IG UK — Key Facts 2026
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 — one of UK's oldest trading platforms |
| Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | ✅ Yes — FRN 195355 |
| FSCS Protected | ✅ Yes — up to £85,000 |
| Spread betting | ✅ Yes — tax free profits (no CGT) |
| CFD trading | ✅ Yes — leveraged, high risk |
| Stocks and Shares ISA | ✅ Yes — share dealing in ISA wrapper |
| IG charges (share dealing) | £3–£8 per trade depending on frequency |
| IG Academy | ✅ Yes — free educational resources |
| Live chat support | ✅ Yes — 24/5 customer service |
| Markets available | 17,000+ — shares, indices, forex, commodities |
IG Charges — Full Fee Breakdown
| Fee Type | IG Charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Share dealing — 0 trades previous month | £8.00/trade | Higher rate for infrequent traders |
| Share dealing — 3+ trades previous month | £3.00/trade | Reduced for active traders |
| US share dealing | 2 cents/share (min $15) | Different pricing for US equities |
| ISA annual fee | £24/year | Waived if 3+ trades in previous month |
| Spread betting spread | Variable — from 0.1 points | IG makes money on the spread |
| CFD overnight fee | Variable by asset | On leveraged positions held overnight |
| Currency conversion | 0.5% | On non-GBP trades |
| Inactivity fee | £12/month after 2 years inactive | Only if no trades for 24 months |
IG Spread Betting — Tax Free Profits
IG's spread betting service lets UK residents speculate on price movements of stocks, indices, currencies and commodities without owning the underlying asset. The key advantage: spread betting profits are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Stamp Duty in the UK — making it a tax free way to trade for profitable traders.
Spread betting is leveraged — you can lose more than your initial deposit. A significant percentage of retail investor accounts lose money when spread betting with IG. Only suitable for experienced investors who understand leverage and risk management.
IG Stocks and Shares ISA
IG offers a Stocks and Shares ISA for long-term investors who want to hold shares and ETFs in a tax free wrapper. Access to IG's full range of investments including 17,000+ markets. Share dealing costs £3–£8 per trade. The annual ISA fee of £24 is waived if you make 3 or more trades in the previous month.
IG Academy — Educational Resources
IG Academy is IG's free educational platform covering trading concepts from beginner to advanced. It includes video courses, articles, live webinars and interactive exercises covering technical analysis, charting tools, risk management and specific market knowledge. One of the most comprehensive free trading education resources available from any UK broker.
IG vs UK Competitors
| Platform | Spread Betting | ISA | Share Dealing | Educational Resources | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | £3–£8 | ✅ IG Academy | Experienced traders, spread betting |
| CMC Markets | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | £0 (frequent) | ✅ Yes | Active spread bettors |
| Hargreaves Lansdown | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | £6.95 | ✅ Yes | Long-term investors |
| AJ Bell | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | £5.00 | ✅ Limited | Mid-range investors |
| Trading 212 | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | Free | ✅ Basic | Commission free beginners |
IG Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- FCA regulated since 1974 — exceptional track record
- Spread betting — tax free profits for UK traders
- 17,000+ markets — widest range of any UK platform
- Stocks and Shares ISA available
- IG Academy — comprehensive free educational resources
- Live chat customer service 24/5
- Professional-grade charting tools
- FSCS protected up to £85,000
❌ Cons
- £8/trade for infrequent traders — expensive vs competitors
- CFD and spread betting carry significant risk of losses
- Complex platform — not suitable for beginners
- No SIPP pension account
- Inactivity fee after 24 months
- Not cheapest for simple long-term ISA investing
IG is the best UK platform for experienced traders who want spread betting, CFDs and share dealing in one place. The IG Academy educational resources are genuinely excellent. The tax free nature of spread betting profits makes IG compelling for profitable traders. For straightforward long-term ISA investing, AJ Bell, Vanguard or Trading 212 offer better value with lower fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IG regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority?
Yes — FCA regulated (FRN 195355), FSCS protected up to £85,000, operating since 1974.
What are IG's share dealing charges?
£8/trade with no trades in the previous month, £3/trade with 3+ trades in the previous month. US shares: 2 cents per share, minimum $15.
Is spread betting tax free?
Yes — spread betting profits are exempt from Capital Gains Tax and Stamp Duty for UK residents. However losses cannot be offset against other capital gains. High risk — leveraged product.
Does IG offer a Stocks and Shares ISA?
Yes — access to 17,000+ markets in a tax free wrapper. Annual fee £24, waived with 3+ monthly trades.
Spread betting and CFDs are leveraged products. A significant percentage of retail accounts lose money trading these products. This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Seek independent advice before investing.
IG Trading Platform — Web and Mobile
IG operates one of the most sophisticated trading platforms available to UK retail investors. The web-based platform offers advanced charting tools, real-time pricing across 17,000+ markets, technical indicators, price alerts and integrated news feeds. The platform is significantly more complex than consumer apps like Trading 212 or Freetrade — reflecting IG's positioning as a platform for experienced traders rather than beginners.
| Platform Feature | IG | Hargreaves Lansdown | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced charting tools | ✅ Professional grade | ✅ Good | ✅ Basic |
| Technical indicators | ✅ 100+ | ✅ Limited | ✅ Basic |
| Real-time prices | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ 15-min delay (free) | ✅ Yes |
| Price alerts | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Mobile app quality | ✅ Professional | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent for beginners |
| Beginner friendliness | ❌ Complex | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent |
IG Academy — What It Covers
IG Academy is one of the most comprehensive free trading education resources offered by any UK broker. It covers everything from basic investment concepts through to advanced technical analysis and risk management strategies. Key modules include:
| Module | Level | What You Learn |
|---|---|---|
| How financial markets work | Beginner | Stocks, bonds, indices, forex basics |
| How to trade | Beginner | Order types, position sizing, risk management basics |
| Technical analysis | Intermediate | Chart patterns, indicators, trend analysis |
| Fundamental analysis | Intermediate | How to analyse company financials and macro data |
| Advanced trading strategies | Advanced | Complex derivatives, hedging, options strategies |
| Live webinars | All levels | Real-time market analysis from IG analysts |
IG Stocks and Shares ISA — Is It Worth It?
IG's Stocks and Shares ISA is most valuable for investors who also want to use IG for active share dealing or spread betting — keeping all activity on one platform. However, for straightforward long-term ISA investing with minimal trading, there are significantly cheaper alternatives.
| Investor Type | IG ISA Worth It? | Better Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Active share trader making 3+ trades/month | ✅ Yes — £3/trade + £24 fee waived | IG is competitive at this frequency |
| Infrequent investor — under 3 trades/month | ❌ No — £8/trade expensive | AJ Bell (£5/trade) or Trading 212 (free) |
| Index fund investor only | ❌ No — limited fund range | Vanguard (0.15% fee, free dealing) |
| Spread bettor wanting ISA alongside | ✅ Yes — convenient to keep together | CMC Markets also offers both |
IG Client Funds — How Your Money Is Protected
IG holds client funds separately from its own money in segregated client accounts at major UK banks. This means that if IG were to fail, your funds would not be used to pay IG's creditors. In addition, eligible client funds are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per person.
IG has been operating since 1974 — over 50 years — and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. This long track record and public listing status provide additional confidence in the platform's financial stability compared to newer or privately held competitors.