Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EBC Financial Group vs IC Markets
EBC Financial Group vs IC Markets: the differences
| Compare |  EBC Financial Group | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50Lower | $200 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, EBC mobile app | 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
- Regulators: only EBC Financial Group offers Financial Conduct Authority.
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at EBC Financial Group: $50 vs $200.
- Markets: only EBC Financial Group offers ETFs.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Futures, Bonds.
- Platforms: only EBC Financial Group offers MT4, MT5, EBC mobile app.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
Our verdict on each
EBC Financial Group
EBC Financial Group suits UK traders who want a single account covering forex, CFDs, stocks, ETFs and crypto, held with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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 | EBC Financial Group | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Entry amount of $50 against $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage, with retail leverage up to 1:500. | 8.9HigherMinimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. |
| Offer | 9.4 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | 9.1Higher | 8.6 |
Feature by feature
| Markets | EBC Financial Group | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
A third option
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $50 for EBC Financial Group and $200 for IC Markets.
ActivTrades reviewHow they place
| Ranking | EBC Financial Group | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 16 of 490 | 132 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 6 of 147 | 57 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 6 of 145 | 55 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 6 of 122 | 48 of 122 |
| Copy trading platforms | 3 of 37 | 13 of 37 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | EBC Financial Group | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 1994 | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EBC Financial Group | IC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50above the median | $200highest quarter | $10 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
EBC Financial Group
Pros
- Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under licence 927552
- One account covers stocks, etfs and forex without needing a second firm
- Platforms in MT4, MT5 and EBC mobile app cover both MetaTrader terminals plus the EBC mobile app
Cons
- Retail leverage runs to 1:500, so a modest balance can be lost quickly
- The entry amount of $50 is above $0 at CFI and $5 at Vantage
- Bonds, funds and futures are not among its stocks, etfs and forex
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
EBC Financial Group
Who it suits
- UK residents who want an account with a firm authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority
- Traders who want forex, CFDs and crypto handled in the same place
- Copy trading users, since demo account, copy trading and mobile app lists it
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, whose minimum deposit is $0, if you want a smaller starting balance
- Vantage, at $5, is another option for a lighter entry
- eToro, whose markets reach stocks, etfs and forex, for anyone also wanting bonds, funds or futures
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
EBC Financial Group
How much do I need to deposit to start?+
The minimum deposit is $50. For comparison, CFI lists $0 and Vantage lists $5, and the median minimum deposit across brands on the site is €4.64. That sits at the higher end of the field, so check it against the balance you intend to hold.
Is my money protected if something goes wrong?+
Yes. EBC Financial Group is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and holds licence 927552. Eligible deposits are covered to the limit stated in the FSCS up to GBP 85,000 scheme, and that protection sits with the regulated entity rather than the brand name.
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.