IG Markets vs UZFX Review 2026: Compare Regulation, Spreads, Platforms and Leverage
Last updated: August 26, 2026
IG Markets is one of the world’s largest CFD and forex brokers, operating since 1973 and listed on the London Stock Exchange. With regulatory licences from the FCA, ASIC, and CBI, IG serves more than 80 countries and millions of registered clients. In this comparison review, we examine how IG Markets stacks up against UZFX — a newer ASIC-regulated broker known for its low minimum deposit of just $10 and commission-free trading model.
Both brokers serve retail CFD traders, but they take very different approaches: IG is a full-service, multi-regulated giant with deep liquidity and institutional-grade platforms, while UZFX targets beginner and retail traders with ultra-low entry barriers and a zero-commission spread model. This review covers regulation, trading conditions, platforms, product range, fees, and customer support to help you decide which broker fits your needs.
Research note (August 26, 2026): Information is sourced from publicly available regulatory records, broker websites, and third-party review platforms. Regulatory data is verified against the FCA register (register.fca.org.uk/s/firm?id=134106) and ASIC register (asic.gov.au/bsb/search). Always verify current terms directly with the broker before opening an account.
Company Overview
| Feature | IG Markets | UZFX |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1973 | 2021 |
| Headquarters | Canary Wharf, London, UK | Dubai, UAE |
| Top regulators | FCA (UK), ASIC (AU), CBI (IE), ASIC (HK), JFSA (JP) | ASIC (AU) — AFSL 001291473 |
| Account types | Spread, Raw Spread, Standard | Standard |
| Minimum deposit | $0 (demo); varies by entity for live | $10 |
| Monthly volume | $500B+ | Not publicly disclosed |
| Tradeable instruments | 17,000+ | 100+ |
| Listed status | LSE: IGML | Private |
IG Markets is a publicly listed company (London Stock Exchange: IGML) with over five decades of trading experience. Its regulatory footprint spans six jurisdictions, making it one of the most heavily regulated brokers globally. UZFX, by contrast, is a younger, privately held firm regulated primarily by ASIC in Australia, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative for retail traders.
Trading Conditions
IG Markets Account Types and Costs
| Account | Minimum Deposit | EUR/USD Spread | Commission | Max Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $0 (varies by entity) | From 0.6 pips | None | 1:30 (FCA), 1:500 (international) |
| Raw Spread | Varies by entity | From 0.0 pips | £10 per lot (0.5 lot) | 1:30 (FCA), 1:500 (international) |
| IG Dealing | Varies by entity | From 1.2 pips | None | 1:30 (FCA) |
IG’s Standard account charges no commissions but incorporates a slightly wider spread. The Raw Spread account offers near-zero spreads on major pairs but charges a competitive £10 per lot commission — similar to ECN brokers. The IG Dealing account is designed for discretionary traders who prefer the phone or dealing desk interaction.
UZFX Trading Conditions
| Account | Minimum Deposit | EUR/USD Spread | Commission | Max Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $10 | From 0.8 pips | None | 1:500 |
UZFX operates a single account type with a zero-commission, spread-markup model. The $10 minimum deposit is among the lowest in the regulated CFD industry. Leverage of up to 1:500 is available across UZFX’s regulated entities, which is significantly higher than IG’s FCA-capped 1:30 for retail EU/UK clients.
Comparison verdict: IG Markets wins on spread quality for high-volume traders who prefer Raw Spread accounts with ECN-style pricing. UZFX wins on accessibility — the $10 minimum deposit and zero-commission model make it an attractive entry point for beginners and low-capital traders.
Trading Platforms
IG Markets Platforms
IG Smart Investment Platform: IG’s flagship proprietary web-based platform offers advanced charting, multi-asset support (forex, indices, shares, commodities, bonds, and futures), and one-click trading. It is available on web and mobile (iOS/Android). The platform supports up to five chart windows simultaneously.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4): Available for forex and CFD trading. Supports Expert Advisors (EAs), custom indicators, and automated strategies. Available on desktop, web, and mobile.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5): IG offers MT5 with multi-asset access, including shares CFDs, futures, and bonds. Provides enhanced backtesting and additional timeframes.
