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Chris Cammack
Edited by
Author
Chris Cammack
Edited by
Chris Cammack
Partner Manager and Financial Writer

Chris manages the relationships with our partners to provide the best Forex trading experience possible for our users. Chris has 15+ years of research, and editorial and design experience for political and financial publications. His background has given him a deep understanding of international financial markets and the geopolitics that affect them.

Learn more about Chris Cammack
Author
Author
Alison Heyerdahl
Head of Content

<p>Alison Heyerdahl is the Head of Content at FxScouts, a Chartered Market Technician (CMT), and an experienced trader, as well as a financial writer with extensive expertise in Forex trading, broker analysis, and market research. She has reviewed 100+ brokers, publishes weekly YouTube trading videos, and co-hosts the “Let’s Talk Forex” podcast.</p>

Learn more about Alison Heyerdahl

IG

Best CFD Trading Account

4.69
68% of retail CFD accounts lose money with this provider

Available to traders in %s

Min deposit

AUD 0

Regulated By

ASIC, FMA, FCA, FSCA, MAS ( )
DFSA, FSA-Japan, CFTC, FINMA, BaFin, BMA

Trading Cost

AUD 6

Leverage

30:1

Copy Trading

No

Platforms

MT4, L2 Dealer, TradingView

Instruments

Bonds, Commodities, Cryptocurrencies, Digital 100s, Stock CFDs ( )
ETFs, Forex, Indices, Interest Rates

IG Broker Review

Founded in London in 1974, IG is one of the world’s most established brokers, known for its transparent pricing, powerful platforms, and exceptional market access. In Australia, IG operates as IG Markets Limited, authorised and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) — one of the most respected financial regulators globally.

Australian traders benefit from IG’s full product range of over 17,000 markets, including forex, indices, shares, commodities, ETFs, bonds, and options. Leverage is capped at 1:30 for major forex pairs in line with ASIC rules, ensuring a safer trading environment for retail clients. All markets are available on IG’s award-winning proprietary web platform, MetaTrader 4, TradingView integration, and the L2 Dealer platform for direct market access.

IG offers a single multi-asset CFD account for Australian clients, with no minimum deposit requirement and competitive spreads from 0.6 pips on major forex pairs. Traders also have access to advanced tools such as ProRealTime charting, Autochartist, and integrated Reuters news, alongside one of the most comprehensive educational and research libraries in the industry.

Visit Broker
Accepts Australian Clients. Average spread EUR/USD 0.60 pips on trading account with lowest minimum deposit. Max leverage 30:1. Islamic account available. IG, MT4, TradingView and L2 Dealer platforms supported. IG Markets Group is regulated by FCA, ASIC, and the BMA. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Broker Award

IG - Best Trading Conditions

Founded in 1974, IG has established itself as one of the foremost brokerages in the world. Trading conditions at IG are unparalleled in the industry. The sheer volume of tradable instruments available is staggering. Not only does IG offer one of the widest selections of shares to trade in the industry – over 17,000 and rising – but it also offers some unique features such as weekend trading on major pairs and innovative CFDs such as Sectors and the Crypto Index. Trading costs are low, with IG’s standard CFD account featuring commission-free spreads as low as 0.75 pips on the EUR/USD.

IG’s trading conditions are further enhanced by its great range of trading tools, with trading signals from both Autochartist and PIAfirst available in its own awarding-winning, web-based trading platform and the ProRealTime advanced charting package. Finally, with an API and DMA accounts for experienced traders and MT4 support for devotees, IG ensures that all types of traders are catered for.

Pros

  • Well regulated
  • Tight spreads
  • Great platform choice
  • Excellent education
  • Excellent market analysis

Cons

  • High minimum deposit

IG | Best Trading Conditions

Rating Reviews
4.69

IG Overall Summary

Trust Rating
5
Trading Conditions
4.5
Platforms
4.5
Education
5
Beginner Friendly
4
Assets Available
5
Analysis Research
5
Deposit & Withdrawal
5
Overall Rating
4.69
/ 5
Base Currencies
AUD, USD, JPY, GBP, EUR, CAD, CHF, NZD, SGD, HKD, ZAR
Number of FX Pairs
80
Crypto Pairs
10
Copy Trading
No
Hedging Allowed
Yes
Scalping Allowed
Yes
Islamic Account
Yes
Account Name
Live Account
Commission
Fees Included in Spread
EUR/USD
0.85
GBP/USD
1.40
USD/JPY
0.94
Negative Balance Protection
Yes
Company Name
IG Markets Ltd
Founded
1974
Website
Website Language
English, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Russian, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Japanese, Arabic
Support Language
English, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Russian, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Dutch, Japanese, Arabic
Office Locations
South Africa, United Kingdom
Support Email Address
FP Markets FP Markets

