Security 98
Cost 62
Trading 100
Education 84
Rated: High
90

IG Markets is an online brokerage firm founded in 1974 in London as IG Index as the first spread betting company. In July 2000, the IG Group Holdings plc was established as a global fintech company and is the holding company for IG Index, with its shares initially being traded on the London Stock Exchange.

IG Group Holdings plc incorporates a series of companies including IG, IG Prime, DailyFX, Spectrum Markets, Raydius, BrightPool and tastytrade brands and is active all over Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and North America.

IG Markets and IG are trading names of the following IG Group worldwide entities:

  • “IG Markets Ltd” in the United Kingdom
  • “IG Europe GmbH.” in Germany (Europe)
  • “IG Australia Pty Ltd” in Australia and New Zealand
  • “IG Bank S.A.” in Switzerland
  • “IG Markets South Africa Ltd” in South Africa
  • “IG Asia Pte Ltd” in Singapore
  • “IG Limited” in Dubai
  • “IG Securities Ltd” in Japan
  • “IG US LLC” in the United States of America
  • “IG International Limited” in Bermuda

IG Markets offers CFD (Contract For Difference) trading on Forex (Foreign Exchange) pairs, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, interest rates, cryptocurrencies, IPOs, thematic and basket, and many other markets. IG Markets has grown for over 40 years and evolved its technology, product offering, and educational tools and content to meet the needs of its retail and institutional clients.

The IG Group brand is composed of a global group of companies available in most countries (specific regional restrictions are in place). This review highlights the IG Markets offering and whenever a regional difference occurs it will be promptly stated.

Table of Content

Is IG Markets a good broker?

Yes, IG Markets is considered a good broker for various trading activities.

IG Markets stands out for its diverse offering that spans over 80 Forex pairs and more than 17,000 financial assets, encompassing commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and many more markets.

For beginners, IG Markets is particularly appealing due to its provision of an unlimited demo account, and a wealth of educational resources available through the IG Academy, including comprehensive guides and instructional videos to help new traders learn the ropes of trading.

IG Markets features competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips, guaranteed fast execution speeds, and access to the popular MT4 platform, among others trading platforms. Moreover, IG Markets supports long-term investing strategies by offering the opportunity to invest in shares, ETFs, and funds with the potential for dividend payouts.

ig markets homepage

Is IG Markets good for beginners?

Yes, IG Markets is good for beginners.

IG Markets offers an unlimited demo account, requires an accessible minimum deposit, and provides a good range of educational tools including the IG Academy with plenty of guides and videos to learn trading.

Is IG Markets good for day trading on Forex and CFDs?

Yes, IG Markets is a good broker for day trading on Forex and CFDs.

At IG Markets you can find more than 80 Forex pairs and over 17,000 CFD assets, including commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, interest rates, cryptocurrencies, IPOs, thematic and basket, and many other markets. Forex spreads are from 0.6 pips. IG Markets also provides access to the popular MT4 platform.

Is IG Markets good for scalping?

Yes, IG Markets is good for scalping.

IG Markets doesn’t feature raw spreads but charges low spreads from 0.6 pips (0.86 pips on average for the EUR/USD Forex pair) in the CFD Trading account. IG Markets also guarantees a fast execution speed on trading orders, stating 0.027 seconds on average from submission to fill.

Is IG Markets good for demo trading?

Yes, IG Markets is good for demo trading.

IG Markets offers an unlimited demo account with a virtual balance of up to $20,000 and real-time data. IG Markets demo account allows for testing trading strategies on all account types available and the full range of trading instruments.

Is IG Markets good for long-term investing?

Yes, IG Markets is good for long-term investing.

IG Markets provides the possibility to invest in shares, ETFs, funds and other markets on the Share Dealing account. Eligible assets might also pay up for dividends.

What are the IG Markets key features?

The IG Markets key features and main characteristics are listed below:

  • CFD and Forex trading: IG Markets is a CFD broker. Here you can trade over 17,000 CFDs as Forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, interest rates, cryptocurrencies, IPOs, thematic and basket, and many other markets. Spreads on Forex starts from 0.6 pips on the CFD Trading account.
  • Share Dealing: IG Markets allows for investing in real shares, ETFs, funds and many other markets on the Share Dealing account with commissions from $0 on US shares and $3 on UK shares.
  • Spread Betting: IG Markets provides Spread Betting to traders in the UK and Ireland since 1974 providing access to the full range of trading instruments with spreads on Forex from 0.6 pips.
  • Smart Portfolios: IG Markets offers an investment account managed by in-house experts, focusing on diversified investments in ETFs across various sectors to grow clients’ portfolios.
  • Wide range of financial instruments: IG Markets accumulated over 17,000 financial instruments in more than 40 years of trading operations.

