Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
HYCM vs IC Markets
Where HYCM and IC Markets differ
| Compare |  HYCM | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $20Lower | $200 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds |
| Regulators | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | SIPC |
| Investor protection | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 | SIPC up to USD 500,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | $0 card deposits | No internal deposit fees |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, HYCM Trader | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social |
| Stock trade fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
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Key differences
- IC Markets scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.9.
- Regulators: only HYCM offers Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Minimum deposit is lower at HYCM: $20 vs $200.
- Markets: only HYCM offers ETFs.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Futures, Bonds.
- Platforms: only HYCM offers MT4, MT5, HYCM Trader.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Features: only HYCM offers Crypto.
- Features: only IC Markets offers Demo account, Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
HYCM
HYCM suits UK and European retail traders who want forex, CFDs, shares, ETFs and crypto on one account. Commission-free pricing with a stock trade fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $20 keeps charges easy to read, though help runs thinner than at the alternatives.
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 | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1HigherCost side is simple: a commission-free model and card deposits at $0 card deposits. | 8.9Minimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. |
| Offer | 9.0 | 9.8Higher |
| Trust | 8.6 | 8.6 |
What each covers
| Markets | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | Yes | No |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | No | Yes |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | No | Yes |
Where these facts come from
HYCM
- hycm.com: 11 facts, 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 | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 162 of 471 | 140 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 70 of 147 | 60 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 68 of 145 | 58 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 59 of 122 | 50 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app, Crypto | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Commission free | Low fees |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Experienced, Day traders |
| Legal entity | HYCM Capital Markets (UK) Limited | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC |
| Support channels | Help centre | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | HYCM | IC Markets | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $20below the median | $200highest quarter | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
HYCM
Pros
- Commission-free dealing with a stock trade fee of $0
- Entry of $20, below the site median of €4.64
- Card deposits at $0 card deposits
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only
- No bonds, funds or futures in the stocks, etfs and forex list
- Entry of $20 sits above the $0 minimum at CFI
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
HYCM
Who it suits
- Retail traders in the UK and Europe who want forex and CFDs beside shares and crypto in one account
- Beginners who prefer commission-free dealing to a tiered commission schedule
- Anyone who values a low entry point of $20 and a mobile app
Who should look elsewhere
- eToro, if you need futures as well as the stocks, etfs and forex it lists
- CFI, if you would rather start at $0
- Vantage, whose $5 entry sets a different bar
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
HYCM
What does it cost to buy shares with HYCM?+
HYCM trades commission-free, and the stock trade fee on the account types is $0. Deals are not split into tiers, so the headline dealing charge is easy to read. Costs still show up in the spread and in overnight charges if you hold leveraged positions open.
How much do I need to deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $20, which sits below the site median of €4.64. On entry size HYCM ranks 118 of 213 brands, so the opening balance is modest. Stock dealing itself adds a stock trade fee of $0.
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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