Why Pick IG

IG is the benchmark that other brokers are measured against. Founded in 1974 and listed on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 250 constituent, it is the world’s largest CFD provider by revenue and one of the most heavily regulated brokers in existence, holding licences from the FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FINMA, MAS, CFTC, CySEC, JFSA, and — critically for UAE traders — the DFSA (Reference No. F001780), with a physical office in the DIFC. That DFSA licence makes IG one of a small group of internationally established brokers with genuine local regulatory presence in Dubai. IG offers access to over 17,000 markets across forex, indices, shares, commodities, ETFs, bonds, options, futures, and crypto via its proprietary web platform, ProRealTime, TradingView, and MetaTrader 4. For UAE clients specifically, IG is currently Dubai’s only broker offering zero-commission share dealing on over 10,000 real stocks and ETFs — a service that goes beyond CFD-only competitors like Plus500.

The trade-offs are cost-related. Stock CFD commissions run 0.1%–0.7% depending on the market, with minimums that make small trades expensive. The 0.5% currency conversion fee is higher than Interactive Brokers’. There is no MT5 or cTrader. And while the $12/month inactivity fee only kicks in after 24 months of no trading, it exists. Islamic swap-free accounts are available through the DFSA entity on request — a feature not offered through IG’s UK or global entities.

IG

Best For Forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, crypto, shares

Recommended ForActive traders, multi-asset investors, UAE clients seeking DFSA regulation & share dealing

Open Account

All trading involves risk ⓘ

More than 80% of investors lose in spread bet and CFD trading. As these complex instruments allow for the use of leverage, there is a high risk of losing more money than you have deposited. Before attempting to participate in spread bets and CFDs, consider how well you understand them and if you can afford to lose your money.

Best For Forex, CFDs, indices, commodities, crypto, shares

Recommended ForActive traders, multi-asset investors, UAE clients seeking DFSA regulation & share dealing

• Trader Level Beginner–Advanced
• Number of Users 742,000+ active clients
• Number of Instruments 17,000+ markets
• Base Currencies USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, SGD, HKD

4,8 / 5

Overall score

See Overall Score Breakdown

• Web trading platform5.0

• Fees4.0

• Mobile App5.0

• Deposit and withdrawal 4.5

• Available assets5.0

• Account opening5.0

• Education and Research 5.0

• Support4.5

• Overall rating4.8

Visit Interactive Brokers

All trading involves risk ⓘ

More than 80% of investors lose in spread bet and CFD trading. As these complex instruments allow for the use of leverage, there is a high risk of losing more money than you have deposited. Before attempting to participate in spread bets and CFDs, consider how well you understand them and if you can afford to lose your money.

IG is a DFSA-licensed, FTSE 250-listed broker offering 17,000+ markets across CFDs, forex, real shares, ETFs, options, futures, and crypto. Its proprietary platform ecosystem (IG Web, ProRealTime, TradingView, MT4) serves everyone from beginners to algorithmic traders, while zero-commission share dealing and guaranteed stop-loss orders provide tools that most UAE-accessible competitors cannot match.

Overall Pros & Cons

See how the best brokers in United Arab Emirates compare to IG

The comparison below contrasts IG against two DFSA-licensed alternatives for UAE traders. Plus500 is the simpler CFD platform with dual DFSA/CMA regulation and AED base currency support. Interactive Brokers is the institutional-grade broker with the broadest global market access and lowest raw trading costs.

IG’s fee structure divides into two distinct worlds. For forex and index CFDs, pricing is competitive — EUR/USD from 0.6 pips with no commission on the standard account, S&P 500 from 0.4 points during peak hours, and gold from 0.3 pips. These are strong figures for a DFSA-regulated, FTSE 250-listed broker with 50 years of history. For stock trading, the picture is more nuanced: the share dealing service is zero commission for UAE clients (a genuine differentiator that sets IG apart from every other DFSA-licensed broker in Dubai), but stock CFDs carry commissions of 0.1%–0.7% with minimums that disproportionately affect smaller positions. A $1,000 US share CFD trade costs $10 (1% effective) while a $50,000 trade costs $50 (0.1% effective) — the fee structure clearly favours larger positions.

