Traders Union has analyzed financial markets for over 14 years, evaluating brokers based on 250+ transparent criteria, including security, regulation, and trading conditions. Our expert team of over 50 professionals regularly updates a Watch List of 500+ brokers to provide users with data-driven insights. While our research is based on objective data, we recommend that users perform independent due diligence and consult official regulatory sources before making any financial decisions.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial policies.
IG Markets Pros & Cons
- Fully regulated activities with participation in investor compensation schemes
- No minimum deposit required for accounts opened through the international division
- Leverage is available for currency trading
- Fee rebates offered to both new clients and active traders with high volumes
- Floating spreads from 0.6 pips for retail Forex accounts
- Deposits and withdrawals are not supported via e-wallets, electronic payment systems, or cryptocurrencies
- Trading conditions vary by country, requiring users to locate the broker’s website specific to their region
IG Markets has been providing brokerage services for retail traders since 2014. It was established in 1974 in London to work with professional traders. It is a part of the IG Group with representative offices in 17 countries. IG Markets stocks are traded on the London Stock Exchange as a part of the FTSE 250 index. The broker is regulated by FCA (Financial Conduct Authority | the UK), CySec (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission), ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission), BaFin (the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority | Germany), FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority), and NFA (National Futures Association). The IG Group global representative office is supervised by BMA (the Bermuda Monetary Authority). The broker provides services of trading Forex and different CFDs through MetaTrader 4 and its in-house platforms for retail and professional traders.
TU Expert Verdict
IG Markets demonstrates moderate stability and can suit certain traders. Its conditions are acceptable, and feedback is mixed but reasonable. In my own tests, it performed adequately, though it lacks the consistency of higher-rated companies.
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Commissions and Fees
Score:We evaluate brokers' fees and spreads by assessing the costs associated with Standard and ECN/Raw spread accounts, including commissions and spreads. Additionally, our evaluation considers extra fees such as deposit/withdrawal charges and inactivity fees. Learn the assessment criteria8 /10The trading and non-trading commissions of IG Markets have been analyzed and rated as having Low fees, with a fees score of 8/10. Additionally, these commissions were compared with those of the top two competitors, OANDA and FOREX.com, to provide the most comprehensive information.
- Low Forex trading fees
- Tight EUR/USD market spread
- No inactivity fee
- No deposit fee
- No withdrawal fee
- Complex fee structure
Trading Fees and Spread
Below, we evaluated and compared the trading commissions of IG Markets with those of two competitors. We focused on the spreads and other transaction fees directly associated with executing trades (e.g commission per lot on an ECN account). This comparison aimed to provide a clear understanding of the cost efficiency of each broker.
Standard Account Spread
For Standard accounts, IG Markets’s commissions are part of the floating spread, which varies with market conditions. Typical values are provided, but during high volatility, the spread may exceed these.
IG Markets Standard spreads IG Markets OANDA FOREX.com EUR/USD min, pips 0.6 0.1 0.7 EUR/USD max, pips 1.2 0.5 1.2 GPB/USD min, pips 0.6 0.1 0.9 GPB/USD max, pips 1.5 0.5 1.4 RAW/ECN Account Commission And Spread
The spread on ECN/RAW accounts is market-based and fluctuates, with average values given during active hours. It may vary during volatility spikes. A commission per lot is also charged.
IG Markets RAW/ECN spreads IG Markets OANDA FOREX.com Commission ($ per lot) The commission is the fee charged by the broker for trading one standard forex lot (100,000 units of the base currency). 2.3 3.5 5 EUR/USD avg spread 0.8 0.15 0.2 GBP/USD avg spread 1 0.2 0.4 Non-Trading Fees
We conducted a detailed analysis of the non-trading fees associated with IG Markets. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the additional costs that may impact traders beyond regular trading activities.
IG Markets Non-Trading Fees IG Markets OANDA FOREX.com Deposit fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0 0 Withdrawal fee, % The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0 0 Withdrawal fee, USD The indicated amount does not include possible fees from payment systems and banks. 0 0-15 0 Inactivity fee ($, per month) 0 0 15 -
Is IG Markets Safe?
