Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs ActivTrades, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Established in 2007, IC Markets is a noteworthy online broker with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 84, placing it in the trusted category. It operates privately and is not a bank. IC Markets is backed by two Tier-1 licenses, signaling its strong regulatory standing in the financial landscape.
ActivTrades, founded in 2001, joins IC Markets as a trusted broker, boasting a Trust Score of 81. Like IC Markets, ActivTrades is a private company and not a banking institution. It holds two Tier-1 licenses as well as an additional Tier-2 license, which enhances its credibility and compliance in the market.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
Comparing commissions and fees, IC Markets tends to be cheaper overall than ActivTrades, especially for active forex traders. IC Markets earned 5 stars and ranks #5 of 63 for Commissions & Fees, while ActivTrades holds 4 stars and ranks #29 of 63. Both brokers’ pricing can vary by platform, account type, and the assets you trade, but IC Markets’ all-in costs are generally closer to the lowest-cost brokers in the industry.
IC Markets offers three accounts: Standard (spread-only) and two commission-based options, Raw Spread (MT4/MT5) and cTrader Raw. On cTrader, the commission is $3.00 per side per 100,000 units ($6.00 round turn); on MT4/MT5 it’s $3.50 per side ($7.00 round turn). IC Markets lists an average EUR/USD spread of 0.02 pips (Aug 2022); after commissions, the all-in cost is about 0.62 pips on cTrader or 0.72 on MetaTrader. The Standard account averages 0.62 pips with no commission. There’s a low deposit requirement for commission-based accounts and discounts for traders exceeding 100 standard lots per month. IC Markets also earned Best in Class honors for Commissions & Fees in the 2024 Annual Awards.
ActivTrades uses one main “Individual” account, plus Professional and Islamic options; spreads are the same across account types, and there’s no high-volume or active-trader pricing. Actual costs depend on the asset and platform you use. For reference, the average EUR/USD spread was 0.98 pips in May 2024—slightly better than the industry average, but not as low as leading discount competitors. In short, ActivTrades is competitive for casual traders, while IC Markets typically offers tighter all-in pricing, more choice between spread-only or commission models, and better value for frequent traders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IC Markets offers a wider selection of investments than ActivTrades, with 3,583 tradeable symbols compared with ActivTrades’ 1,267. For forex, IC Markets lists 61 currency pairs versus 49 at ActivTrades, and both brokers let you trade forex via CFDs/spot. Neither broker offers U.S.-listed shares as real, exchange-traded securities, but both do provide access to international exchange-traded shares. Each also supports copy trading.
Neither broker lets you buy actual cryptocurrency, though both offer crypto derivatives. For Range of Investments, IC Markets is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #26 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #32. If you want a larger catalog and more forex pairs, IC Markets has the edge; if you’re comfortable with a smaller lineup, ActivTrades remains a solid alternative.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
IC Markets and ActivTrades both deliver well-known third-party platforms, with MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) available on web and Windows desktop. Only ActivTrades adds a proprietary platform built in-house, while IC Markets relies entirely on third-party software. Both brokers support free demo (paper) accounts, trading directly from charts, and provide 15 drawing tools for charting along with a range of technical indicators. If you want copy trading, both have options, but IC Markets stands out by supporting ZuluTrade, whereas ActivTrades does not (neither broker offers DupliTrade).
For watch lists, IC Markets offers 7 columns while ActivTrades offers 11, which may appeal to traders who like more fields at a glance. Each broker earns 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools from ForexBrokers.com, though IC Markets ranks higher at #16 out of 63 brokers compared with ActivTrades at #32. In short, choose ActivTrades if you want an in-house platform alongside MT4/MT5, or pick IC Markets if ZuluTrade access and a higher category ranking matter more to you.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IC Markets and ActivTrades, both brokers offer comprehensive features for iPhone and Android users. Each app provides stock and forex price alerts, along with the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, neither allows for watchlist symbol syncing. Charting capabilities are robust on both apps, including 30 technical studies, trendline drawing, and the ability to view multiple time frames. Both apps also support auto-saving of chart drawings.
Despite their similarities, ActivTrades holds a slight edge in ranking, placed at #19 out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category, compared to IC Markets, which is ranked #22. Both apps share an equal user satisfaction rating of 4 out of 5 stars. This suggests that while both platforms are well-received, ActivTrades may have a marginal advantage in user experience.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IC Markets and ActivTrades both cover the basics for market research. Each provides daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, an economic calendar, and a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions. These shared features make it easy to track headlines, plan around key events, and gauge crowd positioning across currency pairs and other instruments.
The main difference is in built-in analysis tools. IC Markets adds extras such as Autochartist and Trading Central for technical and fundamental insights, while ActivTrades does not include these providers. Neither broker offers TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools. Both earn a 4-star Research rating, but in ForexBrokers.com’s rankings IC Markets places #23 out of 63 brokers, compared with ActivTrades at #31. If you want more ready-made trade ideas and screening tools, IC Markets has the edge; if you only need news, commentary, sentiment, and a calendar, both platforms deliver.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both IC Markets and ActivTrades present a solid offering. Each broker provides a minimum of ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, ensuring beginners have access to essential learning materials. Furthermore, both firms host at least one educational webinar monthly and maintain a searchable archive of previously recorded sessions. These features provide convenience and continuous learning opportunities, allowing newcomers to easily grasp the concepts of trading. Additionally, each broker offers at least ten beginner videos, which are perfect for those just starting out, as well as ten advanced videos tailored for experienced traders, catering to a broad spectrum of educational needs.
While both IC Markets and ActivTrades have been rated four stars for their educational offerings, there are subtle differences in their resources. IC Markets stands out by providing an investor dictionary encompassing over 50 investing terms, a feature that ActivTrades doesn't offer. This addition can be particularly beneficial for beginners looking to familiarize themselves with industry jargon. Furthermore, in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets holds a respectable 16th position out of 63 brokers in the Education category, while ActivTrades is ranked 38th. This might suggest that IC Markets edges out slightly in terms of educational comprehensiveness and market perception, making it a potentially more appealing choice for those prioritizing a well-rounded educational experience.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IC Markets is better than ActivTrades. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
IC Markets’ competitive pricing and scalable execution make it an excellent option for algorithmic traders. Though it supports an impressive range of third-party tools and plugins, IC Markets’ research and education offerings are not as impressive as those offered by industry leaders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 |
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Both IC Markets and ActivTrades do not offer the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the capability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers IC Markets and ActivTrades in terms of fund deposit and withdrawal options, IC Markets supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ActivTrades offers Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal for transactions.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | ||
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IC Markets Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | ActivTrades Review |
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