The major attributes and qualities of IG Markets can be found in this table below:

Area of regulation
UK, Europe (Germany), Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand, Dubai, Japan, USA, Bermuda (Offshore)
Trading fees rating
Medium
Inactivity fee
No
Withdrawal fees
Yes
Minimum deposit
From £250 (UK) to CHF 2,500 (Switzerland)
Time to open a live account
3 days on average
Wire transfer deposits
Yes
eWallets deposits
Yes
Account base currencies supported
USD, EUR, GBP
Demo account provided
Yes
Products offered
CFDs on Forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, interest rates, cryptocurrencies, IPOs, thematic and basket, and many other markets

What can’t be done on IG Markets?

Some features are unavailable on IG Markets and what can’t be done is listed below:

  • IG Markets doesn’t offer the MT5 and cTrader platforms: Users cannot utilise the MT5 and cTrader trading platforms for their trading activities on IG Markets.
  • IG Markets doesn’t have copy and social trading: IG Markets does not support copy trading nor social trading, meaning users cannot automatically replicate the positions of other traders

If you’re looking for one of these features, you might want to look for IG Markets alternatives.

What are the IG Markets pros and cons?

Pros:

  • Low spreads from 0.6 pips on Forex
  • IG Markets demo account is unlimited
  • Wide range over 17,000 of financial instruments
  • IG markets has over 40 years of the Forex industry experience

Cons:

  • No copy and social trading features

Is IG Markets regulated?

Yes, IG Markets is regulated by FCA (195355), BaFin (148759), ASIC (515106), FINMA, FSCA (41393), MAS (200510021K), FMA (684191), DFSA (F001780), JFSA (255), CFTC (6570306), and is licensed by the BMA (54814).

IG Markets is compliant with ESMA regulations, owing to its BaFin licence, and can offer passport services to all EU and EEA countries.

Details on all the licences obtained by the IG Markets Group across its various entities from several regulatory bodies around the world are listed in the table below:

IG Group Entity Regulatory Body Licence Number Country IG Group Entity Address
IG Markets Ltd;
IG Index Ltd;
IG Trading and Investments Ltd
FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) 195355;
114059;
944492
United Kingdom (UK) Cannon Bridge House, 25 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2YA
IG Europe GmbH BaFin (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) and Deutsche Bundesbank 148759 Europe (excluding UK and Switzerland) Westhafenplatz 1, 60327 Frankfurt, Germany
IG Australia Pty Ltd ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) 515106 Australia Level 32, Queen & Collins, 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne
IG Bank S.A. FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) x Switzerland 42 Rue du Rhone, 1204 Geneva
IG Markets South Africa Ltd FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority) 41393 South Africa The Marc, Tower 2 floor 9, Sandton
IG Asia Pte Ltd MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) 200510021K Singapore 9 Battery Road #01-02 MYP Centre 049910
IG Australia Pty Ltd FMA (Financial Markets Authority) 684191 New Zealand Level 32, Queen & Collins, 376-390 Collins Street, Melbourne
IG Limited DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) F001780 Dubai 2702 & 2703 Level 27, Tower 2, Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
IG Securities Ltd JFSA (Financial Services Agency), METI, MAFF 255 Japan 1-6-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
IG US LLC CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) 6570306 United States of America (USA) 1330 W Fulton, Chicago, IL 60607
IG International Limited BMA (Bermuda Monetary Authority) 54814 Bermuda (Offshore) 46 Reid Street, Hamilton HM12, Bermuda

Is IG Markets legit?

Yes, IG Markets is legit and it is not a scam.

Established in 1974, IG Markets is a reputable global brokerage firm that specialises in online Forex, CFD trading, spread betting and investments. IG Markets takes pride in providing a market-leading service. With over 47 years of experience, IG Markets has been established as the global top choice for spread betting and CFD trading, based on revenue, according to published financial statements in 2022.

IG Markets has its headquarters situated at Cannon Bridge House, 25 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2YA.

We now serve clients all over the world, from 17 sales offices based across five continents.

IG Markets has a significant global presence, with a substantial operational footprint spanning multiple countries. The company operates sales offices and holds licences in various jurisdictions, showcasing its widespread reach and regulatory compliance in Madrid, Paris, Milan, Geneva, Zurich, Stockholm, Frankfurt, Dubai, Johannesburg, Singapore, Melbourne, Sydney, Tokyo, Chicago, and operational location in Krakow, Bangalore, Shenzhen and lastly a CSRC (China Securities Regulatory Commission) representative office in Shanghai.

ig markets offices

Is IG Markets safe?

Yes, IG Markets is considered safe, even though this is not a guarantee of positive future results. IG Markets adheres to strict regulatory standards and financial norms to secure the safety of client funds, as well as the safety of deposits and withdrawals.

IG Markets implements various safety measures to ensure the protection of client funds such as utilising segregated bank accounts from top banks such as Barclays and Lloyds.

