IG is the UK's original and largest spread betting and CFD provider — and since launching their share dealing platform, they've become one of the most complete brokers available to UK investors and traders. FTSE 250 listed, FCA regulated since 1974, and offering everything from spread betting and CFDs to ISAs, SIPPs, and smart portfolios under one roof. The education through IG Academy is the best in the industry, and for newer traders or investors who want a single platform for both trading and long-term investing, IG is hard to beat.
Visit IG Skip to VerdictSpread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Who Is IG?
IG Group was founded in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler as the world's first spread betting firm. Over fifty years later, they're a FTSE 250 listed company (ticker: IGG.L) and the UK's largest provider of spread bets and CFDs by revenue. They're also one of the oldest continuously operating financial services firms in the retail trading space — and that longevity matters.
For UK clients, the relevant entity is IG Markets Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 195355. As a publicly listed company, IG is subject to additional layers of governance and transparency that privately held brokers simply aren't — quarterly earnings, independent audits, and regulatory filings that are all publicly available.
IG offers over 17,000 tradable markets across forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds, interest rates, and options. But what sets them apart from pure-play CFD brokers like Pepperstone and IC Markets is that IG also offers share dealing — you can buy and hold actual shares through a General Investment Account (GIA), Stocks and Shares ISA, or Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). That makes IG a genuine one-stop shop for both active traders and long-term investors.
Share Dealing, ISA & SIPP
This is where IG distinguishes itself from specialist CFD brokers. If you want to buy and hold actual shares — not just trade on the price via CFDs — IG offers three account types:
General Investment Account (GIA)
Standard share dealing account with access to UK, US, and international shares plus ETFs and investment trusts. No limit on how much you can invest. Capital gains tax applies on profits above your annual CGT allowance (£3,000 for 2026/27).
Stocks and Shares ISA
Tax-free wrapper for up to £20,000 per tax year (2026/27 allowance). All gains and dividends within the ISA are completely free from capital gains tax and income tax. For UK investors building long-term wealth, this is the most tax-efficient way to invest. IG's ISA has no custody fees if you make at least three trades per quarter — otherwise there's a £24 quarterly charge.
Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
For retirement planning, IG's SIPP lets you invest in the same range of shares and ETFs with the tax advantages of a pension — contributions get tax relief at your marginal rate (20%, 40%, or 45% depending on your tax bracket). There's a platform fee of 0.25% per year on the first £250,000 of assets.
Smart Portfolios
If you prefer a hands-off approach, IG's smart portfolios are a managed investment service built with BlackRock ETFs. You answer some questions about your goals and risk tolerance, and IG builds and manages a diversified portfolio for you. The all-in fee is 0.62% per year. Good for investors who want professional management without the high fees of a traditional financial adviser.
The share dealing commission structure is straightforward: £8 per trade for UK shares, dropping to £3 per trade if you make three or more trades in the previous month. US shares are commission-free (you just pay the FX conversion). That's competitive but not the cheapest — Trading 212 offers zero commission, for example. But IG gives you access to a far wider range of markets and the trust of a FTSE 250 listed company.
April 2026 Offers — New Client Promotions
IG is running some strong promotions for new clients this month. If you've been considering opening an IG account, April 2026 is a good time to do it. Here are the current offers:
🎁 Free Share Bundle Worth £50–£500
New share dealing clients who invest at least £500 during April receive a randomly allocated bundle of US shares worth between £50 and £500. You'll need to maintain the £500 invested until 31 July 2026, and submit your W-8BEN form by the same date.
Promotion runs 1–30 April 2026. Reward credited by 31 August 2026. Full T&Cs apply.
Claim Free Shares💰 Up to £250 Cashback on Your Investments
Invest at least £500 during April and receive cashback based on the amount you invest:
| Amount Invested | Cashback |
|---|---|
| £500 – £2,999 | £50 |
| £3,000 – £9,999 | £150 |
| £10,000 or more | £250 |
You'll need to maintain at least £500 invested until 31 October 2026. Cashback is calculated on your average investment value over the holding period.
Promotion runs 1–30 April 2026. Cashback credited by 30 November 2026. New share dealing clients only.
Get Up to £250 Cashback🔄 1% Cashback on ISA & Investment Transfers
Transferring an existing investment account to IG? New customers who open a GIA, ISA, or SIPP and transfer in at least £5,000 will receive 1% cashback on the total transfer value, up to a maximum of £5,000 cashback.
That means transferring £100,000 earns you £1,000 in cashback. Transferring £500,000+ earns the maximum £5,000.
Promotion runs 6 April – 31 May 2026. Minimum transfer £5,000. Holding period until 31 May 2027. No trades may be placed before submitting the transfer form.
