IG Review
Verdict (At a Glance)
Best for
- Traders and investors who want a comprehensive, FCA-regulated multi-market platform with both trading and investing capabilities.
- Beginners willing to use a structured platform with educational tools and a demo account.
- Experienced traders who want wide markets, advanced charting and research tools.
Not ideal for
- Cost-sensitive traders who prefer ultra-low spread execution or brokers focused purely on passive investing.
IG
One of the UK's largest and longest-established brokers, offering CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, ISA and SIPP under FCA regulation.
- Min. Deposit
- £0
Affiliate link · Disclosure
Who this review is for
This review is for UK-based traders and investors who:
- Want to trade forex, CFDs, indices and spread betting under FCA regulation.
- Are looking for a multi-asset broker with both trading and investing support.
- Need ISA or pension (SIPP) investing alongside derivatives.
- Appreciate research, education and mobile/web tooling.
- Compare execution quality, fees and coverage when selecting a broker.
Overview: IG at a Glance
IG has the broadest product range of any broker reviewed here — forex, CFDs, spread betting, shares, ETFs, ISA, SIPP, and options via tastytrade, which IG acquired for approximately $1 billion. Most UK retail traders don't know that's what's powering the options offering, but it matters: this isn't a bolted-on feature, it's proper options infrastructure. The onboarding is fast — they say minutes and that's accurate. The platform itself takes longer to get comfortable with, and deliberately so; it's built for someone who already knows what they want rather than someone finding their feet. Biggest range, steepest learning curve. Those two things go together.
Strengths
- ✔Broad market access (forex, indices, CFDs, shares, ETFs).
- ✔FCA regulation and segregated client funds.
- ✔Structured learning resources and demo account.
- ✔Advanced platforms with charting and research tools.
- ✔ISA/GIA/SIPP support for investing use cases.
Limitations
- ✘Customer service wait times and mixed support experiences common in feedback.
- ✘Costs for some products are not the lowest on market.
- ✘Platform complexity can feel overwhelming for absolute beginners.
Regulation & Safety
IG is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, meaning client funds must be held in segregated accounts and subject to strict governance. UK retail clients may benefit from FSCS protection (up to applicable limits on cash balances).
When to avoid: If you seek a non-FCA broker ecosystem that offers materially higher leverage than UK caps allow, IG's regulated structure will feel restrictive.
Platforms & Tools
IG offers web and desktop platforms with advanced charting and order types, a mobile app, a demo account, and educational resources. When I first opened the platform it felt like too much — not because anything was poorly designed, but because it's built for someone who already knows what they're looking for. If you're used to simpler interfaces like Capital.com or eToro, IG's depth will take some adjustment. That said, the range is unmatched. IG also offers options trading via their tastytrade integration — IG acquired tastytrade for approximately $1 billion, which gives them genuine options infrastructure rather than a bolted-on product.
Costs & Fees
Fees vary by product and account type. CFD/Spread betting: spreads are variable; forex spreads start from ~0.6 points on majors (indicative) but widen in certain conditions. Share dealing: commission rates of ~0.10%–0.35% apply on UK share trades. ISA custody fees: quarterly custody charges apply but may be waived with sufficient trading activity. FX conversion: standard fee ~0.7% on currency conversion for share dealing/ISA accounts. Advanced tools: premium charting (e.g., ProRealTime) may incur fees, sometimes refundable with activity. IG's cost structure is transparent, but traders focused purely on ultra-low spread execution might find cheaper alternatives.
Asset Coverage
IG covers forex and CFDs on a wide range of instruments, spread betting (UK clients), shares and ETFs across global markets, and ISA, GIA, SIPP for longer-term investing. This breadth makes IG suitable for traders who also want investment accounts alongside leveraged products.
Customer Feedback Snapshot
Across thousands of Trustpilot reviews, IG tends to average around 3.9–4.0 out of 5 stars, with a mix of positive and negative experiences. Common positive themes: platform functionality and market depth, broad asset access. Common negative themes: long wait times for phone support, technical account issues requiring multiple contacts, occasional frustrations with specific fee structures and system interface.
Cost Comparison Logic
IG's pricing sits between low-spread execution brokers and full-service investment platforms. CFD pricing is built into spreads and financing; competitive but not always the very lowest. Investing execution has no commission on many online share trades; custody/quarterly fees can apply. Frequent traders may avoid custody fees via activity thresholds. Understanding your primary use (trading vs investing) influences whether IG's overall costs align with your strategy.
Risks & Considerations
- CFDs and spread betting carry leverage risk and financing costs.
- Platform complexity may challenge absolute beginners.
- Customer support wait times have been raised repeatedly in reviews.
- Different products attract different fee structures — clarity on which you use matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology & Disclosure
Account opened and tested under standard UK retail conditions. The platform took time to adjust to — it's built for experienced traders, which is consistent with what the review says. Onboarding itself was fast. FCA register verified directly. Affiliate relationships are documented and do not influence rankings. This is not financial advice — see our methodology page.
Alternatives to IG
Capital.com
FCA-regulated CFD and spread betting broker with an intuitive platform suited to beginners and cost-conscious traders.
- Min. Deposit
- £20
Affiliate link · Disclosure
Pepperstone
Execution-focused CFD and spread betting broker with tight raw spreads, MT4/MT5/cTrader access and FCA regulation.
- Min. Deposit
- £0
Affiliate link · Disclosure
CMC Markets
FCA-regulated broker founded in 1989, known for powerful proprietary charting tools, thousands of CFD instruments and no minimum deposit.
- Min. Deposit
- £0
Affiliate link · Disclosure
IG Comparisons
IG in Our Best Broker Lists
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links to brokers and products featured on this site. This compensation does not influence our rankings, reviews, or recommendations. We maintain editorial independence and provide objective comparisons. Read our full disclosure policy.
Risk Warning: This website does not provide financial, investment, or trading advice. All information is for educational purposes only. Trading and investing involve substantial risk of loss. You should carefully consider your financial situation and consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions.
Last updated: 2026-01-15