IG Markets places a high priority on data security, employing encryption for both the transmission and storage of sensitive information. Additionally, IG Markets offers advanced and reliable trading platforms, including MetaTrader, known for their technological sophistication and dependability.

Has IG Markets won any industry awards?

Yes, IG Markets has won numerous awards recognizing its excellence for the services and the technology in the industry.

The IG Markets recent awards from 2022 include the awards listed below:

  • “Best Customer Service” award by the Online Money Awards;
  • “Best Spread Betting Provider” award by the Online Money Awards;
  • “Best Platform for the Active Trader” at the ADVFN International Financial Awards;
  • “Best Multi Platform Provider” at the ADVFN International Financial Awards;
  • “Best Finance App” at the ADVFN International Financial Awards.

IG Markets awards won

How does IG Markets protect clients’ money?

IG Markets ensures the protection of client funds through the use of segregated bank accounts (US resident traders excluded). This approach secures funds in the event of broker insolvency or bankruptcy.

IG Markets offers Negative Balance Protection to retail clients resident in the UK and Europe, ensuring that traders can never lose more money than their initial deposit. IG Group entities in Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand, Dubai and Japan provide Negative Balance Protection to Limited Risk account holders.

In the European Union and the UK this level of protection is enhanced by the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) respectively. These provide insurance compensation of up to €20,000 in the EU or up to £85,000 in the UK  if IG Markets is unable to fulfil its financial obligations. Such measures guarantee the security of clients’ investments and significantly reduce the risk of losses beyond their initial investment.

Who is the CEO of IG Markets?

The IG Markets CEO is Breon Corcoran from 29 January 2024.

Breon Corcoran was born in July 1971 in Mullingar, Ireland and earned a BA in Mathematics from Trinity College, Dublin, and holds an MBA from INSEAD.

Breon Corcoran’s professional journey started as the Vice-President in Equity Derivative Trading at J.P. Morgan, with prior experience at Bankers Trust. Recognized for his leadership, Breon received the “Business Leader of the Year” award from the UK’s Sunday Times in 2016.

How to use IG Markets?

In order to use IG Markets you have to respect the following requirements:

  • Be legal of age in your own country.
  • Make sure IG Markets is allowed in your country.
  • Verify your identity.
  • Deposit a minimum amount of money.

In Which Countries is IG Markets not Available?

IG Markets does not accept traders from the following countries:

    • Angola
    • Central African Republic
    • Chad
    • Comore
    • Congo
    • DR Congo
    • Equatorial Guinea
    • Eritrea
    • Ethiopia
    • Guinea
    • Ivory Coast
    • Liberia
    • Libya
    • Mauritania
    • Niger
    • Nigeria
    • Sierra Leone
    • Somalia
    • South Sudan
    • Sudan
    • Zimbabwe
    • Bermuda
    • Bonarie
    • Canada
    • Cuba
    • Curaçao
    • Haiti
    • Sint Maarten
    • Venezuela
    • Afghanistan
    • Cambodia
    • China
    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Myanmar
    • Syria
    • Turkmenistan
    • Yemen
    • Bulgaria
    • Poland
    • Wallis and Futuna
  • What are the IG Markets account base currencies?

    The IG Markets account base currencies include USD, EUR and GBP.

    The selection of available account base currency may slightly vary depending on your area and the account type selected.

    IG Markets may charge a currency conversion fee if deposits and withdrawals do not match the account base currency selected.

    What is the IG Markets minimum deposit?

    The IG Markets minimum deposit required to open an account varies by country, ranging from £250 in the UK to as high as CHF 2,500 in Switzerland.

    The exact amount of IG Markets minimum deposit per IG Group entity and country is outlined in the following table:

    IG Group Entity Country Minimum deposit
    IG Markets Ltd United Kingdom (UK) £250
    IG Europe GmbH Europe (excluding UK and Switzerland) $300
    IG Australia Pty Ltd Australia $450
    IG Bank S.A. Switzerland CHF 2500
    IG Markets South Africa Ltd South Africa R4000
    IG Asia Pte Ltd Singapore $450
    IG Australia Pty Ltd New Zealand $450
    IG Limited Dubai $300
    IG Securities Ltd Japan ¥35,000
    IG US LLC United States of America (USA) $250
    IG International Limited Bermuda (Offshore) $0

    To fulfil the minimum deposit requirements at IG Markets, you can utilise various payment methods, including bank wires, credit/debit cards, and e-wallets (the availability depends on your area and the IG Group entity you are trading with).

    Deposits are typically processed quickly and IG Markets does not impose any fees for deposits.

    The IG Markets deposit requirements and features are listed in this table below:

    Minimum deposit From £250 (UK) to CHF 2,500 (Switzerland)
    Deposit fees No
    Deposit methods Wire Transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Paypal
    Deposit Processing Time Up to 5 business days

    What are the IG Markets deposit and withdrawal methods?

