Daniel Rivers 
IG Overviews
IG is regulated, governed and supervised by reputable financial regulatory bodies. IG is regulated in 6 tier-1 jurisdictions, it’s a low-risk FX and CFDs broker. IG is undoubtedly one of the most trustworthy forex and CFDs brokers in the industry.
Established in 1974, IG is one of the oldest online brokers in the market. Over 48 years later, IG has grown to offer retail investors forex, CFDs, spread betting, and share dealing trading. Such longevity immediately inspires confidence. IG is also listed on the UK stock exchange and included in the FTSE 250 index. This ensures complete transparency regarding its financial health.
- Founded by an investor named Stuart Wheeler
- Headquartered in London, England
- Operated in 20 countries across five continents
- Used by over 230,000 users and traders
- $1.55 million traded volume
IG is one of the world’s leading online trading firms and one of the most experienced brokers in the market. It is a well-regulated online trading platform offering over 19,000 financial instruments.
It is not surprising that IG is a global leader in online trading and currently ranked as the world’s top CFD provider with an extensive product catalog, competitive fees, longstanding business operations, and an excellent industry reputation.
Providing several trading platforms, IG is a broker that will satisfy all traders, whether they are beginners or experts.
Pros and Cons
- Well-reputed global presence
- Wide range of products offered
- Education and research focus
- Offers protection for U.K./E.U. client accounts
- No account protection for U.S. clients
- No guaranteed stop losses for U.S. clients
- No copy trading or back-testing integration on the IG platform
- High share-CFD fees
Is IG Safe? Broker Regulations
In all our broker reviews, we go over the aspect of how safe a broker is, including their regulation, security protocols, and client fund protection.
IG is regulated, governed and supervised by reputable financial regulatory bodies. IG is regulated in 6 tier-1 jurisdictions, it’s a low-risk FX and CFDs broker. IG is undoubtedly one of the most trustworthy forex and CFDs brokers in the industry.
- IG is regulated by the following international authorities:
- Australian Securities & Investment Commission (ASIC)
- Japanese Financial Services Authority (JFSA)
- Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
- Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA)
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Financial Markets Authority (FMA) - New Zealand
- Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
Investors will also be reassured to know that IG client funds are completely segregated from company funds and deposited in regulated banks.
Finally, the broker implements all the necessary computer security technologies to ensure the reliability of its site and platform and protection against hackers.
What Can I Trade with IG?
From traditional markets such as stocks and forex to more advanced markets such as options, bonds, and rates, IG offers access to most of the world’s financial markets. Below you will find more details on the markets and assets available from IG.
- Indices
- Forex
- Cryptocurrencies
- Shares
- Commodities
- Options
- ETF
Indices
IG allows you to trade most of the world’s major stock indices, including extended trading hours. For some indices, it is even possible to trade 24 hours a day.
Among the stock indices available on the IG platform are the most popular such as Dow Jones, FTSE 100, but also the EuroStoxx 50 and various Asian indices.
Forex
You will find all forex currency pairs on the IG platform, from major currency pairs like EUR/USD or USD/JPY to more exotic currencies.
The broker is known for its low spreads and fast execution on forex and allows you to trade currencies via CFD (Contract for Difference), or direct market access, as you wish.
Cryptocurrencies
IG is not a cryptocurrency broker, but it does offer some major cryptos such as Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC).
This allows traders managing diversified portfolios to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency market, which can no longer be ignored from the point of view of all financial experts.
Shares
Share trading is undoubtedly an essential strength of IG, with no less than 13,000 shares available on a wide range of stock exchanges worldwide.
IG is also one of the few online brokers to offer extended trading hours for more than 70 stocks. This allows you to start trading before the markets open and continue after they close. It is also possible to trade stocks via CFD, spread betting, or the traditional way with IG.
Commodities
Commodities are also available at IG, with energy commodities such as WTI oil, Brent oil, or natural gas. It is even possible to trade carbon emission allowances, which is possible with very few brokers. IG also offers access to precious metals, including gold and silver, and soft commodities, including soybeans, coffee, and live cattle.
Other Markets
Finally, the online broker IG also offers access to more advanced markets such as options. This allows you to trade volatility or hedge positions, or government bonds of various countries, on several maturities and ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) to bet on baskets of thematic stocks.
How to Trade with IG?
Unlike many brokers that offer their clients only one trading platform, IG offers a range of options, which will allow all traders, regardless of their profile or experience, to find a platform that perfectly suits their needs. Below are the different trading platforms offered by IG.
The IG Online Platform
IG’s online trading platform can be accessed from any web browser, with no downloads required and a fully secure connection. The trading platform gives you access to real-time quotes and charts that you can use to analyze the market and make trading decisions. No fewer than 28 technical analysis indicators are available on the IG online platform.
You will also find news and analysis integrated into the platform, trading signals, and the IG Live Web TV, which broadcasts market analysis programs three times a day. Finally, you can also set up alerts on the platform and customize it for easier access to the features you need most.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
The MetaTrader 4 platform is the most widely used trading platform globally and is available from many online brokers. The MT4 trading platform is particularly appreciated for its automated trading functions. Indeed, with Expert Advisors, which are automatic trading programs, you can develop strategies that the platform will apply without your intervention.
The MT4 platform also allows you to use thousands of technical indicators. It is highly customizable, and you can add indicators or features from third parties. Finally, the MT4 IG platform is also available for smartphones via a mobile version.
Trading Apps
IG also offers mobile trading apps for Android and iOS smartphones, allowing you to trade on the go. IG mobile trading apps provide all the features you need to run your strategy entirely from your phone, including advanced charts with technical indicators, alerts, and access to multiple markets and thousands of assets.
