IG is a long-established trading provider offering forex and other financial products through different legal entities around the world. However, an IG account is not identical in every country. The available products, platforms, fees, protections and account types depend on where a client lives and which IG company provides the account.

IG began in London in 1974 and is part of IG Group, a publicly listed financial technology group that publishes financial reports and regulatory information. Its operating history and public reporting are useful due-diligence factors, but they do not eliminate market, platform or counterparty risk.

This IG forex broker review explains how the broker is structured, which platforms and products may be available, what costs to check and how to verify the exact conditions that would apply to your account.

Last fact-checked: July 11, 2026

Key Takeaways

  • IG operates through different legal entities, so regulation and account protections must be checked for the specific company serving the client.
  • Available products may include forex, CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, options, futures or cryptocurrencies, depending on the jurisdiction.
  • IG offers its own web and mobile platforms alongside several third-party and specialist platforms, but availability differs by region.
  • Trading costs may include spreads, commissions, overnight funding, currency conversion and optional service fees.
  • The advertised minimum spread does not show the complete cost of using an account.
  • IG Academy provides courses, webinars and demo access in supported regions.
  • Retail and professional accounts may receive different protections and leverage limits.
  • IG’s operating history and regulatory coverage do not make leveraged trading safe or suitable for everyone.

IG at a Glance

Review area What is currently established What to verify
Company background IG was founded in London in 1974 and is part of IG Group Confirm the current group and legal-entity information
Legal entity Different IG companies provide different products and accounts Identify the company named in the application and terms
Regulation IG entities are regulated in several jurisdictions Check the exact entity and permissions in an official register
Main products Forex and leveraged trading are core services; investments and other products are offered in some markets Confirm which products are available in your country
Platforms IG provides web and mobile platforms plus specialist or third-party options Confirm platform availability for the relevant entity and account
Trading costs Costs can include spreads, commissions, overnight funding and conversion Review the current regional charges page
Education IG Academy offers courses, webinars and demo access in supported regions Check availability and whether registration is required
Client protection Protections depend on legal entity, jurisdiction and client classification Confirm client-money, compensation and negative-balance rules
Best suited to Traders comparing broad platform and market access Suitability depends on costs, products and individual risk tolerance
Main limitations Complex regional differences and leveraged-product risk Read the local terms and risk disclosure before depositing

Is IG a Forex Broker?

IG provides access to forex markets, but the way forex is offered varies. Depending on the country, a customer may trade spot-style leveraged forex, forex CFDs, spread bets, futures or other derivatives.

IG is therefore better described as a multi-product trading provider rather than only a forex broker. The company also offers access to shares, indices, commodities and other markets through selected entities.

This distinction matters because the product determines:

  • How the position is priced
  • Whether commission or a spread applies
  • How overnight funding is calculated
  • Whether the product has an expiry date
  • What leverage and margin rules apply
  • Which regulatory protections are available
  • Whether the customer owns an asset or only trades its price movement

Before opening an account, verify both the legal entity and the type of forex product being offered.

Which IG Legal Entity Will Hold the Account?

A broker’s brand name and legal entity are not always the same. IG uses one consumer-facing brand across multiple regulated companies.

For example, IG’s UK support information currently states that:

UK product Legal provider
CFD account IG Markets Limited
Spread-betting account IG Index Limited
Share-dealing and Stocks and Shares ISA accounts IG Trading and Investments Limited

These distinctions are important because each company may have different permissions, terms and client protections. The provider named in an account agreement should match the company shown in the relevant regulatory register.

Outside the UK, another IG entity may provide the account. Country of residence does not necessarily determine every available entity, and selecting an overseas entity may change the protections that apply.

How to Verify an IG Entity

Before depositing funds:

  1. Find the full legal company name in the application, footer and client agreement.
  2. Record its regulatory or licence number.
  3. Search for the company in the regulator’s official register.
  4. Check the registered website, address and contact details.
  5. Review which services the company is authorised to provide.
  6. Confirm that the account agreement names the same entity.
  7. Check whether warnings, restrictions or disciplinary records are listed.

Is IG Regulated?

IG operates regulated entities in multiple jurisdictions, but “IG is regulated” is not sufficiently precise. A customer should determine:

  • Which IG entity provides the account
  • Which regulator supervises that company
  • Whether the entity can legally provide the intended product
  • Whether the customer is classified as retail or professional
  • What client-money rules apply
  • Whether negative-balance protection applies
  • Whether a complaints or compensation scheme is available

Regulation can reduce certain conduct and counterparty risks, but it does not prevent trading losses or guarantee uninterrupted platform access.