    IG Markets enables deposits and withdrawals through several methods including wire transfer, credit/debit cards (Mastercard and Visa), and ewallets (Paypal).

    The full list of IG Markets deposit and withdrawal methods (the availability depends on your area and the IG Group entity you are trading with) is listed below:

    • Wire Transfer
    • MasterCard
    • Visa
    • Paypal

    Keep in mind though, that some of these payment methods may be available only in specific countries or world regions depending also on the IG Group entity.

    Additionally, the IG Group withdrawal method must be the same used for depositing funds

    IG Markets has a minimum withdrawable amount of $100 per day. However, you are permitted to withdraw any amount that is available, if your account balance falls below $100.

    All details on the deposit/withdrawal fees of IG Markets are outlined in the table below:

    Country Debit Card Credit Card PayPal Bank wire
    United Kingdom (UK) Free Free Free Free
    Europe (excluding UK and Switzerland) Free Free Free Free
    Australia Varies by country residence Varies by country residence Varies by country residence Free
    Switzerland Free Free N/A Free
    South Africa Free Free N/A Free
    Singapore 2.3% 2.3% N/A Free
    New Zealand Free 1% (Visa), 0.5% (Mastercard) N/A Free
    Dubai Free Free (only for professionals) N/A Free
    Japan N/A N/A N/A Free
    United States of America (USA) Free Free Free Free – except for withdrawal by wire ($25)
    Bermuda (Offshore) Free 1% (Visa), 0.5% (Mastercard) N/A Free

    Are withdrawals secure and fast on IG Markets?

    IG Markets withdrawals are secure, but are considered slow as they may take up to 5 business days for bank wire transfers. IG Markets recommends funding by debit card for a quicker and easier way to fund your trading account.

    Since your funds are kept in segregated bank accounts, you can safely withdraw your money whenever you want. In order to ensure a smoother withdrawal process, which can make it faster to some extent, make sure your KYC information on IG Markets (i.e. your personal information provided) is up to date.

    Are there bonuses or promotional offers on IG Markets?

    Yes, IG Markets offers bonus and promotional offers to its traders resident in the USA under the regulation of the CFTC.

    These IG Markets bonus and promotions offers are listed below:

    • Funding bonus up to $10,000: Open, fund and trade a new IG forex account for up to $10,000 in cash bonuses.
    • Cashback up to 15%: Access cashback rebates up to 15% for trading qualifying amounts of volume in a given month.

    Keep in mind that bonus and promotionals offers are strictly forbidden to traders residing in the EU, UK and Australia due to the local regulatory framework.

    What are the IG Markets account types?

    IG Markets provides a variety of account types to suit the needs of any trader. The availability of IG Group trading accounts is outlined in the table below.

    IG Group accounts availability CFD Trading account Professional account Options trading account Turbo24 trading account Limited risk account Share dealing account Smart Portfolio account Spread Betting account
    FCA (UK) Yes Yes X X X Yes Yes Yes
    BaFin (Germany) Yes Yes Yes Yes X X X X
    ASIC (Australia) Yes X X X Yes Yes X X
    FINMA (Switzerland) Yes X X X Yes Yes X X
    FSCA (South Africa) Yes X X X Yes X X X
    MAS (Singapore) Yes X X X Yes X X X
    FMA (New Zealand) Yes X X X Yes X X X
    DFSA (Dubai) Yes X X X Yes Yes X X
    JFSA (Japan) Yes X X X Yes X X X
    CFTC (USA) Yes X X X X X X X
    BMA (Bermuda) Yes X X X X X X X

    The account types offered by IG Markets and their features are listed below:

    IG Markets account type Minimum deposit Base currency Spreads from Trading volume commissions Platform
    CFD Trading account From $250 to $2,500* USD, EUR, GBP 0.6 pips $0 IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
    Professional account From $250 to $2,500* USD, EUR, GBP 0.6 pips $0 IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
    Options trading account From $250 to $2,500* USD, EUR, GBP 0.6 pips $0.2/lot round-turn commissions IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
    Turbo24 trading account From $250 to $2,500* USD, EUR, GBP 0.6 pips $0 (if the trade value is above €300) IG WebTrader/App
    Limited risk account From $250 to $2,500* USD, EUR, GBP 0.6 pips $0 IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
    Share dealing account From $250 to $2,500* USD, EUR, GBP 0.6 pips $0 IG WebTrader/App
    Smart Portfolio account From $250 to $2,500* USD, EUR, GBP 0.6 pips $0 IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
    Spread Betting account From $250* USD, EUR, GBP 0.6 pips $0 IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime

    *Depends on your area and the IG Group entity you are trading with.

    IG Markets Demo Account

    The IG Markets demo account is a fundamental offering that allows users to experience IG Markets’ services using virtual funds.

    The IG Markets demo account works just as an IG Markets live account as it allows you to engage in trading and investment across more than 17,000 assets without any financial risk.

