IG Markets Review 2026: FCA regulated multi-asset broker since 1974, 17,000+ markets
IG (formerly IG Markets) is a multi-asset broker founded in 1974 in London, listed on the FTSE 250 and regulated by the FCA, ASIC, BaFin and several other major authorities. With over 17,000 available markets, 300,000+ clients worldwide and more than 50 years of operation, IG is one of the most established and trustworthy brokers in the industry. It offers diverse platforms (proprietary, MT4, TradingView, ProRealTime) and spreads starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD.
What is IG Markets?
IG, officially IG Group Holdings plc, is a multi-asset broker founded in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler in London. It is one of the pioneers of financial spread betting and one of the oldest online brokers in the world. Listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker IGG and a member of the FTSE 250, IG enjoys a level of financial transparency that few brokers can match.
With over 50 years of experience, IG has weathered every major financial crisis — from the 1987 crash to the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic — without ever failing its clients. This longevity is a mark of reliability that newer brokers simply cannot offer.
IG is regulated across multiple jurisdictions: FCA in the UK (no. 195355), ASIC in Australia, CFTC/NFA in the US, BaFin in Germany, MAS in Singapore, JFSA in Japan and FSCA in South Africa. This multi-jurisdictional regulation makes IG one of the most closely supervised and safest brokers in the world.
The broker provides access to over 17,000 markets, including forex, indices, shares, ETFs, commodities, bonds, options, futures and cryptocurrencies — an offering unmatched in the industry.
Trading conditions in detail
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulation | FCA (UK), ASIC, BaFin, CFTC/NFA, MAS, JFSA, FSCA |
| Headquarters | London, UK (FTSE 250 listed) |
| Founded | 1974 (50+ years) |
| Clients | 300,000+ |
| Platforms | IG Web, MT4, TradingView, L2 Dealer, ProRealTime |
| Available instruments | 17,000+ |
| Maximum leverage | 1:30 (EU/UK/AU retail), higher for professionals |
| EUR/USD spread | From 0.6 pips |
| CFD commission | $0 (spread-only model) |
| Minimum deposit | $0 (bank wire), $250 (card/PayPal) |
| Share dealing | £0 (3+ trades/month) or £8/trade |
| Execution | Advanced routing, DMA via L2 Dealer |
Trading platforms
One of IG's greatest strengths is its platform diversity. Unlike many brokers that rely solely on MetaTrader, IG offers a complete ecosystem.
IG proprietary platform — The in-house web interface is smooth, intuitive and equipped with advanced charts featuring over 30 technical indicators. It includes price alerts, one-click trading and sentiment analysis.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) — The classic forex platform, available for traders who prefer it. Expert Advisors (trading robots) are fully supported. Note: MetaTrader 5 is not offered by IG.
TradingView — Direct integration allowing you to trade from TradingView charts with your IG account. A significant advantage for users already familiar with this tool.
ProRealTime — Professional charting platform for advanced technical analysis and automated strategy backtesting.
L2 Dealer — Direct Market Access (DMA) for professional traders seeking advanced order routing on shares and forex.
Available instruments
Pros and cons
- 50+ years of experience, one of the oldest brokers in the world
- Top-tier multi-regulation: FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CFTC/NFA, MAS
- 17,000+ markets, unmatched instrument range in the industry
- Publicly traded on the FTSE 250, maximum financial transparency
- Platform choice: proprietary, MT4, TradingView, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer
- Professional-grade research tools and educational content
- Spread betting available (UK residents) — tax-free profits
- Spreads wider than pure ECN brokers (spread-only model)
- No MetaTrader 5 or cTrader available
- Platform complexity can overwhelm beginners
- Inactivity fee of £12/month after 2 years of no activity
- Share dealing fees apply below 3 trades/month threshold
Our scores by criteria
IG Markets vs the competition
| Criteria | IG Markets | Saxo Bank | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation | FCA, ASIC, BaFin, CFTC ✓ | FCA, DFSA, ASIC | SEC, FCA, ASIC |
| Founded | 1974 | 1992 | 1978 |
| Instruments | 17,000+ | 71,000+ | 150+ markets |
| EUR/USD spread | From 0.6 pips | From 0.6 pips | From 0.1 pips |
| Platforms | Proprietary, MT4, TradingView | SaxoTraderGO/PRO | TWS, IBKR Mobile |
| Publicly listed | Yes (FTSE 250) | Yes (Copenhagen) | Yes (Nasdaq) |
Who is IG Markets for?
IG Markets caters to a wide range of traders thanks to the depth of its offering.
The intermediate to advanced trader seeking reliability — With over 50 years of operation and multi-regulation from the FCA/ASIC/BaFin, IG offers an unmatched level of security. Traders who prioritise fund protection and broker longevity will find a trusted partner in IG.
The multi-asset trader — With 17,000+ markets spanning forex, indices, shares, ETFs, commodities, bonds, options and futures, IG lets you trade everything from a single account. It is ideal for those who want to diversify without opening accounts at multiple brokers.
The demanding technical analyst — The integration with TradingView and ProRealTime makes IG a platform of choice for traders focused on chart analysis and strategy backtesting.
Final verdict
The benchmark multi-asset broker for demanding traders in 2026
IG Markets is the obvious choice for traders who prioritise security, instrument diversity and platform quality. With over 50 years of history, a FTSE 250 listing and regulation in the world's most demanding jurisdictions, IG represents the industry standard. Its 17,000+ markets, access to TradingView and ProRealTime, and professional research tools make it a complete broker. The trade-off lies in slightly wider spreads compared to pure ECN brokers and the absence of MT5/cTrader, but for the majority of traders, IG's reliability and depth of offering more than compensate for these limitations.
Visit IG Markets →Sources & Methodology
This review is based on real testing by our analyst team, official website consultation, terms and conditions analysis, regulatory status verification with relevant authorities, and user reviews from Trustpilot and specialized forums. Our complete methodology is detailed on our methodology page. Last verified: May 2026.