IG Group is a publicly listed financial technology group whose brands provide leveraged trading, stock trading and investments, exchange-traded derivatives and cryptocurrency services. The IG broker brand is one part of that wider group, so a review should distinguish the parent company from the legal entity that actually holds a customer’s account.

The products, platforms, fees and protections available through IG differ by country, account type and legal entity. A UK spread-betting account, a US forex account and an investment account may all use IG branding while operating under different contracts and regulatory rules.

This combined IG Group and IG Markets review explains the corporate structure, broker entities, platforms, products, costs and risks that should be checked before opening or funding an account.

Last fact-checked: July 11, 2026

Key Takeaways

  • IG Group and the IG broker are related but not identical: IG Group is the listed parent, while locally regulated companies provide individual trading and investment accounts.
  • IG Group currently identifies IG, tastytrade, Freetrade, Independent Reserve and IG Prime among its principal brands.
  • The group was founded in 1974 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange; current corporate materials describe it as a FTSE 100 company.
  • The IG broker offers web and mobile platforms alongside specialist options such as MetaTrader 4, TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer, subject to regional availability.
  • Products may include forex, CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, options, futures, investments and crypto services, but they are not all available through every entity or account.
  • Trading costs can include spreads, commissions, overnight funding, currency conversion, guaranteed-stop premiums and optional data or platform fees.
  • Client-money segregation, negative-balance protection and compensation eligibility depend on the specific legal entity, product and client classification.
  • Spread-betting tax treatment is specific to eligible UK customers and depends on individual circumstances and current tax law.
  • Public-company status and regulatory oversight provide useful transparency but do not prevent trading losses, platform disruption or business risk.
  • The two IG Group articles in this cluster should be consolidated into the existing IG forex broker review rather than published as a separate competing page.

IG Group at a Glance

Review area Current position What readers should verify
Parent company IG Group Holdings plc, a London-listed financial technology group Latest annual report, regulatory news and corporate structure
Current group brands IG, tastytrade, Freetrade, Independent Reserve and IG Prime Whether the product is provided by the IG broker or another group brand
IG broker legal entity Varies by country and product Company name and reference number in the application
Main UK entities IG Markets Limited, IG Index Limited and IG Trading and Investments Limited Which company provides the selected account
Platforms IG web and mobile platforms, MT4, TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer in supported markets Platform, account and product compatibility
Products Leveraged trading, investments, exchange-traded derivatives and crypto across the group Product structure and regional availability
Trading costs Spreads, commissions, financing, conversion and optional services Current regional charges page
Education IG Academy, webinars, platform guides and market analysis Availability and whether content is promotional or educational
Client protection Entity-specific segregation, retail protections and complaint routes Exact legal entity and client classification
Main advantage Broad group capabilities and multiple platform choices Whether the local offering matches the user’s needs
Main limitation Complex differences between group brands, entities and countries Do not generalise from one regional IG website
Primary risk Leveraged products can cause rapid losses Margin, leverage, stop and liquidation terms

What Is the Difference Between IG Group and IG Markets?

IG Group Holdings plc is the parent company. The current IG Group corporate profile describes a group operating across retail trading, technology and capital markets through several brands.

IG Markets is commonly used as shorthand for the IG broker, but IG Markets Limited is also the name of a specific UK legal entity. This distinction matters because a brand-level statement such as ‘IG is regulated’ does not identify which company provides the account or which protections apply.

Name What it refers to Why the distinction matters
IG Group Holdings plc The publicly listed parent company Group results and brand information do not replace account-level terms
IG The consumer trading and investment brand The brand is used across several countries and entities
IG Markets Limited A UK FCA-authorised company associated with CFD accounts Its permissions and protections apply only where it is the contracting entity
IG Index Limited A UK FCA-authorised company associated with spread betting Spread-betting terms differ from CFD and investment accounts
IG Trading and Investments Limited A UK FCA-authorised investment-services company Share dealing, ISA and pension products have different terms and risks
tastytrade A US-focused group brand for exchange-traded products and related services It is not the same service as an IG forex or CFD account
Freetrade A UK investment-platform brand owned by the group Its accounts, pricing and protections are separate from IG trading accounts
Independent Reserve A digital-asset business within the group Crypto services are provided under different entities and rules

IG Group Company Background and Current Structure

IG traces its history to 1974. Current group materials identify the business as a FTSE 100 financial technology company and list more than one million customers across its brands. These are corporate-level figures and should not be used to imply that every customer uses the IG broker or receives the same service.

IG published its latest annual report for the year ended December 31, 2025 in April 2026. The latest investor-relations page reports total 2025 revenue of £1,123.4 million and profit before tax of £563.7 million. These figures are dated financial disclosures rather than permanent product features.