Guaranteed stop-loss orders are available for most markets — a genuine risk management tool that ensures your position closes at the exact specified price even during market gaps. This feature carries a premium via a wider spread, but is worth the cost during high-impact news events like NFP releases or central bank decisions. No deposit, withdrawal, custody, or account fees. The $12/month inactivity fee is the most generous in the industry, triggering only after 24 consecutive months of zero trading — one trade every two years resets the clock entirely.

Forex Fees

IG’s forex pricing is spread-only on the standard account with no separate commission. The Forex Direct (DMA) service offers raw interbank spreads with commission for professional clients. The standard account spread is the total cost — no hidden markup or lot-based fee.

Stock Fees

IG offers both real share dealing (zero commission for UAE clients) and stock CFDs (commission-based). The share dealing service is the clear winner for buy-and-hold investors who want genuine ownership, dividends, and voting rights without per-trade costs. Stock CFDs are for leveraged short-term trading but carry percentage-based commissions with market-specific minimums that penalise small positions.

ETF Fees

IG offers 5,400+ ETF CFDs and real ETF ownership through its share dealing service. Share dealing on ETFs for UAE clients is zero commission — the same terms as stocks. This means you can build a diversified ETF portfolio with genuine ownership and no per-trade costs.

CFD Fees

Index and commodity CFDs are spread-based and competitive. IG’s gold spread of 0.3 pips is in line with the industry average. Index spreads tighten during market hours — the S&P 500 at 0.4 points during the London/New York overlap is competitive for a DFSA-regulated broker. Spreads widen during off-hours and high-impact news events.

Crypto Fees

IG offers 80+ crypto CFDs including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. Pricing is spread-based with no separate commission. Following the acquisition of Independent Reserve in late 2025, IG plans to launch spot crypto trading in the UAE in H2 2026, which would allow real crypto ownership alongside the existing CFD offering.

Non-trading fees

IG’s non-trading fee profile is clean. The inactivity fee is the most generous in the industry — 24 months of zero trading before any charge applies, and a single trade resets the clock entirely. No deposit, withdrawal, custody, or account fees. The 0.5% currency conversion fee applies to CFD trades only — the share dealing service charges zero FX conversion.

IG’s regulatory profile is unmatched in the retail brokerage industry. The broker holds 11 regulatory licences across 8 Tier-1 jurisdictions — more than virtually any other retail broker. The DFSA licence (F001780) under IG Limited provides UAE clients with local regulatory oversight, mandatory fund segregation, and DFSA conduct-of-business rules, backed by a physical office at Level 27, Tower 2, Al Fattan Currency House in the DIFC. IG Group Holdings plc is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE 250 constituent, meaning audited financials, quarterly reporting, and ongoing market scrutiny. The company has operated continuously since 1974, giving it the longest track record of any retail broker.

Who is IG regulated by?

FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), BaFin (Germany), FINMA (Switzerland), CFTC (USA), CySEC (Cyprus), MAS (Singapore), JFSA (Japan), FMA (New Zealand), DFSA (UAE), and BMA (Bermuda). UAE clients are served under IG Limited, authorised by the DFSA.

Is IG a safe broker to use?

Yes. IG is among the safest retail brokers available globally. The FTSE 250 listing, 11 regulatory licences, 50+ years of operation, and £85,000 FSCS protection (FCA clients) create a safety framework that few competitors can approach. For UAE clients, the DFSA licence provides local regulatory oversight and the DIFC office ensures physical local presence.

Is there investor protection for IG?

Depends on entity. FCA/UK clients: up to £85,000 via FSCS. BaFin/Germany clients: up to €100,000 via EdW. UAE DFSA clients: no statutory compensation scheme — protection is through segregated funds, negative balance protection, and DFSA conduct rules.

IG Background

Founding: 1974 in London, originally as “Investors Gold” (spread betting on gold prices).

Mission: Provide access to global financial markets with transparency and trust.

Scale: 742,000+ active clients across 19 countries. £3.4B+ market capitalisation (2025).

Listing: London Stock Exchange Main Market, FTSE 250 constituent (ticker: IGG).

Revenue: £1.0B+ annual revenue (FY2025).

Innovation: Pioneered financial spread betting (1974), among first to offer CFDs (early 1990s), early mobile trading adoption, TradingView integration (2025).