    IG Markets’ demo account does not expire and comes with up to $20,000 in virtual balance to test your trading strategies.

    To set up the demo account, you simply need to provide IG Markets with a username, an email address, and a telephone number, as outlined in our guide to the IG Markets demo account.

    IG Markets CFD Trading Account

    The IG Markets CFD Trading account is designed for individuals retail trading looking to trade CFDs (Contract for Differences) assets among the full range of IG Markets financial instruments. The CFD Trading account is available to any clients and any IG Group entity you are trading with.

    The minimum deposit required to open an account varies depending on your geographical location and the specific IG Group entity you choose to trade with.

    The CFD Trading account offers competitive trading conditions, including spreads starting from 0.6 pips on Forex.

    Traders can also take advantage of leverage up to 1:222. Traders resident in the EU, UK and Australia have a limited leverage up to 1:30 due to regulamentatory framework.

    To accommodate different trading styles and preferences, IG provides a range of trading platforms, including IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer.

    IG Markets Professional Account

    The IG Markets Professional account is designed for professional traders interest in CFD trading and spread betting (where it is permitted and available), and is accessible to clients residing in the EU, UK, Australia, and Dubai. Additionally, clients in Singapore can obtain a similar service tailored for “Accredited Investors.”

    Clients must meet specific criteria demonstrating their trading and financial expertise and knowledge in order to qualify for a Professional account.

    It’s important to note that opting for a Professional Account means losing certain protections available to retail clients, such as negative balance protection. However, this account offers access to higher leverage, up to 1:222 (for professional traders in the EU, UK, and Australia).

    Spreads in the Professional account still start from as low as 0.6 pips on Forex, providing competitive trading conditions.

    IG Markets offers several platforms, including IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer.

    IG Markets professional account

    IG Markets Options Trading Account

    The Options Trading account is specifically designed for trading barrier and vanilla options across a variety of assets, including forex pairs, indices, shares, and commodities. The IG Markets Options Trading account is available to clients residing in the EU.

    Barrier options are structured to move one-for-one with the underlying market price, offering traders a direct correlation with market movements. Vanilla options, on the other hand, are contracts that grant the holder the right to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specified date, providing a different kind of strategic flexibility.

    The spread starts from 0.6 pips on Forex, in addition to a $0.2 per lot round-turn commission, making the trading costs transparent and competitive. The Options Trading account offers leverage up to 1:100.

    IG Markets makes available several trading platforms, including IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer.

    IG Markets options account

    IG Markets Turbo24 Trading Account

    The IG Markets Turbo24 account facilitates trading in 24-hour listed turbo warrants on a variety of assets, including Forex, indices, and commodities. The Turbo24 Trading account is tailored for clients residing in the EU.

    An important feature of the Turbo24 Trading account is that EUR is the sole base currency for all transactions.

    Traders can benefit from competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips on Forex trades. Additionally, there are no attached trading commissions for trades with a notional value above €300.

    The IG Markets Turbo24 Trading account provides flexible leverage of up to 1:100, accessible for EU retail traders.

    For executing trades and managing accounts, the IG WebTrader/App platform is available to users of the Turbo24 Trading account.

    IG Markets turbo24 account

    IG Markets Limited Risk Account

    The IG Markets Limited Risk account aims to safeguard traders from assuming excessive risk with guaranteed stop loss on any trade. The Limited Risk account is specifically designed for clients residing in Australia, Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore, New Zealand, Dubai, and Japan.

    Upon opening your account with IG, you would have responded to several questions regarding your trading experience and personal financial circumstances. Based on your responses, IG may have assigned you to a Limited Risk account to align with your risk tolerance and trading expertise.

    Alternatively, you have the option to convert a standard CFD account to a Limited Risk account at any point.

    The primary feature of a Limited Risk account is its protective mechanism in the form of a guaranteed stop loss for all trades, which ensures that you will not lose more than the initial deposit required to open your trades.

    IG Markets Share Dealing Account

    The IG Markets Share Dealing account serves as an investment account, allowing you to purchase and own stocks while also having the opportunity to receive dividends, should they be distributed. The Share Dealing account is open to clients who are residents of the UK, Australia, and Dubai.

    For traders based in the UK, there is the added option to request an upgrade to an Individual Savings Account (ISA) later on, enabling them to enjoy up to £20,000 tax-free earnings per year.

    Investors have access to a broad range of investment options, including more than 13,000 shares, 2,000 funds, and several UK Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) to choose from.

    The IG Markets Share Dealing account charges commissions only. These commissions start from $0 for US shares (provided you execute three or more trades in the preceding calendar month) and $3 for UK shares. Additionally, there is a foreign exchange fee of 0.5% applicable on transactions involving foreign shares.

    It’s important to note that no leverage is available with the Share Dealing account, as its focus is on direct investment rather than speculative trading.

