Is IG Markets the Right Broker for You? A 2025 Review

Our Take on IG Markets 

IG Markets offers access to over 17,000 tradable markets primarily through CFD trading.

This diversity, backed by strong regulatory oversight and a long-standing reputation, caters to traders executing complex strategies across multiple asset classes.

What are CFDs?

CFDs enable speculation on asset price movements without ownership, using leverage that magnifies both profits and losses, classifying them as high-risk investments. They are legal and regulated in regions like the EU, UK, and Australia, with regulatory measures including leverage limits (e.g., up to 30:1), negative balance protection, required risk disclosures, investor fund segregation, and market abuse prevention mechanisms. CFDs are banned or restricted in some countries, including the United States. Using regulated brokers and understanding local regulations is important.

The broker’s award-winning proprietary platforms feature intuitive interfaces and powerful analytical tools. Integration with MT4 and ProRealTime further appeals to technical traders and algo developers.

Competitive spreads in forex and indices, along with Direct Market Access (DMA), allow traders to place orders directly on the exchange’s order books for faster execution and greater control. For shares, this attracts high-volume traders.

IG’s educational resources, including IG Academy and extensive market analysis, provide value for all experience levels. Unique features like forex options and weekend trading on select markets offer additional opportunities to capitalize on global events.

However, IG isn’t without limitations.

Stock CFD fees can be higher than some competitors, potentially deterring equity-focused traders. The product portfolio is also more limited in certain regions, with U.S. clients restricted to forex trading via TastyFX due to CFDs being banned there.

In my opinion, IG Markets mainly shine for forex traders and those in “CFD-friendly” regions like the UK. Beginners might find the platform overwhelming, and pure stock traders might find better value elsewhere.

While not the cheapest option for all asset classes, IG Markets’ combination of extensive market access, advanced technology, and educational support makes it a solid choice for traders seeking a reliable, feature-rich CFD trading environment.

IG Markets, a Quick Overview

IG provides a lot of flexibility through its Spread Betting Accounts A spread betting account is an account that allows you to speculate on financial markets by betting on whether the price of an asset will rise or fall, without owning the underlying asset. Profits are typically tax-free in the UK and Ireland on these accounts, making it a popular trading method there. Spread betting involves leverage, which can amplify both gains and losses. and CFD accounts, alongside traditional investment options via share dealing accounts and Smart Portfolios.

Fast Facts
No minimum deposits required
No interest on uninvested cash
Policy on inactivity fees needs to be clarified
Solid Proprietary web platform, mobile app, MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime
Share dealing accounts allow for actual ownership of stocks and ETFs (UK residents)
Zero commission on US shares, and £3 on UK shares. Subject to conditions
Primarily focused on CFDs
Commission-free with variable spreads*
Easy access to leverage**
Forex trading for US clients via Tastyfx (as CFDs are banned in the US)

*About spreads: A spread is the difference between the buy and sell price of an instrument. While IG Markets offers commission-free trading, they make money through these spreads. Wider spreads mean higher costs for traders. Spreads can vary based on market conditions, the specific instrument being traded, and the time of day. Extensive documentation is available on IG’s website to help you understand costs and charges that may apply to your trading style.

**About leverage: While making larger trades possible with less capital, leverage significantly increases risk. It can magnify both profits and losses, potentially leading to losses exceeding your initial investment. Use with extreme caution.

IG Markets Investment Options and Markets

Category	Availability	Instruments
Forex	✅	Major, minor, and exotic pairs
Indices	✅	Global indices like S&P 500, FTSE 100
Stocks	✅	International stocks across major exchanges
Commodities	✅	Metals, energies, agricultural products
Cryptocurrencies	✅	Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.
Bonds	✅	Variety of government and corporate bonds
ETFs	✅	Broad range of sectoral and thematic ETFs
Options and Futures	✅	On indices, forex, and commodities

IG provides several different account types to cater to the varied needs of traders and investors. These accounts are broadly categorized into leveraged options, such as spread betting and CFDs, and non-leveraged options, including share dealing and managed portfolios. 

This diverse range ensures that IG has an account that can meet different financial goals, whether you want to trade actively or invest passively.

