Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
IC Markets vs Windsor Brokers
IC Markets vs Windsor Brokers: the differences
| Compare | IC Markets ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200 | $50Lower |
| Markets | Stocks, Forex, CFDs, Futures, Crypto, Bonds | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Metals |
| Regulators | SIPC | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Social | MT4, MT5, Mobile App |
| Inactivity fee | $0 | Not confirmed |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 78.3% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | No internal deposit fees | Not confirmed |
| Maximum retail leverage | Not confirmed | 1:30 |
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Key differences
- Windsor Brokers scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 9.0.
- Regulators: only IC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only Windsor Brokers offers Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC).
- Minimum deposit is lower at Windsor Brokers: $50 vs $200.
- Markets: only IC Markets offers Futures, Bonds.
- Markets: only Windsor Brokers offers ETFs, Metals.
- Platforms: only IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, CTrader.
- Platforms: only Windsor Brokers offers MT4, MT5, Mobile App.
- Features: only IC Markets offers Demo account.
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.
Windsor Brokers
Windsor Brokers suits traders who want a single account spanning forex, CFDs, crypto, metals, stocks and ETFs under the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission. Eligible deposits sit under EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, and stocks, etfs and forex keeps the whole range inside the same regulated entity.
Score breakdown
| Area | IC Markets | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.9HigherMinimum deposit of $200 sits above the site median of €4.64, while the inactivity fee is $0. | 8.7The minimum deposit of $50 is above the $0 CFI and $5 Vantage entries, but under the €87.70 site upper quartile. |
| Offer | 9.8Higher | 9.5 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.1Higher |
Feature by feature
| Markets | IC Markets | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Stocks | Yes | Yes |
| ETFs | No | Yes |
| Forex | Yes | Yes |
| CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Futures | Yes | No |
| Crypto | Yes | Yes |
| Bonds | Yes | No |
| Metals | No | Yes |
Also worth a look
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $200 for IC Markets and $50 for Windsor Brokers.
ActivTrades reviewHow they place
| Ranking | IC Markets | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 132 of 490 | 123 of 490 |
| Forex brokers | 57 of 147 | 52 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 55 of 145 | 50 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 48 of 122 | 42 of 122 |
| Copy trading platforms | 13 of 37 | 12 of 37 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | IC Markets | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Demo account, Copy trading, Mobile appCovers more | Copy trading, Mobile app |
| Pricing model | Low fees | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Experienced, Day traders | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | Windsor Brokers Ltd |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1988 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | IC Markets | Windsor Brokers | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $200highest quarter | $50above the median | $10 |
| Inactivity fee | $0at the median | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 78.3%highest quarter | 70.375% |
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.
Windsor Brokers
Pros
- Market list stocks, etfs and forex covers forex, CFDs, crypto, metals, stocks and ETFs without leaving the same regulated entity.
- Eligible deposits are covered by EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, attached to the Cyprus licence rather than to the brand name.
- Platforms listed are MT4, MT5 and Mobile App, so desktop and mobile are served by the same broker.
Cons
- The share of retail accounts that lose money is 78.3%, above the site median 70.15%.
- Retail leverage of 1:30 magnifies losses on forex and CFD positions.
- The minimum deposit of $50 is well above the €4.64 site median.
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
Windsor Brokers
Who it suits
- Traders who want forex and CFDs alongside crypto, metals, stocks and ETFs in a single account.
- Copy traders, since copy trading and mobile app lists copy trading alongside a mobile app.
- Readers who weigh regulation first and want a Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission licence.
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI if a very small entry matters: its minimum deposit is $0.
- Vantage for a lighter first deposit, where the minimum deposit is $5.
- eToro if futures sit on your list: stocks, etfs and forex includes futures, which the stocks, etfs and forex range here does not.
Current offers
Windsor Brokers
Current offer
Bonus
$60K Deposit Bonus: $60K
Source, checked September 26, 2026
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.
Windsor Brokers
What is the minimum deposit at Windsor Brokers?+
The minimum deposit is $50, above the $5 Vantage entry and well above the $0 CFI entry. It is also above the €4.64 site median, so the account is not aimed at very small first deposits.
Who regulates Windsor Brokers?+
The broker is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission under licence 030/04. The regulated company is Windsor Brokers Ltd, and eligible deposits fall under EU ICS up to EUR 20,000, so the scheme attaches to the entity rather than the brand.