IG Dealing Desk: A discretionary trading option for larger orders, telephone trading, and personalised market access — available by appointment.
UZFX Platforms
Web Terminal: UZFX’s primary trading interface, accessible from any browser. Features real-time charts, one-click order placement, and a clean dashboard. Available on Windows, Mac, and mobile browsers.
H5 Platform: A lightweight HTML5-based mobile trading platform for iOS and Android devices.
Mobile Apps: Dedicated iOS and Android applications with push notifications, live quotes, and full account management.
UZFX does not offer MT4 or MT5. Traders who rely on MetaTrader ecosystems — including thousands of free EAs, custom indicators, and a massive community — will find this a significant limitation. However, UZFX’s Web Terminal is functional for basic to intermediate CFD trading.
Platform comparison: IG Markets clearly dominates the platform category. It offers four distinct trading interfaces including MT4 and MT5, which support automated trading and social trading. UZFX’s proprietary-only stack is adequate for manual traders but limits options for algorithmic and social traders.
Product Range
| Asset Class | IG Markets | UZFX |
|---|---|---|
| Forex | 80+ currency pairs | 70+ pairs |
| Indices | 80+ | 10+ |
| Shares (CFD) | 12,000+ | N/A |
| Commodities | 30+ | 15+ |
| Crypto CFDs | 20+ | 5+ |
| Bonds | 15+ | N/A |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
IG Markets offers an exceptionally broad product range — over 17,000 tradeable instruments across six asset classes, including shares CFDs on major global exchanges, government and corporate bonds, and futures contracts. UZFX focuses on the core CFD categories: forex, indices, commodities, and a small selection of crypto CFDs.
For traders seeking multi-asset diversification, IG Markets is the clear choice. For traders focused exclusively on forex and major commodities, UZFX’s streamlined offering is sufficient and easier to navigate.
Customer Support
| Feature | IG Markets | UZFX |
|---|---|---|
| Support hours | 24/7 (phone); extended webchat | 24/5 webchat; email |
| Channels | Phone, webchat, email, video calls | Webchat, email, Telegram |
| Languages | 22+ | Chinese, English, Vietnamese, Indonesian |
| Education | IG Academy, webinars, video library, daily market reports | Basic tutorials, educational articles |
| Response time | Average 1-3 minutes (phone) | Average 5-10 minutes (webchat) |
IG Markets provides round-the-clock phone support, which is rare among CFD brokers. Its educational resources include IG Academy courses, live webinars, and comprehensive daily market analysis. UZFX offers webchat and email support in four languages, with focus on Asian market hours — suitable for its core audience but lacking the institutional support infrastructure of IG.
