Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs easyMarkets, 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.
IC Markets, founded in 2007, and easyMarkets, established in 2001, both offer compelling options for online traders. Neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank; however, both brokerages boast strong regulatory credentials. Each holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly reliable by industry standards. This reflects their commitment to maintaining high levels of trust and protecting user interests. Furthermore, IC Markets and easyMarkets share the same Trust Score rating of 84 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, classifying them as trusted brokers.
Even though easyMarkets has an edge with one additional Tier-2 license, a trusted level according to ForexBrokers.com, overall, both firms present a secure trading environment for their clients. Potential investors can take comfort in knowing that these established brokers prioritize safety and security in their operations.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | ||
| Bank | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
IC Markets stands out in the realm of online brokers with its competitive commissions and fees, earning a 5-star rating and securing the #5 spot among 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com. The broker offers three account types with varying costs: a commission-free Standard account and two commission-based accounts, Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread. The Raw Spread accounts feature small effective spreads, with the cTrader account having slightly lower commissions at $6.00 per round turn compared to the MetaTrader account's $7.00. IC Markets’ average spread on EUR/USD is 0.02 pips, leading to an overall cost of 0.62 pips for cTrader accounts and 0.72 pips for MetaTrader accounts, highlighting its affordability for forex traders.
In comparison, easyMarkets provides a different fee structure, boasting fixed spreads of 0.8 pips for EUR/USD on its platform and TradingView, while the MT4 platform has higher costs with spreads starting at 1.7 pips for Standard accounts, reduced to 0.7 pips for VIP accounts. The MT5 platform offers a variable spread starting from 0.7 pips. Despite offering a straightforward pricing model, easyMarkets holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #52 in the same category by ForexBrokers.com, indicating room for improvement in cost-effectiveness.
Overall, IC Markets excels in offering lower trading costs and flexible account options, appealing particularly to high-volume traders who can benefit from additional discounts. Conversely, easyMarkets attracts those who prefer a fixed spread approach, albeit at potentially higher costs on certain platforms, making IC Markets the more favorable option for cost-conscious traders seeking a competitive edge in their trading activities.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $25 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When considering the range of investments available between IC Markets and easyMarkets, both offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, providing ample options for forex enthusiasts. IC Markets stands out by providing a vast selection of 3,583 tradeable symbols, including 61 forex pairs, whereas easyMarkets offers 230 tradeable symbols with 63 forex pairs. Although both brokers allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, neither lets you buy actual cryptocurrencies directly.
In terms of equities, IC Markets has a unique edge by enabling access to international exchanges, allowing clients to invest in global stocks like Vodafone. On the other hand, easyMarkets does not offer this option. Both brokers facilitate copy trading, but IC Markets is rated higher for its range of investments with a 4.5-star rating, compared to easyMarkets' 3.5 stars. This is further reflected in their rank by ForexBrokers.com, where IC Markets is placed at #25, a significant lead over easyMarkets, which ranks at #54.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 230 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 63 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | ||
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | ||
| 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.
When comparing IC Markets and easyMarkets, both brokers offer a good selection of trading platforms and tools to cater to diverse trading styles. IC Markets and easyMarkets provide simulated trading with free demo accounts, allowing beginners to hone their skills without financial risk. They both support Windows-based desktop trading platforms and web-based platforms, making trading accessible from various devices. While IC Markets emphasizes popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, easyMarkets stands out with a proprietary platform that adds a unique touch to its offerings. Both brokers support copy trading, though IC Markets uniquely features ZuluTrade for additional social trading capabilities.