Account Type	Features	Suitability
Spread Betting	Tax-free in the UK, leverage available, trade on price movements without owning assets.	Suitable for UK residents seeking leverage without tax on profits.
CFD Trading	Trade on margin, access global markets, and use leverage to increase exposure.	Experienced Traders looking for flexibility and able to support the risks that comes with high leverage.
Share Dealing	Own actual shares, potential for dividends and capital gains, not leveraged.	Investors aiming for long-term growth and ownership of shares.
ISA Share Dealing	Tax-efficient investing up to a certain limit per year, own shares directly.	UK investors wanting a tax-efficient way to invest in shares.
IG Smart Portfolios	Managed, diversified portfolios, adjusted to investor’s risk appetite, long-term investment strategy.	Investors preferring a passive, hands-off investment approach.
TastyFx	US operations of IG Markets, catering to forex traders and investors.	US Traders seeking low fees and tight spreads in the FX markets.

IG Markets Commissions and Fees

Here’s a quick overview of what one can expect in terms of commissions and fees:

Instrument	Fee Type	Details
Forex	Spreads	Starts as low as 0.8 points, varies with market liquidity
Share CFDS	Commissions	Based on company size, ranges from 0.1% to 0.35%
Share Spread Bets	Spread	Commission free, applied spread
UK Share Trades	Commission	Ranges from £ 3
US Share Trades	Commission	Commission free if traded 3 or more times monthly
US Options and Futures	Commission	Ranges from $0 to $2.5 per contract
Inactivity Fee	Fixed Fee	GBP £ 12 monthly if no trading activity occurs for 24 months
Withdrawal Fees	Potential Fee	Applied to certain methods, such as wire transfers.

IG offers competitive spreads and commissions across various trading instruments.

• Forex spreads start as low as 0.8 points and varies with market liquidity, while stock index spreads differ by time of day, with tighter spreads during market hours. 
• Share CFDs incur a commission based on company size, ranging from 0.1% to 0.35%, whereas share spread bets are commission-free but have an applied spread.
• For UK share trades, commissions range from £3.00, and US shares are commission-free if traded three or more times monthly. US options and futures commissions range from $0 to $2.50 per contract.

Additionally, IG applies overnight funding fees based on interbank rates for shares and indices, as well as tom-next rates for forex trades, with higher rates for mini and micro contracts.

Ancillary fees seem to include a monthly inactivity fee if no trading activity occurs for 24 months and potential withdrawal fees for specific methods, such as wire transfers.

Typical brokerage fee structures, including IG’s, generally favor active traders because they pay more commissions. This industry-wide approach underscores traders’ importance in understanding their chosen platform’s fee structure and ensuring it aligns with their trading style and strategy.

IG Markets Online Trading Platform

IG’s online trading platform offers a user-friendly design with easy navigation for all trader levels.

Clear real-time data and charts aid decision-making, while tooltips help beginners grasp complex terms.

It includes various order types, controls, and risk management tools like stops and limits to protect investments.

The browser-based online trading platform organizes tools and features logically, providing easy access to trading options, newsfeeds, economic calendars, and trading signals. 

Advanced charting tools like IG charts and ProRealTime are integrated, supporting detailed technical analysis.

The mobile app maintains these high standards, optimized for seamless navigation on smartphones. It allows users to trade directly from charts, receive price alerts, and manage accounts conveniently. 

Additionally, IG provides high-quality charting tools, market screeners, demo accounts, and reliable data sources.

Despite the lack of direct backtesting integration, the use of third-party charting tools like ProRealTime compensates for this gap, allowing strategy testing against historical data. 

Educational resources through IG Academy, including video tutorials, articles, guides, and active user forums, are extensive and beneficial for all traders.

Real-time news feeds from sources like Reuters keep traders well-informed.

The US options and futures platform, with its award-winning interface, caters to more experienced traders. It offers comprehensive fundamental stock information and various order types. Overall, IG’s platforms ensure a well-rounded trading experience with tools and resources suitable for traders at all levels.