Deposit & Withdrawal

banktransfer
visa
mastercard
paypal

Supported Platforms

Best MT4 Forex Brokers
L2 Dealer
TradingView
IG

Ready to trade with IG?


IG is regulated by 17 national authorities and is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange, making it safer than any privately-held broker and one of the safest brokers in the world.

Is IG Regulated?

Regulatory Overview: IG holds licences from several top-tier regulators worldwide, including:

  • Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – IG Markets Limited (AFSL No. 220440) – Australia
  • Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) – IG Markets Limited (FRN No. 195355) – United Kingdom
  • Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) – IG Asia Pte Ltd – Singapore
  • Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) – IG International Limited – Bermuda

Regulation for Australian Traders: Australian residents trade through IG Markets Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. ASIC is considered one of the world’s most stringent financial regulators, enforcing strict rules on client fund protection, operational transparency, and leverage limits for retail traders.

Client Protection Measures

  • Segregated Funds: Client deposits are held in top-tier Australian banks, separate from IG’s operational funds.
  • Leverage Restrictions: In line with ASIC regulations, leverage is capped at 1:30 for major forex pairs, 1:20 for minors and gold, and lower for other asset classes.
  • Negative Balance Protection: Retail clients are protected from owing more than their account balance.
  • Dispute Resolution: Clients have access to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) for free dispute mediation.

Under ASIC regulation, IG offers Australian traders one of the safest trading environments in the industry, with strong legal safeguards, transparent operations, and strict compliance with financial standards.

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IG’s Trading Instruments

The sheer volume of tradable instruments available at IG is staggering. Not only does IG offer one of the widest selections of shares to trade in the industry, but also offers weekend trading on major Forex pairs.

Available Assets and Leverage

Overview: Australian residents trade with IG Markets Limited under ASIC regulation and can access one of the widest product ranges in the industry (over 17,000 markets).

  • Forex (up to 1:30 on majors; 1:20 on minors): 80+ currency pairs, including AUD/USD, EUR/USD, GBP/USD, plus crosses and selected exotics. Tight, market‑leading pricing with 24/5 trading.
  • Indices (up to 1:20): CFDs on major global indices such as ASX 200, S&P 500, NASDAQ 100, FTSE 100, DAX 40 and Nikkei 225. Deep liquidity and extended hours on key US benchmarks.
  • Shares (up to 1:5): Thousands of share CFDs from Australia (ASX), the US, UK and Europe. Long and short exposure with corporate action adjustments reflected in pricing.
  • Commodities (typically up to 1:10): Metals (gold, silver, platinum), energies (WTI, Brent, natural gas) and softs (coffee, cocoa, sugar). Cash and futures‑style contracts available.
  • Cryptocurrencies (up to 1:2): Popular crypto‑USD pairs (e.g., Bitcoin, Ethereum) offered as CFDs with ASIC’s retail leverage limit; weekend trading available on major markets.
  • ETFs & Bonds: Broad selection of ETF CFDs across sectors/regions and bond CFDs for diversification and macro strategies.
  • Options (CFD options): Vanilla options on key indices, FX and commodities for defined‑risk strategies (calls/puts) with transparent premiums.

Important notes for Australian traders: Leverage caps for retail clients are set by ASIC. Professional clients who meet eligibility criteria may qualify for higher leverage.

IG offers one of the widest selections of shares to trade in the industry

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IG Accounts and Trading Fees

IG offers a standard CFD trading account and a DMA account on the L2 Dealer platform. Costs on IG’s trading accounts are significantly lower than the industry average. 

Opening an Account at IG

All Australian residents are eligible to open an account at IG, and with no minimum deposit required, new traders don’t have to worry about funding the account right away.

It took us about 15 minutes to open an account at IG, but our accounts were only ready for trading once our documentation had been verified, which took two days. However, we were pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from customer service to assist with any troubleshooting issues. 

