IG

IG earned the #3 slot in our 2026 EU broker rankings with an overall score of 9.2/10. That score is the composite of eight individually weighted dimensions — fees, platforms, regulation, execution, support, education, instruments, and raw execution quality — and IG scored consistently above 8.0 on the majority of them.

Where IG pulled ahead of its peers was on regulation (9.8/10) and instruments (9.7/10). On the first dimension, it holds tier-1 licences across multiple jurisdictions. On the second, the instrument list covers forex, indices, commodities, crypto, and equities in depth. These are the two areas that we believe justify the award.

From a safety perspective, IG is regulated by BaFin, FCA, ASIC and operates under the full ESMA framework for EU retail clients. Client funds are segregated at top-tier banks, negative balance protection applies to every retail account, and the compensation scheme is ICF up to EUR 20,000 (Germany), FSCS up to GBP 85,000 (UK). This is the baseline we look for before a broker can even be considered for an award — IG clears it comfortably.

IG is the world's oldest and most trusted retail broker, offering 17,000+ instruments, a BaFin-regulated EU entity, and an award-winning proprietary platform. The combination of credible regulation, strong execution quality, and a proven track record since 1974 is why IG earns a spot on the 2026 list alongside the nine other EU brokers we recognise this year.