ProRealTime
ProRealTime is another famous trading platform among the options available at IG. Just as with MT4, you can develop automated trading strategies on ProRealTime, thanks to a simplified tool for creating trading algorithms.
It is also possible to perform advanced backtesting of your strategy with data going back 30 years. Finally, many advanced technical analysis tools and proprietary indicators are available. It is even possible to create your own customized technical indicators on ProRealTime!
L2 Dealer
L2 Dealer is IGs’ direct market access (DMA) platform, which provides direct access to the order books of international exchanges. The L2 Dealer platform also provides advanced information on market volumes and liquidity.
It is important to note that the L2 Dealer platform is not recommended for novice traders. Rather, IG offers it to meet the specific needs of advanced traders using order book analysis
How Can I Open IG Account? A Simple Tutorial
Opening an account is relatively quick and easy. However, you are required to submit some personal information, which includes your name, address, phone number, and Social Security Number. Your Social Security Number is required for tax reporting purposes.
IG also asks for your current income, savings, and trading experience with foreign exchange to help ensure you are in the right financial position to trade with this platform.
If you have all your information readily available, you can go through an instant ID verification process and access the live platform in about five minutes. Once your account is live, you can fund it only through Debit cards, ACH or wire transfer. You’ll need a minimum $250 deposit for a live account.
The 5 steps of IG account opening:
- Fill in your name, email address, country of residence, and account type.
- Provide some personal information, such as your date of birth and address.
- Answer a few questions about your financial and employment status.
- Fill out a short test and provide information about your financial knowledge.
- Verify your ID and residency. You can verify your identity by uploading a national ID, passport, or driver's license. Utility bills and bank statements are accepted as proof of residency.
IG Trading Fees
As with all brokers, there are some fees associated with your IG trading account.
- Depositing funds is completely free and unlimited at IG. However, a small, fixed fee is applied to each withdrawal. This is at the lower end of what we see from most online brokers.
- IG charges a monthly inactivity fee after 2 years without any trade on the account.
- Trading fees vary depending on the market you are trading in. For example, in forex or commodities, the fees are limited to the spread, often less than 1 pip for the EUR/USD pair for example.
- A 0.10% commission of the trade amount is applied concerning equities.
IG Charts and Analysis
IG has excellent charting tools. Your charts can be easily edited and saved. We also liked how quickly and easily you can mark the dates of major economic events on the charts. Charting can be done with 30 different technical indicators.
Trading Education on IG
IG takes the education of its clients seriously. The broker offers a wide range of interactive educational tools and numerous online courses gathered in the IG Academy. From the basics of how the markets work to the most advanced trading techniques, you’ll find everything you need to advance your knowledge and improve your trading regardless of your level and experience.
IG Account Types
IG offers a single account. However, trading conditions, fees, and available markets may vary depending on the trading platform you choose or the options you subscribe to when you open your account.
Leverage on IG varies by asset but runs around 1:20 on shares, 1:200 on Forex and indices, and 1:50 on commodities. Unfortunately, leverage does put IG at a disadvantage to other brokers, which will often offer ratios as high as 1:500 on Forex and indices.
Free IG Demo Account for Trading Practice
IG offers a free unlimited demo trading account with a virtual capital of $20,000. This will allow you to learn by practicing and without the risk of losing money.
Do I Have Negative Balance Protection with This Broker?
This benefit is only for citizens of the European Union and the U.K. If your CFD balance drops below zero, IG will bring it back to zero ASAP without costing you a dime. This protection doesn’t apply to corporate traders, and they can still lose more than their balance.
IG Deposits and Withdrawals
IG offers free and fast deposit and withdrawal options. There are various options for funding your account, including traditional methods such as wire transfer and credit card funding, as well as PayPal.
At IG, you can choose from 6 base currencies: USD, GBP, AUD, EUR, SGD, HKD.
Deposit Fees and Options
IG charges no deposit fees. In addition to bank transfers, you can also deposit money via credit/debit cards and PayPal. In the case of bank card deposits, IG accepts:
- Debit cards: Maestro, Visa, Electron, MasterCard
- Credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover
- Major prepaid cards
A bank transfer can take several business days, while payment with a credit or debit card is instant. You can only deposit money from accounts that are in your name.
IG Withdrawal Fees and Options
IG doesn’t charge any withdrawal fees. Usually, the debit card withdrawal takes 2 business days. You can only withdraw money to accounts in your name.
Support Service for Customer
Customer support is undoubtedly one of IG’s strengths. Indeed, the broker is one of the few to provide its clients with a dedicated customer phone number to reach advisors 24 hours a day, six days a week. This is a particularly reassuring option to turn to in case of problems.
Traditional means of contact, such as the contact form and email, are also available. The only thing regrettable is the absence of an online chat. This can indeed be a useful option when you just have a quick question to ask.
Prohibited Countries: Where Can I Not Trade with this Broker?
IG is not available in the following countries: US, Belgium, France, India, Israel, Poland, Zimbabwe.
Special Offers for Customers
There is no current bonus or promotion for US accounts.
IG Review Conclusion: Reputable Broker with Easy-to-use Platform
Overall, IG is a high-quality broker. It is certainly a broker with many strengths. It gives access to a wide range of markets, several trading platforms, and its fees are among the lowest in the market. IG is also a very secure online broker, being regulated in many jurisdictions and displaying an elevated level of transparency through its listed status.
Without a doubt, IG is a broker that will satisfy traders of all backgrounds and profiles.
Summary and Key Takeaways
IG is one of the biggest and most reliable CFD brokers worldwide.
- Regulated by several financial authorities around the world.
- Listed on the London Stock Exchange
- One of the best web trading platforms with great deposit and withdrawal conditions.
- Great educational materials that can help to expand your knowledge
- Better customer support
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