IG Group Review 2026
IG Group, founded in 1974 and headquartered in London, is the world's largest CFD and spread betting broker by client base. With over 300,000 active clients, a London Stock Exchange listing, and regulation across 9 jurisdictions including the FCA, ASIC, BaFin, and the SEC/CFTC in the US, IG Group represents the gold standard in retail CFD trading infrastructure.
Regulation & Safety
- FCA (UK) — FRN 195355, FSCS protection up to £85,000
- ASIC (Australia) — AFSL 515106
- BaFin (Germany) — regulated for German clients
- MAS (Singapore) — Capital Markets Services Licence
- FINMA (Switzerland) — Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority
- JFSA (Japan) — Japan Financial Services Agency
- SEC/CFTC (USA) — Tastytrade entity for US retail clients
IG is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON: IGG) — one of only a handful of CFD brokers that are publicly traded companies. This means quarterly earnings reports, audited financials, and full institutional accountability.
Account Types
| Account | Spread (EUR/USD) | Commission | Min Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CFD Trading | From 0.6 pips | No commission (forex) | £0 |
| Spread Betting (UK) | From 0.6 pips | No commission | £0 |
| Share Dealing (UK) | Market price | £3–£8 per trade | £0 |
| Professional CFD | From 0.6 pips | No commission | £0 |
Platforms: Professional Ecosystem
🖥️ Four-Platform Suite
- IG Web Platform — browser-based, no download, advanced charting
- MetaTrader 4 — for algorithmic traders and EA users
- ProRealTime — professional-grade charting with 100+ indicators and automated strategies
- L2 Dealer — Direct Market Access (DMA) platform for trading at exchange prices
ProRealTime and L2 Dealer set IG apart from most retail brokers. ProRealTime is available free (with certain activity requirements) and provides institutional-quality charting. L2 Dealer gives clients actual market depth and exchange-level execution for shares and forex.
17,000+ Instruments
- 80+ currency pairs including majors, minors, and exotics
- 100+ share indices from every major global market
- 13,000+ company shares from 20+ global exchanges
- 1,000+ ETFs
- Commodities, rates, and bonds
Guaranteed Stop-Loss Orders
IG offers guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs) — a stop that is guaranteed to execute at the exact price specified, even in volatile or gapping markets. A small premium is charged for placing a GSLO, but it provides absolute downside protection that standard stops cannot guarantee.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- 50+ years of history — founded 1974
- Publicly listed (LSE: IGG) — fully accountable
- FCA + ASIC + BaFin + 6 more regulators
- 17,000+ instruments
- ProRealTime + L2 Dealer + Web + MT4
- Guaranteed stop-loss orders
- FSCS up to £85K for UK clients
❌ Cons
- Spreads not the tightest for active traders
- ProRealTime requires monthly activity to stay free
- No cTrader
- Not ideal for scalpers seeking lowest commissions
Final Verdict
IG Group earns 4.6/5 — arguably the most credible, well-regulated, and technically comprehensive retail CFD broker in existence. The 50-year heritage, public listing, 9 regulatory licences, ProRealTime platform, and 17,000+ instruments represent a complete professional trading environment.
IG is the ideal choice for serious retail traders and professionals who prioritise regulation, platform quality, and instrument breadth over the absolute lowest spread. For pure ECN cost-optimisation, look at IC Markets or Tickmill — but for overall quality, IG Group is in a category of its own.