UAE Presence: DFSA licence F001780, office at Level 27, Tower 2, Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, Dubai.

Recent: Completed acquisition of Independent Reserve (crypto exchange) in late 2025. Plans to offer spot crypto trading in UAE in H2 2026. Gained CIRO (Canada) regulatory approval in June 2025.

IG offers a clean funding experience with zero deposit and withdrawal fees. Bank transfers have no minimum and are always free. Card and PayPal deposits require a $300 minimum and are processed instantly. The main limitation for UAE clients is the absence of AED as a base currency — USD is the typical choice, leveraging the AED-USD peg to minimise conversion impact. The 0.5% currency conversion fee applies to all CFD trades in instruments denominated differently from your base currency, but notably the share dealing service charges zero FX conversion — a significant distinction.

Account base currencies

Fees and options for deposits

Fees and options for withdrawal

Account opening at IG is fully digital, mobile-friendly, and typically approved within one business day. UAE clients are automatically onboarded under the DFSA entity (IG Limited). The process takes 5–10 minutes online. Emirates ID is accepted for identity verification. No minimum deposit for bank wire funding; $300 minimum for card/PayPal.

Account opening information

What is the minimum deposit at IG?

$0 for bank wire transfers. $300 for debit/credit card and PayPal deposits.

Account types

Standard Account: Spread-based CFD and forex trading across 17,000+ markets. Zero commission on forex. Commission on share CFDs. Includes share dealing (zero commission for UAE clients). Access to IG Trading Platform, TradingView, and MT4.

DMA Account (Forex Direct / L2 Dealer): Raw interbank forex spreads with commission. Direct market access for share CFDs. Available to professional and high-volume clients. Requires separate application.

Professional Account: Higher leverage (up to 1:200 via IG International). Fewer regulatory protections than retail. Requires meeting eligibility criteria: 10+ trades per quarter in the last year, portfolio over €500,000, or relevant professional experience.

Islamic Account: Swap-free. Available through the DFSA entity only — not offered through IG’s UK or global entities. Eliminates overnight interest charges. Alternative fee structures (such as admin fees or adjusted spreads) may apply. Available on request.

Demo Account: $20,000 in virtual funds. Mirrors live market conditions. Available to all users.

How to open an account?

1. Visit ig.com/ae or download the IG Trading app (iOS/Android).
2. Click “Open account” and provide personal details, email, and phone number.
3. Enter your country of residence — UAE clients are automatically directed to the DFSA entity.
4. Submit tax information and financial status details.
5. Answer questions about trading experience and investment objectives.
6. Verify identity with Emirates ID or passport plus proof of address.
7. Choose base currency (USD recommended for UAE due to AED-USD peg).
8. Fund via bank wire ($0 minimum) or card/PayPal ($300 minimum).
9. Access demo or live trading immediately upon approval.

IG’s mobile app is one of the most polished trading apps available. It delivers the full platform experience — 17,000+ markets, advanced charting, one-tap execution, guaranteed stop placement, share dealing, and portfolio management — in a clean, fast interface. The app has been consistently rated among the top finance apps on both iOS and Android.

Mobile app information

Languages

18+ languages including English and Arabic.

Look and Feel / User Interface

Professional, data-dense but well-organised. The home screen shows market movers, personalised watchlists, and portfolio summary. Charts are responsive with smooth pinch-to-zoom. Dark and light modes available. The layout prioritises information density without overwhelming beginners — a difficult balance that IG executes well.

Security & Login

2FA mandatory for account access. Biometric login via Face ID and Touch ID. SSL encryption on all connections. Session timeout for inactive periods. No Google/Facebook/Apple ID authentication — dedicated IG login only.

Search

Instant instrument search with auto-complete across all 17,000+ markets. Filter by asset class (forex, indices, shares, commodities, crypto, options). Recently viewed instruments tracked. Watchlist management from search results.

Placing Orders

Market, limit, stop, trailing stop, and guaranteed stop-loss orders. Trade ticket displays margin requirements, overnight funding rates, and total cost before execution. One-tap trading available once configured. Order modification and cancellation from the positions screen.

