IG Review UK 2026: Fees, Safety & Platform Tested

UK clients are protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). If IG were to fail and client money could not be returned, eligible customers may be compensated up to £85,000 per person.

As an FCA-authorised firm, IG must:

• Meet ongoing capital adequacy standards
• Submit regular financial reports and audits
• Follow strict client asset (CASS) rules
• Provide transparent risk disclosures

This regulatory oversight reduces counterparty risk but does not protect against trading losses.

Client money is held in segregated accounts, separate from IG’s own operational funds. This structure is designed to ensure that customer cash cannot be used for company expenses or business activities.

Segregation provides protection in the event of insolvency, although it does not guarantee full recovery beyond FSCS limits if there is a shortfall.

For share dealing accounts, investments are held in custody arrangements consistent with UK regulatory standards.

Yes, for retail clients. IG provides negative balance protection on CFD and spread betting accounts. This means retail traders cannot lose more than the funds deposited in their account.

In addition, FCA rules impose leverage caps on retail trading, including:

• 30:1 maximum leverage on major forex pairs
• Lower leverage limits on equities, commodities, and crypto assets

Despite these safeguards, leveraged trading remains high risk. IG states that 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and spread bets. These products are complex and may not be suitable for inexperienced investors.

For UK investors using a share dealing account, IG offers:

• £0 commission on UK and US shares (online trades)
• Phone dealing: £40 (UK shares), £50 (US and European shares)
• Access to over 12,000 stocks and ETFs

For forex and CFD trading, costs are built into the spread. For example:

• Average EUR/USD spread: around 0.6 pips
• No separate commission on standard accounts
• Overnight financing charges apply to leveraged positions

Spread betting follows a similar spread-based structure.

CFDs and spread bets are high-risk instruments. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products with IG.

IG Smart Portfolios charge:

• Management fee from 0.50% per year, capped at £250 per account

The SIPP carries a third-party administration fee:

£210 annual fee payable to Options UK

IG has reduced some legacy charges in recent years.

• Custody fee: £0 (removed January 2026)
• Withdrawal fees: Free for standard transfers
  
• Same-day transfer: Free over £100, £15 if under £100
• Inactivity fee: £12 per month after 24 months of no activity
  

There are no deposit fees for standard funding methods.

If you trade assets priced in a different currency, IG applies a:

• 0.70% foreign exchange conversion fee

This is relevant for UK investors buying US shares or other non-GBP assets. Currency conversion is applied at execution based on prevailing exchange rates.

For frequent international investors, FX costs can become a meaningful portion of overall returns.

IG offers access to over 12,000 international shares and ETFs through its share dealing account, ISA, and SIPP.

Investors can trade:

• UK-listed shares
• US-listed shares
• European and Australian equities
• Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
• Investment trusts

Online commission is £0 for UK and US shares, with a 0.70% FX conversion fee applied to non-GBP trades.

The Stocks and Shares ISA allows up to £20,000 per tax year in contributions, with capital gains and dividends shielded from UK tax. The SIPP allows pension investing with a £210 annual administration fee payable to Options UK.

IG also offers five ready-made Smart Portfolios built using BlackRock iShares ETFs, covering:

• Conservative
• Moderate
• Balanced
• Growth
• Aggressive

These portfolios are globally diversified and charge from 0.50% per year, capped at £250 per account.

IG is best known for leveraged trading products, including CFDs and spread betting.

Clients can trade:

• Major, minor, and exotic forex pairs
• Global stock indices
• Commodities such as oil and gold
• Individual equities via CFDs
• Bonds
• Options and futures contracts

Forex spreads average around 0.6 pips on EUR/USD. Retail leverage is capped under FCA rules, with up to 30:1 on major currency pairs.

CFDs and spread bets are complex instruments. 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading these products with IG.

IG offers cryptocurrency exposure primarily through CFDs and spread betting.

This allows traders to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying crypto asset. Costs are built into spreads, and overnight financing charges apply to leveraged positions.

Direct crypto ownership is available via a third-party partnership, rather than through native on-platform custody. This means IG is not a full-service crypto exchange.

IG also provides access to:

• Government bond markets
• Interest rate products
• Options trading
• Futures contracts

These products are generally used by more experienced traders due to their complexity and risk profile.

IG supports the following funding options for UK clients:

• Debit card: Typically instant processing
• Bank transfer (Faster Payments or standard transfer): Usually 1 to 3 business days
• PayPal: Typically instant

There is no minimum deposit requirement to open or fund an account. This applies across share dealing, ISA, SIPP, CFD, and spread betting accounts.

IG does not charge deposit fees. However, third-party providers such as banks may apply their own charges in rare cases.

Funds must generally be deposited from an account in the client’s name, in line with anti-money laundering regulations.