Client Money and Account Protection

For UK accounts, IG states that applicable FCA client-money and client-asset rules govern how relevant customer money and assets are handled. However, the exact treatment depends on the account, product and client classification.

Do not assume that every IG customer receives identical protection. Negative-balance protection, compensation eligibility, leverage restrictions and segregation arrangements can differ between:

  • Retail and professional clients
  • Leveraged and investment accounts
  • UK, European and overseas entities
  • Cash investments and derivative positions
  • Individuals and corporate clients

Professional status may provide access to different terms or leverage, but it can also remove protections available to retail clients.

IG Trading Platforms

IG currently promotes a proprietary web platform and mobile app alongside several specialist or third-party platform options. Its official platform pages include MetaTrader, TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer, although the exact selection differs between countries and account types.

Platform Main use What to verify
IG web platform Browser-based charting, analysis and order management Available markets, order types and account compatibility
IG mobile app Monitoring and managing positions on mobile devices App availability, security and feature differences
MetaTrader Third-party platform commonly used for forex and automated strategies Whether MT4, MT5 or both are supported locally
TradingView Advanced charting and connected trade execution Supported markets, entity and account connection
ProRealTime Advanced charts, backtesting and automated tools Subscription conditions and activity requirements
L2 Dealer Direct market access and market-depth tools Eligibility, products and associated data costs

IG Web and Mobile Platforms

The proprietary platform may be suitable for users who want:

  • Browser-based access
  • Watchlists and price alerts
  • Integrated charts
  • Order and position management
  • Market news and analysis
  • Access across desktop and mobile devices

A mobile app is useful for monitoring an account away from a desktop, but it should not be treated as a substitute for reliable connectivity, risk controls or a contingency plan.

MetaTrader and Automated Trading

MetaTrader availability should be checked on the relevant regional IG website. The platform may support custom indicators, Expert Advisors and automated strategies, but the broker still determines:

  • Available instruments
  • Price feeds
  • Spreads and commissions
  • Execution arrangements
  • Server conditions
  • Account currencies
  • Funding and withdrawal procedures

A familiar MetaTrader interface does not make every broker account equivalent.

TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer

TradingView can provide advanced charts and scripting, while ProRealTime supports charting, backtesting and automation. L2 Dealer is intended for users who require direct market access and market-depth features. It may not be appropriate or available for every retail account.

What Can Be Traded Through IG?

IG’s product range varies considerably by country. Depending on the entity, customers may find access to:

  • Forex
  • Indices
  • Shares
  • Commodities
  • Exchange-traded funds
  • Bonds and interest-rate products
  • Options and futures
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Spread betting
  • Share dealing and investment accounts

IG Group also operates businesses covering leveraged trading, investments, futures, options and cryptocurrency services, but that does not mean every product is available through one IG account.

Forex and CFDs

Forex may be offered through CFDs or another leveraged structure. A CFD enables a trader to speculate on a price movement without owning the underlying currency.

Before trading, check:

  • Available currency pairs
  • Typical rather than minimum spreads
  • Margin requirements
  • Maximum retail leverage
  • Overnight funding
  • Trading hours
  • Stop and limit order conditions
  • Whether guaranteed stops are available
  • How slippage is handled

Shares and Investment Accounts

IG provides share-dealing and investment products in selected countries. In the UK, its current investment offering includes general investment accounts, ISAs and SIPPs, but these products should not be presented as globally available.

Share dealing Share CFD
The customer buys an investment The customer trades a derivative
No leveraged short position by default Leverage and short exposure may be available
Investment fees and tax rules may apply Spreads, commission and overnight funding may apply
Ownership and shareholder rights may apply The trader does not own the underlying share
Loss is generally linked to the investment value Leveraged losses can develop rapidly

Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and jurisdiction. The availability of an ISA does not make a trading account tax-free.

IG Trading Fees and Costs

IG does not have one universal fee schedule. Charges vary by:

  • Legal entity
  • Country
  • Product
  • Market
  • Account type
  • Position size
  • Holding period
  • Account currency
  • Market conditions

IG’s official charges pages identify spreads, commissions, overnight funding and currency conversion among the main potential CFD costs.

Costs to Compare

Cost What to check
Spread Review typical spreads for the intended market, not only the advertised minimum
Commission Confirm whether it is charged per side, per trade, per contract or as a percentage
Overnight funding Check the daily calculation and applicable cut-off time
Currency conversion Review the current rate when the market currency differs from the account currency
Guaranteed stop Confirm whether a premium applies and when it is charged
Market-data fee Check whether live exchange prices require a subscription
Platform fee Review costs for specialist platforms, charting or add-ons
Deposit fee Check charges from IG and the payment provider
Withdrawal fee Confirm the method, currency, minimum and third-party bank fees
Inactivity fee Check the current inactivity period and regional conditions
Borrow charge Relevant when shorting certain shares or other instruments
Slippage Review the execution policy and conditions during volatile markets

Spreads and Commissions

For many forex and index products, a broker’s charge may be included in the spread. Share CFDs may use a separate commission structure.

