IG Markets Review 2026 – Trusted Forex & CFD Broker
Summary: IG Markets is one of the world’s oldest and most reputable forex and CFD brokers, founded in 1974. Regulated by top-tier authorities globally, IG offers over 17,000 financial instruments and professional-grade trading tools.
What Is IG Markets?
IG Group is a global leader in online trading, founded in 1974 as the world’s first spread betting company. Today, IG serves over 300,000 active clients worldwide and offers trading on forex, stocks, indices, commodities, cryptocurrencies, and more. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Key Features
- ✅ Over 17,000 tradable instruments
- ✅ Regulated by FCA, ASIC, NFA, and more
- ✅ Supports MetaTrader 4 and proprietary platform
- ✅ Advanced charting with 117 technical indicators
- ✅ Direct Market Access (DMA) available
- ✅ Competitive spreads from 0.6 pips on major forex pairs
Fees and Pricing
IG operates a spread-based pricing model for most instruments. Forex spreads start at 0.6 pips for EUR/USD. Share CFD commissions start at £10 or 0.1% (whichever is greater) for UK shares. There is a data subscription fee for premium market data feeds.
Regulation and Safety
IG is regulated by the FCA in the UK, ASIC in Australia, NFA in the USA, and regulated in multiple other jurisdictions worldwide. Client funds are held in segregated accounts. IG is also listed on the LSE, providing additional transparency.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional range of 17,000+ instruments
- Top-tier regulation in multiple jurisdictions
- Professional trading tools and platforms
- Excellent educational resources (IG Academy)
- MetaTrader 4 supported
Cons
- Not ideal for beginners — complex platform
- Higher minimum deposit for some accounts
- Inactivity fee after 2 years
Our Verdict
IG Markets is our top pick for experienced traders looking for a comprehensive, well-regulated platform with access to the widest range of instruments available. Its nearly 50-year track record and multi-regulatory status make it one of the most trustworthy names in the industry.
Overall Rating: 4.7/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Risk Warning: 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/or CFDs with IG.