Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
IC Markets vs Markets.com
Where IC Markets and Markets.com differ
| Compare | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200 | $100Lower |
| Inactivity fee | $0Lower | $10 |
| Markets | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Bonds, Spread betting |
| Regulators | SIPC | CySEC, FCA, FSCA, ASIC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No internal deposit fees | no deposit or withdrawal fees |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social | Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4, MT5 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6% |
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Markets.com scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Markets.com offers CySEC, FCA, FSCA.
- Markets.com is licensed in 3 more countries.
- Minimum deposit is lower at Markets.com: $100 vs $200.
- Inactivity fee is lower at IC Markets: $0 vs $10.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Futures.
- Markets: only Markets.com offers ETFs, Spread betting.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Platforms: only Markets.com offers Web Platform, Mobile App, MT4.
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.
Markets.com
Markets.com suits retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting under a single account with no commission charged on share dealing. Stock trades carry fees of $0 and the account fee is $0, though the $100 minimum deposit and an inactivity charge of $10 are the figures to weigh.
Score breakdown
| Area | IC Markets | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Minimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. | 8.9Commission-free model: stock trades at fees of $0, account fee of $0, currency conversion of 0.6%. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.7 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.9Higher |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | IC Markets | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Not confirmed | |
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| South Africa | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | FCA 481853 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71021 | Not confirmed |
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
Markets.com
- markets.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- tradingfinder.com: 4 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wecomparebrokers.com: 2 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- commodity.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
- investingreviews.co.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | IC Markets | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 132 of 490 | 40 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 57 of 147 | 16 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 55 of 145 | 14 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 48 of 122 | 13 of 122 |
| Copy trading platforms | 13 of 37 | 4 of 37 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | IC Markets | Markets.com |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile app | Mobile app, Copy trading, Demo account, CryptoCovers more |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Commission free |
| Audience | Experienced, Day traders | Beginners, Experienced |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | Finalto Financial Services Limited |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | IC Markets | Markets.com | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200highest quarter | $100above the median | $10 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Account fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | $10above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 72.4%above the median | 70.375% |
| Currency conversion fee | Not confirmed | 0.6%above the median | 0.4% |
Median across 99 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.
Markets.com
Pros
- Stock trades carry fees of $0 on a commission-free model, so placing a share trade is not chargeable
- The account fee is $0, which ranks Markets.com at 1 of 138 brands on that measure
- Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees, so moving money on and off the account stays cheap
Cons
- An inactivity charge of $10 catches dormant balances, placing Markets.com at 35 of 56 brands on that measure
- The minimum deposit of $100 is heavy, ranking at 148 of 213 brands, so a smaller opening balance rules it out
- A currency conversion fee of 0.6% sits on top of the commission-free model, so currency trades cost more than the share trades priced at $0
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
Markets.com
Who it suits
- Retail traders who want stocks, forex, cfds, crypto and spread betting inside a single account
- Investors who trade often enough to clear the $100 minimum and steer clear of the $10 inactivity charge
- UK residents who want the account run by Finalto Financial Services Limited under the FCA
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone opening with a small balance, since the $100 minimum deposit compares with a site median of €4.64 while CFI takes $0 and Vantage takes $5
- Long term holders of an idle balance, because an inactivity charge of $10 applies
- Traders who mainly want forex and the lowest way in, since CFI and Vantage set minimum deposits at $0 and $5
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.
Markets.com
Does Markets.com charge commission on shares?+
The pricing model is commission-free, and stock trades carry fees of $0 on the trade itself. Currency conversion of 0.6% and an inactivity charge of $10 sit outside that figure, so regular traders should build both into the running cost.
Is there a monthly or annual account fee?+
Fees run $0 on the account, which ranks Markets.com at 1 out of 138 brands on that measure. Deposits and withdrawals carry no deposit or withdrawal fees as well, so funding the account and taking money back out stay clear of extra charges.
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