This broker is historically one of the premier names for disciplined traders. While traditional binary options have been prohibited for retail clients across the UK and EU by the FCA and ESMA, IG continues to provide extensive multi-asset exposure through spread betting, CFDs, barrier options, and vanilla options. Experienced traders with larger capital can also apply for Professional Trader status to access institutional features, specialized derivative products, and higher leverage limits.

IG is a leading global multi-asset provider specializing in CFDs (Contracts for Difference), financial spread betting, and exchange-traded derivatives. You can seamlessly access and manage multiple product types from a single unified ecosystem.

The broker was founded in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler as the world’s first financial spread betting firm. Its parent company, IG Group Holdings plc, is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index on the London Stock Exchange. The group’s substantial market capitalization, balance-sheet capitalization, and tier-one regulatory status provide clients with robust institutional financial stability.

IG Index Limited and IG Markets Limited are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom. Regulated financial spread betting and CFD activities fall under the direct supervision of the FCA.

Bonus

In strict compliance with FCA and European regulatory mandates regarding retail client incentives, IG does not offer deposit bonuses, welcome incentives, or trading rebate promotions.

Software for online trading

IG provides a sophisticated, browser-based web trading platform optimized for rapid order routing and deep technical analysis. Quotes stream in real-time with sub-second price updates. Because fast-moving markets can shift during execution, IG incorporates built-in price tolerance controls and negative balance protection for retail clients to manage slippage and market volatility.

The platform is fully cross-platform and cloud-accessible. Because it runs natively in modern web browsers (HTML5), it works seamlessly across Windows, macOS, and Linux without requiring standalone software downloads.

Software for mobile trading

The broker provides native mobile trading applications for both Android and iOS devices (iPhone and iPad). The apps are well-engineered, responsive, and provide full charting capability, price alerts, and order management tools.

The mobile platform mirrors almost the entire market catalog available on the desktop web suite, including access to global indices, forex pairs, shares, and commodities.

Options and Derivative Structures

While standard retail binary “all-or-nothing” options are no longer marketed to retail traders under FCA rules, IG offers a comprehensive suite of advanced alternatives. These include Barrier Options (which feature a fixed knock-out level for defined risk), Vanilla Options across indices, currencies, and commodities, and Knock-Out CFDs with customizable expiration cycles.

Account Types

IG offers standard retail trading accounts, Spread Betting accounts (for UK/Irish residents, offering tax-free gains), and Professional accounts. Traders who meet specific regulatory criteria—such as significant portfolio size, relevant financial sector experience, and consistent trading volume—can elect to be classified as Professional Clients to access higher leverage tiers.

In addition to live accounts, IG provides a free demo account loaded with virtual funds to test strategies, backtest setups, and familiarize yourself with platform mechanics risk-free.

Financial Instruments & Markets

IG provides access to over 17,000 global financial markets. Clients can trade major, minor, and exotic forex pairs, global equity indices (such as the FTSE 100, S&P 500, and DAX 40), individual international stocks, bonds, interest rates, and commodities including crude oil, gold, and agricultural assets.

In addition to core financial assets, IG occasionally prices event-driven and macroeconomic outcome contracts (such as interest rate decisions and national political indices) in markets where permitted by local regulations.

Support and Banking

IG delivers 24-hour client support from 8:00 AM Saturday to 10:00 PM Friday (UK time) via phone, email, live chat, and a community forum. Existing and prospective UK clients can contact support directly at 0800 195 3100 or +44 20 7896 0000.

Funding options include debit cards, credit cards (where legally permissible for trading deposits), bank wire transfers, and PayPal. Withdrawals are processed back to the original funding source in compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, with transparent processing timeframes and standard zero-fee structures for bank and debit transactions.

This article was last updated on: August 24, 2026