Score:We evaluate brokers' safety based on several key criteria. The highest value is placed on regulation, especially Tier 1 regulation, which ensures adherence to stringent standards set by top financial authorities like the FCA in the UK, CFTC in the US, CySEc and BaFin (EU) or ASIC (Australia). High scores are also given for participation in investor protection funds, which safeguard clients' funds in case of broker insolvency. Learn the assessment criteria10 /10IG Markets has a safety score of 10/10, which corresponds to a High security level. The safest brokers are those with Tier-1 regulation, a long history (over 10 years in the market), and participation in investor compensation schemes.
- Tier-1 regulated
- Negative balance protection
- Regulated in the UK
- Track record over 52 years
- Strict requirements and extensive documentation to open an account
IG Markets Regulators and Investor Protection Abbreviation Full Name Country of regulation Investor Protection Fund Regulation Level FCA UK
Full Name Financial Conduct Authority Country of regulation United Kingdom Investor Protection Fund Up to £85,000 Regulation Level Tier-1 BaFin
Full Name Federal Financial Supervisory Authority Country of regulation Germany Investor Protection Fund Up to €20,000 Regulation Level Tier-1 CySec
Full Name Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission Country of regulation Cyprus Investor Protection Fund Up to €20,000 Regulation Level Tier-1 ASIC
Full Name Australian Securities and Investments Commission Country of regulation Australia Investor Protection Fund No specific fund but has stringent consumer protection Regulation Level Tier-1 NFA
Full Name National Futures Association Country of regulation United States Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-1
JFSA Full Name Japan Financial Services Agency Country of regulation Japan Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-1 CFTC
Full Name Commodity Futures Trading Commission Country of regulation United States Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-1
DFSA Full Name Dubai Financial Services Authority Country of regulation Dubai Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-2
FINMA Full Name Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority Country of regulation Switzerland Investor Protection Fund CHF 100,000 Regulation Level Tier-1 MAS
Full Name Monetary Authority of Singapore Country of regulation Singapore Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-1 FSCA SA
Full Name Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa Country of regulation South Africa Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-2 FMA NZ
Full Name Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand Country of regulation New Zealand Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-2 Abbreviation BMA (Bermuda) Full Name Bermuda Monetary Authority Country of regulation Bermuda Investor Protection Fund No specific fund Regulation Level Tier-3 IG Markets Security Factors Foundation date 1974 Negative balance protection YesVerification (KYC) Yes -
Account Types
Score:We evaluate a broker’s account offering by analyzing the range and suitability of available account types and how effectively they cater to different trader profiles and strategies. Our assessment covers the diversity of account options — including Standard, ECN/Raw, Cent, Swap-Free (Islamic), and VIP accounts — as well as the flexibility of trading conditions provided. Learn the assessment criteria.8.8 /10IG Markets offers the following account options: Demo, Standard, ECN/Raw spread, Micro.
However, it does not provide a Cent account, which can be a disadvantage for beginners looking to practice with minimal risk.
- Low minimum deposit
- Demo account
- Forex account with Micro lots
- No VIP account option
- No Swap Free account
IG Markets account types vs top competitors IG Markets Plus500 Trading.com Standard YesYesYesECN/Raw spread YesNoNoDemo YesYesYesCent NoNoNoMicro YesNoNoSwap Free NoNoNoVIP NoNoNoManaged NoNoNoIG Markets accounts trading conditions
To start trading on IG Markets platforms, open an account with the broker and make a deposit. It can be $1, if you choose a bank transfer. For deposits made from a bank card, the minimum amount is $50.
Account types:
Account Type Description CFD Account There is only one account type for all IG Markets clients. However, trading conditions vary subject to clients’ professional level and their trading volumes. Upon opening the account, traders can choose a convenient platform and the market model, including DMA. A demo account is a virtual counterpart of the CFD Account. Traders can create it on the broker’s proprietary platforms and MT4. A demo account doesn't require deposits. It is a risk-free tool for training and studying the broker’s conditions.
