IG Review 2026

IG’s range is most useful when considered by account route rather than as one uniform offering. A UK retail CFD account, an investing account and an account with another regional entity can have materially different terms.

Legal Entities by Client Region

Protection by Entity

IG segregates retail client funds. Negative balance protection applies to retail spread-betting and CFD accounts in regulated regions such as the UK and EU; it does not apply to professional traders, and protection for international accounts can differ. Eligible UK clients may have FSCS protection up to £85,000, depending on the entity and product.

Corporate Transparency and Ownership

IG Group Holdings plc is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange under ticker IGG and is a FTSE 100 constituent. IG was founded in 1974.

Representative Trading Costs

Costs Outside the Trade

Cash CFD funding after the daily cutoff and cross-currency transactions are recurring cost considerations. Online share investors can pay no dealing commission on global shares and ETFs under the instant-FX route, but non-GBP transactions may still incur the conversion fee.

Account choice, with rules set by the serving entity

IG offers leveraged trading alongside share dealing, ISAs and SIPPs, but an account name alone does not determine its protections or product terms. A UK retail client, an eligible DIFC client and a US retail forex customer operate under different regulatory frameworks and services. This is particularly relevant when comparing headline leverage or protections across regions.

Spread-based trading still has holding and conversion costs

Forex, index and commodity CFD or spread-betting costs are generally built into spreads, while cash CFD positions can incur overnight funding. A 0.7% conversion fee may also apply when transactions or realized amounts are in a currency different from the account’s base currency. Short-term traders who close before the 10 pm UK funding cutoff avoid that particular CFD funding charge; longer holding periods make it more relevant.

Platform capabilities and device access differ

IG supports several platforms, but their features are not interchangeable. MT4 and MT5 support desktop Expert Advisors, while ProRealTime offers algorithmic tools but is not available on mobile through IG. Traders who rely on mobile-only access or specialist automation should check platform compatibility rather than assume features are shared across the range.

Account and Platform Compatibility

Platform-Specific Differences

Practical Setup Assessment

Manual traders can use IG’s web or mobile service, while desktop users seeking Expert Advisors can connect through MT4 or MT5. IG also offers REST and streaming APIs for custom applications and FIX API access for institutional clients; custom API applications require coding experience. Third-party trade copying is available through MT4 integration, but IG does not provide a native, fully automated social-copy trading platform. Non-leveraged investing uses a separate share-dealing route through share dealing, ISA and SIPP accounts.

Entering the Market

IG allows scalping and news trading. Fills can differ from the requested level in either direction; if the market moves beyond IG’s tolerance, an order may be rejected rather than filled at a worse level. This matters to traders using tight entry levels or trading during fast market moves.

Leverage

These figures are not a group-wide leverage schedule. The cited retail figures apply to UK/FCA contexts, and the indices professional figure is identified separately. Position size, market conditions and the applicable entity can change the limit.

Margin Calls and Stop-Outs

IG states a margin call level of 100% and a stop-out margin level of 50%. These thresholds apply to leveraged positions and do not replace instrument- and entity-specific margin terms.

Trading Restrictions

IG offers both direct share dealing and leveraged exposure through CFDs and spread betting. A market appearing in the product range does not mean every account provides ownership of the underlying asset. In the UK/FCA context, crypto derivatives are restricted to professional clients.

Account Opening and Verification

IG requires KYC verification for new clients. Identity documents can include a passport or driving licence; proof of address can include a recent utility bill, bank statement or credit-card statement. Some clients, particularly those making large deposits or opening business accounts, may also need to provide proof of funds. KYC details may need updating at least annually.

There is no universal account-opening minimum for leveraged spread betting and CFD accounts: card funding requires £250, while bank transfer has no minimum. Share dealing and ISA accounts also have no bank-transfer minimum and require £250 when funded by card. The managed IG Smart Portfolio route requires £500 to start investing; deposits can begin at £50, but funds are invested only once the balance reaches £500.

IG restricts service in a number of jurisdictions, including Cuba, Venezuela, the United States, Russia, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Afghanistan and Belarus. US retail forex clients are served under the tastyfx brand, not the UK or Australian IG CFD regime.

Deposit Methods

Withdrawal Methods

Payment Rules

Bank, intermediary or currency-conversion charges may apply even when IG does not charge a processing fee. Card deposits and PayPal are generally shown as instant, while international wire transfers can take 1–3 business days. Withdrawal timing depends on the route and bank.

IG offers agent-assisted support by live chat, WhatsApp, phone and email. The stated service schedule includes a weekly interruption from Friday 22:00 to Saturday 08:00 UK time; language availability varies by entity and region.

Customer feedback is mixed. Some clients praise convenient chat or phone access and prompt replies; others report difficulty obtaining effective follow-through and resolving withdrawal issues. The recurring concern is resolution, not simply access to a support channel.