IG Review 2026

Overview

IG Broker Overview

IG Group was founded in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler in London as Investors Gold Index, initially offering spread betting on gold prices. Over five decades, it has evolved into one of the most comprehensive retail trading platforms in the world, now serving over 313,000 active clients across more than 17 countries. IG was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2014 and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, giving it a level of corporate transparency and accountability that few retail brokers can match.

The broker's product range is unmatched in the retail space. Traders can access forex, indices, shares, commodities, cryptocurrencies, options, interest rates, and sector ETFs - all under a single account. For Gulf-based traders, IG's DFSA authorisation is a significant differentiator: it means the broker operates under direct regulatory oversight relevant to the UAE, not merely an offshore licence used to service the region.

IG's reputation among professional and experienced traders rests on its execution quality, platform depth, and the breadth of its market access. Its ProRealTime platform, in particular, is considered one of the most powerful retail charting environments available. For traders who have outgrown simpler brokers and require institutional-grade tools without moving to a full prime brokerage arrangement, IG is often the natural next step.

Pros & Cons

Regulation & Safety

IG Regulation and Client Protection

IG operates through multiple regulated entities covering all major jurisdictions where it accepts clients. The level of investor protection depends on which entity governs a trader's account.

FCA - Financial Conduct Authority (UK)

IG Markets Limited is authorised and regulated by the FCA under reference number 195355. FCA regulation places IG under some of the strictest conduct rules in the financial industry. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at tier-1 banks, and retail clients are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for up to 85,000 GBP per person in the event of firm failure. This is one of the strongest retail investor protections available globally.

ASIC - Australian Securities and Investments Commission

IG Markets Limited (Australia) holds an Australian Financial Services Licence under ASIC. ASIC enforces strict conduct obligations and requires ongoing capital adequacy compliance. Client funds are held in segregated accounts.

DFSA - Dubai Financial Services Authority

IG's DFSA authorisation is particularly relevant for UAE-based traders. The DFSA regulates financial services within the Dubai International Financial Centre and operates to standards comparable with the FCA and ASIC. Traders onboarded under the DFSA entity benefit from direct regulatory oversight within the Gulf region.

Additional Regulators

IG is also regulated by MAS (Singapore), BaFin (Germany), FINMA (Switzerland), and several other authorities, reflecting the broker's global operational footprint and commitment to operating within local regulatory frameworks rather than using offshore structures to service regulated markets.

Account Types

IG Account Types

IG offers two primary account types for retail forex and CFD traders, alongside a professional account classification for eligible clients.

Spread Betting Account (UK only)

Available exclusively to UK residents, spread betting at IG is free from capital gains tax and stamp duty. This account type is not available to Gulf traders.

CFD Account

The standard account for international clients, including those in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. This account provides access to IG's full range of 17,000+ instruments. EUR/USD spreads start from 0.6 pips with no commission on forex. Minimum deposit is $250. Leverage is capped at 1:200 for forex under the DFSA entity.

Islamic Swap-Free Account

IG offers an Islamic account for clients who require a Sharia-compliant trading environment. The swap-free structure removes overnight interest charges on open positions. Gulf traders should contact IG directly to activate the Islamic account option on their CFD account, as the process requires documentation.

Professional Account

Eligible clients who meet two of three criteria - relevant professional experience, significant financial instrument portfolio (over 500,000 EUR), and professional trading role - can apply for professional classification. Professional clients receive higher leverage limits and reduced regulatory protections in exchange for greater trading flexibility.

Trading Platforms

IG Trading Platforms

IG offers four distinct trading environments, from its own web and mobile platform to third-party professional tools. This breadth makes IG suitable for a wide range of trading styles.

IG Web Platform

IG's proprietary web platform requires no download and is accessible from any modern browser. It features a clean, responsive layout with real-time streaming quotes, advanced charting with over 100 technical indicators, and a customisable workspace. The platform supports all order types including guaranteed stops, which are a distinctive IG feature. Alert functionality is comprehensive, covering price, percentage move, and technical indicator triggers.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

IG offers full MT4 integration with access to the broker's pricing and execution infrastructure. All account types can use MT4, supporting Expert Advisors, custom indicators, and the full MQL4 development environment. IG's MT4 implementation is stable and well-maintained, though the broker does not offer MT5.

ProRealTime

ProRealTime is a professional-grade charting and analysis platform provided at no cost to traders who execute a minimum number of trades per month (otherwise a monthly fee applies). It is widely regarded as one of the most capable charting environments available in retail trading, with automated strategy building, over 100 indicators, and sophisticated backtesting tools. For technically-focused traders, ProRealTime is IG's most significant platform differentiator.

L2 Dealer

L2 Dealer provides direct market access (DMA) to exchange order books for share CFDs and DMA forex. It is designed for high-volume and professional traders who require full market depth visibility and execution at specific price levels within the order book.

Not sure which platform to use? Read our guide: MT4 vs MT5 vs cTrader - Full Comparison

Spreads & Fees

IG Trading Costs and Fees

IG operates a spread-only model on forex with no commission on standard CFD accounts. All cost is embedded in the spread. For shares and some other instruments, a separate commission structure applies.

Forex Spread Costs

Overnight Financing (Swap Fees)

IG applies overnight financing charges on positions held past the daily cutoff, based on relevant benchmark interest rates plus a broker margin. Wednesday positions are charged triple to account for the weekend. Islamic accounts have swaps replaced with a fixed administration fee structure.

Inactivity Fee

IG charges an inactivity fee of 12 USD per month (or currency equivalent) after 2 years of no login activity. This is significantly longer than many competitors and is unlikely to affect active traders.

Deposit and Withdrawal Fees

Card deposits and withdrawals carry no fee from IG. Bank wire withdrawals are free. There are no internal deposit fees. Currency conversion charges may apply when the account base currency differs from the deposit currency.

See how IG spreads compare to other brokers: Live Spread Comparison Table  ·  Forex Spreads and Fees Explained

Deposits & Withdrawals

Deposits and Withdrawals at IG

IG supports the standard range of payment methods suitable for UAE and Gulf region clients. The $250 minimum deposit is higher than many retail competitors but reflects IG's positioning as a broker for more experienced traders.

Available Payment Methods

• Visa and Mastercard - credit and debit cards, processed in real time
• Bank wire transfer - available for larger deposits, 2-5 business days
• PayPal - available in select regions

Minimum Deposit

The minimum initial deposit is $250 for standard CFD accounts. There is no stated minimum on subsequent deposits.

Processing Times

Card deposits are typically credited within minutes. Bank wires take 2-5 business days depending on the originating bank. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days after request.

Fees

IG does not charge internal fees on card or bank wire transactions. Traders should confirm whether their bank applies fees on international transfers.

Customer Support

IG Customer Support

IG provides 24-hour support five days a week across live chat, telephone, and email. Arabic-language support is available for MENA clients, reflecting the broker's investment in the Gulf market through its DFSA-regulated entity.

Support Channels

• Live chat - available on the IG website and client portal
• Telephone - regional numbers for UAE and MENA clients
• Email - for account and technical inquiries

Operating Hours

Support operates 24/5 during market hours, from Sunday evening through Friday close. This schedule suits Gulf traders whose business week begins on Sunday.

Arabic Support

IG's DFSA entity has dedicated Arabic-speaking relationship managers and support staff. The IG website is available in Arabic, and documentation including account opening forms and platform guides are fully translated.