IG.com: A Comprehensive Review of a Leading Online Trading Platform

The landscape of online trading has evolved dramatically, with numerous platforms vying for the attention of both novice and experienced traders. Selecting the right platform is a critical decision, impacting everything from the range of available markets to the overall trading experience. Among the established players in this field is IG.com, a platform with a long history and a significant global presence.

This review aims to provide a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation of IG.com, examining its core offerings, user experience, unique features, and potential drawbacks to help individuals determine if it aligns with their trading needs.

Summary

Platform	Target User	Key Features
Web	Beginner to Advanced	Customizable Layouts, Advanced Charting Tools, Integrated News & Analysis, IG Live, Various Order Types, Customizable Alerts
Mobile Apps (Android & iOS)	Beginner to Advanced	Alerts, Exclusive Analysis, Secure Trading, User-Friendly Interface
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)	Intermediate to Advanced, Algorithmic Traders	Algorithmic Trading (Expert Advisors), Advanced Charting Tools, Extensive Indicator Library, Automated Trading Capabilities
ProRealTime	Advanced Traders	Sophisticated Charting Tools, Integrated Dealing, Advanced Order Types, Real-Time Data
L2 Dealer	Experienced Traders, DMA Focused	Direct Market Access, Level 2 Pricing, Enhanced Order Control
TradingView	Beginner to Advanced	Advanced Charting, Real-Time Data, Social Networking Features for Traders, Direct Trading Through IG

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Overview and Reputation

Established in London in 1974, IG.com has grown to become a prominent online trading provider, serving a substantial client base across the globe. With over 313,000 clients worldwide, its longevity and scale suggest a level of trust and a well-established reputation within the competitive online trading industry.

A company operating for nearly five decades has likely adapted to changing market conditions and evolving user demands, indicating a degree of reliability that can be a crucial factor for individuals entrusting a platform with their trading capital.

Core Offering: CFD Trading

At its core, IG.com functions as an online trading provider, granting users access to a vast array of financial markets. The platform distinguishes itself as the “world’s No. 1 CFD provider,” emphasizing its focus on Contracts for Difference (CFDs).

CFDs are leveraged financial instruments that allow traders to speculate on the price movements of underlying assets without taking direct ownership. This focus suggests that IG.com primarily caters to individuals interested in actively trading and potentially leveraging their capital to participate in a wide range of markets.

Official Website: www.ig.com

Range of Tradable Markets

The platform boasts an extensive selection of tradable markets and financial instruments, positioning it as a versatile option for various trading strategies and asset preferences. In the forex market, users can access over 90 currency pairs, including majors, minors, and exotics, often with competitive spreads starting from as low as 0.6 pips.

For those interested in indices, IG.com provides access to over 80 global indices, with some even offering exclusive 24/7 trading capabilities. Share traders can explore CFDs on over 13,000 international shares, alongside share dealing accounts available in specific regions. The platform also covers commodities, allowing users to trade on a variety of hard and soft goods.

Cryptocurrency enthusiasts can speculate on the price movements of major digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ether through CFDs, although it’s important to note that direct trading in the underlying assets is not typically available for most retail clients.

Furthermore, IG.com offers access to over 2,000 Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and over 200 investment trusts, providing avenues for diversification. Traders can also engage with options and futures, including futures on indices, commodities, and bonds. The platform’s offerings extend to other markets such as bonds and interest rates, demonstrating a comprehensive scope.

Standout Features and Unique Tools

IG.com offers several standout features and unique tools that contribute to its appeal. The availability of specialized trading platforms like L2 Dealer for Direct Market Access and ProRealTime for advanced technical analysis caters to more sophisticated traders. The integration of TradingView further enhances the platform’s analytical capabilities and provides access to a vibrant community of traders.

Extended trading hours on a significant number of US stocks and 24/7 trading on many global indices and major currency pairs offer traders increased flexibility to react to market movements at any time . The comprehensive IG Academy stands out as a valuable resource for traders of all levels. Tools like the trade analytics tool and ETF screener provide personalized insights and aid in identifying trading opportunities.

While the IG Community forum is slated for closure, it currently serves as a space for traders to connect and share ideas. The option of ready-made portfolios managed in partnership with BlackRock provides a solution for investors seeking a managed approach. These unique offerings position IG.com as a versatile platform catering to a broad range of trading needs.