Dated corporate item Current published information How to use it in a broker review
Operating history Founded in 1974 Useful evidence of longevity, not proof of account safety
Public listing Listed on the London Stock Exchange and currently described by IG as a FTSE 100 company Supports access to public reporting and market disclosures
2025 total revenue £1,123.4 million A dated indicator of group scale, not a customer protection
2025 profit before tax £563.7 million A dated financial metric that should link to the latest report
Current brands IG, tastytrade, Freetrade, Independent Reserve and IG Prime Shows that group services extend beyond the IG forex broker
Latest annual report Year ended December 31, 2025, published April 2026 Use as the primary source for current corporate facts

Which IG Legal Entity Will Hold the Account?

The legal entity should be confirmed before a deposit is made. IG’s UK information currently identifies different companies for different product categories, while other countries use locally incorporated IG companies.

UK product or service Typical legal provider shown by IG What to check
CFD account IG Markets Limited FCA status, permissions, product terms and complaint route
Spread-betting account IG Index Limited FCA status, spread-betting terms and retail protections
Share dealing, ISA and investment products IG Trading and Investments Limited Investment permissions, asset custody and compensation eligibility
Professional or institutional services May involve an IG entity or IG Prime service Classification, lost retail protections and account agreement
Non-UK account A locally regulated or international IG company Local register, legal documents and country restrictions

How to Verify the Account Provider

  1. Find the full company name in the application, website footer and client agreement.
  2. Record the firm-reference, licence or registration number.
  3. Search for the company through the regulator’s official register.
  4. Match the registered website, address and trading names.
  5. Check whether the entity has permission to provide the intended product.
  6. Confirm whether the customer is classified as retail, professional or another category.
  7. Review warnings, restrictions and complaint information.
  8. Confirm that funding instructions belong to the same verified company.

The FCA Financial Services Register should be used for UK entities. Customers in other countries should use the relevant national regulator rather than relying on a licence number copied from an IG page.

Is IG Group Safe and Regulated?

IG Group includes regulated companies, but ‘safe’ is too broad for a financial-service review. Regulation can impose conduct, capital, client-money, disclosure and complaint requirements; it cannot guarantee profitable trades or eliminate operational and market risk.

For UK retail accounts, the applicable IG entity may be required to follow FCA rules, and eligible claims may fall within a compensation framework. Eligibility depends on the claimant, product, entity and failure circumstances. Compensation does not cover ordinary market losses.

Protection or control What it can do What it cannot do
Regulatory authorisation Establish permissions and supervisory obligations Guarantee a return or prevent all misconduct
Client-money segregation Separate qualifying customer money from company operating funds Prevent trading losses or every insolvency shortfall
Negative-balance protection Limit qualifying retail losses to account funds under applicable rules Apply to every professional, corporate or overseas account
Compensation scheme Cover eligible claims after an authorised firm failure Reimburse losing trades or all product types
Two-factor and account security Reduce unauthorised-access risk Protect users who disclose credentials or approve fraudulent payments
Public financial reporting Provide group-level transparency Describe every local account condition

IG Markets Trading Platforms

IG currently offers proprietary online and mobile platforms and supports specialist third-party tools in selected regions. Its UK platform page lists web, mobile, MetaTrader 4 and ProRealTime options, while additional pages describe TradingView and L2 Dealer.

Platform Primary use Important limitation
IG web platform Browser-based charting, research and order management Features and markets depend on product and entity
IG mobile app Monitoring, charting and trade management on mobile devices Smaller screen and connectivity risk
MetaTrader 4 Forex, CFDs, custom indicators and Expert Advisors Not every IG market is available through MT4
TradingView Advanced charting and supported account connection Integration and instruments vary by country
ProRealTime Advanced charting, backtesting and automation Subscription or activity conditions may apply
L2 Dealer Direct market access and market-depth tools Designed for eligible, more advanced users
APIs and institutional connectivity Custom or professional integrations Technical requirements and account eligibility apply

What a Platform Test Should Cover

  • platform availability for the exact account and country;
  • instrument coverage and product type;
  • order types and guaranteed-stop availability;
  • charting, alerts and workspace tools;
  • automated-trading and API compatibility;
  • mobile and web feature differences;
  • market-data or specialist-platform charges;
  • service-status and contingency procedures.

What Can Be Traded or Invested in Through IG Group?

IG Group provides several product categories across its brands. The IG broker itself may offer forex, CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, options, futures and selected crypto products, depending on the country. Other group brands provide exchange-traded derivatives, investment accounts or spot cryptocurrency services.

