee for non-USD deposits and withdrawals.

• Powered by the IG Group subsidiary Tastytrade, dubbed the best platform for options trading at the 2024 ADVFN International Finance Awards.
• Commissions of $1.00 for opening equity and ETF options contracts, capped at $10 per leg.
• Micro futures are available for $0.85 per contract, each way ($1.70 round trip).
• A 0.7% currency conversion fee applies to non-USD deposits and withdrawals.
• Most US equity and ETF options are physically settled.

Trading Costs at IG

IG’s fee structure encompasses both trading and non-trading charges. Trading costs primarily involve spreads for most CFD and spread betting products, alongside commissions for share CFDs and Direct Market Access (DMA) trades. Non-trading fees include overnight funding for leveraged positions, currency conversion charges, and premiums for using guaranteed stop losses. Deposit and withdrawal methods are largely free, with very few exceptions.

Spreads

Spreads represent the primary trading cost for most CFD and spread betting markets at IG. These are variable and can widen during periods of low liquidity or significant market news. For example, the average spreads for EUR/USD and GBP/USD are typically around 1.04 and 1.83 pips between 00:00 and 22:00 on weekdays. However, they can tighten to approximately 0.85 and 1.40 pips during core trading hours when liquidity is at its highest.

The minimum spreads start from 0.6 pips (EUR/USD) and 0.9 pips (GBP/USD). For Direct Market Access (DMA) accounts, spreads are significantly narrower as they reflect the raw market prices. For instance, DMA spreads for these two pairs average about 0.165 pips and 0.589 pips.

Commissions

Commissions apply to specific asset classes only. IG charges a percentage-based commission with a minimum fee for share CFDs. The exact percentages vary across the board, depending on the shares’ country of origin. For instance, UK share CFDs incur a commission of 0.10% per side with a minimum charge of £10.

Meanwhile, US share CFDs are charged 2 cents per share with a minimum of $15. Share and ETF purchases via ISA, GIA, and SIPP accounts (GBP-denominated) don’t incur additional commissions. Investors who opt for manual currency conversion pay a commission of £3 for UK share trades, while US shares incur a commission of 3 cents per share, with a minimum charge of $15.

Other CFD and spread betting products, such as forex and indices, are commission-free, with the cost integrated into the spread. The broker charges variable commissions for DMA accounts, based on the respective client’s monthly trading volume.

Overnight Fees

Overnight fees, also known as rollover charges or swaps, apply to leveraged CFD and spread betting positions held open past 10 pm (UK time). These charges represent an interest adjustment for the capital borrowed to maintain the position, plus a small administrative fee (1% annually for forex).

The fee calculation varies by asset class (forex, indices, commodities, or shares) and depends on several factors, including the market’s tom-next rate and the relevant interest rate benchmarks. Futures and forwards contracts do not incur separate overnight funding charges, as these costs are incorporated into their wider spreads. Swaps are subject to change but customers can find the latest rates on the IG trading platform.

Non-Trading Fees

Apart from spreads and commissions, IG customers should anticipate several non-trading fees, starting with the currency conversion fee of 0.7%. It applies when funds are converted from one currency to another, for example, when depositing or trading assets denominated in currencies other than pound sterling.

Deposits at IG are generally free and so are withdrawals, except for same-day bank transfers under £100, which incur a £15 charge. Share dealing accounts incur a custody fee of £24 but customers can avoid this by making at least three share purchases per quarter or investing £15,000 or more in IG Smart Portfolio (these are managed accounts).

Customers may also incur additional charges when using guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs) on CFDs. The GSLO premiums vary based on asset class as follows: 1.2 pips for EUR/USD, 2.0 pips for GBP/USD, 0.8 pips for FTSE 100, 0.3 pips for spot gold, and 0.3% for shares. There is a £30 monthly subscription fee for ProRealTime charts. An inactivity fee of £12 per month is charged if a funded CFD or spread betting account remains inactive for 24 months.

