Expert Review
Is IG's demo account any good?
Yes, IG’s demo lets you trade over 17,000 markets with a virtual £10k in a spread betting and CFD account with no expiry.
IG Index‘s demo account lets you test out the broker formally known as IG Index’s spread betting and CFD trading platform. There is no cost to opening a demo account with IG and you do not have to risk real money. Instead, you trade with virtual money. I’ve compared the demo account against the real account so you can decide if the IG demo account is right for you.
IG’s demo versus live trading
Both the IG demo and the real trading platform have the same pricing and asset classes. You can see the similarity in the below screenshot (demo left, live right). 
There are a few downsides though, you can’t get an IG MT4 demo, but I actually don’t think IG is that good for MT4 (there are better MT4 brokers) as you are limited on what you can trade. You also can’t get an IG share dealing demo, or IG Markets trading demo for DMA or physical shares. It’s only the main IG Index demo for forex, indices, commodities and share derivatives.
You also cannot reset an IG demo account as it doesn’t expire. So if you want to create a new IG demo you have to set up a new one using a different email address.
IG’s demo account is excellent as it mirrors the pricing and features of its live platform. You get access to a £10k account for both spread betting and CFDs (so £20k in total), which means you can explore the difference in execution and trade order styles. Plus you get access to their news, trading signals and research without having to deposit funds.
Pros
- Huge range of markets to trade
- Signals, news and research
- Does not expire
Cons
- Can’t see commissions on investing
- No DMA demo account
- No client sentiment data
-
Pricing
(4.5)
-
Market Access
(5)
-
Online Platform
(5)
-
Customer Service
(4.5)
-
Research & Analysis
(5)
Overall
4.8
Richard is the founder of the Good Money Guide (formerly Good Broker Guide), one of the original investment comparison sites established in 2015. With a career spanning two decades as a broker, he brings extensive expertise and knowledge to the financial landscape.
Having worked as a broker at Investors Intelligence and a multi-asset derivatives broker at MF Global (Man Financial), Richard has acquired substantial experience in the industry. His career began as a private client stockbroker at Walker Crips and Phillip Securities (now King and Shaxson), following internships on the NYMEX oil trading floor in New York and London IPE in 2001 and 2000.
Richard’s contributions and expertise have been recognized by respected publications such as The Sunday Times, BusinessInsider, Yahoo Finance, BusinessNews.org.uk, Master Investor, Wealth Briefing, iNews, and The FT, among many others.
Under Richard’s leadership, the Good Money Guide has evolved into a valuable destination for comprehensive information and expert guidance, specialising in trading, investment, and currency exchange. His commitment to delivering high-quality insights has solidified the Good Money Guide’s standing as a well-respected resource for both customers and industry colleagues.
You can contact Richard at richard@goodmoneyguide.com