Do not compare an IG advertised minimum spread with another broker’s average spread. A fair comparison should use:

  • The same currency pair
  • The same trade size
  • The same market session
  • The same account type
  • The same legal entity
  • The same review period
  • All applicable commissions

Overnight Funding

IG states that overnight funding generally applies when relevant cash CFD or daily funded positions remain open through the applicable cut-off. Futures and forwards may incorporate financing into their wider spread instead.

Overnight costs can materially affect trades held for several days. Check the current calculation inside the platform rather than relying on an old broker review.

Currency Conversion

Currency conversion may apply when a trade, profit, loss, fee or deposit is denominated differently from the account’s base currency. The percentage can vary between IG entities and has changed over time, so it should be confirmed through the current regional fee page.

IG Account Types

IG account types depend on country and product. They may include:

  • Retail leveraged-trading accounts
  • Professional trading accounts
  • Limited-risk accounts
  • Share-dealing accounts
  • General investment accounts
  • Stocks and Shares ISAs
  • Pension or SIPP accounts
  • Corporate accounts
  • Options or futures accounts
  • Demo accounts

Do not assume that an account listed on the UK website is offered in the United States, Australia, Europe or another market.

Retail and Professional Accounts

Retail clients may receive protections that do not apply to professional clients. Depending on the jurisdiction, these can include:

  • Leverage restrictions
  • Standardised risk warnings
  • Negative-balance protection
  • Margin close-out requirements
  • Restrictions on incentives
  • Access to compensation arrangements

Professional-account eligibility criteria and consequences must be checked on the applicable regional website. Higher available leverage should not be treated as an automatic benefit.

Demo Account

IG currently offers demo access through IG Academy in the UK and other supported regions. A demo account can help users practise platform navigation and order entry without committing real funds.

A demo account cannot fully reproduce:

  • Live liquidity
  • Slippage
  • Order rejection
  • Emotional pressure
  • Account verification
  • Deposit processing
  • Withdrawal processing
  • The consequences of losing real money

Deposits and Withdrawals

Available banking methods depend on the IG entity, account currency and customer location.

Before funding an account, verify:

  • Supported cards, bank transfers and payment services
  • Minimum and maximum transaction amounts
  • Card or bank charges
  • Account-currency conversion
  • Whether the payment method must be in the customer’s name
  • Whether withdrawals must return to the original funding source
  • Verification documents
  • Bank settlement times
  • Restrictions on withdrawing unsettled investment proceeds

A broker review should not promise a fixed withdrawal time because processing depends on the product, payment method, verification status and receiving institution.

IG Academy and Research

IG Academy currently offers online courses, webinars, seminars and demo access. These resources can help users understand platform functions and trading terminology.

Educational resources do not demonstrate that a trading strategy will be profitable. Broker-produced analysis should also be distinguished from independent financial advice.

Useful educational features may include:

  • Introductory trading courses
  • Platform tutorials
  • Webinars
  • Economic calendars
  • Market commentary
  • Risk-management explanations
  • Demo-platform exercises

A beginner should understand leverage, margin, stop orders and total trading costs before progressing from a demo account to live leveraged trading.

Customer Support

IG’s UK support area currently provides access to help articles, secure live chat and WhatsApp contact. Available channels and service hours may differ by country.

Before depositing, consider testing support with specific questions:

  1. Which legal entity would provide the account?
  2. Which regulator supervises that entity?
  3. Is the intended product available in the customer’s country?
  4. Which platform can be connected to the account?
  5. What are the current deposit and withdrawal conditions?
  6. Where is the execution policy?
  7. Which protections would apply to the account?
  8. How can a formal complaint be submitted?

Save important answers and confirm that they agree with the written terms.

Advantages and Considerations

Potential advantage Important consideration
Operating history dating to 1974 Longevity does not remove trading or platform risk
Public group reporting Group-level information may not describe the specific account entity
Multiple platform options Not every platform is available in every jurisdiction
Broad product range Products and market totals vary between entities
Educational resources Education is not personalised financial advice
Demo access Demo execution does not fully reproduce live trading
Regulated legal entities Protections depend on the actual entity and client status
Forex and multi-asset access Leveraged products can produce rapid losses
Specialist tools for active traders Data, platform or financing fees may apply
Investment accounts in selected markets Investment and tax-wrapper availability is region-specific

Who Might Consider IG?

