At a Glance · Who Should Use IG? · Pros & Cons · How We Tested · Is IG Safe? · Account Types · Spreads & Fees · Platforms · Instruments · For ICT Traders · vs Competitors · Final Verdict · FAQs
IG is the world’s number one CFD provider, founded in 1974 and listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250). With nearly 50 years of operation, 400,000+ clients, 17,000+ instruments, and regulation from 11 jurisdictions (including 8 Tier-1 authorities), IG represents the gold standard in broker safety and market breadth. EUR/USD spreads start from 0.6 pips, with Gold from 0.3 points. IG supports its proprietary platform, ProRealTime (institutional-grade charting), MT4, and L2 Dealer (direct market access). UK clients also access tax-free spread betting. I tested the CFD account on the IG platform, compared pricing against Pepperstone and IC Markets, and evaluated ProRealTime for advanced analysis. My verdict: IG earns an 8.5/10 for unmatched safety, instrument breadth, and research quality, tempered by spreads that trail ECN specialists and higher overnight financing costs.
IG at a Glance
| Detail | IG |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 (London, UK) |
| Listed | London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250), market cap £3B+ |
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, CFTC/NFA, BaFin, CySEC, MAS, FINMA + 4 more (11 total) |
| Clients | 400,000+ worldwide |
| Instruments | 17,000+ (Forex, Indices, Shares, Commodities, Crypto, ETFs, Bonds, Options) |
| Spreads | EUR/USD from 0.6 pips (avg 0.86), Gold from 0.3 points |
| Min Deposit | $250 (card/PayPal), $0 (bank transfer) |
| Platforms | IG Platform (web/mobile), ProRealTime, MT4, L2 Dealer |
| Special Features | Tax-free spread betting (UK), ProRealTime, 13,000+ share CFDs |
| Safety Score | 10/10 (Traders Union), 98/100 (BrokerMat) |
| Our Rating | 8.5 / 10 |
Last updated and verified: April 6, 2026
Who Should Use IG?
| Trader Type | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Asset Traders | ✅ Ideal | 17,000+ instruments, the widest selection available |
| UK Spread Bettors | ✅ Best Choice | Tax-free profits, identical spreads to CFDs, 1,200+ markets |
| Research-Driven Traders | ✅ Excellent | In-house analysis, ProRealTime, Bloomberg collaboration |
| Safety-First Traders | ✅ Unmatched | FTSE250 listed, 11 regulators, FSCS £85K, 50-year track record |
| US Traders (Forex) | ✅ Available | CFTC/NFA regulated, accessible via tastytrade brands |
| Cost-Sensitive Scalpers | ⚠️ Not Ideal | Spreads trail ECN specialists (Pepperstone, IC Markets) |
| Copy/Social Traders | ❌ Not Available | IG does not offer copy or social trading |
IG Pros and Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| 11 regulatory licenses (8 Tier-1), FTSE250 listed | Spreads not the tightest (0.6 EUR/USD vs 0.0 at ECN brokers) |
| 17,000+ instruments, widest selection available | Higher overnight financing costs (1.5% admin fee) |
| Tax-free spread betting for UK clients | No copy or social trading |
| ProRealTime institutional charting (free with 4+ trades/mo) | $250 minimum deposit (card/PayPal) |
| 50-year track record, £3B+ market cap | MT4 limited to ~80 instruments |
| Industry-leading research and education (IG Academy) | DMA features require large minimum deposits |
| FSCS protection up to £85,000 for UK clients | Platform can feel overwhelming for beginners |
| 13,000+ share CFDs with extended trading hours | $12/month inactivity fee after 24 months |
How We Tested IG
I opened a CFD account with $500, traded EUR/USD, Gold, and US500 on the IG web platform. I evaluated ProRealTime charting quality and automation capabilities, measured spread widths during London and New York sessions (EUR/USD averaged 0.86 pips), compared pricing against Pepperstone and IC Markets, and tested customer support. This review is based on live trading.
Is IG Safe?
IG is arguably the safest retail broker in existence. Publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange since 2000, the company files audited financial statements and maintains a market capitalization exceeding £3 billion. Regulation from 11 jurisdictions, including FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), CFTC/NFA (US), BaFin (Germany), MAS (Singapore), and FINMA (Switzerland), provides the broadest regulatory coverage of any retail broker. UK clients receive FSCS protection up to £85,000.
| Regulator | Tier | Protection |
|---|---|---|
| FCA (UK) | Tier 1 | FSCS up to £85,000 |
| ASIC (Australia) | Tier 1 | Segregated funds |
| CFTC/NFA (US) | Tier 1 | US regulatory compliance |
| BaFin (Germany) | Tier 1 | EU/MiFID II |
| MAS (Singapore) | Tier 1 | Asia-Pacific oversight |
| + 6 more jurisdictions | Mixed | Global coverage |
Account Types
IG offers CFD accounts (standard spread-based), DMA accounts via L2 Dealer (direct market access with raw pricing), spread betting accounts (UK/Ireland only), and share dealing accounts (UK). Professional accounts are available for qualifying traders with leverage up to 200:1. Islamic swap-free accounts are also offered.