Withdrawals are made back to the original funding source where possible, in accordance with FCA and anti-money laundering rules.

• Standard withdrawals: Free of charge
• Same-day bank transfer: Free for amounts over £100
• Same-day transfer under £100: £15 fee

IG states that most withdrawal requests are processed within one business day. After processing, funds typically arrive in a UK bank account within one to three working days, depending on the banking provider.

There are no routine withdrawal fees for UK clients using standard transfer methods.

An inactivity fee of £12 per month applies after 24 months of no trading activity, but this is separate from withdrawal charges.

UK accounts are typically denominated in GBP. When trading assets priced in other currencies, such as US shares, IG applies a:

• 0.70% foreign exchange conversion fee

Currency conversion occurs at the time of trade execution using prevailing market exchange rates. This fee applies both when entering and exiting non-GBP positions.

For investors trading frequently in overseas markets, FX costs can materially affect long-term returns.

As an FCA-regulated broker, IG must follow UK anti-money laundering (AML) and KYC rules. During the application process, users are required to provide:

• Full name, date of birth, and residential address
• Nationality and tax residency details
• Employment status and income information
• Details of savings and investment experience

In most cases, identity verification is completed electronically. However, IG may request:

• Proof of identity (passport or UK driving licence)
• Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement)

Additional checks may apply if opening a CFD or spread betting account, including questions about trading experience and financial knowledge.

Yes. IG offers a free demo account with £10,000 in virtual funds.

The demo account mirrors real market conditions and provides access to the full trading platform. This allows users to practise:

• CFD trading
• Spread betting
• Forex trading
• Share trading

There is no obligation to fund a live account before using the demo environment.

IG offers three main account types in the UK:

• Share dealing account: Designed for long-term investors trading shares and ETFs.
• Spread betting account: For leveraged trading; profits are tax-free in the UK but high risk.
• CFD trading account: For leveraged trading across multiple asset classes.

Tax-efficient wrappers are also available:

• Stocks and Shares ISA: Up to £20,000 annual allowance.
• Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP): Administered in partnership with Options UK (£210 annual fee).

For spread betting and CFD accounts, applicants must complete an appropriateness test to demonstrate understanding of leveraged products. IG states that 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and spread bets.

IG supports a wide range of order types across shares, forex, CFDs, and spread betting.

Available order types include:

• Market orders
• Limit orders
• Stop-loss orders
• Guaranteed stops (for a premium)
• Trailing stops

The trade ticket clearly displays:

• Position size
• Margin requirement (for leveraged trades)
• Spread
• Estimated costs
• Stop and limit settings

For CFD and spread betting accounts, margin and risk metrics are shown before confirmation. This helps users understand exposure and potential loss before execution.

Retail leverage is capped under FCA rules, with maximum leverage of 30:1 on major forex pairs and lower limits on other assets.

IG’s platform includes advanced charting tools suitable for technical analysis.

Features include:

• Multiple chart types
• Dozens of technical indicators
• Drawing tools and trendlines
• Timeframes from tick charts to monthly views
• Customisable layouts

The platform also integrates:

• Live market news
• Economic calendar
• IG TV and market commentary
• Reuters news feed (where available)

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is supported for traders who prefer automated strategies or Expert Advisors. MT5 is not currently supported.

For beginners, the depth of tools can initially feel complex, but the demo account provides a risk-free environment to practise.

IG allows users to create custom watchlists to monitor preferred markets. Alerts can be set based on:

• Price levels
• Percentage changes
• Technical conditions

Portfolio views show:

• Unrealised and realised profit and loss
• Margin usage
• Cash balance
• Asset allocation

The dashboard allows users to switch between share dealing, CFD, and spread betting accounts.

IG offers:

• Web-based platform (desktop browser)
• iOS and Android mobile apps
• MetaTrader 4 compatibility

The mobile app mirrors most core functionality of the web platform, including order placement, charting, watchlists, and funding.

The interface is clean and modern, though first-time users may need time to navigate advanced tools.

Most UK brokers focus either on long-term investing or short-term leveraged trading. IG offers both within the same ecosystem.

Clients can open:

• A Stocks and Shares ISA with a £20,000 annual allowance
• A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) administered by Options UK (£210 annual fee)
• A standard share dealing account
• CFD and spread betting accounts

This allows users to hold long-term investments and trade derivatives from one dashboard, rather than using separate providers.

IG offers guaranteed stop-loss orders on certain markets.

Unlike standard stop-loss orders, a guaranteed stop ensures the position closes at the exact price specified, even during market gaps or extreme volatility. A small premium applies, but the cost is shown before confirming the trade.

This feature is particularly relevant for leveraged traders managing downside risk in volatile markets.