Trading Accounts

Australian retail traders can choose between a standard CFD trading account and the DMA account for more experienced traders. Both accounts offer pricing structures that are among the most competitive in the industry. There is no minimum deposit requirement for the CFD account, though IG recommends funding your account with at least $300 to comfortably meet margin requirements.

CFD Trading Account

No minimum deposit is required to open a CFD trading account. You can choose to trade on either the MT4 platform, in which case spreads will average at 0.75 pips on the EUR/USD, or on the IG platform, where spreads average at 0.86 pips on the EUR/USD. However, there are marked differences between using MT4 and IG’s own platforms. 

DMA (Direct Market Access) Account

Spreads average at 0.165 pips on the EUR/USD, and commissions are based on the trading volume (see below for more details).  Traders can only use the L2 Dealer platform when choosing the DMA account option. 

While the 6 USD round-turn commission is slightly lower than average compared to other brokers, this can be reduced even further with high volume trading:

IG Markets Commissions

Professional Traders

There is also a professional account that allows for higher leverage (200:1 for Forex pair) in exchange for less regulatory protection. To qualify for a professional account, you must have placed ten significantly leveraged trades per quarter for the last four quarters, have a portfolio exceeding $50,000, and have a minimum of one year’s professional derivatives trading experience.

Demo Accounts

IG offers free demo accounts for the CFD account, with £10,000 in virtual funds. Demo accounts mirror live pricing and market conditions, allowing traders to test strategies before committing real capital.

Additional Accounts

IG has share dealing and IG Investments Smart Portfolios accounts. These are non-leverage account types that let you trade stocks and shares.

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IG's Trading Platforms and Trading Tools

IG supports four trading platforms across mobile and desktop devices, including its own web-based platform and MT4. It also offers the L2 Dealer platform for DMA trading as well as TradingView integration.

Mobile Trading Apps

Australian traders can choose between the IG Trading mobile app, the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) mobile app, and TradingView’s mobile platform. All are available for iOS and Android devices, providing flexibility for trading on the go. L2 Dealer is only available on desktop.

IG Trading App

The IG Trading app is the broker’s proprietary mobile platform, designed for intuitive navigation and fast execution. Key features include:

  • Real-time quotes and interactive charts with advanced drawing tools
  • Integrated news and market analysis from Reuters
  • Full account management, including funding and withdrawals
  • Customisable watchlists and price alerts
  • Risk management tools such as stop-loss and limit orders

The IG app is best suited for traders who want a powerful, all-in-one mobile trading solution with direct access to IG’s full range of over 17,000 markets.

MetaTrader 4 (Mobile)

MT4 mobile provides a familiar environment for traders who prefer MetaQuotes’ popular platform. Features include:

  • Advanced charting with multiple timeframes
  • Access to 30+ built-in technical indicators
  • One-tap trading and pending order management
  • Seamless integration with the MT4 desktop version

MT4 mobile is ideal for traders who already use MT4 on desktop and want a consistent experience across devices.

TradingView (Mobile)

IG clients can link their accounts to TradingView’s mobile app to combine IG’s execution and market range with TradingView’s advanced charting environment. Features include:

  • Interactive charts with hundreds of built-in and community-created indicators
  • Custom strategies and alerts using Pine Script
  • Trade execution directly from charts
  • Access to TradingView’s global community and trade ideas

TradingView mobile is ideal for traders who value in-depth charting, social trading ideas, and a modern, visually driven interface.

Trading Platform Comparison

Broker
Platform Choice
Copy Trading
Platforms
No
MT4
L2 Dealer
TradingView
Yes
MT4
MT5
Yes
MT4
MT5
cTrader
TradingView
Pepperstone Platform

Desktop Trading Platforms and Trading Tools

IG’s platform lineup won it the award for Best Multi-Platform Provider at the ADVFN International Financial Awards for four years in a row.

