IG Review

Regulation and safety of funds

IG Group operates through a large network of separately licensed entities rather than a single global broker. In the UK, IG Index Limited (FRN 114059) and IG Markets Limited (FRN 195355) are both authorised by the FCA, covering spread betting and CFD trading respectively. Elsewhere, IG Australia Pty Ltd is licensed by ASIC (AFSL 515106), IG Europe GmbH by Germany's BaFin, IG Bank S.A. by Switzerland's FINMA, IG Asia by Singapore's MAS, IG Limited by Dubai's DFSA, and IG Markets South Africa Limited by South Africa's FSCA, among others.

This multi-jurisdiction structure means client protections vary by entity: UK and EU retail clients get negative balance protection and access to compensation schemes (FSCS in the UK), while offshore and professional accounts carry fewer safeguards. Clients in markets without a locally licensed IG entity are typically onboarded through IG International Limited, an offshore entity licensed by Bermuda's Monetary Authority, which carries fewer regulatory protections than IG's UK, EU, or Australian entities. IG Group Holdings plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: IGG) and is a FTSE 100 constituent, which adds a layer of public financial disclosure most brokers don't have.

Fees and spreads

IG advertises spreads from around 0.6 pips on EUR/USD, though independent testing in late 2025 put the real-world average closer to 0.9-1.0 pips on standard CFD accounts — still competitive, but not the cheapest in the market. Traders wanting tighter, commission-based pricing can use IG's Forex Direct (DMA) service via L2 Dealer, which charges a per-lot commission that scales down at higher monthly volumes.

Share CFDs and share dealing carry their own commission schedules starting from roughly 0.10% per trade. There's no deposit fee, but wire withdrawals can incur a fee (roughly $15, depending on entity and method), and an inactivity fee of around $12/month kicks in after 24 months without a trade.

Platforms and tools

IG's proprietary web and mobile platform is the primary way most clients trade, offering charting with dozens of indicators, multiple timeframes down to tick charts, and integrated trading signals and research. TradingView charting is available as an add-on for traders who prefer that ecosystem.

For traders who want a familiar third-party platform, IG also supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, though the range of tradable instruments on MT4/MT5 is significantly smaller than on IG's own platform. Active and professional traders can access L2 Dealer for direct market access (DMA) forex execution.

Deposits and withdrawals

Funding options include debit/credit card, bank transfer, PayPal, and Apple Pay in most regions; IG does not support cryptocurrency deposits or withdrawals. There is no minimum deposit requirement on standard retail CFD accounts, though IG's direct-market-access forex accounts typically require a higher minimum (around £1,000/$1,000).

Card and e-wallet withdrawals are generally processed without a fee, but some reviewers have reported unusually slow withdrawal turnaround times — an issue that shows up repeatedly in independent customer feedback.

Customer support

IG offers phone, email, and live chat support, with UK helpdesk hours of 8am-10pm GMT on weekdays; hours and languages vary by local entity. Customer sentiment is mixed: IG's Trustpilot score sits around 3.7 out of 5 from roughly 10,000 reviews, with recurring complaints about long wait times, an unhelpful automated chatbot layer for initial queries, and delayed withdrawal processing.

When traders do reach a human agent, reviews describe the support as generally competent and able to resolve issues, suggesting the friction is mostly in getting through the initial contact layer rather than in the quality of resolution itself.

Who is it for

IG suits traders who want breadth — access to a huge range of CFD markets, shares, and multiple platform choices, backed by one of the most heavily regulated brokers in the industry. Its size and public-company status also appeal to traders who prioritise institutional credibility over rock-bottom pricing.

It's a weaker fit for traders who specifically want Islamic swap-free accounts (discontinued), built-in copy trading, or the very tightest possible spreads, since several ECN-focused competitors undercut IG's standard pricing. US-based retail forex traders should also note that IG no longer serves that market directly — new US clients are directed to IG Group's tastyfx brand instead.