    Share Dealing account holders can use the IG WebTrader/App for managing investments and executing trades.

    IG Markets Smart Portfolio Account

    The IG Markets Smart Portfolio account is managed by the in-house experts at IG Markets and has been designed in collaboration with BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. This type of investment account is exclusively available to clients residing in the UK.

    The Smart Portfolio account allows investors to diversify their portfolios by investing in ETFs that span across global stock markets, including sectors such as property, gold, bonds, commodities, and more.

    For traders based in the UK, there is an opportunity to request an upgrade to an Individual Savings Account (ISA) later on. This upgrade would enable them to enjoy up to £20,000 in tax-free earnings each year.

    The IG Markets Smart Portfolio account does not offer leverage; instead, investors own the ETF shares within their portfolios outright.

    The Smart Portfolio account comes with a management fee of 0.5%, which is capped at $250 per year. Additionally, investors should be aware of fund and transaction costs, with the average total cost amounting to approximately 0.72%.

    IG Markets provides access to several platforms within the Smart Portfolio account, including IG WebTrader/App, MT4, ProRealTime, and L2 Dealer.

    IG Markets Spread Betting Account

    The IG Markets Spread Betting account serves traders interested in Spread Betting on the full range of IG Markets financial assets. IG Markets has been a leader in the Spread Betting industry since 1974. The Spread Betting account is specifically designed for clients residing in the UK and Ireland, where spread betting is available and permitted.

    Spread Betting account holders have access to the full range of financial instruments offered by IG Markets, allowing for a diversified trading strategy across various markets.

    The IG Spread Betting account features competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips on Forex, ensuring that traders can enjoy low trading costs. For retail traders in the UK, leverage is capped at 1:30, aligning with regulatory requirements to manage risk effectively.

    IG Markets provides access to several trading platforms, including IG WebTrader/App, MT4, and ProRealTime.

    Can I test all IG Markets account types on a demo account?

    Yes, IG Markets allows you to practise on a demo account for any account type available for free. IG Markets demo account allows testing your trading strategies.

    Every account at IG Markets shares some similarities in terms of trading platforms, tradable assets and trading conditions.

    This implies that you can explore the various IG Markets account types, their availability, and features, and then open a trading account to gain firsthand experience with the services provided by IG Markets.

    What are the fees on IG Markets?

    The IG Markets fees and their features are outlined below:

    • Spreads: Spreads on IG Markets start from 0.6 pips on the CFD Trading account with an average spread of 0.86 pips on the EUR/USD Forex pair.
    • Trading volume commissions: IG Markets charges a $0.2/lot round-turn commission on the Options Trading account.
    • Commission on shares: Commissions start from $0 for US shares and $3 for UK shares on the IG Markets Share Dealing account.
    • Managed fees: IG Markets charges a management fee of 0.5% (capped at $250 per year) on the Smart Portfolios account.
    • Conversion fees: IG Markets charges currency conversion fees of up to 0.5% when deposit and withdrawal don’t match the account currency.
    • Overnight fees: IG Markets charges an overnight fee on overnight CFD trades. There is no Islamic Swap-free account with IG Markets.
    • Inactivity fees: IG Markets doesn’t charge any inactivity fee. However, after 24 consecutive months of no trading activity your account might get closed and you can contact the IG customer service to retrieve your funds if there were any.
    • Premium services: IG Markets charges a monthly fee for live price data feeds, another $30 per month for a subscription to ProRealTime charts. There is also a $50 fee on account documentation where a mandatory W-8 or W-9 form is not provided prior to the dividend ex-date of a qualifying trade on a US-incorporated stock.

    How good are IG Markets trading spreads and commissions?

    The IG Markets average cost per trade is $5.65, calculated as an average across all IG Markets account types (43.5% cheaper than the industry standard average cost of $10), considering a 1 lot volume trade on the EUR/USD Forex pair.

    Generally, The IG Markets average cost per trade of $6 which is 40% cheaper than the industry standard of $10.

    The IG Options Trading account also has a $0.2/lot round-turn commission on trades slightly changing the amount of cost up to $6.20 per lot which is 38% cheaper than the industry standard of $10.

    On the other hand, the IG Share Dealing account for shares and ETFs involve an average cost of $3 per lot on UK shares and commission from $0 on US shares.

    The complete breakdown of the IG Markets trading costs based on each account type available is listed on the table below:

    IG Markets account type Spreads from Commission Total commission per trade Industry standard
    CFD Trading account 0.6 pips $0 per lot $6 per lot 40% cheaper
    Professional account 0.6 pips $0 per lot $6 per lot 40% cheaper
    Options Trading account 0.6 pips $0.2 per lot $6.20 per lot 38% cheaper
    Turbo24 Trading account 0.6 pips $0 per lot $6 per lot 40% cheaper
    Limited Risk account 0.6 pips $0 per lot $6 per lot 40% cheaper
    Share Dealing account 0 pips $3 per lot $3 per lot 70% cheaper
    Smart Portfolio account 0.6 pips $0 per lot $6 per lot 40% cheaper
    Spread Betting account 0.6 pips $0 per lot $6 per lot 40% cheaper

    The IG Markets trading spreads and commissions on different markets are listed on the table below:

    Asset type Spreads/Commission
    Forex Spreads from 0.6 pips
    Commodities 0.20%/lot (min. 4 cents) per round-turn commission
    Indices Spreads from 0.1 pips
    Shares Commissions from $0

    What type of broker is IG Markets?

