Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
FXTM vs IC Markets
FXTM vs IC Markets: the differences
| Compare | FXTM ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10Lower | $200 |
| Inactivity fee | $5 | $0Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds, MetalsCovers more | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds |
| Regulators | FCA, CySEC | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No deposit fees; withdrawal fees vary by method | No internal deposit fees |
| Platforms | Desktop, Mobile App, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 88% | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:2000 | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- FXTM scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only FXTM offers FCA, CySEC.
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- FXTM is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at FXTM: $10 vs $200.
- Inactivity fee is lower at IC Markets: $0 vs $5.
- Markets: only FXTM offers ETFs, Metals.
- Platforms: only FXTM offers Desktop, Mobile App.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader.
- Features: only FXTM offers Crypto.
Our verdict on each
FXTM
FXTM suits traders who want forex, CFDs, futures, crypto and shares under one account, with retail leverage of 1:2000 and dual regulation behind the money. Costs are the compromise: entry is light, but support runs on help centre only, and a dormant account is charged rather than left free.
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 | FXTM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0HigherEntry costs are light, with a $10 starting deposit and No deposit fees; withdrawal fees vary by method, though dormant accounts pay $5. | 8.9Minimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. |
| Offer | 9.3 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 8.6 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | FXTM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 59 of 490 | 132 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 27 of 147 | 57 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 25 of 145 | 55 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 22 of 122 | 48 of 122 |
| Futures trading platforms | 14 of 83 | 35 of 83 |
| Copy trading platforms | 6 of 37 | 13 of 37 |
Pick FXTM if, pick IC Markets if
Pick FXTM if trust, minimum deposit, and markets matter most.
Pick IC Markets if offer and inactivity fee matter most.
What each covers
| Markets | FXTM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | Yes |
| Metals | Yes | No |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | FXTM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | |
| United States | Not confirmed | SIPC SIPC member 71021 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | FXTM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app, CryptoCovers more | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | 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 | FXTM | IC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10at the median | $200highest quarter | $10 |
| Inactivity fee | $5above the median | $0at the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | 88%highest quarter | Not confirmed | 70.375% |
Median across 99 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
FXTM
Pros
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex.
- The FCA and CySEC both appear under FCA and CySEC, with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients.
- Trading runs on Desktop, Mobile App and MetaTrader 4, and demo account, copy trading and mobile app adds a demo account and copy trading.
Cons
- Dormant balances are charged $5, a cost active traders never meet.
- Support runs on help centre only.
- Leverage of 1:2000 magnifies losses, and 88% of retail accounts lose money.
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
FXTM
Who it suits
- Traders who want forex, CFDs, futures, crypto and shares in one place from a $10 start.
- Newcomers who want a demo account and copy trading through demo account, copy trading and mobile app.
- Clients who want regulation in the UK and Cyprus under FCA and CySEC.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants to open with nothing: CFI has a $0 minimum.
- Traders focused on shares, ETFs and crypto rather than bonds and metals: eToro's markets are stocks, etfs and forex.
- Small accounts wanting a cheaper opening: Vantage starts at $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
FXTM
What does it cost to open and keep an FXTM account?+
Opening an account starts at $10, and the deposit and withdrawal terms read No deposit fees; withdrawal fees vary by method. The fee to watch is the inactivity charge of $5, which bites once an account sits idle, so running costs stay low only while you keep trading.
Is my money protected at FXTM?+
FXTM is regulated by the FCA and CySEC, and the investor protection stated is FSCS up to GBP 85,000. That cover sits with the regulated entity holding the account, so check which one your account is opened with before treating the protection as your own.
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.