Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs IC Markets, 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.
Founded in 1989, CMC Markets stands out in the online brokerage world for its high level of trust and transparency. With a Trust Score of 99 out of 99, CMC Markets is considered highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. The company is publicly traded on a stock exchange and holds six Tier-1 licenses, which are recognized as highly trusted. In addition to its strong regulatory standing, CMC Markets also possesses a Tier-2 license, contributing to its credibility and reliability as a financial service provider.
In contrast, IC Markets, established in 2007, offers a commendable level of trust but falls short when compared to CMC Markets. With a Trust Score of 84, IC Markets is rated as trusted by ForexBrokers.com. Although not publicly traded, IC Markets maintains two Tier-1 licenses, aligning them with a moderate level of trust within the industry. The lack of Tier-2 licenses does create a differentiation, as potential traders might consider the comprehensive regulatory structure a lower-scoring competitor offers.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
CMC Markets stands out in the forex market with its stellar rating and competitive pricing, earning it a number one ranking among 63 brokers for commissions and fees. The platform boasts an impressive average spread of 0.61 pips on EUR/USD. Their innovative Price Plus Scheme offers discounts based on trading volume, allowing active traders to benefit from reduced spreads. Additionally, the FX Active pricing model introduces a commission of $2.50 per side on top of zero minimum spreads, leading to an all-in cost of 0.5 pips for the EUR/USD. This transparent cost structure ensures that traders can enjoy consistent savings while maintaining flexibility across various account types.
IC Markets offers an equally competitive trading experience, meriting a Best in Class honor in the Commissions & Fees category. With three distinct account types, including the Standard account with no commissions and the Raw Spread account available for both cTrader and MetaTrader platforms, traders have a range of options to suit their strategy. The cTrader account features an average spread of 0.02 pips on the EUR/USD, culminating in an all-in cost of 0.62 pips after commissions. MetaTrader users experience slightly higher costs at 0.72 pips for the same spread, while the Standard account offers a no-commission alternative at 0.62 pips average spread. IC Markets also provides discounts for those executing over 100 standard lots monthly, enhancing its appeal to high-volume traders.
Both CMC Markets and IC Markets excel with a 5-star rating for commissions and fees, but CMC Markets holds the leading position thanks to its consistently low and predictable trading costs. IC Markets ranks fifth, earning a strong reputation for its attractive pricing and flexible account options. Whether you're a novice trader or a seasoned professional, both brokers offer compelling options to minimize trading costs while delivering quality service.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $200 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.62 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
For traders who value choice, CMC Markets offers a wider range of markets than IC Markets. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs and spot forex, but CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, compared with IC Markets’ 3,583 symbols and 61 forex pairs. That larger catalog can help if you’re seeking niche instruments or broader diversification.
When it comes to asset access, both brokers offer copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs, while neither allows buying actual crypto. For shares, CMC Markets lets you buy exchange-traded stocks on U.S. exchanges as well as international markets, whereas IC Markets offers exchange-traded shares on international exchanges but not in the U.S. Reflecting this breadth, ForexBrokers.com rates CMC Markets 5/5 and ranks it 9th out of 63 for Range of Investments; IC Markets earns 4.5/5 and ranks 26th.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
Comparing CMC Markets vs IC Markets for trading platforms and tools, CMC Markets takes the lead. It offers a proprietary, in-house platform alongside MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and earned 5 stars for Platforms & Tools, ranking #4 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. IC Markets centers on third-party platforms such as MT4 and MT5, scoring 4 stars and ranking #16 out of 63. Both brokers provide a free demo account for simulated (paper) trading, making it easy to practice before funding a live account.
Platform availability is strong on both: each delivers a Windows desktop download and a web-based trading experience, plus the ability to trade directly from charts. Copy trading is also supported at both brokers. While specific counts aren’t provided here, each broker includes a wide range of chart indicators and flexible watchlist features to help you track markets. For traders who value an all-in-one, broker-built experience, CMC’s proprietary platform can be a key draw, while IC Markets appeals to those who prefer the familiar MetaTrader environment.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both CMC Markets and IC Markets offer full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. You’ll get price alerts on both, along with the ability to draw trendlines and have your chart drawings auto-save. One key difference is watchlists: CMC Markets syncs your watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while IC Markets does not.
For charting tools, IC Markets lists 30 technical studies in its mobile app, edging out CMC Markets with 29. However, CMC Markets earns higher marks overall: it’s rated 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps and ranked #5 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared with IC Markets at 4 stars and #22. If seamless watchlist syncing and top-tier ratings matter most, CMC Markets stands out. If you want slightly more built-in indicators, IC Markets has a small advantage.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of CMC Markets and IC Markets, both brokers deliver valuable services to their users, including daily market commentary and access to forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Additionally, traders using either platform benefit from advanced tools provided by Autochartist and can make informed decisions through sentiment-based trading tools that show market positions. However, a notable difference lies in the additional technical analysis support provided by Trading Central, which is available through IC Markets but not CMC Markets. Both brokers feature an economic calendar to help clients stay ahead of global market events, and neither provides tools from Acuity Trading or TipRanks.
Despite these similarities in service, the quality and range of research tools lead to a higher rating for CMC Markets, with an impressive 5 stars compared to IC Markets' 4 stars. CMC Markets ranks as the sixth best out of 63 brokers for research on ForexBrokers.com, showcasing their exceptional market insights and trader support. In contrast, IC Markets holds the 23rd position, indicating a solid but less comprehensive offering. Overall, while both brokers present strong market research capabilities, CMC Markets elevates its offering to suit the needs of traders looking for extensive market analysis resources.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginner traders comparing CMC Markets vs IC Markets, both brokers deliver forex and CFD education that clears the “at least 10 pieces” bar with room to spare. Each has 10+ beginner videos as well as 10+ advanced videos, letting you build from the basics to more complex strategies at your own pace.
A key difference is live training: IC Markets hosts educational webinars at least once a month, while CMC Markets does not. In overall quality, CMC Markets earns 5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 of 63 on ForexBrokers.com; IC Markets scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #16. Choose IC Markets if live webinars are important to you, or CMC Markets if you want a higher-rated on-demand learning library.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than IC Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
CMC Markets and IC Markets do not allow buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both brokers offer cryptocurrency CFD trading for price exposure without owning the underlying asset.
In a funding-options comparison of online brokers CMC Markets vs IC Markets, CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals but not Skrill, whereas IC Markets lacks ACH/SEPA, supports PayPal and Skrill, and offers bank wires.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 12029 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 141 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.65 | 0.62 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $200 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 73 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill