IG Group is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) in Australia, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the US, among others. Regulation by these authorities ensures that IG adheres to strict standards for financial operations, client protection, and transparency. IG was founded in 1974, making it one of the oldest online trading platforms. Its long-standing presence in the market adds to its credibility. IG Group Holdings plc is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and is part of the FTSE 250 Index. Being publicly listed adds a layer of transparency as the company must comply with stringent reporting and governance standards.

IG broker offers segregated client accounts, meaning client funds are kept separate from the company's own money, which protects in case the company faces financial difficulties. IG operates globally, serving clients in numerous countries, and has a broad client base. This wide reach and the large number of clients it serves further attest to its reliability. IG provides a wide range of financial instruments for trading, including forex, CFDs, stocks, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. The breadth of their offerings suggests a robust platform. IG generally has a positive reputation among traders and is frequently praised for its user-friendly platform, comprehensive educational resources, and reliable customer support. While no broker is perfect, and some clients may have specific issues or complaints, IG's extensive regulatory oversight, long history, and solid market reputation make it a legitimate and trustworthy broker.

IG provides extensive educational materials, including webinars, tutorials, and articles to help beginners understand trading concepts. The trading platforms (both web-based and mobile) are known for being intuitive and easy to navigate, which can be beneficial for new traders. IG offers a demo account where beginners can practice trading with virtual funds before risking real money. IG is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, such as the FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and others, providing a level of security and trust. IG offers a wide range of trading instruments, including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, allowing beginners to diversify their trading.

The variety of trading instruments and account types might be overwhelming for beginners. While IG’s spreads are competitive, there may be other fees (such as inactivity fees) that could impact new traders who are not active. Despite the educational resources, there is still a significant learning curve associated with trading that may pose challenges for beginners. The minimum deposit requirement might be higher compared to some other brokers aimed at beginners. IG can be a good broker for beginners due to its strong educational resources, user-friendly platforms, and reputable regulatory standing. However, the complexity and potential costs may be a consideration for some new traders. It’s important for beginners to thoroughly research and possibly try out the demo account before committing to real funds.