Trading Platforms Supported by IG

IG offers a comprehensive suite of trading platforms designed to accommodate various trading styles and experience levels. The selection includes the globally recognised MetaTrader 4 (MT4), the advanced charting and analysis software ProRealTime, L2 Dealer facilitating direct market access, and IG’s proprietary web-based platform. Each has a distinct set of features and functionalities, as you can see below.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

MetaTrader 4 is a widely adopted third-party platform renowned for its robust charting capabilities and automated trading functionalities. IG provides MT4 access for CFD trading and spread betting across a broad range of markets, including forex, indices, shares, and commodities. It is particularly favoured by traders who prefer to utilise Expert Advisors (EAs) for algorithmic trading, offering a highly customisable environment for technical analysis.

• Supports various EAs for algorithmic trading and strategy backtesting.
• Offers highly customisable charts with numerous technical indicators and drawing tools.
• Provides access to 18 free add-ons and indicators, with thousands more available for download.
• Free-to-download iOS and Android applications for trading on the go.
• Supports various order types including pending orders (buy limit, sell limit, buy stop, sell stop).

ProRealTime

ProRealTime is an advanced charting and technical analysis software integrated within IG, offering sophisticated tools for in-depth market evaluation. It is particularly appealing to experienced traders looking for comprehensive analytical features and the ability to develop custom indicators and systems for automated trading. The platform is known for its detailed charting and market scanning capabilities but using the charts will cost you £30 per month, as we mentioned earlier.

• Offers extensive charting options with a wide range of timeframes and chart styles.
• Allows developing and backtesting automated trading systems without extensive programming.
• Includes 100+ technical indicators, but users can create custom ones as well, using the ProBuilder language.
• The ProScreener enables real-time market scanning and identification of trading opportunities.
• Enables placing and managing orders directly from charts.

L2 Dealer

L2 Dealer is IG’s proprietary Direct Market Access (DMA) platform, primarily designed for experienced traders seeking enhanced transparency and greater control. It provides direct access to the order books of international exchanges for share and forex CFDs, allowing traders to evaluate the market depth and participate in auctions. The platform is suitable for customers insisting on transparent pricing and advanced order execution.

• Provides direct access (DMA) to exchange order books for shares and forex CFDs.
• Displays full order-book depth so traders can assess market sentiment and liquidity.
• Supports a wide range of advanced order types including iceberg, fill or kill, good for auction, and good till cancelled.
• Executes trades at the best available price by sourcing quotes from multiple venues.
• Enables anonymous trading and splitting larger orders into tranches to minimise market impact.

IG’s Proprietary Web-Based Platform

IG’s own web-based trading platform stands out with a user-friendly and highly functional interface suitable for traders at all experience levels. It enables intuitive navigation and offers a comprehensive suite of tools for analysis, risk management, and order execution directly within one’s preferred browser. The platform is accessible across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices for greater flexibility.

• Offers Price Change, Price Level, and Indicator alerts.
• The Stock Screener enables users to filter shares based on 17 criteria, including sector, dividend yield, news sentiment, insider signal, and analyst consensus.
• Enables placing orders, attaching stops and limits, and setting alerts directly from charts.
• Includes features like guaranteed stops and good till cancelled orders.
• Provides access to news feeds, economic calendars, and trading signals from integrated providers.

Mobile Trading at IG

IG provides several mobile trading solutions through its dedicated native applications for both iOS and Android devices, ensuring traders can manage their positions and react to market movements from virtually anywhere. In addition to IG’s proprietary apps, the widely used MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is also available for download from Google Play and the App Store, with minimum system requirements of iOS 12.0 and Android 5.0 or later.

IG’s native mobile applications are designed with a clean and intuitive interface, offering comprehensive dealing functionality. Users can open, monitor, edit, and close positions, alongside managing risk with a range of tools including trailing and guaranteed stops. The apps feature full-screen, customisable charts with a variety of technical indicators for in-depth analysis, real-time prices, and market data.

Traders can also set price alerts and receive notifications via email, SMS, or push notifications, ensuring they remain informed of key market events. The apps are regularly updated to enhance user experience and security, utilising 256-bit SSL encryption. The apps are optimised for iOS 15 or later and Android 9 or later. Logging in with biometric authentication is also an option.

Account Types Available at IG

IG offers a diverse range of account types suitable for different trading and investment objectives. These include leveraged trading accounts for contracts for difference (CFDs) and spread betting, traditional investment accounts for share dealing, tax-efficient ISA and SIPP options, managed accounts (Smart Portfolios), and a dedicated professional account for eligible traders with sufficient experience.

