IG Broker Review 2025: Pros, Cons, and Key Features Explored

Overview

IG Group stands as one of the world's most established online brokers, operating since 1974 with over 50 years of market experience. This FTSE 250 company serves 400,000+ traders globally from 18 international offices, offering access to 17,000+ tradable markets. Named #1 Overall Broker in 2024 by ForexBrokers.com, IG maintains regulatory licenses with 11 top-tier authorities, including the FCA, ASIC, and CFTC.

For more detailed information about IG's products, services, and performance, visit their official website.

Overview Table

Feature	Details
Broker Name	IG Group
Founded	1974
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Global Offices	18
Client Base	400,000+ Traders
Regulation	FCA, ASIC, CFTC, BaFin, FINMA, MAS, FSCA, DFSA, FSA, FMA, BMA
Tradable Markets	17,000+
Trading Platforms	Proprietary Web & Mobile, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView, ProRealTime
Stock Exchange	London Stock Exchange (FTSE 250)
Minimum Deposit	£/$250
Key Award 2024	#1 Overall Broker (ForexBrokers.com)

Facts List

1. Founded in 1974 – one of the world's oldest online brokers
2. FTSE 250 publicly traded company
3. 400,000+ global traders
4. 17,000+ tradable markets
5. 11+ regulatory licenses worldwide
6. 6 trading platforms available
7. Negative balance protection for retail clients
8. 18 global offices
9. IG Academy educational resources
10. 24-hour customer support available

IG Licenses and Regulatory

IG's multi-jurisdictional regulatory framework provides exceptional client protection through strict capital requirements, segregated client funds, and regular audits. This extensive oversight across 11 major authorities demonstrates IG's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of financial security and operational transparency. Each license requires adherence to stringent compliance protocols, ensuring traders benefit from comprehensive investor protection schemes.

• United Kingdom: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Australia: Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
• United States: CFTC and NFA
• Germany: BaFin
• Switzerland: FINMA
• Singapore: MAS
• South Africa: FSCA
• UAE: DFSA
• Japan: FSA
• New Zealand: FMA
• Bermuda: BMA

Trading Instruments

IG's extensive market coverage spans over 17,000 instruments, providing traders with unparalleled diversification opportunities across global markets. The broker offers competitive spreads starting from 0.6 pips on major forex pairs and unique features like weekend trading on key indices. This comprehensive asset selection enables traders to implement sophisticated strategies across multiple markets from a single account.

Asset Class	Number Available	Key Features
Forex	80+ currency pairs	EUR/USD from 0.6 pips
Indices	80+ global indices	Weekend trading available
Stocks	13,000+ shares	US, UK, Germany markets
Commodities	30+ markets	Gold, oil, agricultural
Cryptocurrencies	8 major cryptocurrencies	N/A
Options	Vanilla & Barriers	Advanced strategies
ETFs	100+ funds	Diversified exposure
Bonds	Government & Corporate	Fixed income trading
Interest Rates	Major economies	Macro trading
Digital 100s	Binary options	Simple up/down trades

Trading Platforms

IG's multi-platform ecosystem caters to diverse trading styles, from beginners using the intuitive web interface to professionals leveraging L2 Dealer for direct market access. The integration of industry-standard MT4 alongside proprietary solutions ensures traders can choose their preferred environment. Each platform maintains institutional-grade stability while offering unique features tailored to specific trading approaches.

Platform	Best For	Charting Tools	Automated Trading	Technical Indicators	DMA	Platform Fees
IG Web Platform	All Traders	Advanced	No	30+	No	None
IG Mobile Apps	Mobile Trading	Advanced	No	30+	No	None
MetaTrader 4	Algo Traders	Advanced	Yes (EAs)	50+ with add-ons	No	None
ProRealTime	Chartists	Expert	Yes	100+	No	Free if 4+ trades/month
L2 Dealer	DMA Pros	Basic	No	Limited	Yes	None (£1000 deposit)
TradingView	Social Trading	Advanced	No	50+	No	None

IG offers ProRealTime, an advanced charting and trading platform developed by IT‑Finance, integrated within IG’s infrastructure. It is available as an optional add-on for both live and demo accounts through IG.

IG How to Open an Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

IG's digital onboarding process typically completes within hours, with automated verification systems expediting approval for most applicants. The platform's suitability assessment ensures traders understand the risks involved while maintaining regulatory compliance. Document upload is streamlined through secure portals, and multiple funding options enable immediate trading once verification completes.

1. Visit the IG website and click "Create live account"
2. Complete the personal details form (name, address, DOB)
3. Answer the financial knowledge questionnaire
4. Select base currency and preferred platform
5. Accept terms and conditions
6. Upload ID and proof of address documents
7. Fund account via chosen payment method

Requirements:

• Minimum age: 18 years
• Valid government ID
• Proof of address (utility bill/bank statement)
• Minimum deposit: £/$250

Charts and Analysis

IG Academy represents a significant investment in trader education, offering structured learning paths from beginner fundamentals to advanced strategies. The integration of Reuters news feeds directly into trading platforms ensures real-time market awareness, while Autochartist pattern recognition provides automated technical analysis. These resources combine to create a comprehensive analytical ecosystem supporting informed trading decisions.

Resource Type	Description	Availability
Charting Tools	30+ technical indicators, multiple chart types	All platforms
IG Academy	Interactive courses, videos, quizzes	Free access
Live Webinars	Expert-led trading sessions	Weekly schedule
Reuters News	Real-time market news feed	Integrated platform
Market Analysis	Daily reports from in-house experts	Free access
Economic Calendar	Track market-moving events	All platforms
Trading Signals	Autochartist pattern recognition	Free integration
Strategy Guides	Written tutorials and articles	Online library
Platform Videos	Step-by-step tutorials	YouTube/Website
PIA First	Third-party analysis tool	Premium feature

IG Account Types

IG's streamlined account structure eliminates confusion while providing specialised options for different trader profiles. Retail accounts receive full regulatory protections including negative balance protection, while professional accounts offer enhanced leverage for qualified traders. The share dealing option caters to long-term investors seeking direct stock ownership rather than CFD exposure.

