Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
IC Markets vs iFOREX
What sets them apart
| Compare | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200 | $100Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $15 |
| Markets | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC | CySEC, BVI FSC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No internal deposit fees | No broker deposit fee; $20 EEA wire withdrawal fee may apply |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social | IFOREX App |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 80% |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:30 EU, 1:400 offshore |
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Key differences
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only iFOREX offers CySEC, BVI FSC.
- iFOREX is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at iFOREX: $100 vs $200.
- Inactivity fee is lower at IC Markets: $0 vs $15.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Futures, Bonds.
- Markets: only iFOREX offers ETFs.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Platforms: only iFOREX offers IFOREX App.
- Features: only IC Markets offers Copy trading.
Our verdict on each
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.
iFOREX
iFOREX suits European traders who want forex, CFDs, crypto, shares and ETFs in a single commission-free account, and who put regulation and predictable costs above a small opening deposit. The EU entity sits under CySEC, with investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 for accounts taken there.
Score breakdown
| Area | IC Markets | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9HigherMinimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. | 8.8Opening deposit of $100 and inactivity charge of $15 sit above the site medians of €4.64 and €0. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 8.7 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.5Higher |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | IC Markets | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 140 of 471 | 141 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 60 of 147 | 61 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 58 of 145 | 59 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 50 of 122 | 51 of 122 |
What we checked
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
iFOREX
- iforex.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- play.google.com: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- myfxbook.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- custommapposter.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | IC Markets | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app | Crypto, Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | iCFD Limited |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1996 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | IC Markets | iFOREX | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200highest quarter | $100above the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $15above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 80%highest quarter | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
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.
iFOREX
Pros
- Stock trade fee of $0, ranking 1 of 161 brands on that cost.
- Regulated by CySEC and BVI FSC, with iCFD Limited as the named EU entity.
- EU investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 for accounts taken in the EU.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $100 ranks 148 of 213, so the entry point is high.
- Support runs on help centre only.
- Inactivity fee of $15 ranks 42 of 56.
Who each suits
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
iFOREX
Who it suits
- Traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account and can fund $100, while Vantage opens at $5.
- EU clients who prefer CySEC oversight and EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 to the route run by the BVI FSC.
- Savers happy to work from iFOREX App and practise on a demo account first.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small starters: CFI opens at $0 and Vantage at $5, both below iFOREX's $100.
- Broader market seekers: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, adding futures to iFOREX's stocks, etfs and forex.
- Traders who want phone or chat support, since support runs on help centre only.
Questions about each
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.
iFOREX
What does it cost to trade a stock?+
The stock trade fee is $0. iFOREX runs a commission free pricing model, so there is no per-trade commission layered on top, and the account covers stocks, etfs and forex. The cost side of the ledger is the deposit and any inactivity charge, not the trade itself.
How much do I need to deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $100. That puts iFOREX towards the dearer end of the field: it ranks 148 of 213 brands on minimum deposit. CFI opens at $0 and Vantage at $5, so a lighter entry is available elsewhere.
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