Pros and Cons
IG Markets
Pros:
- Publicly listed on LSE with 50+ years of history
- Regulated by FCA, ASIC, CBI, JFSA, and more — six jurisdictions
- Raw Spread account with near-zero spreads and competitive commissions
- MT4 and MT5 available for automated and social trading
- 17,000+ instruments across forex, shares, indices, commodities, crypto, bonds, and futures
- 24/7 phone support with multilingual team
- Comprehensive IG Academy and daily research
- No inactivity fees
Cons:
- FCA-regulated leverage capped at 1:30 for retail clients
- Raw Spread account commission (£10 per lot) adds cost for low-volume traders
- Minimum deposit varies by entity and can be high for certain account types
- No commission-free account with ultra-tight spreads (compromise between spread and commission)
UZFX
Pros:
- ASIC-regulated with AFSL 001291473
- Ultra-low minimum deposit of $10 (reduced from $50 in July 2026)
- Zero-commission trading model
- Leverage up to 1:500
- Clean, fast Web Terminal and mobile apps
- No inactivity fees
- Dedicated Telegram support for Asian traders
Cons:
- Only ASIC regulation (no multi-jurisdiction licences like FCA or CBI)
- No MT4 or MT5 support
- Limited product range (100+ instruments vs 17,000+)
- No shares CFDs, bonds, or futures
- Support not available 24/7
- Smaller broker with less brand recognition globally
Broker vs UZFX at a Glance
| Criterion | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | IG Markets | Six regulatory licences including FCA, ASIC, JFSA |
| Spread quality | IG Markets | Raw Spread from 0.0 pips; tighter on majors |
| Minimum deposit | UZFX | $10 vs IG’s entity-dependent minimums |
| Commission | UZFX | Zero commission vs £10/lot on IG Raw Spread |
| Leverage | UZFX | Up to 1:500 vs 1:30 (FCA retail) |
| Platforms | IG Markets | MT4, MT5, Smart Investment, Dealing Desk |
| Product range | IG Markets | 17,000+ vs 100+ instruments |
| Customer support | IG Markets | 24/7 phone, 22+ languages, IG Academy |
| Accessibility for beginners | UZFX | $10 minimum, zero commission, simple interface |
| Multi-asset trading | IG Markets | Shares, bonds, futures, ETFs available |
FAQ
Q1: Is IG Markets safe and regulated? Yes, IG Markets is one of the safest brokers in the industry. It is regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) in the UK, ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) in Australia, the CBI in Ireland, the JFSA in Japan, and additional regulators. IG is a publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange, which means it is subject to strict financial reporting and governance requirements.
Q2: How do IG Markets and UZFX spreads compare? IG Markets offers spreads from 0.3 pips on EUR/USD with a £10 per lot commission on the Raw Spread account, or from 0.6 pips with no commission on the Standard account. UZFX charges spreads from 0.8 pips with no commission at all. For scalpers and high-frequency traders, IG’s Raw Spread pricing is more competitive. For casual traders, UZFX’s zero-commission model may be more cost-effective.
Q3: What trading platforms do IG and UZFX offer? IG Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, the proprietary IG Smart Investment Platform, and IG Dealing desk access. UZFX offers only its proprietary Web Terminal, H5 platform, and mobile applications — no MT4 or MT5. Traders who rely on EAs, custom indicators, or social trading copy features will find IG’s platform ecosystem significantly richer.
Q4: Which broker offers higher leverage? UZFX offers leverage up to 1:500, which is available to most retail clients. IG Markets limits leverage to 1:30 for retail clients under FCA regulation but offers up to 1:500 through its international entities. If you trade under the FCA regime, UZFX provides substantially higher leverage.
Q5: What are the minimum deposit and inactivity fees for each broker? UZFX requires a minimum deposit of just $10 and does not charge inactivity fees. IG Markets typically allows free demo accounts with no deposit, but live account minimums vary by entity (often $100-$1,000 depending on region). IG also does not charge inactivity fees.
Final Verdict
Choose IG Markets if: You want maximum regulatory protection (six licences), the widest product range (17,000+ instruments), professional platforms including MT4 and MT5, and 24/7 phone support. IG is ideal for experienced traders, multi-asset investors, and those who value brand reputation and institutional infrastructure.
Choose UZFX if: You are a beginner or retail trader with limited capital ($10 minimum), you prefer a zero-commission trading model, and you primarily trade forex and major CFDs. UZFX’s ASIC regulation and simple, cost-effective structure make it a solid choice for budget-conscious traders in Asia and Australia.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The decision ultimately comes down to your trading style, capital, and platform preferences. IG Markets is the premium, full-service option; UZFX is the accessible, low-cost alternative.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs are complex financial instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 70-80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify broker terms and conditions directly before opening an account.
Last reviewed: August 26, 2026 | Editorial team: MarketCFD Research Desk | More broker reviews