IG Proprietary Web Platform

The IG Trading app is IG’s proprietary mobile platform, offering a fast and intuitive interface for both CFDs and spread betting. Key features include:

  • Advanced charting with multiple layouts and technical analysis tools
  • Integrated market news, analysis, and economic calendar
  • Customisable trading workspace
  • Direct access to over 17,000 markets
  • Built-in risk management tools, including guaranteed stop-loss orders (GSLOs)

MetaTrader 4 (Desktop & Web)

MT4 is available for both CFDs and spread betting, and is ideal for algorithmic traders and those using custom indicators. Key features include:

  • Support for Expert Advisors (EAs) and algorithmic trading
  • Comprehensive charting with multiple indicators and drawing tools
  • One-click trading and customisable templates
  • Backtesting for trading strategies

TradingView Integration

Australian traders can connect their IG account directly to TradingView, enabling:

  • Advanced, interactive charting with hundreds of built-in indicators
  • Custom scripting via Pine Script
  • Placing and managing trades directly from TradingView charts
  • Access to TradingView’s global trader community and ideas
  • Full support for both CFD and spread betting trades

L2 Dealer Platform

L2 Dealer is IG’s direct market access (DMA) platform, designed for professional traders seeking advanced order control and deeper market transparency. Features include:

  • Full market depth for supported assets
  • Advanced order types, including pegged and iceberg orders
  • Streaming prices from multiple liquidity providers
  • Level 1 and Level 2 market data
  • Full support for both CFD and spread betting trades

Note: L2 Dealer requires specific account approval and is primarily intended for high-volume or professional traders.

Trading Tools

  • ProRealTime: Advanced charting package with over 100 indicators and automation tools, free for active traders.
  • Autochartist: Market scanning and pattern recognition for trade idea generation.
  • Trading Signals: Available via MT4 and IG’s proprietary platform.
  • Economic Calendar: Integrated across all platforms for tracking key events.
  • Reuters News Feed: Embedded in IG’s proprietary platform for real-time market news.

With proprietary, third-party, and specialist DMA platforms available, IG offers Australian traders a comprehensive suite of trading options under its ASIC-regulated entity.

[ls_post post_type_identifier=”postlistview” post_identifier=”broker-review-research

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IG Deposits and Withdrawals

IG charges no deposit or withdrawal fees for bank wires, but credit card and PayPal deposit fees are higher than other brokers. 

Account Currencies and Funding Options

In line with Anti-Money Laundering policies, IG returns all non-profit funds to the original deposit source. 

Accepted Deposit Currencies

While IG does allow traders to select different base currencies other than AUD, new accounts are always denominated in AUD by default. This can only be changed by emailing the IG support team with your name, date of birth and address, and the account number you would like to change.

Withdrawals

IG does not charge a fee for withdrawals, but the minimum withdrawal amount is 200 AUD.  Withdrawals are processed on the same day but may take two to five days to reflect. Same-day transfers are also available, but there is a charge of 15 AUD per transfer and a minimum withdrawal amount of 2000 AUD.

While withdrawal costs are low and withdrawal times are average for the industry, IG does charge fees on deposits via credit card and Paypal.

Being able to make instant deposits via BPAY is a bonus for Australian traders – especially considering that they are free of charge.

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IG’s Education and Market Analysis

IG’s educational section is more detailed and better-structured than most other brokers and is suited to both beginners and more experienced traders. 

Education

IG has plenty of current and accessible educational material for beginner traders. Reports and daily analysis are emailed to anyone who signs up, and 24-hour support is available.

IG has a wide variety of educational materials to get traders started.  These include the IG Academy, a section on Managing Your Risk, a Trading Strategy section, Webinars and Seminars, and a glossary of terms.  See below for details:

  • IG Academy: Online trading courses covering topics for beginner, intermediate and advanced traders. Live, structured classroom-style lessons are run daily and offer traders the opportunity to get personal feedback and interact with market analysts.
  • Managing your risk: IG provides several materials outlining how traders can reduce their risk. It also includes information on the various risk management tools offered at IG.
  • Trading Strategy: This section teaches traders how to look at the markets, use trading tools, and understand technical trading language.
  • Webinars and seminars: IG Market’s webinars and seminars help build traders’ confidence and cover topics ranging from platform walk-throughs to upcoming trading opportunities.
  • Glossary: The glossary provides comprehensive definitions and explanations of various financial terms.

Education Comparison

Broker
Beginner Course
Advanced Course
Well Structured Education
Education Quality
Webinars
Yes
Yes
Yes
High
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
High
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Medium
Yes

IG’s research and analysis are comparable with most other large international brokers, with a constant feed of news and thoughts from the in-house trading team.

