The Institutional Giant for the Retail Trader

Overall Rating: 4.8/5

Founded in London in 1974, IG Group is the godfather of the retail CFD and spread betting industry. With over 50 years in the business, a listing on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250), and regulatory licenses scattered across the globe, IG is less of a broker and more of an institutional trading hub.

With access to a staggering 17,000+ markets, an arsenal of top-tier trading platforms, and oversight from the world’s strictest financial authorities, IG remains a market leader. But with an influx of aggressive, low-cost competitors entering the space, is IG still the best choice for retail and professional traders in 2026?

In this comprehensive review, we strip back the marketing to examine IG’s real trading costs, platform execution, and overall value.

What’s New for IG in 2026?

IG has historically been viewed as a premium broker, occasionally criticized for nickel-and-diming casual investors. However, their 2026 updates signal a massive shift toward aggressive, low-cost value:

• Axe to the Custody Fee: As of January 8, 2026, IG permanently scrapped its £24 quarterly custody fee and inactivity fees for UK investment accounts, making it a highly attractive hub for buy-and-hold investors.
• 7.5% Interest on Uninvested Cash: New clients opening an ISA, GIA, or SIPP are eligible for a massive promotional 7.5% AER on up to £10,000 in uninvested cash (valid until March 31, 2026).
• Zero-Commission Crypto: IG slashed its crypto fees in June 2026. You can now trade Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) with 0% commission and just a tiny 0.07% external exchange fee (via Uphold).

👍 Pros & 👎 Cons

The Good

• Unmatched Market Access: Trade over 17,000 assets, including forex, global shares, indices, commodities, bonds, and crypto.
• Exceptional Regulation: Regulated by 10+ tier-one bodies including the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), BaFin (Germany), and FINMA (Switzerland).
• Elite Platforms: Access to IG’s proprietary Web Platform, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer for Direct Market Access (DMA).
• Weekend Trading: Rare ability to trade major indices (like the FTSE 100 and Wall Street), major FX pairs, and select cryptos on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Top-Tier Education: The IG Academy is arguably the best free educational resource in the retail trading space.

Cons

• Built for Short-Term Agility: Like most leveraged platforms, holding CFD positions overnight incurs financing charges. IG is engineered specifically for active, short-to-medium-term market moves—though long-term investors can easily bypass overnight fees by using IG’s standard share dealing account instead.
• No MetaTrader 5 Support (MT4 Only): While IG offers its own award-winning web platform and integration with TradingView and MT4, algorithm traders looking specifically for MT5 will need to rely on IG's custom API or native platforms instead.
• Can Overwhelm Beginners: The sheer depth of platforms, asset classes, and data can cause decision paralysis for brand-new traders.

💰 Pricing & Fees. Trading Costs

IG operates primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though commission applies to physical share dealing and equity CFDs.

• Forex Spreads: Highly competitive. The benchmark EUR/USD spread averages around 0.86 pips (starting as low as 0.6 pips).
• Indices & Commodities: You can trade the S&P 500 from 0.4 points and Gold from 0.3 points, which is industry-leading.
• Share Dealing: Commission-free on US stocks (subject to a 0.5% - 0.7% FX conversion fee depending on region) and highly competitive on domestic exchanges.
• Non-Trading Fees: IG offers free deposits and withdrawals (though some credit cards or sub-£100 same-day transfers may incur minor fees). There is no longer an inactivity fee for standard accounts.

Spot vs. Futures CFDs (Avoiding Holding Costs)

One of IG's biggest structural advantages for swing and position traders is the ability to trade Futures CFDs (referred to as Forwards for Forex).

Standard Spot (Cash) CFDs offer the tightest spreads but incur daily overnight funding charges (swaps) usually applied at 10 PM UK time. If you hold positions for weeks or months, these fees can severely eat into your profits.

With Futures CFDs, the cost of carry is built directly into a slightly wider upfront spread, meaning you pay zero daily overnight funding fees. Here is a side-by-side comparison of how this works in practice:

Verdict: IG is not a "discount" broker, but their pricing is transparent, fair, and incredibly competitive given the institutional-grade tools and contract flexibility you receive in return.

🖥️ Trading Platforms: An Arsenal for Every Strategy

IG doesn't force you into a one-size-fits-all box. They offer a suite of platforms catering to different trading styles:

1. IG Web Platform: Their award-winning proprietary platform built on HTML5. It features integrated Reuters news, IG Client Sentiment data, and highly customizable watchlists and charting.
2. Mobile App: A powerhouse application available on iOS and Android. It rarely suffers from downtime, allows for full order-ticket customization, and features rapid execution.
3. ProRealTime: An advanced charting package perfect for technical analysts and automated traders. It costs £30/month, but this fee is fully refunded if you place just four trades a month.
4. L2 Dealer: IG’s Direct Market Access (DMA) platform. Best suited for high-volume, professional traders who want to interact directly with global order books.
5. TradingView Integration: Seamlessly connect your IG account to TradingView for elite social charting.
6. MetaTrader 4 & 5 (MT4/MT5): The industry standards for forex traders who utilize Expert Advisors (EAs). IG provides free VPS hosting if you maintain a qualifying balance. Currently, IG offers MT5 in the following jurisdictions:

🌍 Tradable Assets: Multi Asset Liquidity

If it can be traded, IG probably offers it.

• Forex: 80+ currency pairs, from majors to exotics.
• Indices: 80+ global indices with 24-hour trading capabilities.
• Shares & ETFs: Over 12,000 global equities.
• Commodities: Hard, soft, and energy markets.
• Crypto: Dozens of coins, with 0% commission on the "Big Three" (BTC, ETH, SOL).
• Niche Markets: Interest rates, bonds, sectors, and even pre-IPO grey markets.

🛡️ Safety, Security, and Regulation

Is IG safe? Yes. It is virtually impossible to find a broker with a stronger regulatory footprint.

IG Group is a FTSE 250 company, meaning it must adhere to strict public financial disclosures. Client funds are kept in segregated trust accounts at top-tier banks (like Barclays). Depending on your region, you are protected by top regulators like the FCA, ASIC, MAS, and BaFin, offering negative balance protection and, where applicable, compensation schemes (e.g., FSCS up to £85,000 in the UK).

📊 The Bottom Line

🎯 Verdict: Who Should Use IG Markets?

IG Markets is the gold standard for multi-asset trading.

For Beginners: The intuitive web platform, combined with the comprehensive IG Academy and unrestricted demo account, makes it a safe and educational place to start your journey. For Advanced Traders: The sheer liquidity, Direct Market Access (L2 Dealer), ProRealTime integration, and weekend trading features provide a massive edge.

While ultra-discount brokers might save you a few pennies on individual stock CFD trades, they simply cannot match IG’s execution speed, safety, and operational infrastructure. With their 2026 fee updates making them cheaper than ever, IG remains a top recommendation for serious traders.