    IG Markets is a CFD (Contract For Difference) broker with execution style based on the DMA (Direct Market Access) model. This means IG Markets provides access in the most direct form to the market and liquidity providers.

    Along with CFDs trading, IG Markets is known for Spread Betting trading in the UK and Ireland claiming to be the inventor of Spread Betting in 1974.

    Lastly, IG Markets provide investments on shares, ETFs and funds to purchase and own the underlying assets.

    How does IG Markets make money?

    IG Markets generates revenue through spreads, trading volume commission, commission on shares, managed fees, currency conversion fees and additional premium services. IG Markets also makes money through B-Book execution policies.

    IG Markets’ primary revenue streams include spreads across all accounts, starting from 0.6 pips on CFD trading accounts. Additionally, IG Markets earns from swap fees on CFD positions held overnight.

    IG Markets also profits from offering premium services, such as:

    • Live Price Data Feeds: Accessing live share prices from exchanges, necessary for trading share CFDs or engaging in share dealing, comes with a monthly fee.
    • ProRealTime Charts: This service provides subscribers with real-time charting capabilities at a cost of £30 per month. However, IG Markets offers a refund of this fee for users who execute four or more trades within a month.
    • Account Documentation Fee: IG Markets imposes a $50 fee on accounts that fail to provide a mandatory W-8 or W-9 form before the dividend ex-date of a qualifying trade on a U.S.-incorporated stock.

    A considerable part of IG Markets’ income is derived from B-book execution, where IG Markets profits from the counterparty position in losing trades and incurs losses in winning trades.

    IG Markets is publicly listed and is part of the FTSE 250 index on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and traded as IGC.

    As stated by the IG Group in the “Interim results for the six months ended 30 November 2023” released on 25 January 2024 the total revenue for the period was £472.6 million, a decrease of 9% from £519.1 million in the same period last year.

    What assets can you trade on IG Markets?

    On IG Markets you can trade over 17.000 financial assets both as CFD (Contract For Difference) derivatives and the underlying assets in different markets such as Forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, options, futures, bonds, interest rates, cryptocurrencies, IPOs, thematic and basket, and many other markets.

    Some assets are unavailable for trading, depending on the IG Group entity. Such is the case of cryptocurrencies unavailable for retail traders in the UK.

    Most IG Markets financial assets are listed per major markets on the table below:

    Market Number of assets
    Forex 80+
    Commodities 35+
    Indices 30+
    Shares 13,000+
    ETFs 2,000+
    Cryptocurrencies 11

    What is the maximum leverage available on IG Markets?

    The maximum leverage available on IG Markets is 1:222 on Forex for traders resident in South Africa and for professional traders resident in the UK, EU, Australia, Switzerland, Singapore, New Zealand, Dubai, Japan.

    EU, UK, and Australian retail traders have a maximum leverage capped at 1:30 on IG Markets due to ESMA/MiFID II laws and ASIC regulation.

    The IG Markets maximum leverage may slightly differ also depending on the regulatory framework of your country and the IG Group entity you are trading with.

    What is the minimum lot sizing available on IG Markets?

    The minimum lot size available to trade through IG Markets is 1 micro lot.

    This is equivalent to 0.01 standard lots and signifies that you can start trading with a minimum trade size of $1,000 in cash value.

    Can you earn dividends on IG Markets?

    Yes, you can earn dividends on IG Markets eligible indices, ETFs, and shares, both CFDs and the underlying assets.

    IG Markets adjusts dividends based on traders’ positions (long or buy) and accordingly credits or debits the trader.

    Within the IG Smart Portfolio account, dividends are automatically reinvested to buy more ETFs and grow your portfolio.

    What are the IG Markets liquidity providers?

    The IG Markets liquidity providers includes but are not limited to following list:

    • ABSA
    • Arden Partners Plc
    • Bank of America
    • Barclays
    • BMO Capital Markets Ltd
    • Canaccord Genuity Ltd
    • Cantor Fitzgerald Europe
    • Cenkos Securities Plc
    • Citadel
    • Citibank
    • Citigroup
    • Commerzbank
    • Deutsche Bank
    • EBS
    • Finncap Ltd
    • Flow Traders NV
    • Goldman Sachs
    • HSBC
    • Investec
    • J & E Davy
    • JP Morgan
    • KCG Europe Ltd
    • Liberum Capital Ltd
    • Macquarie
    • Morgan Stanley
    • Nplus1 Singer Capital Markets Ltd
    • Numis Securities Ltd
    • Panmure Gordon (UK) Ltd
    • Peel Hunt LLP
    • Peregrine
    • Rand Merchant Bank
    • Shore Capital Stockbrokers Ltd
    • Stifel Nicolaus Europe Ltd
    • Stockdale Securities Ltd
    • Susquehanna International Securities
    • UBS

    What platforms does IG Markets offer?

