70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Key facts
- Regulation: IG Markets Ltd (FRN 195355), IG Index Ltd (FRN 114059) — FCA
- Founded: 1974; parent IG Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange
- Products: spread betting, CFDs and share dealing
- EUR/USD spread: from 0.6 points
- Minimum deposit: £0 by bank transfer, £250 by card or PayPal
- Platforms: IG web platform and apps, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
Who is IG?
IG started in 1974 offering spread bets on gold and has grown into one of the world's best-known retail trading groups. Its parent company is listed on the London Stock Exchange, which means it publishes audited accounts and is subject to public-company disclosure rules on top of FCA regulation.
In the UK, spread betting is provided by IG Index Ltd and CFDs by IG Markets Ltd — both FCA-authorised. A separate company, IG Trading and Investments Ltd, offers share dealing and investment accounts.
Regulation and safety
- FCA-authorised UK entities with client money held in segregated accounts
- Negative balance protection for retail clients and FCA leverage limits
- FSCS protection for eligible clients up to £85,000
- Long operating history and public-company reporting
Accounts
| Account | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Spread betting | £-per-point trading; profits generally free of CGT for UK residents |
| CFD trading | Contract-based trading; losses can be offset for CGT |
| Share dealing / investment | Buying real shares and funds (separate entity) |
| Demo | Practice with virtual funds |
Fees and spreads
Forex spreads start from 0.6 points on EUR/USD, with other majors slightly wider. Forex trading is commission-free; the cost is in the spread. Overnight financing applies to positions held past the daily rollover, and an inactivity fee can apply to accounts left unused for a long period — check IG's current charges page.
Platforms
- IG web platform and mobile apps: the core experience, with integrated news, alerts and risk-management tools.
- MetaTrader 4: for traders who use Expert Advisors and custom indicators.
- ProRealTime: advanced charting and automated strategies.
- L2 Dealer: direct market access for share CFDs.
Markets
IG offers spread betting on more than 17,000 markets, covering forex, indices, shares, commodities and bonds, and it's known for features such as weekend trading on selected markets. For forex-only traders, the range is more than enough; for multi-asset traders it's one of the broadest in the UK.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Founded 1974, LSE-listed parent
- Spread betting and CFDs
- Huge market range
- Strong proprietary platform plus MT4 and ProRealTime
- No minimum deposit by bank transfer
Cons
- Forex spreads not the lowest available
- £250 minimum for card and PayPal deposits
- Inactivity fee after a long dormant period
- No MT5 or cTrader
IG vs our top pick
IG suits traders who want spread betting, a broad multi-asset range and a polished proprietary platform. Hantec Markets, our top pick, focuses on forex and CFDs on MT4 with a raw-spread Pro ECN account. See Hantec Markets vs IG for the full comparison.
Verdict
IG remains one of the safest and most complete choices for UK traders, particularly for spread betting. Cost-focused forex traders may find tighter pricing elsewhere, but few brokers match its depth.
Frequently asked questions
Is IG regulated in the UK?
Yes. IG Markets Ltd (FRN 195355) and IG Index Ltd (FRN 114059) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
What is IG's minimum deposit?
There's no minimum when you fund by bank transfer. Card and PayPal deposits have a £250 minimum.
Does IG offer spread betting?
Yes. IG offers both spread betting and CFD trading to UK residents.
Does IG offer MetaTrader 4?
Yes, alongside its own web platform and apps, ProRealTime and L2 Dealer.
Is IG safe and legit?
IG serves UK clients through an FCA-authorised entity, which must segregate client money, provide negative balance protection to retail clients and give eligible clients access to the Financial Ombudsman and FSCS. As with any leveraged product, your trading capital is still at risk.
CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products. You should consider whether you understand how they work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.