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Mobile App

The sleekness design of the web platform was wonderfully transferred to the IG Market’s mobile app. There is alot of one-touch clicks as well as the functionalities similar to the web platform. 

Firstly, the app provides an overview of the user’s CFD account details, including total funds, available equity, profit/loss status, and margin utilization. Key functionalities shown include options to add or withdraw funds, manage multiple accounts, view payment history, and access trade history. 

Additional tools such as alerts, signal center, and an economic calendar are also featured, offering users comprehensive resources to manage their trading activities and stay informed of market changes directly through the app. 

This centralized account management hub ensures that users can easily navigate their financial and trading operations within a single streamlined interface.

Additionally, there is an “Explore” button that provides access to breaking news and expert analyses that are crucial for making informed trading decisions. 

Featured prominently are headlines related to significant market events, such as updates from major companies or financial market insights. The app ensures that traders are continually updated with the latest developments directly impacting financial markets and can explore more content tailored to their interests, enhancing the strategic depth of their trading activities.

Another tab in the mobile app is the  “Trades” section.

This interface allows traders to quickly view the performance of their investments in real-time.

The app also provides options to sort these positions and easy navigation to other areas like the market overview, additional trades, or account settings, enhancing the usability for active traders managing multiple positions simultaneously.

The “Watchlist” section of the IG Markets mobile trading app features a host of financial market securities, including commodities like US crude oil, precious metals such as spot gold, major indices like Wall Street and Hong Kong HS50, and forex pairs like USD/JPY and EUR/USD. 

Each market item displays the percentage change and the session’s high and low prices and offers quick trade action buttons for buying or selling, allowing users to execute trades directly from this screen. 

This functionality lets traders track their favorite markets and make fast trading decisions without leaving the watchlist page.

Finally, by clicking on the respective security, you can see real-time market data, including the current price, daily high and low, and the percentage change.

There is also a market summary, with the mobile version of IG Charts and technical analysis tools such as the MACD indicator. 

This area helps traders analyze market trends and momentum visually.

At the bottom of the screen, quick-access buttons for “Sell” and “Buy” allow for immediate trading actions. The buttons reflect the current buy and sell prices to facilitate fast decision-making. This layout supports a dynamic trading environment where traders can respond promptly to market movements.

IG Markets Customer’s Reviews

Trustpilot reviews reveal mixed but generally positive experiences with IG Markets:

Strengths:

• Excellent share trading and account management
• Comprehensive tools for competitive trading
• Wide range of products, including stocks, CFDs, and futures
• Impressive mobile app with interactive charts
• Responsive and helpful customer service
• Demo accounts available for new traders

Areas for improvement:

• High fees for US stock transactions ($30 per round trip)
• Occasional lag in chart updates compared to other platforms
• Inconsistent display of trend lines across different timescales on mobile

Notable comments:

“IG is very likely the best online trading platform on the internet.” – 20-year trading veteran

“Customer Support has been excellent.” – Full-time indices and futures trader

“Why list US stocks when you want to charge an insane eyewatering $30 per buy+sell transaction?” – Dissatisfied user

Overall, IG’s competitive costs, comprehensive trading instruments, and strong global presence make it a suitable choice for both beginners and experienced traders. 

The platform’s commitment to education and customer service further enhances its reputation, despite some areas needing improvement. IG’s entrance into the U.S. market and its established global reputation position it as a robust option for many traders.

Final Thoughts

In my view, IG Markets is a powerhouse for experienced traders, especially those diving into forex and CFDs. Its robust platform, extensive market access, and top-notch analytical tools make it a go-to choice for serious traders who know what they’re doing. However, I can’t in good conscience recommend it to beginners or casual investors.

The platform’s complexity and the inherent risks of CFD trading make it a potential minefield for the uninitiated. While IG’s educational resources are impressive, they don’t negate the fact that CFDs can blow up your account faster than you can say “margin call.”

For stock-focused traders, the higher fees are a real sticking point – you’re likely better off elsewhere.

If you’re an experienced trader looking for a sophisticated platform for CFD trading and you understand the high risks they entail, IG Markets is hard to beat.

But for everyone else, especially newcomers, I’d strongly advise looking for safer, more beginner-friendly options.