IG Review for UK Traders
Reviewed by Phillip Ashdown · Last updated · How we review
An in-depth review of IG, one of the UK's longest-established FCA-regulated forex and CFD brokers.
4.9/5 overall rating
IG is one of the UK's longest established FCA regulated forex and CFD brokers, founded in 1974 and listed on the London Stock Exchange. It offers access to over 17,000 markets across forex, indices, shares, commodities and more through its own platform, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer and TradingView.
Key Facts
- FCA regulated
- Yes (FRN 195355)
- Minimum deposit
- £0
- Platforms
- IG Web, MT4, MT5, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView
- Spread (EUR/USD)
- From 0.6 pips
- Account types
- CFD and spread betting
Our Verdict
IG has been operating in the UK forex market for over 50 years. That track record carries genuine weight. The broker is FCA regulated, listed on the London Stock Exchange, and has navigated multiple market crises without significant regulatory incident. For UK traders who want a broker with institutional credibility behind it, IG is one of the most trusted names in the market.
The platform offering is the strongest argument for choosing IG. Six supported platforms covering the full range from beginner friendly web trading through to direct market access via L2 Dealer gives traders room to grow without ever needing to switch broker. Most competitors support two or three platforms at most.
The cost structure is where IG sits in the middle of the market rather than at the competitive edge. EUR/USD spreads from 0.6 pips on the standard account are reasonable for a mainstream FCA regulated broker but not the tightest available. Traders who prioritise raw spread pricing above everything else will find lower costs at Pepperstone or Eightcap.
IG does not charge an inactivity fee, whereas CMC Markets charges one after 12 months of inactivity.
Overall, in our assessment IG is the strongest all round option for UK traders who want a trusted, well regulated broker with genuine platform depth and broad market access.
You can find full platform details on the official IG website.
For more options, see our full list of the best FCA-regulated forex brokers in the UK.
For the criteria behind this assessment, see our guide to how to evaluate a forex broker.
IG Account Types
IG offers two main account types for UK traders, with the available products depending on which entity and account structure you choose.
The standard CFD account gives access to the full range of IG markets including forex, indices, shares, ETFs, commodities and options. Trading costs on the standard CFD account are built into the spread with no separate commission on forex and index CFDs. EUR/USD spreads on the standard account average 0.6 pips based on 2026 data.
The spread betting account works on the same platform and offers access to the same markets. The key difference for UK traders is tax treatment. Spread betting profits are generally free from capital gains tax and stamp duty for UK residents. This makes the spread betting account the preferred structure for many UK traders, particularly those operating at meaningful size. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.
IG also offers a share dealing account for traders who want to buy and hold physical stocks and ETFs rather than trade on leverage. The share dealing account is separate from the CFD and spread betting accounts and carries different fee structures.
For traders who want direct market access and level two pricing, the L2 Dealer platform provides DMA functionality. This is available to experienced traders who want to interact directly with the order book rather than taking IG's quoted prices.
IG Fees Explained
Understanding how IG charges for trading is straightforward on standard accounts but worth examining in detail given the range of markets and account types on offer.
On forex CFD and spread betting accounts, all trading costs are built into the spread. There is no separate commission charged per trade on standard accounts. EUR/USD spreads on IG average 0.6 pips based on 2026 data. GBP/USD averages 0.9 pips. These figures place IG in the competitive mid range for UK retail forex brokers, tighter than Plus500 and eToro but wider than raw spread accounts at Pepperstone or Eightcap.
Index CFD spreads are competitive. The UK 100 spread is 1 point, the Wall Street spread is 1.6 points, and the Germany 40 spread is 1 point on standard accounts. For index traders these are among the tighter spreads available from a mainstream UK retail broker.
Share CFD trading at IG carries a commission rather than a spread markup. UK share CFDs cost £10 per trade or 0.1% of the trade value whichever is greater. US share CFDs cost $15 per trade or 0.02 per share. These rates are higher than dedicated stock brokers but reasonable for traders who primarily trade forex and indices and occasionally add share CFD exposure.
Does IG Charge Commission?
IG does not charge commission on standard forex CFD or spread betting accounts. The full cost of trading is built into the spread. For most retail forex traders this means there is no per trade charge visible on the order ticket, and the spread is the only cost to account for.
Commission does apply in specific circumstances. Share CFD trading carries a per trade commission as described above. The DMA account via L2 Dealer charges commission rather than a spread markup, which suits high volume traders who prefer raw pricing with transparent per lot costs.
For the majority of UK forex traders using IG on a standard account for forex and index CFDs or spread bets, the answer is no commission. The spread is the cost.
IG Inactivity Fee
IG does not charge an inactivity fee. Other UK brokers vary: CMC Markets and City Index charge after 12 months, while Pepperstone and Trade Nation also charge no inactivity fee.
Fee terms can change, so check IG's current charges schedule before opening an account.
IG Spread Betting Minimum Deposit
IG does not impose a minimum deposit on spread betting accounts funded by bank transfer. There is no minimum amount required to open or maintain a spread betting account with IG when depositing via bank transfer.
For accounts funded by credit or debit card, or via PayPal, a minimum first deposit of £250 applies. This is a payment method threshold rather than an account requirement, and subsequent deposits can be any amount.