Products

All 17,000+ markets accessible from the mobile app — forex, indices, share CFDs, ETFs, commodities, bonds, options, crypto, and share dealing. Full account management including deposits, withdrawals, and statement generation.

Alerts and Notifications

Price alerts configurable for any instrument. Push notifications for executed orders, margin calls, price movements, and economic calendar events. Alerts can be set from the chart, watchlist, or instrument detail screen. SMS and email alerts also available.

IG’s web platform ecosystem is among the most comprehensive in the industry. Four distinct platforms serve different trader profiles, all accessible from a single IG account. The proprietary IG Trading Platform is the primary interface — clean, fast, customisable, with integrated news, signals, and charting. ProRealTime adds institutional-grade analysis and automated trading. TradingView provides the social charting community. MetaTrader 4 serves EA users. L2 Dealer offers direct market access for professionals.

Languages

18+ languages including English and Arabic.

Look and Feel / User Interface

The IG Trading Platform uses a modular layout — watchlists, charts, positions, and news can be arranged across the workspace. The design is modern, responsive, and well-spaced. Dark mode available. Charts support multi-timeframe analysis with split-screen views. The overall aesthetic is professional without being overwhelming for beginners.

Security & Login

2FA mandatory. SSL encryption throughout. No Google/Facebook/Apple ID authentication — dedicated IG credentials only.

Search

Instant instrument search across all 17,000+ markets. Category filtering by asset class. “Popular markets” and “Top movers” quick-access panels. Market details page shows spreads, margin requirements, trading hours, and overnight rates for each instrument.

Placing Orders

Market, limit, stop, trailing stop, guaranteed stop, and OCO (one-cancels-other) orders. Order time limits: GTC (good till cancelled), day orders, and GTT (good till time). Trade ticket displays full cost breakdown including spread, commission (share CFDs), margin, and overnight funding before execution. The guaranteed stop-loss order is a standout feature — it ensures your position closes at the exact specified price even during market gaps, for a premium on the spread.

Products

All 17,000+ markets accessible: 90+ forex pairs, 80+ indices, 13,000+ share CFDs, 5,400+ ETFs, 35+ commodities, bonds, options (vanilla and barriers), futures, and 80+ crypto CFDs. Plus zero-commission share dealing for UAE clients.

Alerts and Notifications

Price alerts via push notification, email, and SMS. Economic calendar alerts with impact and currency pair filtering. Autochartist pattern alerts. Margin call notifications. Alert management from the platform toolbar.

Requirements

Any modern browser. No download or plugin required for IG Web. ProRealTime requires Java (web version) or desktop download. MT4 requires desktop download or web version. L2 Dealer requires desktop download.

IG offers one of the widest product ranges in the retail brokerage industry, with over 17,000 markets. This breadth is a genuine competitive advantage — you can go from EUR/USD forex to Apple share CFDs to crude oil futures to Bitcoin crypto CFDs to vanilla options without changing platforms or opening separate accounts. For UAE clients, the zero-commission share dealing service adds real stock and ETF ownership to the CFD offering — a combination that very few DFSA-licensed brokers can match.

Assets & products

Forex

90+ pairs (majors, minors, exotics). Spot and forward contracts.

Share CFDs

13,000+ global companies from US, UK, European, Asian, and Australian exchanges.

Share Dealing (UAE)

10,000+ real stocks and ETFs with zero commission, zero FX charges, zero custody fees.

ETF CFDs

5,400+ ETFs.

Index CFDs

80+ global indices including S&P 500, NASDAQ, FTSE 100, DAX, Nikkei.

Commodity CFDs

35+ including gold, silver, oil, natural gas, and agricultural commodities.

Crypto CFDs

80+ including BTC, ETH, SOL. Spot crypto planned for UAE in H2 2026.

Options

Vanilla options and barriers on indices, commodities, and currencies (OTC-style).

Bonds

Government bond CFDs.

Futures

Index and commodity futures CFDs.

What’s not available

Mutual funds, real crypto ownership (coming H2 2026), exchange-traded options (available via tastytrade for UK/US clients only).

IG’s education and research offering is consistently rated among the best in the industry. The combination of IG Academy, in-house market analysis, Thomson Reuters news, Autochartist signals, and ProRealTime scanning tools creates a research ecosystem that few competitors can match.