Spreads and Fees
| Instrument | IG | Pepperstone Razor | IC Markets Raw |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.6 pips (avg 0.86) | 0.0 pips + $7 RT | 0.02 pips + $7 RT |
| Gold | 0.3 points | 0.7 pips + $7 RT | 0.5 pips + $7 RT |
| S&P 500 | 0.4 points | 0.4 points | 0.4 points |
| US Shares | $0 commission (3+ trades/qtr) | N/A (CFDs only) | N/A (CFDs only) |
| Commission Model | Built into spread | Raw + commission | Raw + commission |
IG’s forex spreads are competitive but trail ECN brokers. Where IG excels is on index and Gold spreads (0.3 points on Gold matches the best available) and on share dealing (zero commission for active UK traders). No deposit fees. No withdrawal fees. Inactivity fee of $12/month after 24 months of no activity.
Platforms
IG Platform: Proprietary web and mobile platform with 40+ technical indicators, integrated news, and full order management. Award-winning mobile app (4.6/5 iOS). ProRealTime: Institutional-grade charting with 100+ indicators, pattern recognition, and automated trading. Free with 4+ trades per month. MT4: Available but limited to ~80 instruments. L2 Dealer: Direct market access with Level 2 pricing for professional traders.
Instruments
17,000+ instruments including 80+ forex pairs, 80+ indices, 13,000+ share CFDs, commodities, 31 cryptocurrencies, 6,000+ ETFs, bonds, and options. Extended trading hours on 100+ US shares. This is the widest instrument selection of any retail broker.
IG for ICT and Smart Money Traders
IG provides excellent research and analysis tools for ICT traders who value fundamental context alongside their technical analysis. ProRealTime charting is institutional-grade. However, the spread-only pricing model means you pay slightly more than ECN brokers for forex entries. For ICT traders who primarily need raw spreads and TradingView integration, Pepperstone or IC Markets are better choices. For ICT traders who value research, multi-asset analysis, and the strongest regulatory safety, IG is unmatched. See our market structure guide.
IG vs Competitors
| Feature | IG | Pepperstone | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation | 11 jurisdictions (8 Tier-1) | 8 jurisdictions | 3 jurisdictions |
| Instruments | 17,000+ | 1,726+ | 2,250+ |
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.6 pips | 0.0 + $7 RT | 0.02 + $7 RT |
| Gold Spread | 0.3 points | 0.7 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Spread Betting | Yes (UK) | Yes (UK) | No |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Safety + breadth | All-rounder | ECN execution |
Final Verdict and Rating
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Safety & Regulation | 10/10 | 11 regulators, FTSE250, 50 years, FSCS £85K |
| Instruments | 10/10 | 17,000+, widest selection available |
| Research & Education | 9.5/10 | ProRealTime, IG Academy, Bloomberg collaboration |
| Trading Costs | 7.5/10 | Competitive but not cheapest; higher overnight fees |
| Platforms | 8.5/10 | IG Platform, ProRealTime, MT4, L2 Dealer |
| Overall | 8.5 / 10 | Safest broker with widest instrument selection |
From our Mind, Method, Money framework: the Mind benefits from IG’s unmatched regulatory safety and 50-year heritage. Your Method gets ProRealTime institutional charting, 17,000+ instruments, and reliable execution. And your Money is protected by FSCS £85K, FTSE250 transparency, and zero deposit/withdrawal fees.
Read The Complete Trader’s Edge for the complete framework. Visit our Trading Tools page for all recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions — IG 2026
Is IG safe?
IG is arguably the safest retail broker available. FTSE250 listed, 11 regulators (8 Tier-1), 50-year track record, FSCS £85K protection for UK clients.
What are IG’s spreads?
EUR/USD from 0.6 pips (avg 0.86), Gold from 0.3 points, S&P 500 from 0.4 points. No separate commission on standard CFD accounts.
Is IG available in the US?
Yes. IG is CFTC/NFA regulated and accessible to US traders via tastytrade brands for forex and options.
What is ProRealTime?
Institutional-grade charting platform with 100+ indicators, pattern recognition, and automated trading. Free with 4+ trades per month at IG.
Does IG offer spread betting?
Yes. Tax-free spread betting for UK and Ireland residents across 1,200+ markets.
What platforms does IG support?
IG Platform (web/mobile), ProRealTime, MetaTrader 4, L2 Dealer (DMA).
How many instruments does IG offer?
17,000+ including forex, indices, 13,000+ shares, commodities, crypto, ETFs, bonds, and options.
Does IG charge inactivity fees?
$12/month after 24 months of no activity. Fee never exceeds account balance.
IG vs Pepperstone?
IG: safer (11 regulators), more instruments (17K+), ProRealTime, spread betting. Pepperstone: tighter forex spreads, TradingView, lower cost for active forex traders.
Does IG offer copy trading?
No. IG does not offer social or copy trading features.
What is the minimum deposit?
$250 via card/PayPal. $0 via bank transfer.
Is IG good for beginners?
Yes for education (IG Academy is excellent) and safety. The platform can feel overwhelming, and spreads are not the cheapest for small accounts.
Does IG offer DMA?
Yes. L2 Dealer provides direct market access with Level 2 pricing for forex and shares. Requires larger deposits.
What is IG’s safety score?
10/10 (Traders Union), 98/100 (BrokerMat). The highest safety rating of any broker we review.
Does IG offer real stocks?
Yes. UK clients can buy real shares via IG’s share dealing account with zero commission for active traders (3+ trades per quarter).
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