IG

Who they are

IG was founded in 1974 by Stuart Wheeler and is headquartered in London. It became the first company to offer spread betting, originally letting investors speculate on gold prices at a time when UK exchange controls made buying physical gold difficult. That pioneer spirit has carried through to today - IG is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Most people associate IG with trading - spread betting, CFDs, and forex - but it has built a meaningful investment arm alongside those roots. In January 2025, it acquired Freetrade, a UK-based commission-free trading app, for £160 million, a deal that more than doubled its active client base. IG is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

What IG offers savers and investors

IG does not operate as a traditional savings bank. It does not offer cash savings accounts, easy access accounts, or fixed-rate bonds. What it does offer is a Stocks and Shares ISA - a self-directed investment account where you choose where your money goes.

The IG Stocks and Shares ISA allows you to invest in over 15,000 UK and international stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and investment trusts. There are no platform or management charges for the ISA. The ISA is flexible, meaning you can withdraw money and put it back in the same tax year without it affecting your overall annual ISA allowance.

It is worth being clear about what this means for your money: your returns depend entirely on the investments you pick, not on a fixed interest rate. Your capital is at risk, and you may get back less than you put in.

The transfer cashback offer

If you are thinking of moving an existing ISA or investment account over to IG, there is currently a cashback incentive worth noting. According to our data, IG is offering up to £5,000 cashback when you transfer at least £10,000, though terms apply and you should check the current details carefully before acting.

This kind of offer can look appealing, but it is sensible to weigh any cashback against the overall cost of the platform over time - including trading fees and any FX charges on international holdings - rather than treating it as the deciding factor.

Platform and protection

On the App Store, IG scores 4.6 out of 5, and on Google Play it has a 4.3 out of 5 (as of May 2026). Feedback on the user experience is mixed; while some find the setup process and app straightforward, a significant number of users describe the interface as confusing and not particularly intuitive for beginners. That said, IG has introduced "IG Invest", a dedicated beginner-friendly platform designed for long-term investing in stocks and ETFs.

On protection: IG is not a deposit-taking bank. Your investments are not covered in the same way a cash savings account would be. Your money is held in segregated accounts, separate from IG's own funds, and protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000. This is investor protection, not deposit protection - and your capital remains at risk from market movements.

Is IG right for you?

IG suits investors who want hands-on control over a wide range of global markets within a tax-efficient ISA wrapper, and who are comfortable making their own investment decisions. The platform is polished and execution is fast, making it a strong pick for serious UK traders who value stability and depth.

If you are looking for straightforward cash savings - a fixed-rate bond, an easy access account, or a cash ISA - IG is not the right fit. It is an investment platform, not a savings bank. The returns here come from the markets, not from a guaranteed rate.

As ever, check the live figures shown on this page for the most up-to-date details on IG's current offer before you make any decisions.