The company provides access to international financial markets and offers investment consulting, educational materials, various tools, and analytical data to help its clients make trading decisions.
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Deposit and Withdrawal
Score:This section assesses the efficiency, speed, and affordability of brokers’ transaction processes, focusing on available methods, currencies, and fees. For further details, please refer to our data-focused methodology5.8 /10IG Markets received a Medium score for the efficiency and convenience of its deposit and withdrawal processes.
IG Markets provides a reasonable range of deposit and withdrawal options with moderate fees, in line with industry standards.
- No withdrawal fee
- Bitcoin (BTC) accepted
- Bank card deposits and withdrawals
- Bank wire transfers available
- Only major base currencies available
- BTC not available as a base account currency
- USDT payments not accepted
What are IG Markets deposit and withdrawal options?
IG Markets provides a basic range of deposit and withdrawal options, covering essential methods in line with industry standards. This set of options is sufficient for most traders, with available methods Bank Card, Bank Wire, PayPal, Neteller, BTC.
IG Markets Deposit and Withdrawal Methods vs Competitors IG Markets Plus500 Trading.com Bank Wire YesYesYesBank card YesYesYesPayPal YesYesNoWise NoNoNoBTC YesNoNoWhat are IG Markets base account currencies?
A wide range of base account currencies minimizes the need for currency conversion, potentially reducing transaction costs. IG Markets supports the following base account currencies: USD.
What are IG Markets's minimum deposit and withdrawal amounts?
The minimum deposit on IG Markets is $1, while the minimum withdrawal amount is $150. These minimums may vary depending on the chosen account type and payment method. For specific details, please contact IG Markets’s support team.
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Markets and Tradable Assets
Score:The evaluation in this section is based on the TU methodology and reflects the total number and variety of tradable assets offered by the broker, including Forex currency pairs. It also considers the availability of passive income tools such as PAMM accounts, copy trading, and similar services. All information is obtained from publicly available sources and may change. Learn the assessment criteria10 /10IG Markets offers a wider selection of trading assets than the market average, with over 20000 tradable assets available, including 80 currency pairs.
- ETFs investing
- 80 supported currency pairs
- Crypto trading
- Regional restrictions are possible
Supported markets vs top competitors
We have compared the range of assets and markets supported by IG Markets with its competitors, making it easier for you to find the perfect fit.
IG Markets Plus500 Trading.com Currency pairs 80 60 69 Total tradable assets The total tradable assets listed include all available instruments, including CFDs. Due to regional restrictions, certain CFDs may not be offered in some countries. For example, cryptocurrency CFDs are banned in the UK, and the U.S. has restrictions on CFDs. 20000 2800 69 Stocks YesYesNoCommodity futures YesYesNoCrypto Cryptocurrency CFDs are restricted or prohibited in certain regions due to regulatory limitations. These include the United Kingdom, China, Egypt, the United States and Canada. YesYesNoStock indices YesYesNoOptions YesYesNoInvestment options
We also explored the trading assets and products IG Markets offers for beginner traders and investors who prefer not to engage in active trading.
IG Markets Plus500 Trading.com Bonds YesNoNoETFs YesYesNoCopy trading YesNoNoPAMM investing NoNoNoManaged accounts NoNoNo -
Trading Account Opening
Score:We evaluated Trading Account Opening at IG Markets by testing the registration process under real conditions, including opening an account and funding it with the minimum required deposit (but no less than $100). Our assessment considered whether onboarding was fully online, the average registration time, the speed of KYC verification, and how quickly traders could activate their accounts. Learn the assessment criteria.9 /10We successfully registered an account with IG Markets in 20 minutes. The KYC verification was completed within 1 business day. The minimum deposit amount at IG Markets is $1. This is one of the most accessible and hassle-free onboarding procedures on the market.
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Quick KYC verification (1 business day or less)
- Fully online account opening process
- Registration process may take longer than expected
IG Markets account opening IG Markets Plus500 Trading.com Online Registration YesYesYesMinimum deposit $1 $100 $50 Mandatory KYC YesYesYesRegistration time (min) 20 20 KYC time (days) 1 3 2 Is IG Markets available in my country?