Transfer & Get 1% BackImportant: These offers are for new IG clients only. You can only use one promotion code per account. If you're transferring an existing ISA or SIPP, the 1% transfer cashback is particularly valuable for larger portfolios. For smaller amounts, the free share bundle or the £250 cashback offer may give you more value relative to your investment size.
Spread Betting & CFDs
While IG's share dealing side is impressive, they remain primarily a spread betting and CFD broker — and this is where their experience and market depth really shows. With over 17,000 markets, IG offers more tradable instruments than almost any other retail broker.
For UK traders, IG offers both spread betting (profits exempt from capital gains tax under current HMRC rules) and CFD trading. The spread betting is a major draw — like Pepperstone, IG lets UK residents trade tax-free on indices, forex, commodities, and shares.
Typical Spreads
| Instrument | IG Spread | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.6 pips | Fixed during market hours |
| GBP/USD | 0.9 pips | Fixed during market hours |
| US30 (Wall Street) | 1.4 points | During US session |
| UK 100 (FTSE) | 1.0 point | During London session |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | 0.3 points | Variable |
| Crude Oil | 2.8 points | Variable |
I'll be direct: IG's spreads are wider than what you'll get on Pepperstone's Razor account or IC Markets' Raw Spread account. On EUR/USD, IG's 0.6 pips compares to 0.0–0.3 pips + commission on Pepperstone. On US30, IG's 1.4 points versus Pepperstone's 1.0–2.4 points is comparable, but IC Markets typically offers 0.8–1.4 points.
For active scalpers and high-frequency traders, that spread difference adds up. But IG has compensating advantages: the platform stability is exceptional (critical during volatile markets), the range of markets is unmatched, and the overnight funding rates are transparent and competitive. For swing traders doing a handful of trades per week, the slightly wider spreads are a non-issue compared to the overall platform quality.
IG also offers guaranteed stops on many markets — you pay a small premium, but your stop is guaranteed to execute at your specified price even if the market gaps through it. During events like flash crashes or surprise economic data, that can save you from catastrophic slippage. Neither Pepperstone nor IC Markets offers this feature.
Trading Platforms
IG's proprietary trading platform with advanced charting tools
IG Trading Platform (Web & Mobile)
IG's proprietary platform is clean, modern, and genuinely well-designed. The charting is powered by a partnership with TradingView's technology, giving you access to advanced charting tools, 100+ indicators, and drawing tools within IG's own interface. The mobile app is one of the best in the industry — fast, responsive, and feature-complete. You can place trades, set alerts, manage your portfolio, and access research all from your phone.
IG's mobile app — full-featured trading on the go
ProRealTime
For advanced technical analysis, IG offers ProRealTime — a professional-grade charting platform that's normally a paid subscription but comes free with IG if you place at least four trades per month. ProRealTime's backtesting and automated trading capabilities are excellent, and it's the preferred platform for many serious technical traders.
MetaTrader 4
IG supports MT4 for traders who prefer it, with the same competitive pricing. If you're running existing MT4 EAs or indicators, they'll work on IG without modification. However, IG doesn't offer MT5 — if MetaTrader 5 is important to you, Pepperstone or IC Markets are better choices.
Notable absence: IG doesn't offer direct TradingView integration for trade execution (where you connect your broker account to TradingView and trade from TradingView charts). If this is important to your workflow, Pepperstone is the standout choice among FCA-regulated brokers.
Fees & Charges
Trading Fees
- Spread betting & CFDs: No commission — costs are built into the spread
- UK shares: £8 per trade (£3 if 3+ trades in previous month)
- US shares: Commission-free
- Other international shares: From 0.10% commission per trade
Account Fees
- ISA custody fee: £24 per quarter (waived if you make 3+ trades that quarter)
- SIPP fee: 0.25% per year on first £250,000
- Smart Portfolios: 0.62% all-in annual fee
- Inactivity fee: £12/month after 2 years of no trading (spread betting/CFD account only)
- Currency conversion: 0.5% on non-GBP trades
The inactivity fee is worth flagging — if you open a spread betting or CFD account but don't trade for two years, IG will charge £12 per month. This doesn't apply to share dealing, ISA, or SIPP accounts. If you're planning to be an occasional trader, keep this in mind. Neither Pepperstone nor IC Markets charges an inactivity fee.
Regulation & Is IG Safe for UK Investors?
IG is arguably the safest retail broker available to UK clients. Here's why:
FCA regulated since 1974 — IG Markets Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under firm reference number 195355. Over fifty years of continuous FCA regulation is a track record that no other retail broker can match.
FTSE 250 listed company — as a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange, IG is subject to UK corporate governance requirements, independent auditing, and quarterly financial reporting. Their finances are public. You can see exactly how much revenue they generate, what their reserves are, and how the business is performing. This level of transparency is a significant advantage over privately held brokers.