A free demo account is also available for practice, allowing newly registered customers to explore the platforms and test their strategies without financial risk before committing real capital. Both short-term speculators and long-term investors can find an account suitable for their individual needs and risk tolerance.

CFD Account

The CFD account at IG allows traders to speculate on the price movements of over 15,000 financial markets without actually owning the underlying assets. This makes it a highly flexible option for taking positions on everything from major forex pairs and global indices to individual shares and commodities.

As leverage is available, a relatively small initial deposit can control a much larger position. This account is particularly well-suited for active traders who aim to capitalise on short-to-medium term market fluctuations and those looking to diversify their portfolios across multiple asset classes.

• No formal minimum deposit; however, payment-method limits may apply.
• Denominated in pound sterling to reduce additional currency conversion fees.
• Maximum retail leverage of 1:30 for major forex pairs, 1:20 for major indices, gold, and non-major pairs, 1:10 for other commodities and indices, and 1:5 for shares.
• Variable spreads from 0.6 pips for currency pairs.
• Low minimum trade size of 0.01 lots for forex positions.

Spread Betting Account

Exclusive to UK and Irish customers, the IG Spread Betting account is a tax-efficient way to speculate on the price movements of various financial markets. Rather than buying or selling an underlying asset, traders bet a certain amount per point of price movement.

A key advantage of spread betting is that under current UK tax legislation, the generated profits are exempt from capital gains taxes and stamp duty. This leveraged account offers conditions similar to the CFD account, including the same caps on retail leverage. It is suitable for customers with high risk tolerance who can manage their exposure adequately.

• Spread bet on spot, futures, and options markets.
• Enables hedging for better risk management.
• Denominated in the pound sterling.
• Customers can determine the amount they want to bet per point.
• Compatible with MT4, ProRealTime, and IG’s web platform.

Share Dealing Account

The Share Dealing account at IG allows clients to buy and physically hold shares and ETFs from various global markets. Unlike leveraged products like CFDs or spread betting, this account is designed for direct investment, meaning clients take outright ownership of the securities. This makes it a suitable choice for investors focused on long-term capital growth and those looking to generate income through dividends. It appeals to individuals who prefer a more traditional investment approach.

• Users can invest up to the annual ISA allowance (£20,000) tax-free.
• Offers variable annual interest of up to 4.25% on live cash balances of up to £100,000.
• Eligible for promotional bundles.
• Access to live share prices directly from stock exchanges.
• Quick and hassle-free verification.

ISA Account

The Individual Savings account (ISA) at IG poses a highly tax-efficient wrapper for investments, as the profits generated within it are entirely free from income and capital gains taxes. IG specifically offers a share ISA account, which provides a valuable tax shelter for investments made through a traditional Share Dealing account or by utilising an IG Smart Portfolio managed account. This account is suitable for clients looking to maximise their returns, save for retirement, or accumulate wealth over the long term.

• Enables tax-free, long-term investing
• Available on the IG Invest mobile app and web desktop platform
• Provides a choice from over 11,000 stocks
• Charges no commissions on shares
• Offers variable annual interest of 4.25% on cash balances

SIPP Account

The Self-Invested Personal Pension account (SIPP) at IG is a long-term retirement savings vehicle that gives customers greater control over their pension investments, coupled with substantial tax relief on contributions. It allows clients to select from a broad spectrum of assets, mirroring the options available within the Share Dealing account. It is designed for those who wish to actively manage their retirement funds and benefit from the generous tax incentives provided by the government.

• Up to 45% tax relief on contributions, with an annual allowance of £60,000
• Access to 11,000 individual shares, ETFs, and other investment vehicles
• Existing pensions can be combined into a single SIPP account
• Created in partnership with Options UK
• Subject to annual administrative fees of £210

IG Smart Portfolio Account

The IG Smart Portfolio is a professionally managed investment account, posing as a convenient solution for those who prefer a more hands-off approach to building diversified portfolios. The experts at IG construct and automatically rebalance these portfolios based on each client’s individual risk tolerance and financial goals. The portfolios primarily invest in a carefully selected blend of iShares ETFs that track bonds, global equities, and commodities.