If you are a citizen of United States, the broker accepts clients from your country.
Please note that availability may vary due to regulatory requirements, so we recommend confirming directly with the broker for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Account opening details
The user account is a client zone on the IG Markets website. To register with the broker, complete the following steps:
Provide your personal data and confirm it with the corresponding documents. Click the “Create live account” button to fill in the form.
Choose your country of residence, specify your name and email, and make a username and password to protect your user account. Upon clicking the “Next” button, the company automatically opens the CFD Account for you. To log into My IG (IG Markets’ user account), enter your username and password.
Traders can conduct the following actions in My IG:
- Upload personal data, card, and bank details for verification..
- Go to the IG Markets web platform..
Additional features of My IG that allow traders to:
- Open a demo account;
- Deposit and withdraw funds;
- View statistics on active accounts such as capital, free margin, and total profit/loss;
- Connect two-factor authentication (2FA);
- Produce a report on accrued rewards under the Refer a Friend program.
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Trading platforms & tools
Score:This section evaluates the quality and variety of trading platforms offered by the broker. It considers supported platforms, core features, device compatibility, and the availability of tools for automation, analysis, and different trading styles. Learn the assessment criteria9.2 /10IG Markets received a score of 9.2/10, indicating a strong offering in terms of trading platforms and tools. The broker provides broad access to popular platforms and supports a variety of features designed to enhance both manual and automated trading.
- Strategy (EA) Builder is available
- MetaTrader is available
- Free VPS for uninterrupted trading
- One-click trading
- No access to cTrader and its advanced tools.
Supported trading platforms
IG Markets supports the following trading platforms: MT4, TradingView, Proprietary platform, WebTrader. This selection covers the basic needs of most retail traders. We also compared IG Markets’s platform availability with that of top competitors to assess its relative market position.
IG Markets Plus500 Trading.com MT4 YesNoNoMT5 NoNoYescTrader NoNoNoTradingView YesYesYesProprietary platform YesYesYesNinjaTrader NoNoNoWebTrader YesYesYesKey IG Markets’s trading platform features
We also evaluated whether IG Markets offers essential trading features that enhance user experience, accommodate various trading styles, and improve overall functionality.
Supported features 2FA YesAlerts YesTrading bots (EAs) YesOne-click trading YesScalping YesSupported indicators 30 Tradable assets 20000 Additional trading tools
IG Markets offers several additional features designed to enhance the trading experience. These tools provide greater automation, deliver advanced market insights, and help improve trade execution.
IG Markets trading tools vs competitors IG Markets Plus500 Trading.com Trading Central Trading Central is a leading provider of investment research and financial market commentary. Integration with Trading Central offers traders advanced analytics, trading signals, and expert market insights, aiding in more informed decision-making. YesNoYesAPI YesNoNoFree VPS YesNoNoStrategy (EA) builder A Strategy or EA builder is a tool that allows traders to create and test their own automated trading strategies without requiring programming skills. YesNoNoAutochartist Autochartist is a market scanning tool that identifies trading opportunities by analyzing chart patterns and key price levels. YesNoNo -
Mobile Apps
Score:This section assesses the quality and functionality of the broker’s mobile trading apps. It takes into account app ratings, number of downloads, platform features such as two-factor authentication (2FA), mobile alerts, and technical indicators, ensuring traders can manage positions and monitor markets effectively from their smartphones. Learn the assessment criteria8 /10IG Markets supports mobile trading, offering dedicated apps for both iOS and Android. IG Markets received 8/10 in this section, reflecting strong user engagement and well-developed functionality. High ratings, solid download numbers, and the presence of advanced mobile features contributed to the high score.
- Solid iOS user feedback, with a rating of 4,5/5
- Supports mobile 2FA
- Strong Android user ratings, currently at 4,3/5
- Fewer charting tools
We compared IG Markets with two top competitors by mobile downloads, app ratings, 2FA support, indicators, and trading alerts.
