Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
IC Markets vs Kraken
What sets them apart
| Compare | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200 | $1Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Crypto, Futures |
| Regulators | SIPC | Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No internal deposit fees | Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social | Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop, Kraken Wallet |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | Up to 10x |
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Key differences
- Kraken scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Kraken offers Central Bank of Ireland, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, Financial Conduct Authority.
- Kraken is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Kraken: $1 vs $200.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers CFDs, Bonds.
- Markets: only Kraken offers ETFs.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Platforms: only Kraken offers Kraken App, Kraken Pro, Kraken Desktop.
- Features: only IC Markets offers Demo account, 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.
Kraken
Kraken suits beginners and experienced investors who want stocks, ETFs and crypto together through app and desktop access. Stock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1 and funding terms shown as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25 for cost planning across small balance accounts.
Score breakdown
| Area | IC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Minimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. | 9.3HigherStock dealing is priced at $0 with entry at $1. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.0Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex accessed through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop. |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.3HigherRegisters cite 1010381 and 31000270997766. |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | IC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71021 | SIPC SIPC member 71030 |
| Ireland | Not confirmed | Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) MiCA CASP 9845003D98SCC2851458 IE_CBI PSD_EMI IE_CBI!C453020 |
Where these facts come from
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
Kraken
- kraken.com: 9 facts, checked September 28, 2026
- support.kraken.com: 2 facts, checked September 28, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | IC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 140 of 471 | 16 of 471 |
| Futures trading platforms | 37 of 82 | 4 of 82 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | IC Markets | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app | Crypto, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced, Day traders | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | IC Markets | Kraken | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200highest quarter | $1below the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
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.
Kraken
Pros
- Stock trades priced at $0 within a model shown as commission free.
- Entry at $1, below $50 at eToro for smaller starting balances.
- Coverage spans stocks, ETFs and forex, pairing stocks and ETFs with crypto and futures.
Cons
- Support runs on help centre only, without phone or live chat help found at many rivals.
- Card funding terms run Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, which adds cost next to bank transfer options.
- Entry at $1 sits above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB for tight budgets.
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
Kraken
Who it suits
- You want stocks plus crypto in stocks, ETFs and forex in a single login rather than an equity only account at XTB.
- You want app led dealing through Kraken App, Kraken Pro and Kraken Desktop with modest entry at $1 rather than higher entry at eToro at $50.
Who should look elsewhere
- You want phone or chat help rather than help centre only, consider XTB or ActivTrades for wider contact choice.
- You want the lowest cash entry rather than $1, consider ActivTrades at $0 or XTB at €0.
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.
Kraken
What does Kraken charge for stock trades+
Stock dealing is priced at $0 and Kraken describes its model as commission free. Bank funding is framed separately as Free bank deposits, card 3.75% + 0.25, so card use adds cost while bank transfer terms remain distinct. Check the fee schedule before placing orders.
What is the minimum deposit to open an account+
Account entry is set at $1. That level sits below $50 at eToro, yet above $0 at ActivTrades and €0 at XTB. It keeps starting balances modest while leaving room for funding charges.
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