Broker Review
IG Group Review 2026 — Is IG Group Legit?
Score Summary
out of 10
IG Group is the world's largest CFD and spread betting provider by revenue, with nearly 50 years of operating history. Regulated by the FCA and listed on the London Stock Exchange, IG offers an unmatched range of 17,000+ markets with institutional-grade execution.
Overview
IG Group was founded in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler as the world's first financial spread betting firm. Headquartered in London, the company is now listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON: IGG) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. With nearly 50 years of operating history, IG has established itself as the global leader in CFD and spread betting.
IG offers CFDs and spread betting on over 17,000 markets including forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds, interest rates, and cryptocurrencies. In the US, IG operates through tastytrade (acquired in 2021) offering stocks, options, and futures.
Note
IG Group's acquisition of tastytrade in 2021 for $1 billion gave it a significant foothold in the US market, where CFD trading is not permitted for retail clients.
Regulatory Status
IG Group is one of the most heavily regulated brokers in the world:
- FCA (United Kingdom) — Reference number 195355
- BaFin (Germany)
- ASIC (Australia) — AFSL 515106
- MAS (Singapore)
- FSCA (South Africa)
- DFSA (Dubai)
- JFSA (Japan)
As a FTSE 250 public company, IG is subject to UK corporate governance codes, annual audits by independent auditors, and continuous disclosure obligations.
Fee Structure
IG uses a spread-based model for CFDs and spread betting, with competitive pricing particularly on major markets.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.6 pips (min) |
| FTSE 100 Spread | 1 point |
| US Shares CFD | 2 cents/share |
| UK Shares CFD | 0.10% |
| Guaranteed Stop Premium | Variable |
| Withdrawal | Free |
| Inactivity Fee | £12/month after 24 months |
Tip
IG's DMA (Direct Market Access) offering provides Level 2 order book data and the ability to place orders directly on exchanges, appealing to professional traders who need precise execution control.
Platform & Tools
IG offers a sophisticated platform ecosystem:
- IG Trading Platform — Proprietary web-based platform with ProRealTime advanced charting integration, deal tickets, watchlists, and alerts
- ProRealTime — Professional charting software included free for active traders, offering 100+ indicators, backtesting, and automated trading capabilities
- MetaTrader 4 — Available for forex traders who prefer the MT4 ecosystem
- L2 Dealer — Direct Market Access platform for share CFD traders
- Mobile App — Award-winning app with full trading capability, price alerts, and Reuters news feed
IG Academy provides one of the best educational resources in the industry, with structured courses from beginner to advanced levels, live webinars, and trading simulations.
Customer Support
IG offers 24-hour support from Sunday night to Friday night, matching forex market hours:
- Phone support with dedicated lines for different regions
- Live chat with average response times of 2-4 minutes in our testing
- Email support with responses typically within 24 hours
- Extensive self-service help center and community forums
Trustworthiness
With nearly 50 years of continuous operation, FCA regulation, FTSE 250 listing, and transparent financial reporting, IG Group represents one of the most trustworthy names in CFD trading. The company has weathered multiple market crises, including the 2015 Swiss franc shock, without any threat to client funds. IG holds client money in segregated accounts at major banks.
Warning
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. IG's own disclosures note that approximately 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. These products are not suitable for all investors.
Conclusion
IG Group earns our Recommended verdict with a score of 8.6. For CFD and spread betting traders, IG is arguably the safest and most established choice available. The breadth of markets, quality of platforms, and depth of regulation are unmatched. However, traders should always be mindful of the inherent risks of leveraged CFD trading.
Was this review helpful?