IG Markets Plus500 Trading.com Total downloads The parameter reflects the combined number of installations from both the Apple App Store and Google Play. It serves as an approximate indicator of the broker’s mobile trading app popularity and user adoption across platforms. 1,000,000 10,000,000 50,000 App Store score App store scores reflect the average user ratings of the broker’s mobile applications on the Apple App Store and Google Play. These ratings indicate user satisfaction based on criteria such as usability, stability, performance, and overall experience. 4,5 4.7 4.8 Google Play score 4,3 4.4 4.7 Mob. 2FA YesYesYesMob. Indicators YesYesYesMob. Alerts YesYesYes -
Customer Support
Score:We evaluated Customer Support at IG Markets by opening a real account funded with the minimum required deposit (no less than $100) and contacting support to measure response time under real conditions. Our assessment considered contact channels, response speed, multilingual support, and availability hours. Learn the assessment criteria4.6 /10The broker’s customer support shows noticeable weaknesses in responsiveness or communication quality. Delays in replies are common, and resolution may require repeated contact.
In TU testing, response speed was below expectations, and assistance was limited in depth. Traders who rely heavily on support may experience inconvenience.
InformationTechnical support is available from 08:00 Saturday to 22:00 Friday (GMT). The LINE network isn’t available at the moment.
- The support team provides expert assistance
- Many communication channels are provided
- 24/7 support isn’t available
- No call back option
The following communication channels are available:
- Live chat;
- Telephone;
- Email;
- Twitter;
- Facebook;
- WhatsApp;
- Feedback form on the website.
If clients use in-house IG Markets platforms, they can request assistance directly.
Contacts Foundation date 1974 Registration address IG International Ltd, Innovation House, 46 Reid Street Hamilton, HM12, Bermuda Regulation FCA, BaFin, ASIC, MAS, CySec, FINMA, BMA, CFTC, NFA Official site https://www.ig.com/en Contacts sales.en@ig.com +44 (20) 7633 5430
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FAQs
How safe is IG Markets in terms of regulation and investor protection?
IG Markets has a safety score of 10/10 and is regulated by multiple Tier-1 authorities, including the FCA (UK), BaFin, CySEC, ASIC, NFA, JFSA, CFTC, FINMA, and MAS, among others. Some of these regulators provide investor compensation schemes, such as up to £85,000 under the UK FCA and up to €20,000 under BaFin and CySEC, while others do not have specific funds but apply consumer protection rules.
What commissions and fees does IG Markets charge for forex trading?
According to the review, IG Markets has low overall fees, with tight EUR/USD spreads on Standard accounts typically ranging from 0.6 to 1.2 pips and GBP/USD from 0.6 to 1.5 pips. On RAW/ECN accounts, the broker charges a commission of $2.3 per lot with average spreads of 0.8 pips for EUR/USD and 1 pip for GBP/USD, and there are no deposit, withdrawal, or inactivity fees specified.
What do user reviews say about IG Markets overall?
IG Markets has a user satisfaction score of 7.8/10 based on 288 reviews, with 27% of users giving 5 stars, 35% giving 4 stars, and a small share leaving 1-star ratings. According to user reviews, the overall tone is mostly positive, though a notable portion of 3-star ratings (36%) suggests some mixed experiences.
How does the IG Markets account opening process work?
The review states that opening an account with IG Markets is fully online, took 20 minutes for registration, and KYC verification was completed within 1 business day, with a minimum deposit of $1. Users create a My IG client area to upload verification documents, manage deposits and withdrawals, open demo accounts, view account statistics, enable 2FA, and generate Refer a Friend reward reports.
What trading platforms and tools does IG Markets offer, according to user feedback and expert comments?
IG Markets supports MT4, TradingView, a proprietary platform, and WebTrader, and provides features such as one-click trading, 2FA, alerts, and support for trading bots (EAs). The broker also offers additional tools like Trading Central, API access, free VPS, a strategy (EA) builder, and Autochartist, while cTrader is not available.
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