In terms of charting tools, IC Markets provides 15 drawing tools, while easyMarkets offers a more extensive selection with 30 drawing options, which can be beneficial for detailed trading analysis. Direct trading from stock charts is available with both brokers, enhancing trading efficiency. When looking at watch lists, IC Markets offers seven customizable fields, compared to easyMarkets' slightly higher offering of eight. Both platforms received a commendable rating of four out of five stars for their trading tools, although IC Markets is ranked higher at #16 compared to easyMarkets at #35 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Overall, while both brokers deliver reliable platforms, IC Markets takes a slight edge in overall rankings.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | 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 | ||
| ZuluTrade | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 8 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile apps of IC Markets and easyMarkets, both offer applications for iPhone and Android, providing versatility for users regardless of their device. IC Markets impresses with features such as price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts, while easyMarkets shines with its superior offering of 81 technical studies in its charting tools compared to IC Markets' 30. Both apps allow for the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes and support viewing multiple time frames on charts, but easyMarkets stands out with the capability of syncing watchlist symbols, ensuring changes are updated across different platforms.
Auto-saving of chart drawings is a feature exclusive to IC Markets, potentially providing greater convenience for traders who frequently update their analyses. Both platforms have received solid ratings for their mobile trading applications, securing 4 out of 5 stars. However, in the wider ranking by ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets is placed higher at #22, while easyMarkets follows at #30. This comparison suggests that while both apps offer strong features, IC Markets might have a slight edge in terms of overall user experience and comprehensive functionality.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 81 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing IC Markets and easyMarkets in terms of market research offerings, both brokers provide a solid foundation for traders with access to daily market commentary and forex news sourced from top-tier providers like Bloomberg and Reuters. Both platforms have a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long and short positions across currency pairs, ensuring you're equipped with valuable insights to inform your decisions. Additionally, IC Markets and easyMarkets offer technical analysis tools from Trading Central, which can guide traders through market trends and analytics. However, only IC Markets utilizes Autochartist for technical and fundamental research support, potentially offering an edge for those interested in detailed analysis.
IC Markets and easyMarkets both feature economic calendars to keep traders informed of significant upcoming global events. Ratings and rankings further highlight the differences between the two brokers; IC Markets scores 4 out of 5 stars for research, ranked 23rd among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, easyMarkets earns a 3.5-star rating, ranking 43rd. This distinction underscores IC Markets' enhanced research capability and comprehensive tools, making it a standout choice for traders who prioritize in-depth market analysis.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | ||
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing IC Markets and easyMarkets for the educational resources available to beginners, both online brokers provide a strong foundation for those new to forex and CFDs trading. IC Markets and easyMarkets each offer a minimum of ten educational pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs. Additionally, both platforms host online educational webinars at least once a month, catering to clients eager to expand their knowledge in a virtual classroom setting. Their commitment to accessibility is evident, as they both maintain searchable archives of past webinars, allowing learners to revisit valuable content at their own pace.
For those diving into the world of trading, both brokers offer well-rounded educational video content tailored to different experience levels, with at least ten beginner and advanced videos available on each platform. Furthermore, both IC Markets and easyMarkets provide an investor dictionary featuring over 50 investing terms, making them accessible resources for novices looking to familiarize themselves with industry jargon. However, when it comes to educational quality and reach, IC Markets edges out slightly ahead, with a 4-star rating compared to easyMarkets' 3.5 stars. This difference is further reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, with IC Markets placed at #16 and easyMarkets at #39 among 63 brokers, indicating a broader and more appealing educational offering for beginners.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
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 easyMarkets. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while easyMarkets finished with an overall rank of #42.
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
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 84 |
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Both IC Markets and easyMarkets do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers IC Markets and easyMarkets, IC Markets provides account fund deposit and withdrawal options via PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires but does not support ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas easyMarkets supports fund transfers via Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, bank wires, and ACH or SEPA transfers but lacks PayPal integration.
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 | easyMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | easyMarkets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | |||
| Bank | |||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | |||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | |||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | |||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | |||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | |||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | |||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | |||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | |||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | |||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | |||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 230 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 63 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | |||
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | ||
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | |||
| 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 | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | |||
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | ||
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $25 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | 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 | ||
| DupliTrade | |||
| ZuluTrade | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 8 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | ||
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | ||
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 81 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | ||
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | ||
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | |||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | easyMarkets Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | easyMarkets Review |
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