Product category Typical group or IG access Key distinction
Forex Leveraged forex, forex CFDs or spread betting through supported IG entities The exact legal product and leverage rules vary
Indices and commodities CFDs, spread bets, futures-linked products and other derivatives Funding and expiry treatment can differ
Shares and ETFs Cash investments, CFDs or spread bets depending on the account Ownership and derivative exposure are not the same
Options and futures Selected IG, tastytrade or regional products Contract, exchange and margin rules differ from CFDs
Cryptocurrency Selected derivative or spot services across IG and Independent Reserve Availability is heavily jurisdiction-dependent
Managed or portfolio investments Smart portfolios and investment services in supported markets Investment fees and suitability differ from trading
Institutional services IG Prime liquidity, execution and technology services Not designed as a standard retail account

Spread Betting, CFDs and Investment Accounts

The original pages combine trading and investing as though they were interchangeable. They should instead explain the product structure before discussing market access.

Account or product How it works Main risks and costs
Spread betting A leveraged stake per point of market movement, mainly for eligible UK and Irish customers Spread, overnight funding, leverage and tax-rule uncertainty
CFD account A leveraged contract exchanging the price difference between opening and closing Spread or commission, financing, slippage and counterparty risk
Share-dealing account Purchase of shares or exchange-traded products Market risk, currency conversion, custody and product fees
ISA or pension product Tax-wrapper investment account in supported UK services Eligibility, contribution, withdrawal and investment rules
Professional account Account for clients meeting specified criteria Potentially higher leverage and fewer retail protections

UK Spread-Betting Tax Claims Need Qualification

IG explains that spread-betting profits are generally free from UK capital gains tax and stamp duty for most retail customers. This is not personalised tax advice, tax treatment depends on individual circumstances, and rules can change. Losses from spread betting generally cannot be offset against other capital gains.

The current IG spread-betting and CFD comparison should be cited instead of stating that spread betting is simply ‘tax free.’

IG Fees and Trading Costs

IG does not have one global fee schedule. Costs differ between trading, investing and crypto products and between regional entities. The current UK charges page should be checked before publication and before an account is funded.

Cost What to examine
Spread Typical spread for the intended market, not only the minimum
Commission Share-CFD, investment, option or futures commissions where applicable
Overnight funding Daily financing for leveraged cash positions held past the cut-off
Currency conversion Rate or markup when the account and instrument currencies differ
Guaranteed-stop premium Instrument-specific premium charged if the guaranteed stop is triggered
Market-data fee Exchange or live-data subscriptions
Platform fee Charges for ProRealTime or specialist services where applicable
Borrowing charge Cost associated with certain short share positions
Deposit and withdrawal cost IG, bank, card-provider and correspondent-bank charges
Inactivity or custody fee Current entity and account conditions
Slippage and spread widening Execution cost during volatile or illiquid markets

Guaranteed Stop-Loss Orders

IG offers guaranteed stops for eligible spread-betting and CFD positions. The broker states that the premium is charged only if the stop is triggered, with the amount shown on the deal ticket. Availability and cost vary by instrument and account.

A guaranteed stop can define the exit price for a position, but it does not make the overall strategy low-risk or prevent losses up to that level.

Weekend and Extended-Hours Trading

IG provides weekend or extended-hours access to selected markets. A weekend price may be created from available liquidity and can differ from the official weekday market. Positions can therefore face wider spreads, lower liquidity and a price adjustment when the underlying market reopens.

  • Confirm which instruments are available outside normal hours.
  • Check whether weekday and weekend positions are treated as separate markets.
  • Review spread, margin and stop conditions.
  • Understand how reopening gaps or adjustments are handled.
  • Do not assume that extended access provides normal-market liquidity.

IG Academy, Research and Market Analysis

IG Academy offers courses, webinars, platform education and demo access in supported regions. These resources can help users understand terminology and platform functions, but they are not personalised advice and do not demonstrate that a trading strategy will be profitable.

Broker-produced market analysis should be treated as one research input. Readers should distinguish educational content from product marketing, trading ideas and independent analysis.

Deposits, Withdrawals and Account Support

Funding methods, processing conditions and support channels vary by IG entity. Customers should check the authenticated account area and local help centre rather than rely on a global summary.

Funding and Withdrawal Checks

  • supported bank, card and payment methods;
  • accepted account currencies;
  • account-holder-name requirements;
  • deposit and withdrawal limits;
  • currency-conversion charges;
  • whether funds must return to the original method;
  • verification and source-of-funds documents;
  • bank and payment-provider processing times;
  • restrictions on withdrawing unsettled investment proceeds.

Questions to Ask Support

  1. Which legal entity will provide my account?
  2. Which regulator supervises that entity?
  3. Which product am I using: CFD, spread bet, cash investment, option or futures contract?
  4. Which platforms are compatible with my account?
  5. What is the complete cost for my main market and holding period?
  6. Does negative-balance protection apply?
  7. Which complaint and compensation routes are available?
  8. What documents and processing rules apply to withdrawals?