• Created by BlackRock and managed by IG’s in-house experts.
• Transparent pricing, with annual Smart Portfolio fees capped at £250.
• Hassle-free account creation within minutes.
• Suitable for aggressive, balanced, and conservative investment approaches.
• Enables spreading risk across multiple assets with iShares ETFs.

Professional Account

The Professional account at IG is specifically designed for highly experienced traders who meet the eligibility criteria laid out by the FCA. This account type offers significantly higher leverage limits compared to standard retail accounts, providing greater exposure to a variety of markets. However, it is crucial to note that opting for a professional account means waiving certain regulatory protections available to retail clients, most notably the negative balance protection.

• Offers leverage of up to 1:222 for forex, major indices, and gold
• Leverage for other commodities reaches 1:74
• Enables margin trading with cryptocurrencies (unavailable to retail clients)
• Offers higher leverage of 1:11 for share CFDs
• No custody fees on Share Dealing accounts

Demo Account

The Demo account provides a risk-free environment for both novice and seasoned traders, allowing them to practise their strategies and acquaint themselves with some of the available trading platforms. It accurately replicates the live market conditions across a vast array of instruments, including forex, commodities, shares, and indices.

• Can be set up in less than half a minute
• Offers a virtual balance of £20,000 (£10,000 for spread betting and CFD trading each)
• Expires after 60 days of no trading activity
• Available for MT4 and IG’s proprietary web platform
• Active accounts can be used indefinitely

Customer Support at IG

IG provides comprehensive and timely customer support to its clients, ensuring assistance is readily available when needed. The support team is accessible 24/7. To enquire about registering a new account with IG, you can contact their dedicated team by calling 0800 195 3100. This service is available from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays.

Clients can reach out via various channels, including live chat for instant messaging, email for non-urgent queries, and telephone for direct verbal communication. The broker also offers support through WhatsApp. There is also an extensive “Help and Support” section, featuring detailed FAQs, guides, and troubleshooting resources across various topics.

Regulatory Background and Compliance at IG

Founded in 1974, IG is a long-established and reputable online trading provider. Its primary UK operations fall under the stringent regulatory oversight of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The UK-facing version of the website is operated by IG Trading and Investments Ltd (licence 944492). This licence enables IG to offer a broad spectrum of financial services within the United Kingdom, including leveraged trading products and investment accounts, while maintaining high levels of client protection and operational integrity. Additionally, the broker has foreign divisions regulated in Cyprus, Switzerland, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and the United States, among other countries. IG’s registered head office in the UK is located at Cannon Bridge House, 25 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2YA.

Client Security at IG UK

IG prioritises client security and implements various protective measures designed to safeguard retail traders in the UK. A cornerstone of this approach is negative balance protection, a regulatory requirement for retail clients in the UK, which ensures that their live balance cannot fall below zero, even during periods of extreme market volatility. This caps losses at deposited funds.

Furthermore, client funds are held in segregated bank accounts with regulated, top-tier banks, entirely separate from IG’s operational capital. This crucial measure protects client money and assets (such as shares in dealing accounts) in the unlikely event of IG’s insolvency, ensuring these funds are ring-fenced from company creditors.

IG is also a participant in the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Eligible retail clients are therefore entitled to investor compensation of up to £85,000 per claim should IG be unable to meet its financial obligations, providing an additional layer of financial security. Leverage is also capped for retail clients in accordance with FCA regulations to mitigate excessive risk exposure.

What Do UK Traders Say about IG?

Based on consumer reviews from Trustpilot, IG holds a strong reputation. The broker maintains a “Great” rating, around 3.9/5 stars based on over 8,000 reviews. A significant portion of these reviews (56%) are five-star, indicating overall customer satisfaction.

Clients frequently praise IG’s robust and feature-rich trading platforms, citing their reliability, intuitive design, and extensive range of markets as the key benefits. The quality of the customer service and the broker’s educational resources, including the IG Academy and demo account, are also commonly lauded.

Less favourable comments occasionally point towards the platform’s initial learning curve for new traders or specific fee structures, such as custody fees for infrequent share dealing, which can be perceived as less competitive for smaller or inactive portfolios.