Independent broker review · Updated June 11, 2026
IG: the benchmark for derivatives trading? My 2026 review
Half a century in the markets and more than 16,000 of them under one login, the platform built for traders who want the full toolkit, from derivatives to options.
The experienced trader who wants a professional-grade platform and deep markets
Our take
My take on IG
IG started life in 1974, which makes it older than most of the screens its clients trade on today. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and counts its active clients in the hundreds of thousands. What strikes you first is the sheer reach: north of 16,000 derivatives, deep forex, vanilla and barrier options, futures, and a door onto tens of thousands of markets. For someone who likes options on the table, there is a lot here.
I keep coming back to it for one reason. When you want to trade seriously, you want the things IG quietly gets right, the backing of a listed company, a platform that holds up under load, pricing you can read without a magnifying glass. It was never built to be the lightest broker on the block, and that is the whole point: this is a serious machine for people who want to use it.
“IG never set out to be the simplest, it set out to be the most complete, and for the trader who wants every market in one place, it delivers. ”
— Roch de Montesquieu, Research Analyst · Fees, Data, Transparency
Why trust HelloBrokers?
This review is not a copy-paste of IG's marketing page. We tested the platforms, modelled the cost of a typical trade down to the pip, and benchmarked IG against the 13 brokers in our comparison. A broker is judged on verifiable figures, not marketing promises.
The essentials
IG at a glance
Key characteristics, verified on June 11, 2026.
Safety & regulation
Is your money safe?
IG is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK, carries further licences around the world (ASIC in Australia, BaFin in Germany among them) and trades on the London Stock Exchange. A public listing comes with its own discipline, audited accounts and the kind of scrutiny most private brokers never face. Client funds sit in segregated accounts, and negative balance protection applies on leveraged products for retail clients. As regulatory settings go, this is about as solid as it gets.
🔒 HelloBrokers safety score: 4.8 / 5
Fees & spreads
What does it really cost?
Its cost against the average of the brokers we track (shorter bar = cheaper).
IG runs two lanes, and it pays to know which one you are in. On investing, stocks and ETFs trade at zero commission with a floor of $5 in Europe and $15 in the US, and the securities account converts currency at zero, which quietly saves you money on every overseas position. On the trading side, the cost lives in the spread, and IG's are among the tightest you will find, from 0.05% on share derivatives and 0.016% on indices.
That split plays straight into the hands of the active trader, which is where IG earns its keep. The zero currency conversion on the securities account is the kind of detail that compounds in your favour over a year of trades. IG knows exactly what it is, a trading house first, and prices the part it does best.
| Account | Min. deposit | Spread from | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Securities account (investing) Physical stocks and ETFs, zero currency conversion. Around 6,000 stocks and 2,000+ ETFs. | $0 | 0 commission (min $5 in Europe, $15 in the US) | Per-order minimum |
| Derivatives account (forex / trading) 16,000+ derivative markets, options and futures. Negative balance protection for retail clients. | $0 (≈ $1,000 recommended) | From 0.6 pip on EUR/USD | Built into the spread (stocks: from 0.05%) |
| Professional account Higher leverage for clients who meet the experience and capital thresholds. | Eligibility criteria apply | Same grid, higher leverage | Built into the spread |
See spreads by asset in detail
| Asset | Raw account | Standard account |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | From 0.6 pip | Variable in volatility |
| GBP/USD | From 0.9 pip | Variable in volatility |
| Wall Street (US 30) | From 1 point | Variable in volatility |
| FTSE 100 | From 1 point | Variable in volatility |
| Germany 40 | From 1 point | Variable in volatility |
| Gold (spot) | From 0.3 point | Variable in volatility |
| Stocks (derivatives) | From 0.05% | Per side |
| Stocks / ETFs (cash) | 0 commission (min $5 EU / $15 US) | Zero currency conversion |
Simulator
And for your trading volume?
Drag the slider: we compute the estimated annual cost (spread + commission, standard EUR/USD lots).
That is $360 saved per year against the market average.
Indicative estimate: cost per round-turn lot ≈ $10 (IG, spread-based on the majors), $8 (Eightcap, Raw account), $13 (average of the brokers we track). Spread + commission, excluding swap/overnight. Verified June 2026.
Instruments & markets covered
Instruments & markets covered
The catalogue is one of the deepest you will come across, around 6,000 stocks, 2,000+ ETFs, more than 16,000 derivatives, vanilla and barrier options, roughly a hundred futures and some thirty cryptos traded as derivatives. Finding this many asset classes and instruments behind a single login is rare, and it means you rarely have to leave the platform to find the market you want.
Cash stocks and ETFs sit alongside the trading desk, so an investor and a trader can run their whole book in one place. The interface is rich and you can bend it to your habits, and the time you put into learning it pays back fast. This is a professional's tool, built to match the ambitions of people who trade with intent.
See instruments by class in detail
| Asset class | Count | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Derivatives | 16,000+ | Stocks, indices, commodities |
| Stocks / ETFs | 6,000 · 2,000+ | Cash investing (per-order minimum) |
| Currencies (Forex) | Wide range | Tight spreads on the majors |
| Options / Futures | Yes · 100+ | Vanilla and barrier options |
| Cryptocurrencies | ~33 | As derivatives only |
What IG offers
Capabilities, in plain terms
Covered, partial or not covered. No spin.
