Alongside its web-based trading platform and mobile apps, IG also offers its own proprietary execution systems and supports third-party trading through the MT4 trading platform<\/a> and ProRealTime.<\/p>\n The IG web trading platform is a free browser-based platform that is available to all users interested in trading CFDs. Through this platform, you can manage your account, deposit and withdraw funds, and access browser-based research tools like news, signals, and the economic calendar.<\/p>\n If you want to stay on top of your investments at all times, our IG trading review found it offers two mobile trading platforms that allow you to trade and access many of the same tools as the web platform. There are two separate mobile trading apps: one optimized for Android and one optimized for iOS.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have an Android or iOS, IG also offers a progressive web app that provides access to a mobile trading platform from any device. It doesn\u2019t require any downloads or visits to third-party app stores, as it is entirely browser-based.<\/p>\n IG\u2019s proprietary L2 Dealer platform provides direct market access and the option to trade from charts. It also allows users to trade forex and share CFDs and comes packed with useful tools like watchlists, price alerts, news, and more. It is a free, downloadable platform that is suited for advanced share traders, but you\u2019ll need a minimum balance of at least $2,000.<\/p>\n IG also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular third-party platform that allows investors to trade forex, CFDs, major metals, and other assets. It also provides access to advanced analysis. automated trading<\/a> tools, and 18 other add-ons that can enhance your trading experience. It is a free, downloadable desktop application that even offers mobile accessibility.<\/p>\n ProRealTime is a downloadable desktop application that is integrated with the IG trading platform, allowing for more advanced technical analysis, automated trading, and customisation. It\u2019s free for the first month and \u00a330\/month afterwards, unless you trade CFDs at least four times per month.<\/p>\n There are a number of ways to trade on IG, but in order to get started, you\u2019ll first need to determine which type of IG trading account you want to open. There are three main categories: share dealing, spread betting, and CFD trading<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you prefer to purchase investments for the sake of owning them, IG share dealing provides access to over 16,000 markets covering a wide variety of assets.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking to invest in UK companies, the IG trading platform offers all 100 shares listed on the FTSE100. It also offers a number of shares from the FTSE250 and FTSE350, along with an assortment of Alternative Investment Market (AIM) stocks, which are UK companies that are too small to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for a global stock trading<\/a> platform, IG offers access to major exchanges around the world. This includes the NYSE and NASDAQ in the US, which are home to multinational companies such as Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft. Users can also purchase shares from other exchanges in countries like Australia, South Africa, Germany, and more.<\/p>\n In addition to stocks from major exchanges, the IG trading platform also allows users to trade penny stocks, which are public companies that don\u2019t have a big enough market valuation to trade on larger exchanges.<\/p>\n Beyond individual shares, the IG trading platform also offers a variety of funds that could help you diversify your portfolio.<\/p>\n The IG trading platform is home to thousands of exchange-traded-funds (ETFs) \u2013 investment funds made up of multiple assets such as stocks, bonds, and commodities. This allows users to invest in funds that track growth stocks, government securities, and more.<\/p>\n IGs index funds offer another way to access international stock markets. These funds consist of shares of tens, if not hundreds of companies listed on major stock exchanges such as:<\/p>\n Our IG trading review found the broker also offers investment trusts, which are similar to index funds and ETFs but instead of tracking markets and indices automatically, they are managed manually in an effort to outperform them. When you invest in an investment trust, the manager of the trust will determine which assets to buy and when, but often includes similar assets like stocks, bonds, and commodities.<\/p>\n If you prefer to speculate on price changes instead of purchasing and selling assets, IG CFD trading might be right for you. It provides access to over 17,000 markets around the world and requires a much smaller initial investment due to margin. IG allows you to trade thousands of stock CFDs from major exchanges around the world, including a number of emerging markets that aren\u2019t available through the main IG share dealing platform.<\/p>\n IG offers dozens of pairs that cover both minor and major markets along with less frequently traded exotic currencies. Its spreads are very competitive compared to other online brokers, which makes it one of the most popular forex trading platforms<\/a> in 2025.<\/p>\n While IG is an old-school trading platform that is mainly focused on CFDs, it has recently entered the cryptocurrency space in the form of CFDs. While you won\u2019t own the underlying assets, you\u2019ll be able to speculate on price changes of a number of different cryptocurrencies such as:<\/p>\n Beyond individual currencies, the IG cryptocurrency department also allows you to trade a digital currency index made up of 10 of the largest cryptocurrencies (based on market capitalization.)<\/p>\n For those interested in hedging against inflation, our IG trading platform review found it offers commodity CFDs such as precious and hard metals, energies, and agricultural products. This includes, but is not limited to:<\/p>\n If the above options aren\u2019t what you\u2019re looking for, IG also supports a variety of other CFD trading markets, including:<\/p>\n IG\u2019s specialty is spread betting, so if you\u2019re looking for online spread betting facilities in the UK, you\u2019ve come to the right place. The platform gives you access to over 17,000 financial markets that can all be traded on margin. These investments are exempt from capital gains taxes and stamp duty, allowing you to retain more of your earnings.<\/p>\n Finally, if you\u2019re looking for a fully-managed way to invest your money, you\u2019ll be pleased to hear about IG Smart Portfolios. These portfolios are built by BlackRock and managed automatically. After signing up, the platform will create a pre-made portfolio based on your investment style, risk, and goals. The assets contained within the portfolio include a mix of commodities, stocks, bonds, and more.<\/p>\n Available exclusively to UK residents, the IG share dealing account provides access to over 16,000 global shares and ETFs. Share dealing is a type of investing that involves the purchase and\/or sale of shares that can be held or sold depending on the investor\u2019s preference and strategy. By using the share dealing account to purchase the actual shares, investors can receive dividend payments and gain shareholder rights. There are three sub-accounts to choose from:<\/p>\n![\"IG](\"https:\/\/tradingplatforms.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/01.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIG Web Trading Platform<\/h3>\n
IG Trading App<\/h3>\n
IG Progressive Web App<\/h3>\n
IG Proprietary Trading Platform (L2 Dealer)<\/h3>\n
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)<\/h3>\n
ProRealTime (PRT)<\/h3>\n
IG Trading Account Types<\/h2>\n
IG Share Dealing<\/h3>\n
![\"IG](\"https:\/\/tradingplatforms.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/03\/Share-dealing-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIG Stock Trading \u2013 UK Shares<\/h4>\n
IG Stock Trading \u2013 International Shares<\/h4>\n
IG Stock Trading \u2013 Penny Shares<\/h4>\n
Funds<\/h3>\n
ETFs<\/h4>\n
Index Funds<\/h4>\n
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Investment Trusts<\/h4>\n
IG CFD Trading<\/h3>\n
![\"IG](\"https:\/\/tradingplatforms.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/03-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIG Stock CFDs<\/h4>\n
IG Forex Trading<\/h4>\n
Cryptocurrencies<\/h4>\n
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Commodities<\/h4>\n
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Other CFD Markets<\/h4>\n
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IG Spread Betting<\/h3>\n
![\"IG](\"https:\/\/tradingplatforms.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/05\/04.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIG Smart Portfolios<\/h3>\n
IG Share Dealing Account<\/h3>\n
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IG Spread Betting Account<\/h3>\n