Education for all levels

• IG Academy: Structured courses from beginner to advanced across forex, CFDs, share trading, technical analysis, and risk management. Content is differentiated by experience level — an approach that is both unusual and effective.
• Platform tutorials: Step-by-step guides for IG Web, ProRealTime, MT4, and the mobile app.
• IG Academy mobile app: Courses and articles accessible on the go.
• Webinars: Live and archived sessions covering market events, strategies, and platform usage.

Market insights

• In-house analysts: Daily market analysis with forex, index, and commodity coverage. Detailed coverage of major currency pairs with key technical levels and fundamental context.
• Thomson Reuters news feed: Real-time market news integrated into the trading platform.
• Trade ideas: IG’s news section features themed articles including weekly market previews and data release previews.
• Client sentiment data: Real-time positioning data showing how IG clients are trading specific instruments — useful as a contrarian indicator.

Research tools

• Autochartist: Pattern recognition and trading signals integrated into the IG platform.
• ProRealTime: Market scanning, 100+ indicators, pattern detection, and strategy backtesting.
• IG Community: Blog posts, trade picks, and active forums for peer discussion.
• @IGSquawk: IG dealers share real-time client sentiment and news commentary on social media.

Accessibility

• Available in 18+ languages including Arabic.
• Free for all IG account holders (ProRealTime charges apply separately).
• Mobile, web, and desktop delivery.

IG offers comprehensive customer support with multiple channels and genuine local UAE presence through its DIFC office.

Support options available

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 24/5 multilingual support including Arabic for UAE clients
• Live Chat: Instant chat available during market hours
• DIFC Office: In-person queries at Level 27, Tower 2, Al Fattan Currency House, DIFC, Dubai
• Help Centre: Comprehensive FAQ and self-service documentation on ig.com/ae

Response times and quality

• Live Chat: Fast connection — typically under 1 minute
• Phone: Responsive during market hours; knowledgeable staff
• Email: Within 24 hours
• Quality: Consistently praised across user reviews for accuracy and helpfulness

UAE-specific support details

• Arabic language support across all channels
• DIFC office for in-person support — a level of local access that most brokers cannot offer
• 24/5 coverage with extended hours (Saturday 8am to Friday 10pm UK time)
• Dedicated account managers for professional clients
• Formal complaint procedure available through IG and the DFSA
• No 24/7 support for weekend crypto trading

UAE specific features

• DFSA licence (F001780) — physical office in DIFC, Dubai
• Zero-commission share dealing on 10,000+ stocks and ETFs — Dubai’s only platform with this offer
• Islamic swap-free accounts available (DFSA entity only, on request)
• 17,000+ markets — broadest product range among DFSA-licensed brokers
• EUR/USD from 0.6 pips — competitive forex pricing
• Guaranteed stop-loss orders — protection against gaps and slippage
• ProRealTime, TradingView, MT4, and L2 Dealer platform ecosystem
• IG Academy — structured education from beginner to advanced
• Arabic language support across platform, app, and customer service
• DIFC office for in-person support and queries
• $0 minimum deposit (bank wire); $300 (card/PayPal)
• 0.5% currency conversion fee on CFD trades; $0 FX on share dealing
• No AED base currency — USD recommended (AED-USD peg minimises impact)
• $12/month inactivity fee after 24 months — most generous trigger among major brokers
• Negative balance protection for all retail clients
• FTSE 250 listed — public company transparency and accountability
• Spot crypto trading planned for UAE in H2 2026
• 50+ years operating history — the oldest retail broker still operating
• Tax-free capital gains for UAE residents — no personal income tax on trading profits

Author comment

IG is the full-service broker for traders who want everything in one place and are willing to pay for quality. The 17,000+ market selection, DFSA licence with DIFC office, and zero-commission share dealing create a proposition that no other single broker in the UAE can fully match. Interactive Brokers comes closest on market breadth and raw pricing, but IG’s proprietary platform ecosystem — ProRealTime for automated charting, TradingView for social analysis, guaranteed stop-loss orders for risk management — is more accessible for traders who don’t want to learn TWS. Plus500 is simpler and cheaper for pure CFD trading, but cannot match IG’s share dealing, options, research depth, or educational offering.

