IG Review

Our Verdict

IG is the safest choice for traders who want a regulated, established broker with comprehensive market access. The trading platform is excellent, the education resources are genuinely valuable, and the regulatory credentials provide peace of mind that no newer broker can match.

GetASearch Score: 8.5/10

Rating: 4.5/5 (1234 reviews)

Score Breakdown

What is IG?

IG is one of the world's largest and most established online trading providers, founded in London in 1974 as the first company to offer spread betting on the price of gold. Today, IG serves over 300,000 clients globally and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250), providing trading access to 17,000+ markets including forex, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and more. IG offers both spread betting (tax-free in the UK) and CFD trading, giving traders flexibility in how they access markets. The platform provides competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips on major forex pairs and 1 point on key indices, with no commission on most instruments. DMA (Direct Market Access) is available for shares, giving professional traders the ability to trade directly on exchange order books. The IG trading platform is available as a web application, desktop download, and mobile app. Features include ProRealTime advanced charting (free for active traders), 100+ technical indicators, automated trading through ProRealTime's programming language, and customizable dashboards. IG also supports MetaTrader 4 for traders who prefer that ecosystem, and offers L2 Dealer for professional DMA trading. IG Academy provides one of the most comprehensive trading education programs in the industry, with structured courses covering forex basics through advanced risk management, all completely free. Market analysis includes daily updates from IG's in-house analysts, Reuters news feeds, economic calendars, and signal services. Risk management tools include guaranteed stops (for a premium), trailing stops, and price alerts. IG's negative balance protection ensures retail clients cannot lose more than their account balance. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at top-tier banks, and IG is regulated by the FCA, ASIC, BaFin, and other major regulators worldwide. For US clients, IG offers forex trading through IG US (regulated by CFTC and NFA) with access to 80+ forex pairs and competitive pricing. Globally, IG's breadth of markets, regulatory credentials, and four decades of operation make it one of the most trusted names in online trading.

Integrations: MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, TradingView

How We Tested IG

We tested IG for a period of eight weeks across its trading platforms, account types, and market offerings. Our evaluation covered execution speeds, regulatory compliance, fee structures, and the breadth of its 17,000+ markets. We assessed spread competitiveness, platform stability, and customer support responsiveness to provide an objective score.

Regulation: the gold standard

IG holds licenses from 6+ tier-1 regulators including FCA, ASIC, BaFin, and CFTC. Client funds are segregated and held in top-tier banks.

Platform options: something for everyone

IG offers its proprietary web platform, ProRealTime, MetaTrader 4, and L2 Dealer. The web platform handles 80% of traders' needs beautifully.

IG Features

IG Pricing

• EUR/USD: 0.6 pips avg
• GBP/USD: 0.9 pips avg

Best For

• Experienced forex traders
• Multi-asset CFD traders

Not Ideal For

• Crypto-focused traders
• Beginners seeking simplicity

Final Verdict

IG is the safest choice for traders who want a regulated, established broker with comprehensive market access. The trading platform is excellent, the education resources are genuinely valuable, and the regulatory credentials provide peace of mind that no newer broker can match.

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