Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
IC Markets vs Plus500
IC Markets vs Plus500: the differences
| Compare | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, Options, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC | Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | FSCS up to GBP 85,000 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social | Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile App |
| Minimum deposit | $200 | Not confirmed |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No internal deposit fees | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- Plus500 scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Plus500 offers Financial Conduct Authority, Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Plus500 is licensed in 1 more country.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers CFDs, Futures, Bonds.
- Markets: only Plus500 offers ETFs, Options.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Platforms: only Plus500 offers Plus500 WebTrader, Plus500 Mobile 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.
Plus500
Plus500 suits UK and European retail traders who want one account covering stocks, etfs and forex in a single app. The UK arm is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, with FSCS up to GBP 85,000 behind UK balances and costs charged per trade rather than as a flat account fee.
Score breakdown
| Area | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9Minimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.3 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.5Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 140 of 471 | 57 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 60 of 147 | 25 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 58 of 145 | 23 of 145 |
Where each is licensed and available
| Country | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | |
| United Kingdom | Not confirmed | Financial Conduct Authority 509909 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71021 | Not confirmed |
What each covers
| Markets | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | No |
| Options | No | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile appCovers more | Demo account, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | Plus500UK Ltd |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Chat, Email, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | IC Markets | Plus500 | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200highest quarter | Not confirmed | $25 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 81%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.
Plus500
Pros
- Costs are charged per trade, with no account fee listed
- UK protection stands at FSCS up to GBP 85,000
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex in the same app
Cons
- Losses run high at 81% of retail accounts
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre only, with no phone line
- Retail loss of 81% tops the site median of 70.15%
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
Plus500
Who it suits
- UK retail traders wanting one app for several asset classes
- First-time traders who can practise on the demo account
- Traders who prefer one platform over several brokers
Who should look elsewhere
- Long-term investors wanting ISA or SIPP style accounts
- Traders wanting CFDs or futures, absent from stocks, etfs and forex
- Traders who want a phone line rather than chat, email and help centre
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.
Plus500
What does Plus500 cost to trade?+
Plus500 charges per trade rather than a flat account fee, and no account fee is listed for the brand. Retail loss figures sit high at 81%, so costs per trade matter more than an annual charge.
Is Plus500 regulated in the UK?+
Yes. The UK arm trades as Plus500UK Ltd and is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under 509909. A Cyprus entity is separately authorised by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission under 250/14.
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