IG may merit comparison by traders who value:

  • A long-established provider
  • Access to proprietary and third-party platforms
  • A combination of forex and other markets
  • Educational resources
  • Web and mobile account access
  • Publicly available group reports
  • Specialist tools such as advanced charting or direct market access

Another provider may be more suitable for someone who requires:

  • A particular platform unavailable through their local IG entity
  • A raw-spread commission account
  • A specific currency pair or asset
  • Integrated social or copy trading
  • A simpler product range
  • A particular funding method
  • Lower costs for a specific trading pattern

The decision should be based on verified account conditions rather than a universal “best broker” label.

How to Compare IG with Another Forex Broker

Use the same criteria and date for both companies.

Comparison point IG Other broker
Legal entity Record and verify Record and verify
Regulator and permissions Check official register Check official register
Accepted country Confirm Confirm
Forex product type CFD, spread bet or other Confirm
Typical spread Record for same pair and period Record for same pair and period
Commission Confirm Confirm
Overnight funding Calculate for same position Calculate for same position
Currency conversion Confirm Confirm
Main platform Test Test
Automated trading Confirm conditions Confirm conditions
Deposit methods Confirm Confirm
Withdrawal conditions Confirm Confirm
Retail protections Confirm Confirm
Complaint route Record Record
Review date Add date Add date

A comparison based only on minimum spreads, star ratings or the number of markets is incomplete.

Checks to Complete Before Opening an IG Account

  1. Identify the exact IG legal entity.
  2. Verify it in the regulator’s official register.
  3. Read the local client agreement and risk disclosure.
  4. Confirm that clients from your country are accepted.
  5. Check whether the account is retail or professional.
  6. Confirm the forex product being provided.
  7. Review typical spreads and all additional fees.
  8. Check the overnight funding calculation.
  9. Confirm platform availability.
  10. Test the demo platform where available.
  11. Review deposit and withdrawal conditions.
  12. Check the complaints procedure.
  13. Confirm client-money and negative-balance rules.
  14. Compare IG with at least one relevant alternative.
  15. Recheck all dynamic details immediately before depositing.

Final Assessment

IG is an established multi-product trading provider with several regulated entities, a broad platform ecosystem and educational resources. These characteristics make it a relevant option to research when comparing forex brokers.

However, it is not accurate to describe IG as universally safe, cheapest or best for every trader. The quality and suitability of an IG account depend on the legal entity, jurisdiction, product, platform, pricing and client classification.

The strongest approach is to treat this review as a due-diligence framework. Verify the regional terms directly, calculate the expected total costs and understand the risks of leveraged products before opening or funding an account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IG a forex broker?

IG provides forex trading through selected legal entities and products. Depending on the country, forex may be offered through CFDs, spread betting, futures or another leveraged structure. Product availability must be checked locally.

Is IG a regulated broker?

IG operates several regulated legal entities. Customers should verify the exact company named in their account agreement through the relevant regulator’s official register rather than relying only on the IG brand name.

Is IG safe to use?

No broker or trading account is completely safe. IG has regulated entities and a long operating history, but regulation does not prevent market losses, platform disruption or business risk. Account protections vary by entity and client classification.

What trading platforms does IG offer?

IG promotes proprietary web and mobile platforms alongside options such as MetaTrader, TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer. The available selection depends on the country, legal entity, product and account type.

What fees does IG charge?

Potential costs include spreads, commissions, overnight funding, currency conversion, guaranteed-stop premiums, market-data charges and inactivity fees. The current regional charges page should be checked before opening an account.

Does IG have a minimum deposit?

There is no reliable universal minimum that applies to every IG account. Requirements can vary according to legal entity, product, country and funding method. Check the application and local funding information.

Is IG suitable for beginners?

IG provides courses, webinars and demo access in supported regions, which may help beginners understand the platform. However, educational resources do not make leveraged trading low-risk or suitable for every new trader.

How long do IG withdrawals take?

Withdrawal timing depends on the account, payment method, verification status, currency and receiving bank. Investment proceeds may also need to settle before withdrawal. Check the current regional withdrawal instructions.

Risk and Editorial Disclaimer

This review is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, legal or tax advice and does not recommend that any person open an IG account.

Forex, CFDs, spread betting and other leveraged products involve a significant risk of loss. Account conditions, products and protections vary by legal entity and jurisdiction. Verify all material information through official regulatory and IG sources before opening or funding an account.