FSCS protection — eligible deposits are covered up to £85,000 per client if IG were to fail. For share dealing accounts, your shares are held in nominee accounts — they're your assets, separated from IG's own funds. In the unlikely event IG went bankrupt, your shares would still be yours.
Segregated client funds — client money is held in segregated accounts at tier-1 banks, completely separate from IG's operating capital, in compliance with FCA CASS rules.
Negative balance protection — you cannot lose more than your account balance on spread betting and CFD accounts, as required by FCA rules for retail clients.
For context: Pepperstone has direct FCA regulation (since 2015), while IC Markets operates under CySEC regulation for EU/UK clients with €20,000 ICF coverage. IG's combination of FCA regulation, FTSE 250 listing, and 50+ year track record makes it the gold standard for broker safety in the UK.
IG Academy & Education
This is IG's secret weapon and one of the main reasons I'd recommend them to anyone starting out in trading or investing. IG Academy is the most comprehensive free education platform offered by any broker — and it's not even close.
The academy covers everything from absolute beginner content ("what is a share?", "how does forex trading work?") through to advanced technical analysis, options strategies, and risk management. The courses are structured with progress tracking, quizzes, and certificates. The production quality is high — professional video content, well-written articles, and interactive exercises.
Beyond the academy, IG publishes daily market analysis, weekly webinars, and has a dedicated analyst team producing research content. Their "The Week Ahead" show is genuinely useful for understanding what macro events might move markets in the coming week.
For comparison: Pepperstone's education is decent but limited. IC Markets' education is minimal. IG's education alone justifies opening an account if you're still learning the fundamentals of trading or investing. For advanced strategies, market analysis, and trading techniques, that's what ChartsView is here for — use IG to learn the basics, use us to take your trading to the next level.
Deposits & Withdrawals
IG offers the standard range of UK funding methods:
- Bank transfer — no fees, 1-3 business days
- Debit card — instant deposits, no fees
- Apple Pay / Google Pay — instant deposits
The minimum deposit is £250 for a spread betting or CFD account. Share dealing accounts have no minimum deposit, though you'll obviously need enough to buy at least one share.
Withdrawals are typically processed within one business day. Bank transfers arrive in 2-3 working days. No withdrawal fees.
One thing to note: IG doesn't support PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller. If you need e-wallet support, Pepperstone offers PayPal.
IG vs Pepperstone vs IC Markets — Which Should You Choose?
These three brokers serve different needs. Here's how they compare based on real experience:
| Category | IG | Pepperstone | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Regulation | FCA + FTSE 250 listed | FCA (£85k FSCS) | CySEC (€20k ICF) |
| EUR/USD Spread | 0.6 pips (no commission) | 0.0–0.3 pips + $7 RT | 0.0–0.2 pips + $7 RT |
| US30 Spread | 1.4 points | 1.0–2.4 points | 0.8–1.4 points |
| Share Dealing / ISA | Yes | No | No |
| TradingView Trading | No | Full integration | No |
| Spread Betting | Yes (tax-free) | Yes (tax-free) | No |
| Guaranteed Stops | Yes | No | No |
| Markets Available | 17,000+ | 1,400+ | 2,250+ |
| Education | Best in class | Decent | Basic |
| Min. Deposit | £250 | No minimum | $200 |
| Our Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 |
Choose IG if: you want share dealing, ISA, or SIPP alongside spread betting. You value the safety of a FTSE 250 listed broker. You want the best education platform. You want guaranteed stops. You need the widest range of markets.
Choose Pepperstone if: tight raw spreads and TradingView integration are your priorities. You want the lowest possible trading costs with strong FCA regulation. You're an active trader who values execution speed.
Choose IC Markets if: raw execution speed is everything. You're an EA/algo trader who needs the tightest possible spreads and Equinix NY4 colocation.
My view: there's no single "best" broker — it depends on what you need. I use Pepperstone for my discretionary TradingView trading and IC Markets for automated strategies. If I were building a long-term investment portfolio alongside my trading, IG is where I'd hold my ISA. Many experienced traders use two or three brokers, each for what they do best.
Who IG Is Best For
Great For
- ✅ UK investors wanting share dealing + ISA + SIPP
- ✅ Beginners — IG Academy is unmatched
- ✅ Safety-conscious traders (FTSE 250, FCA, 50+ years)
- ✅ UK spread bettors wanting tax-free profits
- ✅ Traders who want guaranteed stops
- ✅ People wanting one platform for trading AND investing
Not Ideal For
- ❌ Scalpers who need the tightest raw spreads
- ❌ TradingView users wanting direct trade execution
- ❌ MT5 users (IG only offers MT4)
- ❌ Ultra-low-latency algo traders
- ❌ Traders who dislike inactivity fees
The Drawbacks — Being Honest
No broker is perfect. Here's where IG falls short:
Wider spreads than specialist brokers. IG's 0.6 pip EUR/USD spread is decent, but Pepperstone and IC Markets offer raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips. For high-frequency traders, this cost difference is significant over time. For occasional traders, it's negligible.
