IG Review 2026

The FTSE 250 listing provides a level of accountability unmatched by privately-held brokers. Quarterly earnings are publicly available, accounts are audited by Big 4 firms, institutional shareholders provide governance, and executive compensation is tied to performance. With a £3+ billion market cap and 2,500+ employees across 17 countries, IG operates at a scale that ensures stability.

IG positions itself as the premium choice for serious traders who value quality over rock-bottom pricing. They compete not on headline spreads but on platform depth (ProRealTime, L2 Dealer), research quality (industry-leading analysis), regulatory standing (50 years with the FCA), and market breadth (17,000+ instruments — the largest selection available). For traders who understand the total cost of trading, this value proposition makes sense.

The broker particularly suits three profiles: UK residents wanting tax-free spread betting combined with professional-grade tools, research-driven traders who value in-house analysis and education, and platform power users who need ProRealTime charting or direct market access via L2 Dealer.

The EUR/USD spread from 0.6 pips is competitive for an FCA-regulated broker of IG's calibre. When you factor in the all-in costs — including commissions, platform fees, and data charges that discount brokers often add separately — IG frequently works out comparable. The key is evaluating total cost, not headline spreads alone.

Stock CFD commissions are where costs can accumulate. At 0.1% with a $10 minimum, a $5,000 trade costs $10 (0.2% effective) while a $50,000 trade costs $50 (0.1% effective). This structure favours larger position sizes. For smaller stock trades, the minimum charge is proportionally expensive compared to commission-free alternatives.

The $12 monthly inactivity fee only kicks in after 24 consecutive months of zero trading — more generous than most competitors who charge after 3-12 months. One trade every two years avoids it entirely. For UK spread bettors, the tax savings on profits make IG cost-effective despite any marginal spread differences. Factor in free ProRealTime access (worth £360/year at standalone pricing) and the total value proposition strengthens considerably.

ProRealTime is the standout. With 100+ technical indicators, pattern recognition technology, automated trading via ProOrder, market screener capabilities, and backtesting tools, it rivals standalone charting services that charge £200-400/year. IG includes it free with 4+ trades per month. For technical analysts and system traders, this alone justifies choosing IG over competitors with marginally tighter spreads.

The proprietary IG Trading Platform is genuinely comprehensive — not merely adequate. The charting is extensive, research integration is seamless with real-time market analysis and trading signals built directly in, and risk management tools include guaranteed stops. It has won multiple industry awards, and those awards are deserved. Available on web, desktop, and mobile with consistent feature parity.

L2 Dealer targets professional traders needing direct market access. Level 2 order book visibility, direct exchange access, and algorithmic trading support make IG viable for traders who would otherwise need specialist DMA brokers. MT4 rounds out the offering for Expert Advisor users with existing automated strategies. The only notable absence is MT5, though for most retail traders this is a non-issue given the alternatives available.

The 4.4/5 rating reflects exceptional safety (4.9), unmatched instrument range (4.8), industry-leading research (4.7), and strong platforms (4.6), balanced against above-average costs (3.8). IG excels at their core focus — premium CFD trading, spread betting, and share dealing for serious traders — while accepting they're not competing for the lowest-cost segment.

IG isn't for everyone, and that's by design. The $250 minimum deposit, $12 monthly inactivity fee (after 24 months), and stock CFD commissions suit traders with medium to large accounts who trade regularly. Complete beginners may find the platform depth overwhelming, and crypto-focused traders will be disappointed by the 11-coin selection.

For UK spread bettors specifically, the tax savings justify IG even at premium pricing. Profitable traders save thousands annually in capital gains tax — over a career, this amounts to six figures. Add free ProRealTime access (worth £360/year), L2 Dealer for DMA, industry-leading research, and the unmatched safety of a FTSE 250 company regulated for 50 years, and IG delivers genuine value for the right trader profile.