IG Markets Reviews 2024: Features, Cost & Alternatives

Bizreport - Kellan Jansen
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Reviewed by Kristina Knight, Journalist , BA
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IG markets
Editor Rating:
4.5
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Our references are based on the analysis and synthesis philosophy, which are conducted by a team of experienced and well-qualified researchers.

  • Cost Value
  • Customer Service
  • Ease of Use
  • Included Features

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  • Trading platform
  • Offers many asset classes
  • Focuses on online trading

Pros

  • Extensive range of offerings
  • Accepts U.S. clients
  • IG research and education are strong
  • Offers protection for UK  and EU clients

Cons

  • Has a $250 account minimum
  • Trading platforms limited for U.S. customers
  • Has inactivity and overnight fees
  • Accepts U.S. clients for Forex trading
  • Serves clients across the world
  • Has many tier-1 and tier-2 licenses
  • Founded in 1974
  • Based in London
  • Offers affordable fees
IG REVIEWS

IG trading is a proven platform that has been offering various trading instruments and trading ideas to clients across the globe since the 1970s. It offers forex and CFD trading, as well as securities and trading spread bets. But the specific offerings you have access to will vary based on the region of your trading account.

IG provides direct market access to a web trading platform with nearly 20,000 pairs to choose from. This makes it a viable option for both retail investor accounts and more sophisticated trading accounts and financial markets.

The online broker is also licensed by many financial markets authority licensors. This gives clients complete confidence that IG platforms are not scam platforms, which means even beginner traders can access what IG offers with confidence.

IG Advantages

If you’re looking for a forex broker, bank account, or access to spread betting and assets on the London Stock Exchange, IG could be for you. Here’s a closer look at the trading app and some of its key benefits.

Educational Tools

IG academy offers some of the best learning materials for any online broker. With the IG academy, you can learn how to trade like the IG pros and how to think more intelligently about IG securities, currency pairs, and forex and CFDs trading in general.

Portfolio Analysis 

With IG Smart portfolios, investing for the long term has never been easier. The web trading platform will also analyze your portfolio to help you understand the risks and rewards associated with your assets.

L2 dealer, ProRealTime & MT4 

Like other brokers, IG offers access to some of the top trading apps for forex trading directly on its web trading platform. This includes L2 dealer, ProRealTime, and MT4, among other forex brokers and live account options.

Alerts & Risk Management Tools

The web trading platform features some nice basic risk management tools. These include price alerts, stop losses, and other simple tools that align with the industry average for what other brokers offer.

Mobile App

IG offers a mobile app that’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices. This includes a mobile trading platform, which provides access to the same stock exchange options, retail CFD accounts, and IG group trading options.

Demo Account

You can set up a demo account with IG bank to learn more about how publicly traded Australian securities, Sweden forex, and other currency pairs tend to move with one another. This is a good way to get used to the spread betting platform as well without a minimum deposit.

IG Markets Account Types

Whether you’re interested in CFD trading, forex, or assets listed through the national futures association, there’s an account option with the IG entity monetary authority that will likely work for you.

Here’s a closer look at the different account types and the features associated with them, such as IG forex benchmark fees and more.

StandardLimited RiskOptionsProfessional 
FeesTrade spreads from 0.6 points on key FX pairs, 0.8 points on major indices, and 0.1 points on commodities.
Trade spreads from 0.6 points on key FX pairs, 0.8 points on major indices, and 0.1 points on commoditiesTrade spreads from 0.6 points on key FX pairs, 0.8 points on major indices, and 0.1 points on commoditiesTrade spreads from 0.6 points on key FX pairs, 0.8 points on major indices, and 0.1 points on commodities: Included
Minimum DepositVaries based on country of residence (minimum is $250)Varies based on country of residence (minimum is $250)Varies based on country of residence (minimum is $250)Varies based on country of residence (minimum is $250)
MarketsForex, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, commoditiesForex, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, commoditiesForex, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, commoditiesForex, indices, cryptocurrencies, shares, commodities
CommissionsFloating spread from 0.6 pipsFloating spread from 0.6 pipsFloating spread from 0.6 pipsFloating spread from 0.6 pips
Trade sizeStarting at 1 micro lotStarting at 1 micro lotStarting at 1 micro lotStarting at 1 micro lot
LeverageUp to 1:50 depending on the countryUp to 1:30Up to 1:100Up to 1:250

IG Standard Account

The standard account is best for casual traders. It gives you access to most of what IG has to offer, including forex, CFD, securities, and high-quality customer support. Your minimum deposit will vary based on the country you’re in.

IG Limited Risk Account

The IG Limited Risk Account is a good fit for traders who are risk-averse. This type of account helps you protect your own money and avoid losing money rapidly by removing some of the riskiest trading options on the platform.

IG Options Account

If you want to trade options, then this is the account for you. Your trading fees and available options will vary based on the country that you’re in. But forex fees and other IG fees through the financial sector conduct authority tend to remain about the same.

IG Professional Account

If you’re an experienced trader, then IG professional account is likely going to be your best option. You’ll get access to all types of trading and assets under every federal financial supervisory authority, along with some excellent customer support and advanced features.

IG Quick Overview

IG markets

4.5 stars

Best Overall Value

  • Many account types to choose from
  • Helpful IG education tools for learning
  • Access to nearly 20,000 trading pairs

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IG Customer Reviews

IG REVIEWS (1)

Literally every day I have great experience working with IG. My correspondence with IG staff is replied to immediately in avery personal manner. The money transfers are handled very promptly without any delay or glitch. I am very impressed. Thanks for their superb customer service.