With FSCS protection at GBP £85,000, $0 deposit for bank wire, with MetaTrader 4, ProRealTime, and TradingView as the primary platform, and zero-commission share dealing for UAE clients. These are fundamental changes that reposition IG from a “good CFD broker” to the most comprehensive DFSA-licensed trading platform available to UAE residents.

The cost considerations are honest: stock CFD commissions are expensive for small positions, the 0.5% FX conversion is higher than IBKR, and ProRealTime carries a monthly fee unless you trade regularly. For cost-sensitive forex scalpers, Tickmill or IC Markets will save money on every trade. For passive ETF investors who want zero-commission automation, Trading 212’s Pies feature is more elegant. For UAE-based Muslim investors, IG’s Islamic account is available but only through the DFSA entity — Pepperstone or XTB may offer more flexible swap-free arrangements.

But for a UAE-based trader who wants DFSA regulation, real share ownership, forex CFDs, commodity exposure, options, and professional-grade charting in a single platform with Arabic support, a DIFC office, and a 50-year track record, IG is the benchmark.

FAQ

Is IG available to UAE residents?

Yes. IG holds a DFSA licence (F001780) and operates from a physical office in the DIFC, Dubai. UAE clients are onboarded under IG Limited.

Does IG offer Islamic accounts?

Yes, but only through the DFSA entity. IG’s UK and global entities do not offer Islamic swap-free accounts. UAE clients can request conversion to a swap-free account through the DFSA-regulated entity.

Can I buy real stocks through IG in the UAE?

Yes. IG offers zero-commission share dealing on over 10,000 real stocks and ETFs to UAE clients — including zero FX charges and zero custody fees. This is genuine share ownership, not CFDs.

What is the minimum deposit?

$0 for bank wire transfers. $300 for debit/credit card and PayPal deposits.

What is the EUR/USD spread?

From 0.6 pips on the standard account (spread-only, no commission). The Forex Direct (DMA) service offers raw spreads with commission for professional clients.

Does IG support TradingView?

Yes. TradingView is integrated with the IG platform for charting and direct trade execution.

What is ProRealTime?

ProRealTime is a professional charting platform integrated with IG. It includes 100+ indicators, pattern recognition, market scanning, and automated trading via the ProOrder module. Costs £30/month, waived if you place 4+ trades per month.

What is the inactivity fee?

$12/month after 24 consecutive months of no trading activity. One trade every two years resets the clock entirely. This is the most generous inactivity trigger among major brokers.

Does IG offer guaranteed stop-loss orders?

Yes. Guaranteed stops ensure your position closes at the exact price you set, even during market gaps or extreme volatility. A premium is added to the spread when using this feature.

Is IG listed on a stock exchange?

Yes. IG Group Holdings plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange Main Market and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index (ticker: IGG).

What platforms does IG offer?

IG Trading Platform (proprietary web/mobile/desktop), ProRealTime (advanced charting + automated trading), TradingView (integrated), MetaTrader 4 (for EAs), and L2 Dealer (DMA for professional clients).

Does IG support Arabic?

Yes. Platform, mobile app, and customer support are available in Arabic.

How many regulators does IG hold?

11 licences across FCA, ASIC, BaFin, FINMA, CFTC, CySEC, MAS, JFSA, FMA, DFSA, and BMA. This is more than virtually any other retail broker globally.

Will IG offer spot crypto in the UAE?

Yes. Following its acquisition of Independent Reserve in late 2025, IG plans to launch spot crypto trading in the UAE in the second half of 2026, allowing real crypto ownership alongside the existing CFD offering.

Does IG offer copy trading?

No. IG does not have a social or copy trading platform. Traders who need this feature should consider eToro.

What is L2 Dealer?

L2 Dealer is IG’s direct market access (DMA) platform for shares and forex. It provides Level 2 order book data and raw interbank pricing. Available to professional and high-volume clients.

What is the FX conversion fee?

0.5% on all CFD trades in instruments denominated in a currency different from your account base. Zero FX charges apply to the share dealing service — a significant distinction.

Everything you find on Business24-7 is based on trustworthy data and impartial analysis. We combine over 11 years of financial expertise with valuable reader feedback to provide accurate insights. Learn more about our methodology.