Home › Learn › Tutorials

How to Set Up MetaTrader 4 with IG in the UK

Updated 14 July 2026 · 7 min read · PipTax education

If you want to set up MetaTrader 4 with IG in the UK, you're combining one of the world's most established charting and automation platforms with an FCA-regulated broker that many UK traders already know from its own web and mobile apps. This guide walks through the practical steps, from opening the right account to connecting MT4 and checking that your all-in trading costs actually stack up.

Why Pair MetaTrader 4 with IG in the UK

IG built its reputation on its own proprietary platform, but plenty of traders prefer MT4 for its familiar charting tools, custom indicators and expert advisor (EA) support. Running MT4 alongside an FCA-regulated broker like IG gives you:

• Regulatory protection - IG is FCA-authorised, meaning UK retail clients get standard safeguards like negative balance protection.
• Platform choice - you're not locked into one interface; some traders use IG's own platform for order management and MT4 for charting or automation.
• EA and script support - MT4's MQL4 ecosystem lets you run automated strategies, custom indicators and backtests that IG's native platform may not replicate.
• Familiarity - if you've traded MT4 with another broker before, the learning curve to switch is minimal.

That said, platform availability and account structures can change, so before you commit, confirm on IG's own website that MT4 is currently offered for your account type. Don't assume - verify.

Step 1: Open and Verify Your IG Account

Before touching MT4, you need a live (or demo) IG account:

1. Apply online via IG's website, selecting the account type relevant to spread betting, CFDs or forex trading depending on your circumstances and tax position. 2. Complete identity verification - proof of ID and address, standard for any FCA-regulated broker. 3. Fund your account using IG's supported payment methods. 4. Check your account dashboard for MT4 connection details - IG typically provides these once your account is active.

If you're unsure whether your intended account type supports MT4, contact IG support directly before funding. It's far easier to clarify this upfront than to discover afterwards that you need a different account structure.

Step 2: Get Your MT4 Server and Login Details

Once your IG account is open, you'll need three things to connect MT4:

• Server name - the specific MT4 server IG assigns you, found in your account portal.
• Login number - your unique MT4 account ID, separate from your general IG login.
• Password - set during account activation, with an option for a separate investor (read-only) password useful if you want to share performance views without granting trade access.

Keep these details secure. If you ever forget your MT4 password, IG's platform should let you reset it independently of your main IG web login.

Step 3: Download, Install and Connect MetaTrader 4

With your credentials ready, installing MT4 itself is straightforward:

1. Download MT4 - either the desktop terminal, the web-based version, or the mobile app (iOS/Android). 2. Open the terminal and go to File > Login to Trade Account (desktop) or the equivalent login screen on web/mobile. 3. Enter your server, login number and password exactly as provided by IG. 4. Confirm connection - a green signal icon in the bottom-right corner of the desktop terminal indicates you're live. 5. Load your charts and templates - if you've used MT4 before, you can import saved templates, custom indicators and EAs into the new setup.

Run this on a demo account first if you're new to IG's specific MT4 server, just to confirm order execution and connectivity behave as expected before risking real funds.

Checking Real Costs Before You Trade Live

This is the step traders skip - and shouldn't. MT4 setup is only half the job; understanding what you'll actually pay to trade is the other half. Spreads, commissions, overnight swap rates and any platform-specific fees can differ between IG's own platform and its MT4 offering, and they can differ again from other brokers entirely.

Before committing real capital:

• Use PipTax's cost tool at /audit.html to model your expected trading costs based on your typical instruments, volume and holding periods.
• Compare IG against other FCA-regulated brokers on the PipTax brokers page (/brokers/index.html) to see how execution models and platform options stack up.
• Check /rates.html for how swap and financing considerations might affect longer-term positions.

Never rely on assumptions or old figures from forums - broker pricing changes, and the only way to know your real cost is to check current numbers directly.

Leverage, Regulation and What FCA Rules Mean for You

Because IG is FCA-regulated, your MT4 account with them is subject to the same UK retail rules as any other FCA broker offering:

• Leverage cap - retail clients are limited to a maximum of 30:1 on major FX pairs, regardless of whether you trade via MT4 or IG's own platform.
• Negative balance protection - retail clients cannot lose more than their account balance.
• Standardised risk warnings - you'll see these on IG's platform and in your account documentation.

If you're eligible for professional client status, different leverage limits may apply, but this comes with reduced regulatory protections, so weigh that trade-off carefully and read IG's own eligibility criteria before applying.

Running EAs and Automated Strategies on IG's MT4 Server

One of MT4's biggest draws is automation. If you plan to run expert advisors on your IG MT4 account:

• Confirm EA support is permitted under IG's terms for your account type - most MT4 servers allow it, but confirm any restrictions on strategy type or frequency.
• Test on demo first - execution speed and slippage can differ from your backtest assumptions.
• Understand VPS options - if you need 24/5 uptime for your EA, check whether IG or a third party offers a suitable VPS solution.
• Factor in costs - EAs that trade frequently are especially sensitive to spread and commission costs, so run your expected strategy through the cost tool before deploying live capital.

Conclusion

Learning how to set up MetaTrader 4 with IG in the UK is a genuinely quick process once you have your account verified and your server details in hand - the real work is in checking that the costs and execution suit your strategy. Take the time to demo test, confirm current MT4 availability directly with IG, and always cross-check your expected trading costs using PipTax's cost tool before going live. For a broader look at platform and broker options, browse the PipTax school (/school/index.html) and brokers page (/brokers/index.html) to make sure IG's MT4 setup genuinely fits how you trade.

Keep going: Audit Index Index Rates