Responsiveness Across Devices

Responsiveness across different devices is a key consideration for modern trading platforms, and IG.com appears to perform well in this aspect. The platform boasts award-winning mobile apps optimized for various devices, with dedicated mobile trading platforms available for both Android and iOS. A progressive web app is also available, offering an alternative for mobile browser users.

User feedback generally praises the user-friendliness and functionality of the mobile apps . These apps provide full dealing functionality, ensuring traders can manage their accounts and execute trades while on the go. While some users have reported past performance issues following app updates, the developers have typically responded and released subsequent updates to address these concerns. The platform’s commitment to providing a seamless trading experience across multiple devices is evident.

Website Accessibility for Users with Disabilities

Information regarding the accessibility of the IG.com trading platform website for users with disabilities is limited within the provided research material. While the importance of web accessibility is widely recognized, specific details about features like WCAG compliance, screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and color contrast options on the IG.com platform itself are not readily available in the snippets.

It is important for IG.com to provide clear and comprehensive information regarding the accessibility of its platform to ensure inclusivity for all users.

Potential Drawbacks

Despite its many strengths, IG.com also presents some potential drawbacks. The fee structure might be less favorable for occasional traders or those with smaller portfolios who trade infrequently, as they may face higher trading fees and potential platform inactivity fees. The platform does not offer fractional share ownership, which might be a disadvantage for investors looking to invest smaller amounts in high-priced stocks.

While copy trading can be achieved through MT4 integration, IG.com does not offer a proprietary copy trading feature. The absence of the MetaTrader 5 platform, a more recent and feature-rich platform compared to MT4, might be a limitation for some traders. Commissions on CFDs for shares can be relatively high, especially for infrequent trading or small trade sizes due to minimum commission charges.

The range of tradable instruments available through the MT4 platform might be more limited compared to IG’s proprietary platforms. Inactivity fees could apply after a period of two years with no trading activity. Direct trading in cryptocurrencies is generally not available for most retail traders, with exposure primarily through CFDs. Some users have reported limitations in pre-market US trading for smaller and mid-cap companies and the lack of multi-currency account options.

Isolated incidents of potential issues with order routing during volatile market conditions and customer support responsiveness have also been mentioned. Additionally, the mobile app might lack some of the more advanced charting features available on the desktop platforms, such as the ability to compare multiple stocks on a single chart. For those who trade frequently but with small amounts, the absence of free trades for regular dealing could make IG.com more expensive than some competitors.

A demo account specifically for share trading is not available, only for CFDs and spread betting . Finally, Islamic accounts are only offered through the Dubai entity, which might be a limitation for some users. The lack of predefined layouts on the web platform might also require some initial manual configuration for users.

Pros	Cons
Extensive range of tradable markets and instruments.	Higher trading fees for occasional traders.
Multiple advanced trading platforms (Web, Mobile, MT4, ProRealTime, L2 Dealer, TradingView)	Potential platform fees for lower-value portfolios with infrequent trading.
Comprehensive educational resources through IG Academy.	No fractional share ownership.
Strong regulatory compliance and long history.	No proprietary copy trading feature.
Generally positive user experience and intuitive platforms.	MetaTrader 5 not yet available.
Integrated news, analysis, and trading signals.	Potentially high commissions on CFD shares for infrequent trading.
Extended trading hours on US stocks and 24/7 trading on some markets.	Limited tradable instruments via MT4.
Demo account available for practice.	Inactivity fees may apply.
Award-winning mobile trading apps.	Cryptocurrency trading mainly via CFDs.
Premium services for high-volume traders.	Lack of pre-market US trading for smaller companies (reported).

Conclusion

In conclusion, IG.com presents itself as a robust and versatile online trading platform with a long history and a global presence. Its extensive access to a wide range of markets, coupled with a comprehensive suite of trading platforms and tools, makes it a strong contender for active traders and those interested in CFD trading.

The platform’s commitment to providing high-quality research and educational resources through the IG Academy further enhances its value proposition. The user experience is generally positive, with intuitive web and mobile platforms. Standout features like extended trading hours and specialized platforms cater to more advanced trading needs.

However, potential users should carefully consider the fee structure, particularly if they are occasional traders or have smaller portfolios. The absence of certain features like fractional shares and MT5, along with some reported limitations in market access and platform specifics, might also be important factors to weigh based on individual trading requirements.