Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FXCM vs IC Markets
What sets them apart
| Compare |  FXCM | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50Lower | $200 |
| Markets | Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, BondsCovers more |
| Regulators | FCA | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 63% | Not confirmed |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | No internal deposit fees |
| Platforms | Not confirmed | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social |
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Key differences
- IC Markets scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Regulators: only FXCM offers FCA.
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at FXCM: $50 vs $200.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Stocks, Futures, Bonds.
Our verdict on each
FXCM
FXCM suits UK traders who want a single regulated account for forex, CFDs and crypto, opening from a minimum deposit of $50 with client money covered by FSCS up to GBP 85,000. The licence is a known name, which matters more than a bargain headline, since 63% of retail accounts lose money.
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 | FXCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.7Entry starts at $50 against a €4.64 site median, with dealing limited to forex, cfds and crypto. | 8.9HigherMinimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. |
| Offer | 8.8 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.6 |
What each covers
| Markets | FXCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
What we checked
FXCM
- brokerchooser.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- forexsuggest.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- fxcmaffiliates.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
IC Markets
- ic.com: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- sipc.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- hercules-finance.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- fxranking.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | FXCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex brokers | 83 of 147 | 60 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 81 of 145 | 58 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 69 of 122 | 50 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FXCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | Stratos Markets Limited | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | FXCM | IC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $50above the median | $200highest quarter | $25 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 63%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
FXCM
Pros
- FCA regulation with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 protection standing behind client money.
- forex, cfds and crypto markets sit in the same account, so CFD and crypto trades stay under the same licence.
- A named UK operator, Stratos Markets Limited, sits behind the brand and the FCA licence 217689.
Cons
- The $50 minimum deposit is higher than CFI at $0 and Vantage at $5.
- The market list stops at forex, cfds and crypto, so no shares, ETFs or futures dealing sits alongside currency and crypto.
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
FXCM
Who it suits
- UK retail traders who want forex, CFDs and crypto under a single FCA licence rather than several brokers.
- Traders who check the operator before depositing: Stratos Markets Limited and licence 217689.
- Anyone prepared for leverage, with 63% of retail accounts losing money.
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if you also want shares, ETFs and futures, since it lists stocks, etfs and forex.
- CFI, if you want to start without committing cash, since its minimum deposit is $0.
- Vantage, if a smaller starting deposit matters, since Vantage asks $5.
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
FXCM
What do I need to deposit to open an FXCM account?+
The published minimum deposit is $50, higher than the €4.64 median across brokers on the site. For comparison, CFI lists a minimum deposit of $0 and Vantage $5. Beyond that floor the account size is yours to set, and it shapes position sizing rather than the trading fee.
Who regulates FXCM in the UK?+
FXCM is regulated in the UK by the FCA, the sole regulator listed for the brand, and the FCA licence number is 217689. UK clients therefore sit inside the UK regulatory perimeter, with rules on how the firm holds money and treats clients. Anyone outside the UK would need to check their own regulator before opening.
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.