Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Markets.com, 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.
When comparing IC Markets and Markets.com, a few key differences in their regulatory credentials stand out. IC Markets, founded in 2007, operates with 2 Tier-1 licenses, which signifies high trust according to ForexBrokers.com. Markets.com, on the other hand, was established in 1999 and boasts 3 Tier-1 licenses. Although neither broker is publicly traded nor operates as a bank, these licenses highlight their commitment to security and regulation. IC Markets holds an 84 Trust Score, indicating a trusted status, while Markets.com has earned a higher Trust Score of 93, reflecting its slightly stronger regulatory foothold.
Consider these factors if you value trust and regulatory oversight in your brokerage choice. Although both brokers are well-regulated, Markets.com’s additional Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses might appeal to those prioritizing security. Keep in mind that both firms provide safe environments for trading, but the distinction in their Trust Scores and number of licenses is noteworthy for investors requiring highly trusted platforms.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
IC Markets stands out as a top choice for traders seeking competitive pricing. With accolades such as Best in Class in the Commissions & Fees category from the 2024 Annual Awards, IC Markets ranks 5th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Offering a variety of account types, including the commission-free Standard account and the commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts, IC Markets provides flexibility to suit different trading styles. Notably, the cTrader account features a lower commission rate compared to its MetaTrader counterparts, enhancing its attractiveness to cost-conscious traders.
IC Markets' competitive advantage is evident in its low effective spreads. For instance, on the popular EUR/USD currency pair, the average spread starts at 0.02 pips. When factoring in commissions, the total cost is approximately 0.62 pips on the cTrader account and 0.72 pips on MetaTrader. This cost-efficient structure is ideal for active traders who benefit from discounts provided they trade over 100 standard lots monthly. Such features reveal why IC Markets is highly rated, earning a solid 5-star rating for its commissions and fees.
In comparison, Markets.com presents a more standard fee structure, and its specific average spread data is not readily available. With a 3.5-star rating for commissions and fees, Markets.com ranks significantly lower at 49th out of 62 brokers in the same category. For traders focused on minimizing trading costs, IC Markets clearly offers a superior package compared to Markets.com, reinforcing its position as a premier choice for forex trading.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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.
When considering the range of investment options at your fingertips, IC Markets and Markets.com both present solid choices for online trading, although IC Markets slightly edges out in variety and offerings. Both platforms provide the opportunity to engage in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. However, IC Markets boasts a greater selection, offering 3,583 tradeable symbols, compared to the 2,179 symbols available on Markets.com. For forex enthusiasts, IC Markets offers 61 forex pairs, just a notch higher than the 57 pairs accessible via Markets.com. While neither broker allows for the purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, IC Markets does provide international exchange options, enabling clients to invest in shares like those of Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, a feature not available with Markets.com.
Both platforms support copy trading, a useful feature for traders looking to replicate successful strategies. When it comes to cryptocurrency trading, IC Markets and Markets.com offer cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, IC Markets secures a 4.5-star ranking for their investment range and holds the 25th spot out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Markets.com is rated 4 stars, ranking 29th in the same category. These insights underscore IC Markets' slightly broader investment offerings, making it a potentially more versatile choice for traders seeking variety and international exchange exposure.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 2179 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 57 |
| 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 Markets.com provide traders with essential tools and platforms to excel in online trading. They offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing new users to practice and learn their way around the platforms without any financial risk. While IC Markets relies on popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 without a proprietary option, Markets.com provides a unique in-house developed platform for traders. Both brokers cater to Windows users with desktop download options and have web-based platforms accessible through browsers. Additionally, traders at both IC Markets and Markets.com can engage in copy trading.
IC Markets distinguishes itself with the automated trading option ZuluTrade and a more extensive set of drawing tools, offering 15 compared to Markets.com's 4. Moreover, IC Markets supports trading directly from stock charts, a feature Markets.com lacks. Although both brokers received 4-star ratings for their trading platforms and tools, IC Markets slightly outperforms Markets.com as it is ranked 16th by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Markets.com’s 27th out of 62 brokers. This indicates IC Markets might be a better fit for traders who prioritize diverse trading tools and functionalities directly from their charts.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 89 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 4 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IC Markets and Markets.com both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, providing convenience and flexibility for on-the-go trading. Both apps also feature stock and forex price alerts and enable users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Notably, Markets.com offers watchlist symbol syncing, allowing watchlists in the app to update automatically with changes made in the online account. Meanwhile, IC Markets shines in its support for technical analysis, offering 30 technical studies and the ability to view multiple time frames on charts. In contrast, Markets.com lacks technical studies, unless using the default MT4. Both brokers allow users to draw trendlines on charts; however, only IC Markets' app auto-saves these drawings.
In terms of user ratings, both IC Markets and Markets.com receive 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps, reflecting solid user satisfaction. Despite this, IC Markets holds a higher ranking in the ForexBrokers.com Mobile Trading Apps category, placing 22nd out of 62 brokers, while Markets.com ranks 33rd. Whether you're seeking comprehensive charting tools or seamless watchlist integration may influence which broker's app aligns best with your trading needs.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both IC Markets and Markets.com provide daily market commentary and access to top-tier forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders remain well-informed about the latest market developments. However, IC Markets offers a broader range of tools, including technical and fundamental research tools from Autochartist and Trading Central, which aren't available on Markets.com. Despite this distinction, both platforms provide a sentiment-based trading tool that helps traders gauge the market's mood by showing a ratio of long or short positions on various instruments.
In terms of feature parity, both brokers offer an economic calendar where users can track important global news events impacting various economies. Although neither broker provides tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, they both maintain solid ratings, each receiving four stars for research. Ranking-wise, Markets.com holds a slight edge, positioned at #17, while IC Markets follows at #23 out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. This ranking reflects a minor edge for Markets.com in the overall research capabilities offered to traders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| 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, IC Markets sets itself apart from Markets.com. IC Markets excels by providing a wide range of educational content, including at least 10 pieces centered on forex and CFDs. They also host monthly webinars that are archived for easy access, making it a valuable tool for both beginners and seasoned traders. Moreover, IC Markets boasts an investor dictionary with comprehensive definitions for over 50 investment terms, further enriching the learning experience for newcomers.
By contrast, Markets.com offers monthly webinars and a decent collection of beginner and advanced educational videos, but it falls short in several key areas. The platform does not provide a searchable archive of past webinars or an extensive investor dictionary, limiting access to continuous learning. While both brokers earn a 4-star rating for education, IC Markets outshines its competitor with a higher ranking, placing 16th among 62 brokers, compared to Markets.com's 34th position.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IC Markets is better than Markets.com. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23.
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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Markets.com
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 93 |
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Both IC Markets and Markets.com do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
IC Markets and Markets.com both support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals; however, only IC Markets offers PayPal, while neither broker provides ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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 | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Markets.com | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 2179 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 57 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 | |
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 6 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 89 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 4 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | No | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | IC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Markets.com | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Markets.com | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
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