GURTARSEM PANNU

I have been with IG since 1994 and have been an active trader since then They have been absolutely’best in class’and I have no hesitation recommending them.

Kingsley

Their charts are excellent! Fees were confusing. I opened a CFD position. Not a very large one with £500 deposited into my account. Must have had about £100 in a trade. Made a few £ then realised I was down £75 still because of the charges. I use another broker and fees must be rolled in as this is ludicrous. I must have used the account for 30 mins tops and took my money and won’t return.

Jordan

IG agents are very efficient in customer service, I am very grateful.

Fausto

IG Reviews

Review of IG Markets

Overall Pricing and Value
90%
90%
Cost Value
85%
85%
Customer Support
95%
95%
Ease of Use
90%
90%
Included Features
90%
90%

Is This Brand Right For You?

IG is a good trading platform for many types of people. It has some excellent teaching resources that can help you with everything from learning how spread bets work to guiding you through your first forex trade.

There are plenty of account types to choose from as well, all of which offer licensed access to many unique asset pairs. The platform can sometimes be difficult to figure out when you’re just getting started, but once you learn it, you should have no problem achieving all of your trading goals on IG.

Cost Value 

The cost value for IG depends on the kinds of assets you want to trade. For example, there are high-share CFD fees. But forex and securities fees tend to be reasonable. You also won’t have any fees when you withdraw money, which is nice.

That being said, there are some fees for things like overnight financing and inactivity. So be sure you’re familiar with the rules of IG Australia, the UK, or the US before you start trading. You can also look at your bank statements through the platform to ensure you don’t have any unexpected charges on the bank statement you need to worry about. 

Customer Service

IG has good customer support. You can reach someone on the phone 24 hours per day, five days per week. The company also offers support through Twitter and email, and it has some good FAQs on the website.

Ease of Use

IG can be a bit complicated if you’re not an experienced trader. However, it also offers plenty of educational resources, which makes it easy to learn what you need to know to start getting more out of the platform.

Included Features

IG includes just about any feature you could want on a trading platform. It has advanced trading tools and enough automation to make life easy for beginners as well. It’s also licensed by many regulatory institutions, including the Bermuda Monetary Authority, which means you can use these features without worry.

2 Top IG Alternatives

eToroCMC MarketsIG
Avg Spread (Eur/USD)10.510.86
Tradeable Symbols3,45812,37719,537
Tier 1 Licenses257
BankNot includedNot included
DetailRead Review Read Review Read Review
Link

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eToro

eToro was launched in 2007 and is based out of Israel. It offers fewer tradeable symbols and typically has higher fees than IG. However, its platform is very easy to use, and it may be a good option for beginners.

CMC Markets

CMC Markets offers better fees than IG. But it doesn’t have as many tradeable assets or learning resources. It’s a viable alternative to IG but may not have everything you want – especially if you’re a more advanced trader.

Conclusion

Now we’ve reached our IG review summary and it’s time to wrap things up. So, should you use this trading platform? That depends on what you’re looking for.

IG has a very high number of trading pairs and good learning tools. It also has advanced features, multiple account types to choose from, and some solid customer support offerings. 

However, the platform also has a relatively high minimum deposit amount and can be tough for a beginner to learn. That’s why this platform is probably best for experienced traders who are looking for an advanced platform that can accommodate their strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is IG safe to use for trading?

Yes, IG has been around since the 1970s and is fully licensed by regulatory authorities across the planet.

What kinds of trading does IG offer?

IG provides access to securities, forex, options, CFDs, and more. It’s a one-stop shop for most kinds of assets, with nearly 20,000 pairs to choose from.

Is IG available for residents of the United States?

Yes, U.S. residents can use IG. However, they can also access certain kinds of assets and trading options. This is because financial regulations tend to be stricter in the USA than in other countries.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bizreport - Kellan Jansen
Kellan Jansen, BA
Business Writer
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Kellan works with businesses of all sizes to help them achieve their growth goals and has won several awards for his work in the space. He is especially focused on the fields of business finance and the developing cryptocurrency industry, regularly writing about both for audiences across the globe.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Kristina Knight-1
Kristina Knight, Journalist , BA
Content Writer & Editor
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Kristina Knight is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience writing on varied topics. Kristina’s focus for the past 10 years has been the small business, online marketing, and banking sectors, however, she keeps things interesting by writing about her experiences as an adoptive mom, parenting, and education issues. Kristina’s work has appeared with BizReport.com, NBC News, Soaps.com, DisasterNewsNetwork, and many more publications.

+ 5 sources

Bizreport Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Bizreport, you can read more about the editorial process here.

  1. Foreign currency exchange (forex) | Investor.gov. www.investor.gov. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/glossary/foreign-currency-exchange-forex
  2. International Trade Administration. Foreign Exchange Risk | International Trade Administration. www.trade.gov. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.trade.gov/foreign-exchange-risk
  3. IG Academy. IG. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.ig.com/us/learn-to-trade/ig-academy
  4. Forex demo account. IG. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.ig.com/us/demo-account
  5. Fraud Advisory: Foreign Currency (Forex) Fraud | CFTC. www.cftc.gov. Accessed March 13, 2023. https://www.cftc.gov/LearnAndProtect/AdvisoriesAndArticles/fraudadv_forex.html

     

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