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 and easyMarkets are both seasoned players in the online trading industry, with IC Markets established in 2007 and easyMarkets founded in 2001. Neither of these brokers is publicly traded on a stock exchange nor operates as a bank. When comparing their regulatory credentials, each broker holds two Tier-1 licenses, highlighting their strong standing in the eyes of strict regulators. However, easyMarkets edges ahead slightly with one additional Tier-2 license, adding an extra layer of trust for their clients.
Both IC Markets and easyMarkets have earned identical Trust Score ratings of 84 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. This score places them in the "trusted" category, suggesting a reliable experience for traders. Regardless of which platform you choose, you can anticipate a level of security and trustworthiness grounded in solid regulatory oversight, making them prudent choices for anyone looking to dive into online trading.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 | No | Yes |
| 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 and easyMarkets both offer a variety of investment opportunities, but they differ significantly in their range of available symbols and forex trading capacities. IC Markets provides access to an impressive 3583 tradeable symbols, and clients can choose from 61 forex pairs. While easyMarkets offers slightly more forex pairs at 63, it supports only 230 total tradeable symbols. Both platforms allow for forex trading either as CFDs or spot contracts, and neither provides exchange-traded U.S. securities like actual shares of Apple. However, IC Markets distinguishes itself by giving clients the ability to trade international exchange-listed securities, an option not available with easyMarkets.
In addition to traditional investments, both brokers offer copy trading and the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, although they do not support the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. These features influence their overall ratings for the range of investments; IC Markets is rated 4.5 stars, placing it 25th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, easyMarkets earns a rating of 3.5 stars, ranking 54th in the same category. Therefore, while easyMarkets provides some attractive options, IC Markets generally offers a broader spectrum for those interested in a wider range of financial products.
| 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) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing trading platforms and tools, both IC Markets and easyMarkets provide a range of options that cater to diverse trading needs. IC Markets offers platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and 5, along with a Windows-based desktop platform and a web-based option. Although IC Markets does not have a proprietary platform, they provide support for innovative features like ZuluTrade for copy trading, which is not available on easyMarkets. Additionally, IC Markets offers 15 charting drawing tools and enables trading directly from stock charts, maintaining a user-friendly environment for traders. Both brokers offer virtual demo accounts, making it easy for beginners to practice without financial risk.
easyMarkets, on the other hand, stands out with its proprietary trading platform, adding a unique touch to their offering. They also provide MetaTrader 4 and 5 and support trading via web-based and Windows desktop platforms. While easyMarkets does not offer ZuluTrade, they compensate with a more extensive suite of charting tools, boasting 30 drawing tools and a slightly more detailed watch list feature with eight columns. Despite these differences, both brokers receive a 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, with IC Markets slightly edging out in ranking by ForexBrokers.com, holding the 16th position compared to easyMarkets’ 35th place among 63 brokers.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 mobile trading apps, both IC Markets and easyMarkets provide options for iPhone and Android users, making mobile trading accessible to a wide audience. However, differences arise when delving into the specifics of each app's features. IC Markets excels with stock and forex price alerts, a benefit that easyMarkets lacks. On the other hand, easyMarkets provides seamless watchlist symbol syncing, allowing for an effortless transition and synchronization between mobile and online platforms, which is not available with IC Markets.
For traders keen on technical studies, easyMarkets offers a robust selection of 81 charting tools compared to the 30 provided by IC Markets. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. Yet, in terms of user experience, IC Markets has an edge by auto-saving chart drawings, a feature absent in easyMarkets. While both apps allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, IC Markets edges higher in ranking by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #22 out of 63 brokers, ahead of easyMarkets which ranks at #30. Both apps share a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading offerings, indicating customer satisfaction across the board.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing IC Markets and easyMarkets for their market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. This ensures that traders with either platform have access to up-to-date and reputable information. In terms of technical analysis tools, IC Markets offers resources from both Autochartist and Trading Central, whereas easyMarkets only provides tools from Trading Central. Both brokers deliver sentiment-based trading tools that display trading ratios, which can be particularly useful for traders looking to gauge market sentiment.
However, neither IC Markets nor easyMarkets offers market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools like the Signal Centre. On the brighter side, both brokers provide an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global news events. Despite some similarities, IC Markets has a slight edge, with a research rating of 4 stars out of 5 compared to easyMarkets' 3.5 stars. Moreover, IC Markets is ranked #23 for research out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while easyMarkets is positioned at #43, highlighting IC Markets as a slightly stronger choice for traders who prioritize comprehensive market research tools.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
easyMarkets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 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 provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency but do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, IC Markets supports PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for fund transactions but lacks ACH or SEPA transfer options, while easyMarkets facilitates ACH or SEPA transfers, along with Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support PayPal.
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) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| 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) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | 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 | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $25 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | easyMarkets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| 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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