    IG Markets provides the following trading platforms:

    • MetaTrader 4 (MT4), available as webtrader, desktop and mobile.
    • IG Markets platform, available as a webtrader and mobile app.
    • ProRealTime, available as webtrader.
    • L2 Dealer, available as webtrader.

    IG Markets provides the most common orders for risk management on all trading platforms such as: stop losses, take profit, limit orders, and trailing stops.

    Each platform features a comprehensive set of indicators, charting tools, and analytical functions to assist traders in making informed decisions based on technical analysis and fundamental analysis.

    IG Markets trading platforms comparison

    How good is IG Markets Customer Service?

    IG Markets offers thorough and effective customer support.

    The IG Markets website includes a Help and Support for quick answers to frequent questions. Additionally, their customer support can be reached through live chat, email, phone or WhatsApp in about 13 languages.

    The support team is known for being professional and responsive, typically replying within one business day.

    Furthermore, IG Markets is active across multiple social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Linkedin and YouTube, making it easier for clients to connect with them.

    How can you contact IG Markets?

    If you do need to get in contact with the IG Markets support team, you will find them readily available in English and other 12 languages through live chat, email, or phone.

    Does IG Markets have social media channels?

    Yes, IG Markets has profiles on different social media. The IG Markets social media channels are listed below:

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
    • Linkedin
    • YouTube

    How many languages are available at IG Markets?

    The IG Markets website caters for about 13 languages available on the website. These languages include English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese.

    What are the IG Markets market analysis tools?

    IG Markets offers six main market analysis tools. The IG Markets market research tools are listed below:

    • News and trade ideas to stay up to date with financial markets.
    • Trade analytics tools to help you improve your trading outcomes with personalised data.
    • Financial events to keep an eye on key financial events, sectors and markets.
    • IG analysis for expert opinion, market insight and analysis tools.
    • Subscriptions and downloads for industry insights, market updates and trading guides, tailored to you and your strategy directly to your inbox.
    • Special reports to gain unique insights on trading with the IG Markets in-depth guides.

    IG Markets analysis

    Does IG Markets provide educational tools?

    Yes, IG Markets provides several educational tools. All the educational tools you can learn trading with IG Markets are listed below:

    • IG Academy: Join the IG Academy with online courses and live sessions to build your trading skills.
    • Trading and Investment need-to-knows: Tips on the essentials of trading, investments and their differences
    • Trading podcasts: Listen to the IG Trading the Markets podcast covering several topics categorised in series.
    • Seminars and webinars: Enhance your trading skills learning about analysis and how to discover trading opportunities.
    • Glossary of trading terms: A list of definitions and explanations of the financial terms associated with trading and markets.
    • Financial freedom hub: Series of articles and guides to learn how to best manage your money in a journey to financial independence.

    IG Markets IG Academy to learn trading

    What do users think about IG Markets?

    Warning

    The ratings and third-party reviews presented below are provided for informational purposes only and may not accurately represent the broker's quality.

     

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    filippo ucchino

    About The Author

    Filippo Ucchino
    Co-Founder - CEO - Broker Expert
    Filippo is the co-founder and CEO of InvestinGoal.com. He has 15 years of experience in the financial sector and forex in particular. He started his career as a forex trader in 2005 and then became interested in the whole fintech and crypto sector.
    Over this time, he has developed an almost scientific approach to the analysis of brokers, their services, and offerings. In addition, he is an expert in Compliance and Security Policies for consumers protection in this sector.
    With InvestinGoal, Filippo’s goal is to bring as much clarity as possible to help users navigate the world of online trading, forex, and cryptocurrencies.

    Trading CFDs, FX, and cryptocurrencies involves a high degree of risk. All providers have a percentage of retail investor accounts that lose money when trading CFDs with their company. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money and whether you understand how CFDs, FX, and cryptocurrencies work. Cryptocurrencies can widely fluctuate in prices and are not appropriate for all investors. Trading cryptocurrencies is not supervised by any EU regulatory framework. Your capital is at risk. The present page is intended for teaching purposes only. It shall not be intended as operational advice for investments, nor as an invitation to public savings raising. Any real or simulated result shall represent no warranty as to possible future performances. The speculative activity in forex market, as well as in other markets, implies considerable economic risks; anyone who carries out speculative activity does it on its own responsibility.
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