Advantages and Limitations

Potential advantage Important limitation
Long operating history and public reporting Longevity and listing status do not prevent trading losses
Multiple group brands and product categories Group-level scale can obscure which entity provides the account
Proprietary and third-party platforms Not every platform or market is available in every country
Forex, CFD, spread-betting and investment access These products have different ownership, tax and risk structures
IG Academy and research Broker-produced education is not independent advice
Guaranteed-stop functionality A premium may apply and losses remain possible up to the stop
Weekend and extended-hours markets Liquidity can be lower and spreads can be wider
Regulated legal entities Protections depend on entity and client classification
Publicly available group financials Group financial strength is not a compensation guarantee
Multiple account types The range can make product selection more complex
Mobile and web access Connectivity and platform outages remain possible
Professional services and DMA tools Eligibility, complexity and reduced retail protections can apply

Who Might Consider IG?

IG may merit comparison by users who want:

  • a long-established, publicly listed financial group;
  • a choice of proprietary and third-party platforms;
  • forex, CFD or spread-betting access where permitted;
  • share and ETF investment accounts in supported markets;
  • advanced charting, guaranteed stops or direct market access;
  • educational resources and a demo environment;
  • one group offering trading and investment services through multiple brands.

Another provider may be more suitable for someone who requires:

  • one simple product and pricing structure;
  • a platform or account unavailable through the local IG entity;
  • a particular raw-spread commission account;
  • integrated social or copy trading;
  • guaranteed withdrawal times;
  • a compensation arrangement not available for the relevant entity;
  • a non-leveraged account without trading-oriented tools.

Checks to Complete Before Opening an IG Account

  1. Distinguish IG Group from the specific IG legal entity.
  2. Verify the company and permissions in the official regulator register.
  3. Confirm that clients from your country are accepted.
  4. Read the current client agreement, risk disclosure and execution policy.
  5. Identify whether the product is a CFD, spread bet, investment, option or futures contract.
  6. Confirm which platforms and markets are available.
  7. Compare typical spreads, commissions and overnight costs.
  8. Check currency-conversion, data and specialist-platform fees.
  9. Review leverage, margin and liquidation rules.
  10. Confirm negative-balance and compensation eligibility.
  11. Review deposit and withdrawal requirements.
  12. Test the intended platform through a demo account where available.
  13. Confirm how weekend or extended-hours markets operate.
  14. Check guaranteed-stop availability and premiums.
  15. Recheck all dynamic information immediately before depositing.

Final Assessment

IG Group is a large, publicly listed financial technology group with trading, investment, exchange-traded derivative and cryptocurrency businesses. The IG broker brand provides a broad platform and product ecosystem through multiple legal entities.

That scale does not justify broad claims that IG is universally safe, tax-free or suitable for every trader. The legal entity, product structure, fees and protections must be assessed at account level.

From an SEO perspective, the two IG Group pages should not remain separate from the existing IG forex broker review. Their unique corporate information should be added to the stronger broker-review page, and both current URLs should redirect directly to that canonical.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IG Group?

IG Group Holdings plc is a publicly listed financial technology group whose brands provide leveraged trading, investments, exchange-traded derivatives and cryptocurrency services.

Is IG Group the same as IG Markets?

No. IG Group is the parent company. IG is a consumer brand, while IG Markets Limited is a specific UK legal entity associated with certain CFD services.

Is IG regulated?

IG accounts are provided through different regulated companies. Customers should verify the exact entity and permissions through the relevant official regulator register.

Which platforms does IG offer?

IG offers proprietary web and mobile platforms and, in supported markets, options such as MetaTrader 4, TradingView, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer.

What can be traded through IG?

Depending on the country and account, IG may offer forex, CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, options, futures and selected cryptocurrency products. Availability varies by legal entity.

What fees does IG charge?

Potential charges include spreads, commissions, overnight funding, currency conversion, guaranteed-stop premiums and optional market-data or platform fees.

Are IG spread-betting profits tax-free?

Spread-betting profits are generally exempt from UK capital gains tax and stamp duty for most eligible retail customers, but tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and current law.

Does IG offer guaranteed stops?

IG offers guaranteed stops on eligible spread-betting and CFD markets. A variable premium is charged if the guaranteed stop is triggered.

Does IG offer weekend trading?

IG provides weekend or extended-hours trading on selected markets. Spreads, liquidity and pricing can differ from normal weekday conditions.

Is IG suitable for beginners?

IG Academy, demo access and platform guides may help beginners learn the service, but leveraged products remain complex and can cause rapid losses.

Risk and Editorial Disclaimer

This IG Group and IG broker review is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, investment, legal or tax advice and does not recommend opening an IG account.

Forex, CFDs, spread betting, options, futures and other leveraged products involve a significant risk of loss. Investments can also fall in value. Products, fees and protections vary by legal entity and jurisdiction. Verify all material information through official regulator records and current IG documents before opening or funding an account.