- Cash stocks / securities account ✓ Yes Around 6,000 stocks and 2,000+ ETFs, physical ownership
- Forex, index and commodity trading ✓ Yes 16,000+ derivative markets, tight spreads
- Options and futures ✓ Yes Vanilla and barrier options, 100+ futures, rare among retail brokers
- Cryptocurrencies ~ Partial Around 33 cryptos as derivatives, no direct custody
- MetaTrader 4 ✓ Yes Plus ProRealTime, L2 Dealer (DMA) and the IG platform
- TradingView integration ✓ Yes
- Demo account ✓ Yes Free, practise on every market
- Zero currency conversion (securities account) ✓ Yes 0% FX on the investing account
Trading platforms
Trading platforms
-
IG platform (web & mobile)
- Proprietary web platform and iOS/Android apps
- Tens of thousands of markets in one interface
- Custom watchlists, alerts and integrated charts
- Cash investing and derivatives in the same login
-
ProRealTime
- Advanced charting and technical analysis
- Automated trading via ProBuilder / ProBacktest
- Free for clients trading four or more times a month
- 200+ indicators and drawing tools
-
MetaTrader 4
- Expert Advisors (automated trading)
- Custom indicators and scripts
- Free, mobile iOS/Android
- Familiar to forex traders
-
L2 Dealer (DMA)
- Direct market access onto the order books
- Full depth of market
- Algorithmic orders, price alerts
- For advanced share and forex traders
Who this broker is for
Who this broker is for
-
Active / expert trader
The platform IG was built for: 16,000+ derivative markets, options and futures, tight spreads on indices and forex, direct market access via L2 Dealer and automation through MT4 or ProRealTime. The depth of the offering and the solidity of a listed player make it a first-rate choice.
-
Multi-asset investor
A cash securities account with around 6,000 stocks and 2,000+ ETFs, zero currency conversion, alongside a full trading desk. Ideal for an investor who also wants to trade derivatives without juggling two brokers.
-
Beginner with a simple ETF portfolio
The free demo account is a clean way to learn the platform before going live, and the zero currency conversion on the securities account keeps a starter ETF portfolio simple and cheap to run as it grows.
Comparison
IG vs other brokers
The right choice depends on your profile. Here is how IG stands against the brokers we feature.
① The HelloBrokers ranking
overall score /5 · click to read the review
Eightcap 🏆 Editor's choice 4.9 Read the review → #2 
eToro 👥 The social trading leader 4.8 Read the review → #3 
Vantage 💎 Excellent value for money 4.8 Read the review → #4 
Avatrade 🎯 Versatile and complete 4.8 Read the review → #5 
XTB Commission-free stocks 4.6 Read the review → #10 
IG Very complete offering 4.3 You are here ② Cost / quality positioning
HelloBrokers score × fee levelQualitative positioning based on our scores and pricing grids. Top right = high score for low fees.
What users say
What clients are saying
Synthesis of public reviews. Representative excerpts, abridged.
Stable and reliable platform even in agitated markets, execution keeps up.
Trustpilot review · client for 5 years
Market depth and the professional tools make the difference once you are past the learning curve.
Reddit sentiment · paraphrased
The verdict
The verdict
IG is a benchmark for the active trader, and it has earned the label. The depth of the derivatives offering, the polish of the platform and the weight of a listed company behind it make it a first-rate home for anyone working with derivatives, forex or options. For that trader it's a clear, unreserved yes. The cash securities account, with zero currency conversion, lets the same person hold stocks and ETFs without opening a second broker. Our 8.6/10 rating reflects the breadth and the seriousness of an offering that very few rivals can match.
Get started
Welcome offer
Free demo account to practise on every market
✨ Reduced fees via HelloBrokers
Welcome offerSponsored link · we earn a commission when you open an account at IG through this link.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ IG
Is IG reliable?
Yes. IG is a long-established player founded in 1974 and listed on the London Stock Exchange, one of the largest in the world. The group is authorised and regulated by the FCA in the UK, and holds further licences in markets worldwide (including ASIC and BaFin). Its longevity and listing make it a top-tier name.
Why choose IG?
For the breadth of its trading offering: more than 16,000 derivatives, forex, options and futures, on one of the most complete professional platforms on the market. It's a trader's choice rather than a passive saver's.
What are the fees at IG?
On stocks/ETFs: 0 commission with a minimum ($5 in Europe, $15 in the US). On derivatives: tight spreads (from 0.05% on shares, 0.016% on indices). Currency conversion is zero on the securities account.
Who is IG for?
Above all the active, experienced trader who wants access to a very wide range of markets and tools, with the breadth to grow into options, futures and direct market access as your strategy develops.
Is it easy to withdraw from IG?
Yes, withdrawals are free. IG is known for its pricing transparency; the account is also closed after two years of inactivity rather than charged.
Sources
- IG pricing terms — ig.com, fees and conditions, accessed 5 June 2026
- FCA / ASIC / BaFin regulation — IG Group, regulated by the FCA (UK) with further licences worldwide; group listed in London
The author of this review
Who wrote this analysis?