Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Alchemy Markets vs IC Markets
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Alchemy Markets | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1,000 | $200Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds |
| Regulators | FSA, FCA, MFSA | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | Metatrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | No internal deposit fees |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:500 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Alchemy Markets scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only Alchemy Markets offers FSA, FCA, MFSA.
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Alchemy Markets is licensed in 2 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at IC Markets: $200 vs $1,000.
- Markets: only Alchemy Markets offers ETFs.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Futures, Bonds.
- Platforms: only Alchemy Markets offers Metatrader.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Features: only Alchemy Markets offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
Alchemy Markets
Alchemy Markets suits funded traders who want forex, CFDs, stocks and crypto in one account on MetaTrader and TradingView. The FCA, FSA and MFSA licences bring FSCS up to GBP 85,000 protection, and retail leverage of 1:500 suits active CFD traders, though the deposit needed to start is high for small balances.
IC Markets
IC Markets suits experienced day-traders who want a wide market list and no account fee, and it is a weaker fit if you want to start small. The minimum deposit of $200 is the number most readers will notice, while the inactivity fee of $0 takes that worry away.
Score breakdown
| Area | Alchemy Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.2Costs weigh heavily against the brand: the minimum deposit of $1,000 sits well above the €4.64 site median. | 8.9HigherMinimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. |
| Offer | 9.1 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | 9.8Higher | 8.6 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Alchemy Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 97 of 490 | 132 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 42 of 147 | 57 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 40 of 145 | 55 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 33 of 122 | 48 of 122 |
| Copy trading platforms | 11 of 37 | 13 of 37 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Alchemy Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Malta | MFSA C56519 | Not confirmed |
| Seychelles | FSA SD136 | Not confirmed |
| United Kingdom | FCA 612233 | Not confirmed |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
If neither fits
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $1,000 for Alchemy Markets and $200 for IC Markets.
ActivTrades reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Alchemy Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Crypto, Demo account, Copy trading | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Alchemy Global Limited | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Alchemy Markets | IC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $1,000highest quarter | $200highest quarter | $10 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Alchemy Markets
Pros
- Regulated by the FSA, FCA and MFSA (FSA, FCA and MFSA), with the legal entity Alchemy Global Limited (Alchemy Global Limited).
- One account holds stocks, etfs and forex together, so positions do not have to be split across brokers.
- MetaTrader and TradingView are both available (Metatrader and TradingView).
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $1,000 sits well above the €4.64 site median, ranking 191 of 213 brands on deposit size.
- Retail leverage of 1:500 cuts both ways, so a position that moves the wrong way can take an account down quickly.
- Compared with eToro's list (stocks, etfs and forex), the market range here (stocks, etfs and forex) is narrower at the leveraged end.
IC Markets
Pros
- The inactivity fee is $0, and the brand ranks at 1 of 56 brands on that measure.
- Deposit and withdrawal carry no internal fees, so moving money in and out does not add to the cost of a trade.
- You can trade stocks, forex, contracts for differences, futures, crypto and bonds from one account, which is a wider list than eToro's stocks, etfs and forex.
Cons
- The minimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, so the account is less accessible than CFI, where the minimum deposit is $0.
- The brand ranks at 172 of 213 brands on minimum deposit, which puts the entry cost near the expensive end of the list.
- The stated audience is experienced traders and day-traders, so a first-time investor gets less hand-holding than the low-fees brands on the site.
Who each suits
Alchemy Markets
Who it suits
- Traders with a funded balance who can meet $1,000 to open the account.
- Single-account traders who want the whole list of stocks, etfs and forex in one place.
- Copy traders and demo users, since copy trading and a demo account sit in the feature set (crypto, demo account and copy trading).
Who should look elsewhere
- Not CFI, whose minimum deposit of $0 opens the door to far smaller starting balances.
- Not Vantage, where the minimum deposit is $5.
- Not eToro if futures matter to you, since eToro covers stocks, etfs and forex.
IC Markets
Who it suits
- Experienced day-traders trading forex, contracts for differences, futures and crypto through a single account
- Anyone who trades on several platforms and wants MetaTrader, cTrader, TradingView and a web platform side by side
- Traders who want to hold an account open without paying an inactivity fee
Who should look elsewhere
- First-time investors who want a guided, beginner-led platform, where eToro suits better
- Anyone starting with a small amount, since Vantage opens at a minimum deposit of $5 against $200 here
- Long-term investors building a portfolio of funds or exchange-traded products, which eToro covers with its wider stocks, etfs and forex
Questions about each
Alchemy Markets
How much do I need to deposit to open an Alchemy Markets account?+
The minimum deposit is $1,000, well above the €4.64 median across the brokers compared here. That places Alchemy Markets at 191 of 213 brands on deposit size, so the account is aimed at traders who can fund a larger balance from the start.
Who regulates Alchemy Markets and is my money protected?+
The broker is regulated by the FSA in the Seychelles (SD136), the FCA in the UK (612233) and the MFSA in Malta (C56519). Investor protection is listed as FSCS up to GBP 85,000, and the legal entity behind the brand is Alchemy Global Limited (Alchemy Global Limited).
IC Markets
What is the minimum deposit to open an IC Markets account?+
The minimum deposit is $200. Set that against the site median of €4.64 to see where the entry point sits, and remember this money is committed before any trade is placed. Readers starting small may prefer a lower floor elsewhere.
Is there an inactivity fee at IC Markets?+
The inactivity fee is $0, so an account can sit open without a charge for being dormant. The brand ranks at 1 of 56 brands on that measure, which makes it one of the strongest results in our data for holding costs.