IG provides five ready-made portfolios designed using BlackRock’s iShares ETFs.

Risk profiles range from Conservative to Aggressive, with global exposure to equities and fixed income markets. Fees start at 0.50% per year and are capped at £250 per account.

This provides a simplified option for investors who prefer automated portfolio management without selecting individual securities.

IG’s educational offering is more developed than many UK brokers.

Features include:

• IG Academy with structured online courses
• Webinars and live market sessions
• Interactive quizzes
• A demo account with £10,000 in virtual funds

The demo account replicates real pricing and platform functionality, allowing users to practise CFD trading, spread betting, forex, and share dealing without financial risk.

IG supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), enabling:

• Automated strategies
• Expert Advisors (EAs)
• Custom indicators

Many app-based competitors do not support MT4 integration.

IG is well suited to investors who want to use UK tax wrappers while maintaining flexibility.

It offers:

• A Stocks and Shares ISA with a £20,000 annual allowance
• A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) administered by Options UK (£210 annual fee)
• Access to over 12,000 shares and ETFs

Investors can build their own portfolio or choose one of five Smart Portfolios constructed using BlackRock iShares ETFs. This combination makes IG appropriate for long-term wealth building within regulated UK structures.

IG is particularly strong for traders who want access to CFDs and spread betting under FCA supervision.

Key features include:

• Access to more than 15,000 global markets
• Average forex spreads around 0.6 pips (EUR/USD)
• Guaranteed stop-loss orders
• Negative balance protection for retail clients

However, leveraged trading is high risk. IG reports that 68% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs and spread bets.

This makes IG most appropriate for traders who understand margin, leverage, and risk management.

IG’s platform depth makes it suitable for users who depend on advanced charting and analytical tools.

The platform offers:

• Multiple chart types and technical indicators
• Drawing tools and custom layouts
• Price alerts and risk metrics
• MetaTrader 4 (MT4) support for automated strategies

Traders who require detailed execution controls and analytical tools may find IG more capable than app-based competitors focused on simplicity.

IG was established in 1974 and is regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Protections include:

• Segregated client accounts
• FSCS protection up to £85,000
• FCA-mandated leverage caps

This makes IG appropriate for investors who prioritise regulatory oversight, institutional infrastructure, and operational track record over minimal fees.

IG is less about offering the lowest possible spreads and more about providing a regulated, multi-asset trading and investing environment under one platform.

IG’s average EUR/USD spread is around 0.6 pips on standard accounts. While competitive, some brokers offer tighter spreads, particularly on raw or commission-based accounts.

For high-frequency or scalping strategies, even small spread differences can materially affect overall trading costs.

IG applies a 0.70% foreign exchange conversion fee when buying or selling non-GBP assets, such as US-listed shares.

For investors who regularly trade international markets, FX costs can accumulate and reduce net returns over time. Some app-based competitors offer lower currency conversion rates.

IG’s platform includes advanced charting tools, margin metrics, and multiple account types. While powerful, this depth can feel complex for new investors unfamiliar with trading terminology or leverage.

Users looking for a highly simplified, app-only experience may find entry-level investing apps easier to navigate.

Customer support is generally reliable but not available 24/7 for all services. Traders operating outside standard UK market hours may experience limited support availability.

For users who prioritise constant access to live support, some global brokers may offer broader coverage.

IG is a well-established UK broker offering access to over 15,000 markets, including shares, forex, and derivatives. It suits investors who want FCA regulation, ISA and SIPP access, and advanced trading tools. Cost-sensitive traders may find lower spreads elsewhere.

Yes. IG is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). UK clients also benefit from Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protection up to £85,000 if the firm fails.

IG is considered a strong all-round platform due to its regulatory standing, broad market access, and advanced tools. It is particularly suitable for experienced traders and long-term UK investors. However, its FX charges and spreads are not the lowest in the market.

Yes. IG charges spread-based fees for forex and CFDs, a 0.70% FX conversion fee for non-GBP trades, and an inactivity fee of £12 per month after 24 months. There are no standard deposit fees and no custody fee.

Client funds are held in segregated accounts under FCA rules, and eligible UK customers are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000. Retail clients also receive negative balance protection on CFDs and spread betting. However, trading losses are not covered.

Yes. IG provides a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA with a £20,000 annual allowance. Investors can choose individual shares and ETFs or select one of IG’s Smart Portfolios.

Beginners can use IG, particularly through its demo account and IG Academy educational resources. However, the platform’s advanced tools and leveraged products may feel complex for first-time investors.

IG offers access to shares, ETFs, forex, indices, commodities, bonds, options, futures, and crypto derivatives. In total, more than 15,000 markets are available. Leveraged products carry significant risk.