IG Group is one of the most established names in online trading, founded in 1974 and headquartered in the United Kingdom. With over five decades of experience, IG has built a reputation as a highly trusted, globally regulated broker offering access to thousands of financial markets.
Unlike many brokers, IG provides both leveraged trading (CFDs) and real asset investing, making it suitable for a wide range of traders—from beginners to professionals. Its advanced proprietary platform, combined with strong educational resources, positions IG as a premium all-in-one trading solution.
- Minimum Deposit: $1
- Trust Score: 99
- Tradeable Symbols (Total): 19537
| Regulation & Trust | |
| Fees & Pricing | |
| Platforms & Tools | |
| Market Range | |
| Execution | |
| Customer Support | |
| Education | |
| Beginner Friendly |
Table of Contents
My top takeaways for IG GROUP :
- Founded in 1974 (50+ years experience)
- 17,000+ tradable instruments
- Strong Tier 1 regulation (FCA, ASIC, MAS)
- Offers both CFDs and real stocks
- Excellent education and research tools
- Slightly higher fees compared to low-cost brokers
IG GROUP Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Highly regulated globally (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) → very high trust
- ✓Huge market range (17,000+ instruments)
- ✓Industry-leading trading platforms (proprietary + MT4/MT5)
- ✓No minimum deposit required
- ✓Strong reputation and publicly listed company
- ✓Fast and reliable execution
Cons
- ✗Higher spreads compared to low-cost ECN brokers
- ✗Some tools/platforms require additional fees (e.g., ProRealTime)
- ✗Complex fee structure (shares, DMA pricing)
- ✗Inactivity fee after long periods (e.g., 24 months)
- ✗Limited MetaTrader offering compared to competitors
- ✗Not the cheapest option for high-frequency traders
Trading Conditions & Fees
IG operates mainly on a spread-based pricing model, meaning there are no commissions on most forex trades. The average spread on EUR/USD is around 1.0 pips, which is competitive but not the lowest in the industry.
For share trading and DMA accounts, commissions apply depending on the market. While IG may not be the cheapest option, it compensates with reliability, transparency, and premium service quality.
Platforms & Trading Tools
IG offers a powerful suite of platforms:
• IG Trading Platform (Proprietary) – user-friendly and feature-rich
• MetaTrader 4 (MT4) – popular among forex traders
• TradingView Integration – advanced charting and community insights.
The platform experience is one of IG’s strongest points, combining ease of use with professional-grade tools.
Market Access
IG is an industry leader in market variety, offering:
• Forex (80+ pairs)
• Stocks (real shares + CFDs)
• Indices
• Commodities
• Cryptocurrencies
With over 17,000 instruments, IG provides one of the widest selections available.
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 80+ |
| Stocks CFDs | Yes |
| Indices | Yes |
| Commodities | Yes |
| Cryptocurrencies | Yes |
Regulation & Security
The platform experience is one of IG’s strongest points, combining ease of use with professional-grade tools.
• Founded in 1974
• Publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange
• Considered a high-trust forex & CFD broker
• Regulated by several top-tier financial authorities worldwide.
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 8 |
| Tier 2 | 2 |
| Tier 3 | |
| Tier 4 | 1 |
Deposits & Withdrawals
IG supports multiple payment methods including:
• Bank transfers
• Credit/debit cards
• PayPal and e-wallets (region-dependent)
Deposits are usually instant for cards and e-wallets, while withdrawals are processed efficiently with no internal fees.
Main Regulatory Licenses
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| ASIC | Australia |
| FCA | United Kingdom |
| MAS | Singapore |
| BaFin | Germany |
| FINMA | Switzerland |
| DFSA | Dubai |
| JFSA | Japan |
| CFTC/FNA | United States |
Security Features
• Segregated client funds
• Negative balance protection
• Encrypted trading systems and cybersecurity protection
• Strong financial transparency as a publicly traded company
• Maintains regulatory capital requirements
Safety Summary
IG Group is regarded as one of the safest brokers globally due to:
• Long operating history
• Multiple Tier-1 licenses
• Strong financial oversight
• Global reputation in online trading
IG Group First Time Deposit Bonus
Does IG Group Offer a First Deposit Bonus?
Generally, IG Group does not offer a standard forex deposit bonus globally because of strict regulations in many countries. However, IG occasionally runs:
• Welcome bonuses
• Cashback promotions
• Referral rewards
• Share dealing promotions
• Regional deposit campaigns
Examples of Recent Promotions
UK Promotion
• Deposit match up to £200
• Available for selected investment accounts
• Requires opening a new account and meeting trading conditions
Singapore Promotion
Welcome bonus up to S$2,888
Requires:
• New account registration
• Minimum deposit
• Trading volume requirements
Important Note
Bonuses depend on:
• Your country
• Account type
• Current promotions
• Local financial regulations
Many Tier-1 regulated brokers like IG avoid large forex bonuses due to FCA and ASIC restrictions.
Summary
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Standard deposit bonus | Usually No |
| Welcome promotions | Sometimes |
| Cashback offers | Selected regions |
| No deposit bonus | Rare |
Expert Take
IG Group is not trying to be the cheapest broker—it’s designed to be one of the most complete and trustworthy trading platforms in the market.
Its biggest strengths lie in:
• Regulation and trust
• Market variety
• Platform quality
While high-frequency traders may prefer lower-cost ECN brokers, IG is ideal for traders who value security, reliability, and access to global markets. It’s especially strong for beginners and long-term investors.
IG GROUP Star Ratings
| Feature | IG GROUP |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.8/5 |
| Trust Score | 99 |
| Regulation & Trust | 5/5 |
| Fees & Pricing | 4/5 |
| Platforms & Tools | 5/5 |
| Market Range | 5/5 |
| Execution | 5/5 |
| Customer Support | 5/5 |
| Education | 5/5 |
| Beginner Friendly | 5/5 |
Getting Started
How to Open an Account?
- Visit the official IG website
- Complete the registration form
- Verify your identity (KYC process)
- Choose your account type (CFD or investing)
- Fund your account
- Access the platform (web, mobile, or MT4)
- Start trading
Tips for New Users
• Start with a demo account to learn the platform
• Use IG Academy for free education
• Begin with small trades and manage risk carefully
• Explore both CFD trading and long-term investing options