No TradingView integration for trade execution. While IG's own charting uses TradingView technology under the hood, you can't connect your IG account to TradingView and trade directly from TradingView charts the way you can with Pepperstone. If TradingView is central to your workflow, this is a dealbreaker.
No MT5. IG supports MT4 but not MetaTrader 5. If you need MT5 for backtesting with the Strategy Tester, multi-currency EAs, or the MQL5 ecosystem, you'll need Pepperstone or IC Markets.
Inactivity fee on trading accounts. £12/month after two years of no trading on your spread betting or CFD account. This doesn't apply to share dealing, ISA, or SIPP accounts, but it's still worth knowing about.
ISA custody fee. £24 per quarter if you make fewer than 3 trades. Most competitors (Trading 212, AJ Bell via their fee-free option) don't charge custody fees on ISAs. However, IG waives this if you're an active trader, which most ChartsView readers would be.
Higher minimum deposit for trading. £250 minimum for spread betting/CFD accounts versus no minimum at Pepperstone. Not a huge barrier, but worth noting if you're starting very small.
Final Verdict: 4.5/5
IG is the most complete broker available to UK clients. No other single platform offers the combination of FCA-regulated spread betting and CFDs, share dealing with ISA and SIPP wrappers, smart portfolios, the best education in the industry, and the safety of a FTSE 250 listed company with a 50-year track record.
Is it the cheapest for active forex or index trading? No — Pepperstone and IC Markets both offer tighter raw spreads. But if you want a single broker where you can trade indices tax-free via spread betting AND build a long-term ISA portfolio AND access the best educational resources in the industry, IG is the clear choice.
The April 2026 promotions make now an excellent time to open an account — the free share bundle (code: FS500), up to £250 cashback (code: CASHBACK250), and the 1% ISA transfer cashback (code: TRANSFER5K) are among the best new client offers currently available from any UK broker.
Bottom line: If you want one broker that does everything — trading, investing, ISA, SIPP, education — IG is it. If you're primarily a short-term trader wanting the tightest possible spreads, pair IG's investing side with Pepperstone or IC Markets for your active trading.
Open an IG AccountSpread bets and CFDs are complex instruments. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IG regulated by the FCA?
Yes. IG Markets Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 195355. IG Group is also listed on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 250 company (ticker: IGG.L), providing additional transparency and regulatory oversight. UK clients benefit from FSCS protection up to £85,000.
Does IG offer a Stocks and Shares ISA?
Yes. IG offers a Stocks and Shares ISA with access to UK, US, and international shares plus ETFs and investment trusts. The annual ISA allowance is £20,000 for 2026/27. There's a custody fee of £24 per quarter, which is waived if you make three or more trades in that quarter. All gains and dividends within the ISA are tax-free.
What are IG's current promotions for April 2026?
IG has three promotions running in April 2026: (1) Free share bundle worth £50–£500 when you invest £500+ using code FS500, (2) Up to £250 cashback on investments using code CASHBACK250, and (3) 1% cashback on ISA and investment transfers of £5,000+ using code TRANSFER5K (runs until 31 May 2026). These are for new IG clients only.
Is IG spread betting tax-free?
Under current UK tax rules, spread betting profits are exempt from capital gains tax and stamp duty. IG offers spread betting on forex, indices, commodities, shares, and more. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances — consult a tax professional if you're unsure about your situation.
How does IG compare to Pepperstone?
IG offers a broader product range including share dealing, ISA, and SIPP alongside spread betting and CFDs. Pepperstone offers tighter raw spreads and direct TradingView integration for trade execution. Both are FCA regulated. IG is better for investors who want trading and investing in one place; Pepperstone is better for active traders focused on tight spreads and TradingView workflow. See our Pepperstone review for a detailed comparison.
What is IG's minimum deposit?
IG's minimum deposit for a spread betting or CFD account is £250. Share dealing accounts (GIA, ISA, SIPP) have no minimum deposit — you can invest any amount, though you'll need enough to purchase at least one share. Card deposits are processed instantly.
Does IG offer a demo account?
Yes, IG offers a free demo account with £10,000 in virtual funds. The demo replicates live market conditions and lets you practise on the IG platform, ProRealTime, and MT4 before risking real money. It's a good way to explore the platform and test strategies risk-free.
Disclaimer: This review reflects the research and analysis of the ChartsView editorial team. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with IG. You should consider whether you understand how these instruments work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
ChartsView may receive compensation from IG if you open an account through links on this page — this does not affect our review or rating.
Last updated: April 2026. We review and update our broker reviews regularly to ensure accuracy.