IG Group Review 2026
The institution of forex brokers. Best instrument depth.
The oldest broker on this list. Founded in 1974, LSE listed, and regulated in every major jurisdiction. Best instrument count at 17,000+. Premium positioning, no minimum deposit.
The basics
IG Group was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in London, UK. It is publicly listed under the ticker LSE:IGG. The broker offers CFDs on 17,000 instruments across forex, indices, commodities, and crypto. Real stock ownership is available in addition to CFDs.
MetaTrader is available on all account types. Copy trading is not offered.
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Instruments | 17,000+ |
| Platforms | IG Platform, MT4, ProRealTime |
| MetaTrader | Yes — MT4 and MT5 |
| Copy trading | No |
| Real stocks | Yes |
Is IG Group safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent.
| Regulator | Licence | Entity |
|---|---|---|
| FCA | 195355 ✓ | IG Markets Ltd |
| ASIC | 220440 ✓ | IG Markets Ltd (AU) |
| BaFin | 149169 ✓ | IG Europe GmbH |
| FSCA | 41393 ✓ | IG Markets South Africa Ltd |
| MAS | 200510021K ✓ | IG Asia Pte Ltd |
| JFSA | 関東財務局長(金商)第2526号 ✓ | IG Securities Ltd |
| CFTC | 0509630 ✓ | IG US LLC |
You can verify the FCA licence at register.fca.org.uk. The registration shows the entity name, authorisation status, and full permissions list. It takes under a minute.
IG Group spreads
These are the typical spreads on IG Group's standard account. Spreads vary by market conditions and account type. ECN or raw-spread accounts offer lower spreads in exchange for a per-trade commission.
| EUR/USD | 0.6 pips |
| GBP/USD | 0.9 pips |
| USD/JPY | 0.7 pips |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 30c/oz |
| S&P 500 | 0.4pt |
IG Group's EUR/USD spread of 0.6 pips is competitive for a retail broker without a per-trade commission.
IG Group withdrawal fee and processing time
Fee: None. IG does not charge withdrawal fees for standard bank transfers.
Processing time: Same day to 3 business days. IG processes withdrawals quickly. Card withdrawals are usually same day.
Withdrawal requests must pass identity verification before processing. If your account is not yet fully verified (proof of identity and address submitted), expect additional delays. Verified accounts follow the standard processing times above.
IG Group minimum deposit by entity
The minimum deposit depends on which IG Group entity serves your country. Offshore entities often allow lower minimums but with less regulatory protection.
| Entity | Regulator | Min deposit | Max leverage (forex) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IG Markets Ltd | FCA 195355 | None | 1:30 |
| IG Markets Ltd (AU) | ASIC 220440 | None | 1:30 |
| IG Europe GmbH | BaFin 149169 | None | 1:30 |
| IG Markets South Africa Ltd | FSCA 41393 | None | 1:400 |
| IG Asia Pte Ltd | MAS 200510021K | None | 1:20 |
| IG Securities Ltd | JFSA 関東財務局長(金商)第2526号 | None | 1:25 |
| IG US LLC | CFTC 0509630 | None | 1:50 |
IG Group vs CMC Markets
| IG Group | CMC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 195355 | FCA 173730 |
| Min deposit | None | None |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.6 pips | 0.5 pips |
| MetaTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Instruments | 17,000+ | 12,000+ |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Withdrawal fee | None | None |
Both brokers are regulated and legitimate. IG Group suits traders who value MetaTrader and algorithmic trading. CMC Markets is better for traders who prioritise tighter spreads.
Regulation — the numbers that matter
| FCA | 195355 — IG Markets Ltd |
| ASIC | 220440 — IG Markets Ltd (AU) |
| BaFin | 149169 — IG Europe GmbH |
| FSCA | 41393 — IG Markets South Africa Ltd |
| MAS | 200510021K — IG Asia Pte Ltd |
| JFSA | 関東財務局長(金商)第2526号 — IG Securities Ltd |
| CFTC | 0509630 — IG US LLC |
Leverage for retail clients in the EU and UK is capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs under ESMA rules.
Pros and Cons
What works
- FCA regulated since 1974
- LSE listed (IGG)
- 17,000+ instruments
- MT4 available
- Real stocks and ETFs
- US clients accepted
What does not work
- Complex fee structure for shares
- No copy trading
- Inactivity fee GBP 12 after 2 months
The verdict
IG Group is a legitimate, regulated broker. The FCA licence number 195355 is verifiable on the public register. It is best suited for traders who want MetaTrader on a regulated platform. Rating: 4.4 out of 5.
Alternatives to IG Group
If IG Group does not fit your needs, these regulated alternatives are worth comparing:
Frequently asked questions
Is IG Group safe?
FCA-regulated brokers must keep client funds in accounts segregated from company funds, provide negative balance protection, and contribute to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which covers up to £85,000 per client if the broker becomes insolvent. IG Group holds FCA licence 195355, which is publicly verifiable on the official register.
What is the IG Group minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit is None. This applies to the main regulated entity. Some offshore entities may differ. See the entity table above for full breakdown.
What is the IG Group EUR/USD spread?
The EUR/USD spread on IG Group standard accounts is typically 0.6 pips. Spreads vary with market conditions. ECN or raw accounts offer lower spreads with a per-trade commission instead.
How long does IG Group take to process withdrawals?
Same day to 3 business days. IG processes withdrawals quickly. Card withdrawals are usually same day.
Does IG Group charge withdrawal fees?
None. IG does not charge withdrawal fees for standard bank transfers.
Does IG Group have MetaTrader?
Yes. IG Group supports both MT4 and MT5 on all account types. This allows automated trading, custom indicators, and expert advisors.