In practice the amount you deposit into a spread betting account should reflect the markets you intend to trade and the position sizes you plan to use. IG's minimum bet sizes vary by market. The minimum stake on major forex pairs through spread betting is typically £1 per point.
Is IG Good for Forex Trading?
IG is a strong option for UK forex traders across most experience levels, though it suits some trader profiles better than others.
For beginner forex traders, IG offers more structured support than most competitors. The educational content is extensive, covering trading basics through to advanced strategies. The demo account provides a risk free environment to practise before committing real capital.
For intermediate traders, the combination of platform choice and market breadth is a genuine strength. Being able to trade forex, indices, shares and commodities from the same account without switching broker simplifies portfolio management.
For advanced and high frequency traders, IG is less competitive on cost than raw spread brokers. The L2 Dealer platform provides DMA access for those who need it, but traders who prioritise sub 0.1 pip spreads and ultra low commission will find better pricing at Pepperstone or Eightcap.
Spread bettors are well served at IG. The spread betting account covers the full range of forex pairs and indices, and the tax efficiency of spread betting makes it the natural account type for most UK based retail traders.
Does IG offer spread betting?
Yes. IG offers spread betting to UK clients through IG Index Limited (FCA reference number 114059), alongside its CFD accounts. IG was founded in 1974 and pioneered financial spread betting in the UK.
You can spread bet on IG's own web platform and mobile app, and IG also supports spread betting through TradingView and MT5. The spread betting account covers the same markets as IG's CFD account.
For UK residents, spread betting profits are generally free of Capital Gains Tax and stamp duty, but tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and can change.
To see how IG compares with other providers, read our ranking of the best spread betting brokers in the UK. New to spread betting? Our guide explains what spread betting is and how it works, and our forex spread betting comparison sets out published spreads on the major currency pairs.
Pros & Cons
✓ Pros
- ✓ FCA regulated with segregated client funds and FSCS eligibility
- ✓ FTSE 100-listed parent adds strong corporate transparency
- ✓ Broad platform range including IG Web, MT4, MT5, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, and TradingView
- ✓ Strong educational content and market analysis
- ✓ Wide market coverage across forex, indices, shares, and commodities
⚠ Cons
- ⚠ Not the cheapest option for traders focused purely on raw spreads
- ⚠ ProRealTime may carry an extra monthly cost if usage is low
- ⚠ No cTrader support
Spreads and Fees
IG's pricing is competitive for a mainstream FCA-regulated broker, though it is not the cheapest option for traders who prioritise raw spreads above everything else. For most standard-account traders, costs are built into the spread rather than charged separately as commission.
To see what a spread or a price move is worth in pounds on your trade size, use our pip value calculator. To size a trade to the amount you want to risk, use the position size calculator.
| Fee Type | Details |
|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | From 0.6 pips |
| GBP/USD Spread | From 0.9 pips |
| Commission | None (standard account) |
| Overnight Financing | Based on interbank rate ± IG markup |
| Inactivity Fee | None |
| Withdrawal Fee | Free (bank transfer) |
Fee Comparison
| Fee | IG | CMC Markets | Pepperstone |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | From 0.6 pips | From 0.5 pips | From 0.0 pips (raw) |
| Commission | None (standard) | None (standard) | $7/lot (raw) |
| Inactivity Fee | None | £10/mo after 1 year | None |
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free | Free |
Trading Platforms
IG offers one of the broadest platform selections available to UK forex traders, which is a major part of its appeal.
- IG Web Platform: Best suited to most traders. Clean, browser-based, and strong enough for regular charting, analysis, and execution.
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Best for traders who want Expert Advisors, custom indicators, and a familiar forex workflow.
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5): Best for MetaTrader users who want the newer platform's additional timeframes, order types and built-in economic calendar, with Expert Advisor support.
- ProRealTime: Best for advanced traders who want deeper charting tools and technical analysis.
- L2 Dealer: Best for experienced traders who want DMA access and more sophisticated order control.
- TradingView: Best for traders who prefer TradingView's charting environment and want to execute directly from it.
Is IG Safe?
IG is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 195355. For UK retail clients, this means client funds must be segregated, negative balance protection applies, and the broker must meet strict financial standards. Eligible clients may also be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme up to £85,000 if the firm fails.
IG is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (firm reference number 195355), which you can verify on the FCA register.
Learn more about FCA regulation and how it protects UK traders.
Who Is This Broker For?
Best For
- All-round UK traders who want platform depth and broad market access
- Spread bettors who want tax-efficient trading across forex and indices
- Intermediate traders who want room to grow without switching broker
Good For
- Beginners who value structured educational content and demo accounts
- Traders who want six platform options including DMA via L2 Dealer
- UK traders who prioritise FCA regulation and FTSE 100-listed credibility
Not For
- Cost-focused scalpers who need raw spreads from 0.0 pips
- Traders who rely on cTrader for algorithmic trading
Minimum Deposit
IG does not have a fixed minimum deposit requirement. Funding amounts may vary depending on the payment method used. This makes IG accessible to traders at various budget levels.
Ready to open an IG account?
If you want a well-established FCA-regulated broker with strong platforms and broad market access, IG remains one of the strongest all-round options for UK traders.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Final Verdict
IG is one of the strongest all-round forex brokers for UK traders, combining trust, platform choice, and broad market access. It may not suit traders focused purely on ultra-low spreads, but for most UK traders, it remains a reliable and well-rounded choice.