Founded
1974 London, UK
A 50-year-old, exchange-listed heavyweight with the widest market range we assess.
Trading since 1974 and listed on the London Stock Exchange, IG is about as established as brokers get — 17,000+ markets, top-tier regulation worldwide and award-winning platforms. A benchmark for trust and breadth.
The score, by criterion
Few brokers can match IG on safety: listed on the London Stock Exchange, trading since 1974, and regulated by a long list of top-tier authorities. Its UK entities are shown below; further licences cover Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Switzerland, Germany and more.
| Regulator | Jurisdiction | Licence / reg. no. | Legal entity |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCA | United Kingdom | 195355 | IG Markets Limited |
| FCA | United Kingdom | 114059 | IG Index Limited |
| FCA | United Kingdom | 944492 | IG Trading and Investments Ltd |
| ASIC | Australia | AFSL 220440 | IG Markets Limited |
| FSCA | South Africa | FSP 41393 | IG Markets South Africa Limited |
IG is spread-based on forex, indices and commodities, with EUR/USD from around 0.6–0.9 pips, while share CFDs carry a commission. Pricing is fair for a full-service, listed broker rather than the rock-bottom cost of a raw-spread specialist.
IG's award-winning web and mobile platforms sit alongside MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer and TradingView, giving access to 17,000+ markets — the widest range in this list.
Ideal for traders who prioritise safety, breadth and quality tooling over the absolute lowest spread — from beginners wanting strong education to advanced traders needing DMA and a huge market list.
Trading forex & CFDs carries a high risk of loss — between 74% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. This is independent editorial analysis, not financial advice or a recommendation to trade. Figures such as spreads and licences were verified as of August 2026 and may change; always confirm current terms and licence status in the regulator's own register.