IG Group
Publicly-listed UK pioneer with deep regulation and the broadest market coverage in retail CFDs.
Quick facts
Overview
IG is the original retail CFD broker, founded in 1974 and listed on the London Stock Exchange (IGG). It operates under tier-1 regulation in multiple jurisdictions — FCA in the UK, BaFin in Germany, ASIC in Australia, MAS in Singapore — and offers one of the broadest market catalogues in the industry, exceeding 17,000 tradeable instruments. The platform suite spans IG's proprietary web/mobile interfaces, MT4, ProRealTime for advanced charting, and L2 Dealer for direct market access on shares.
Score breakdown
Scores reflect fit-for-category, not absolute. A broker rated 5.0 in one axis is judged against that category\'s requirements, not the entire market.
Pros & Cons
What we like
- LSE-listed, decades of operating history
- Tier-1 regulation across 10+ jurisdictions
- FSCS protection up to £85,000 for UK clients
- 17,000+ markets including options, bonds, ETFs
- L2 Dealer offers DMA on share dealing
- ProRealTime integration for advanced charting
Trade-offs
- Spreads on forex are upper-middle tier — wider than ECN brokers
- Higher inactivity fee than competitors
- Account opening can be slower vs newer brokers
- Limited copy-trading / social features
Who it fits
Long-term retail and professional traders who value regulatory strength, broad market access, and platform maturity. The 'safe default' choice for UK and EU-based traders.
CFDs are leveraged products carrying high risk of loss. Verify this broker is suitable for your jurisdiction before depositing funds. See the full Risk Warning on each broker\'s official site.