Feature	Retail Account	Professional Account	Share Dealing	Demo Account
Target Audience	All traders	Experienced traders	Stock investors	Practice trading
Minimum Deposit	£/$250	£/$250	£/$250	None
Leverage	Up to 1:30	Up to 1:200+	None	Variable
Negative Balance Protection	Yes	No	N/A	N/A
Markets Available	17,000+	17,000+	Stocks only	17,000+
Platform Access	All standard	All including L2	Web/Mobile	All standard
Eligibility	Standard check	2 of 3 criteria	Regional	Anyone

Negative Balance Protection

Negative balance protection ensures retail traders cannot lose more than their deposits, even during extreme volatility. IG automatically resets retail accounts to zero if losses exceed equity, in line with FCA and EU regulations. This safeguard applies across all instruments and market conditions. Professional traders, however, must waive this protection to access higher leverage, assuming full liability. Overall, it acts as free insurance against catastrophic losses, making it a vital risk management feature for retail clients.

IG Deposits and Withdrawals

IG's payment infrastructure prioritises security and efficiency, with most deposits processed instantly and withdrawals typically completed within one business day. The broker absorbs standard processing costs, though credit card deposits incur minimal fees. Anti-money laundering protocols require funds to return to their original source, ensuring regulatory compliance while protecting client accounts.

Method	Deposit Fee	Withdrawal Fee	Processing Time
Debit Card (Visa/Mastercard)	None	None	Instant
Credit Card (Visa)	1%	None	Instant
Credit Card (Mastercard)	0.5%	None	Instant
PayPal	None	None	Instant
Bank Transfer	None	None	1-3 days

Support Service for Customer

IG's support infrastructure operates nearly round-the-clock from Saturday morning through Friday evening, accommodating global trading hours across time zones. The multilingual team demonstrates deep product knowledge, resolving complex queries efficiently through multiple channels. Response times consistently meet industry benchmarks, with phone support providing immediate assistance for urgent trading matters.

Support Channel	Availability (UK/International)	Availability (US)	Other Regions	Notes
Live Chat	8 am Sat – 10 pm Fri (GMT)	3 am Sat – 5 pm Fri (EST)	—	Nearly 24/7, closed briefly over weekends.
Phone Support	24/5 (same hours as live chat, UK)	24/5 (3 am Sat – 5 pm Fri EST)	—	Available during market hours.
Email Support	Yes (region-specific addresses)	Yes	Yes	Available in all regions.
WhatsApp	Available via UK help portal	—	—	Region-limited.
Social Media	Twitter: @IGClientHelp	—	—	Used for client queries and updates.
Account Opening Support	9 am – 5 pm (Mon–Fri, UK)	—	—	Dedicated office hours.
Switzerland Support	—	—	9 am – 6 pm (Mon–Fri, English only)	More limited hours compared to UK/US.

 

Prohibited Countries

IG Group adheres to strict regulatory requirements and legal obligations in the countries where it operates. Therefore, IG cannot provide its services or accept clients in certain jurisdictions. These restrictions are based on factors such as local regulations, licensing requirements, and geopolitical considerations.

The following countries and regions prohibit IG from offering its services:

• United States (except for IG US LLC, which offers limited services to US clients)
• Canada
• North Korea
• Iran
• Cuba
• Syria
• Sudan
• Crimea
• Nigeria
• Brazil

Special Offers for Customers

Rather than temporary promotional bonuses often restricted by regulators, IG focuses on sustainable value-added programs rewarding client loyalty and trading activity. The IG Club provides tangible benefits for high-volume traders through reduced spreads and dedicated support. Free ProRealTime access for active traders represents significant value, as this professional charting package typically carries substantial subscription fees.

1. Refer a Friend Program - Monetary bonus for successful referrals (region-specific)
2. IG Club - Exclusive benefits for high-volume traders including reduced spreads
3. Free ProRealTime - Complimentary access for traders placing 4+ trades monthly
4. MT4 Add-ons - 18 free custom indicators and tools
5. Educational Resources - Free access to IG Academy and analysis tools

Note: Availability may vary by region and require confirmation in the official T&Cs.

Conclusion

As I conclude, IG Group stands out as a broker that has consistently earned its place at the top of the industry.
With over 50 years of experience, they have built a reputation for stability and trust in global markets.
Their regulatory framework is unmatched, spanning 11 top-tier authorities, while their FTSE 250 listing adds further credibility.
IG’s vast offering of 17,000+ tradable markets ensures traders have access to unparalleled opportunities.
Their technological edge is clear, with five powerful platforms including MT4, ProRealTime, TradingView, and a proprietary system.
This range allows traders of all levels to find tools suited to their style, from beginners to professionals.
Education and research are another strength, with IG Academy and Reuters news delivering institutional-grade resources.
Although the absence of MT5 and the inactivity fee may be seen as weaknesses, they remain relatively minor.
IG’s transparent approach and commitment to client security set them apart from many competitors.
Ultimately, they represent the gold standard of regulated brokers, combining reliability, innovation, and trader-focused services.

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About the Author

Arash Doostelahi

Arash Doostelahi is a dynamic content writer and online course creator based in Tehran, Iran, with expertise in content strategy, instructional design, and digital storytelling. Leveraging a blend of creativity and technical skills, Arash delivers...

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