Market Analysis

News and trade ideas, trading strategy education, and analysis of upcoming financial events are frequently published at IG. The analysis is written by the IG Global team of analysts who have professional backgrounds in trading at some of the major investment banks.

IG sends free Morning Call and The Week Ahead reports daily and weekly, respectively. Each promises to deliver an analysis of major economic events and corporate news before the opening of the markets.

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IG’s Customer Service

IG’s customer support is knowledgeable, responsive, and available 24 hours a day.

Clients support is available by phone, email, Twitter, and live chat, 24hrs a day from 8 am Saturday to 10 pm Friday (GMT). In addition, the peer support platform offers assistance from other traders and IG staff in a forum discussion, which is an ideal additional resource for beginner traders who have questions about the platforms, analysis, and trading ideas.

For the purposes of the review, we tested the live chat service and email. Our email was answered within a couple of hours, and the answer was relevant and to the point. We found the live chat agents were polite and responsive, and they were able to answer all our questions. After logging into the live chat, we were connected to an agent who replied to our message within 30 seconds.

How Brokers Are Scored

FxScouts’ Broker Score and Trust Rating constantly evolve to reflect the forex market’s dynamics. We ensure transparency by incorporating regulator data and user insights. Our in-depth reviews consider over 200 metrics across seven key categories. The radar chart to the left shows how important each category is when calculating a broker’s final score.

  • Trust Rating: Assessment of broker reliability and reputation
  • Trading Costs: Spreads and fees for clear comparisons
  • Platforms: User-friendliness and features 
  • Asset Selection: Forex, stocks, and other available instruments
  • Deposit and Withdrawal: Simple and free deposits & withdrawals
  • Education: Support for beginners and developing traders
  • Customer Support: Accessibility, responsiveness, and expertise


To ensure fairness and transparency, we independently verify broker claims and integrate real-user feedback, regulator data, and live trading tests. The radar chart to the left illustrates the weight of each category in our final scoring system.

Why Our Reviews Set the Standard

Every broker we recommend meets strict trust and safety criteria and is tested for reliability, transparency, and overall trading experience.

IG Risk Statement

IG Risk Statement


Trading Forex is risky, and each broker is required to detail how risky the trading of Forex CFDs is to clients. IG would like you to know that: Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

User Reviews

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Meet the Experts Behind Our Unbiased Reviews

Chris Cammack

Partner Manager and Financial Writer

Chris Cammack
Chris Cammack is partner manager and senior financial writer at FxScouts, specialising in broker relations and forex market analysis. As the former Head of Content (2019–2024), he set editorial standards for all content published at FxScouts, including broker reviews, broker comparison pages and education. With over a decade of experience in editorial management and partner relations, Chris builds and maintains our relationships with our partners to provide the best Forex trading experience for our users. He also co-hosts the “Let’s Talk Forex” podcast with Alison Heyerdahl, where he explores trading strategies, industry news, and macroeconomic trends to help traders navigate the markets with confidence.

Alison Heyerdahl

Head of Content

Alison Heyerdahl
Alison Heyerdahl is the Head of Content at FxScouts, a Chartered Market Technician (CMT), an experienced trader, and a financial writer with extensive hands-on experience in the Forex trading industry. She specialises in Forex trading, broker analysis, and market research, with a focus on helping traders navigate the complex world of online trading safely and confidently. Alison has tested and reviewed more than 100 Forex brokers, assessing everything from regulatory status and trading conditions to platform features and customer support. Her goal is to provide honest, detailed, and practical insights that traders can rely on when choosing a broker. She’s also produced more than 300 educational videos for the FxScouts YouTube channel, where she explains trading concepts in a clear, accessible way. As the co-host of the “Let’s Talk Forex” podcast, Alison shares expert commentary on broker reliability, trading strategies, and market developments—always with a focus on transparency and trader protection.

Stefan de Clerk

Financial Writer

Stefan de Clerk
Stefan is a financial writer and Forex trading enthusiast with over a decade of experience creating in-depth content on finance and technology. His deep interest in geopolitical events, big data, and market sentiment fuels his passion for analyzing how global factors shape financial markets. With a background in marketing and financial research, Stefan believes that Forex trading offers the best insight into the pulse of the world economy. Committed to delivering well-researched, unbiased, and objective information, he helps traders navigate the markets with clarity and confidence.
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Best CFD Trading Account
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