Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
CapTrader vs IC Markets
CapTrader vs IC Markets: the differences
| Compare |  CapTrader | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000 | $200Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Options, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, FundsCovers more | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Free withdrawal, bank transfer deposits | No internal deposit fees |
| Platforms | Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social |
| Stock trade fee | $2 | Not confirmed |
| Account fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SIPC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Options contract fee | €2 | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Inactivity fee ($0).
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Key differences
- IC Markets scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at IC Markets: $200 vs $2,000.
- Markets: only CapTrader offers ETFs, Options, Funds.
- Platforms: only CapTrader offers Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop, Trading App.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Features: only CapTrader offers Fractional shares.
- Features: only IC Markets offers Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
CapTrader
CapTrader suits experienced traders who want stocks, forex, CFDs, options, futures, crypto, bonds and funds under one roof with no account or inactivity fee. The catch is the entry size: a minimum deposit of $2,000 puts it out of reach for a small first account.
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 | CapTrader | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Account fee and inactivity fee of $0 and $0 set against a $2,000 entry and $2 a trade. | 8.9HigherMinimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.6 |
Side by side, item by item
| Markets | CapTrader | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Options | Yes | No |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Funds | Yes | No |
Licences and countries
| Country | CapTrader | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
How they place
| Ranking | CapTrader | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 19 of 471 | 140 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 7 of 147 | 60 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 7 of 145 | 58 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 7 of 122 | 50 of 122 |
| Futures trading platforms | 5 of 82 | 37 of 82 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | CapTrader | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Fractional shares | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
| Support channels | Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | CapTrader | IC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $2,000highest quarter | $200highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $2highest quarter | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
CapTrader
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so instruments do not need splitting across brokers.
- Platform choice of Trader Workstation TWS, CapTrader Desktop and Trading App covers desktop terminals and mobile trading.
- Trading costs read plainly: $2 a stock trade and €2 an options contract.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $2,000 ranks 197 of 213 on our data, against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage.
- Stock trade fee of $2 ranks 124 of 161, while eToro charges $0 a trade.
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone or chat channel listed.
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
CapTrader
Who it suits
- Traders running a mixed book of stocks, etfs and forex rather than one narrow market.
- Anyone who dislikes dormant account charges, with an inactivity fee of $0.
- Desktop users who prefer the Trader Workstation TWS or CapTrader Desktop over a simple app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small first-time accounts: CFI starts at $0 and Vantage at $5, well below CapTrader's $2,000.
- Cost-first stock buyers: eToro charges $0 a trade against CapTrader's $2.
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
CapTrader
What is the minimum deposit?+
The minimum deposit is $2,000, which is the main hurdle for a first account. On our data that places CapTrader at 197 of 213. CFI takes $0 and Vantage $5, so a smaller start is easy elsewhere.
Are there account or inactivity fees?+
Neither applies. The account fee is $0 and the inactivity fee is $0, so leaving money untouched does not trigger a charge. CapTrader ranks 1 of 138 on account fee and 1 of 56 on inactivity fee.
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.
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