Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
Deriv vs IC Markets
Where Deriv and IC Markets differ
| Compare |  Deriv | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5Lower | $200 |
| Inactivity fee | $25 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds |
| Platforms | Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Regulators | Not confirmed | SIPC |
| Investor protection | Not confirmed | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 74% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | No internal deposit fees |
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Key differences
- IC Markets scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Deriv: $5 vs $200.
- Inactivity fee is lower at IC Markets: $0 vs $25.
- Markets: only Deriv offers ETFs.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Futures.
- Platforms: only Deriv offers Deriv MT5, Deriv Trader.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Features: only Deriv offers Crypto.
- Features: only IC Markets offers Copy trading.
- Pricing model: only Deriv offers Commission free.
Our verdict on each
Deriv
Deriv suits beginners and day-traders who want a $0 stock trade fee, a $5 minimum deposit and a demo account to practise on. Most retail accounts here lose money, at 74%, so the cheap entry is not a reason to trade lightly.
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 | Deriv | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9An inactivity fee of $25 is the weak spot, against $0 at Vantage. | 8.9Minimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 8.6 |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Deriv | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
Which one suits you
Pick Deriv if minimum deposit matter most.
Pick IC Markets if offer and inactivity fee matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | Deriv | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 160 of 471 | 140 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 69 of 147 | 60 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 67 of 145 | 58 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 58 of 122 | 50 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Deriv | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Mobile app, Crypto | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Day traders, Beginners | 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 | Deriv | IC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $5below the median | $200highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $25highest quarter | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 74%above the median | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
Deriv
Pros
- A single account covers stocks, etfs and forex, so no second broker is needed
- demo account, mobile app and crypto covers a demo account and a mobile app alongside Deriv Trader and Deriv MT5
- Built for beginners and day traders (day traders and beginners) rather than experienced traders only
Cons
- An inactivity fee of $25 applies to dormant balances, against $0 at Vantage
- Support runs on help centre only, with no phone line or live chat listed
- Deriv reports that 74% of retail accounts lose money, above the 70.15% site median
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
Deriv
Who it suits
- Beginners who want a demo account and a small minimum deposit before going live
- Day-traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account
- Traders already comfortable with charting platforms, since Deriv MT5 is one of the platforms listed (Deriv MT5 and Deriv Trader)
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone leaving money parked for long: Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0
- Traders who want futures in the same account: the markets at eToro, stocks, etfs and forex, include them
- Traders who want the smallest possible entry: CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0
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
Deriv
What does it cost to open a Deriv account?+
The minimum deposit is $5, so the account opens on a small balance. Stock trades are charged at $0, which sits inside a commission-free model, so no commission is added per trade. Beginners and day traders are the stated audience.
Will I be charged if my account sits idle?+
Yes. Deriv charges an inactivity fee of $25 on an account left unused, which is the main cost trap here. Vantage lists an inactivity fee of $0 by comparison, so a dormant balance is cheaper elsewhere. Move money you are not using rather than leaving it parked.
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.