Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs GBE brokers, 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.
Choosing the right online broker involves comparing key factors such as trust scores, regulatory licenses, and company history. IC Markets, established in 2007, is a privately-owned broker with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 84, classifying it as trusted. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, the highest level of regulatory approval, signaling a reliable option for traders. In contrast, GBE brokers, founded in 2013, also operates as a private company with a Trust Score of 71, indicating an average risk. GBE brokers holds one Tier-1 license, providing a level of assurance but is slightly less secure in regulatory frameworks compared to IC Markets.
Neither IC Markets nor GBE brokers are publicly traded or operate as banks, focusing solely on brokerage services. Despite being newer to the market, GBE brokers manages to offer a reasonable level of trust according to its single Tier-1 license and average risk rating. Traders seeking a more established presence may find IC Markets' longer history and dual Tier-1 licenses attractive, while those looking to explore with GBE brokers might weigh the benefits against its average regulatory standing.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
IC Markets stands out as a top performer in the arena of commissions and fees, earning a remarkable 5-star rating in this category. Ranking 5th out of 63 brokers, IC Markets offers highly competitive trading costs that are comparable to other low-cost leaders like IG and CMC Markets. Traders can select from three account types: the commission-free Standard account, or the Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts, which have similar commission structures. The cTrader Raw Spread account features a slightly lower commission, at $3.00 per side for every 100,000 units, compared to $3.50 per side for the MetaTrader version. With average effective spreads starting as low as 0.62 pips on cTrader, IC Markets provides a cost-effective trading experience.
In contrast, GBE Brokers garners a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking 37th among 63 brokers. While specific average spread data is not publicly available for GBE Brokers, the broker provides competitive offerings for traders looking for an alternative option. Despite this, IC Markets retains a stronger appeal in terms of cost-effectiveness, thanks to its transparent pricing structure and the discounts available for active traders handling over 100 standard lots per month.
When considering an online broker, IC Markets is an appealing choice for cost-conscious traders, offering one of the lowest all-in costs in the forex market. With flexibility in account types and a variety of pricing options aligned with platform preferences, IC Markets provides significant value. Compared to GBE Brokers, which also holds a commendable position, IC Markets' transparency and ranking make it a more alluring option for those prioritizing low fees in their trading endeavors.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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, IC Markets shines with a vast array of 3,583 tradeable symbols, contrasting GBE Brokers' 500 symbols. For forex enthusiasts, IC Markets boasts 61 forex pairs, while GBE Brokers offers a slightly higher number at 71. Both platforms cater to diverse trading needs, offering forex trading as both CFDs and spot contracts, along with cryptocurrency derivatives. However, neither IC Markets nor GBE Brokers provides the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies or exchange-traded securities on U.S. stock markets. Notably, IC Markets does facilitate trading on international exchanges, unlike GBE Brokers.
Both brokers support copy trading, giving users options to mimic successful trades. While IC Markets scores a higher 4.5 out of 5 stars for its range of investments, GBE Brokers comes in with a respectable 3.5 stars. The ForexBrokers.com ranking underscores this distinction, placing IC Markets at #25 and GBE Brokers at #44 among 63 brokers. For traders seeking a wider variety of investment options and international securities, IC Markets appears to edge ahead in this comparative summary.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 71 |
| 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.
Both IC Markets and GBE brokers provide traders with essential tools and platforms, offering free virtual demo accounts, compatibility with MetaTrader 4 and 5, and support for Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms. Neither offers a proprietary platform, but both facilitate copy trading. However, IC Markets sets itself apart by supporting ZuluTrade, a feature not available with GBE brokers. Both brokers provide 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts, with each offering watch lists divided into 7 columns.
Despite their similar offerings, IC Markets outshines GBE brokers in industry rankings and overall client ratings for Trading Platforms and Tools. Rated at 4 stars each for their platforms, IC Markets clinches the 16th spot out of 63 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com listings, while GBE brokers rank at 57. This distinction highlights IC Markets' stronger reputation and potentially broader appeal among traders seeking dependable trading platforms with comprehensive features.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | No |
| 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 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both IC Markets and GBE Brokers offer comprehensive solutions for traders on the go. Each app is available for both iPhone and Android devices, ensuring accessibility for a wide range of users. Traders can benefit from stock or forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts. With 30 technical studies available in their charting tools, both brokers provide a strong foundation for technical analysis. Additionally, the mobile apps support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes and automatically save chart drawings, making them suitable for active monitoring of trades and market conditions.
However, neither IC Markets nor GBE Brokers offer watchlist symbol syncing across devices, which means changes on your mobile app won't sync with your online account. Despite these similarities in features, IC Markets edges ahead in global rankings for mobile trading apps. Rated 4 out of 5 stars, IC Markets holds the 22nd position out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while GBE Brokers, also rated 4 stars, ranks at 57. Therefore, both platforms offer a capable mobile trading experience, but IC Markets appears to have a slight advantage in overall app quality and user satisfaction.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
When comparing market research offerings, IC Markets and GBE Brokers both provide daily market commentary and offer sentiment-based trading tools that reveal the balance of long and short positions across various instruments. However, IC Markets stands out by providing forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed with reliable updates. Additionally, IC Markets equips traders with a wide array of technical analysis and research tools from industry leaders such as Autochartist and Trading Central, offering comprehensive insights into market trends. In contrast, GBE Brokers does not offer these advanced tools, limiting the depth of technical analysis available to its users.
Both brokers support traders with an economic calendar that highlights ongoing and upcoming global economic events, helping them make informed trading decisions. Despite this similarity, IC Markets is rated higher for research services, boasting a 4-star rating compared to GBE Brokers' 3-star rating. Furthermore, IC Markets is ranked 23rd out of 63 brokers in the research category by ForexBrokers.com, significantly outperforming GBE Brokers, which is listed at 62nd. This suggests that IC Markets may be a more attractive option for traders seeking comprehensive market research and analysis tools.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| 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 beginner traders, IC Markets clearly outshines GBE Brokers. IC Markets offers a comprehensive range of educational tools, including more than ten articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. They also conduct monthly webinars for clients, which are available in a searchable archive for future viewing. IC Markets provides a wealth of video content tailored to both beginners and more experienced traders, ensuring that everyone can find material suited to their skill level. Additionally, they offer an investor dictionary with over 50 trading terms, making it easier for newcomers to get acquainted with trading jargon.
In contrast, GBE Brokers falls short in several areas. They do not meet the minimum requirement of providing educational pieces or webinars focused on forex and CFDs, nor do they offer a searchable archive of recorded webinars. They also lack extensive beginner and advanced video content, as well as a comprehensive investor dictionary. Due to these limitations, their educational offerings are rated at three stars, compared to IC Markets' four-star rating. This disparity is evident in their rankings, with IC Markets claiming the 16th spot out of 63 brokers in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, while GBE Brokers lags behind at 63rd place. Overall, IC Markets is a more supportive choice for traders looking to enhance their knowledge and skills.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 GBE brokers. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #57.
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
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 84 | 71 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both IC Markets and GBE Brokers provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency.
IC Markets and GBE brokers both support PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for deposits and withdrawals, but only GBE brokers offer the convenience of ACH or SEPA transfers, which IC Markets does not provide.
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 | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 84 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 71 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | No | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | IC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 84 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill