Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Markets4you, 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.
Both IC Markets and Markets4you were founded in 2007, offering experienced brokerage services over the years. However, a closer look at their regulatory credentials reveals key differences in trustworthiness according to ForexBrokers.com. IC Markets is notably recognized for its high level of trust, holding two Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as highly trusted. Consequently, IC Markets has a Trust Score of 84, placing it in the 'trusted' category. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, these factors contribute to their reliability and appeal to many investors.
In contrast, Markets4you does not hold any Tier-1 licenses, which significantly affects its Trust Score. Receiving a score of 61, Markets4you falls into the 'high risk' category. Like IC Markets, Markets4you is neither publicly traded nor a bank, but its lack of Tier-1 licenses makes it a less attractive option for those prioritizing safety in their online trading ventures. Thus, for investors prioritizing security and trust, IC Markets stands out as the more favorable choice.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing IC Markets to Markets4you in terms of commissions and fees, IC Markets clearly stands out. With its competitive pricing structure, IC Markets is considered one of the best low-cost forex brokers, standing shoulder to shoulder with industry leaders like IG and CMC Markets. It boasts three account types, including the commission-free Standard account and two commission-based options, Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread. For those using the cTrader platform, IC Markets charges a commission of $3.00 per side per 100,000 units, which totals to $6.00 per round turn. In contrast, the MetaTrader Raw Spread account charges $3.5 per side, totaling $7.00 per round turn. IC Markets effectively manages its costs, with an all-in cost on EUR/USD averaging 0.62 pips for the cTrader account and 0.72 pips for the MetaTrader Raw Spread account. With a 5-star rating for commissions and fees and ranking 5th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets is an excellent choice for traders.
On the other hand, Markets4you does not stand out in the same positive light. The broker does not provide specific average spread data, which could make evaluating its cost-effectiveness challenging for traders. As a result, Markets4you received a lower rating of 3.5 stars for its commissions and fees. It is ranked 54th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating that it may not offer the same value or transparency as IC Markets. This suggests that while Markets4you might cater to certain trader needs, it may not be the best option for those significantly concerned about minimizing trading costs.
Overall, IC Markets provides traders with lower trading expenses and more favorable account options compared to Markets4you. With a well-established reputation for competitive pricing and receiving high marks from industry analysts, IC Markets offers significant advantages for cost-conscious traders looking to maximize their profits through efficient fee structures.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| 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 | 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.
IC Markets and Markets4you both provide opportunities for forex trading either as CFDs or spot contracts. IC Markets, however, offers a significantly larger variety of tradeable symbols with a total of 3,583, compared to Markets4you’s 150. When it comes to forex pairs, IC Markets boasts 61 options, while Markets4you offers 43. Both brokers provide copy trading and allow clients to trade cryptocurrency derivatives; however, neither offers the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies or U.S.-based exchange traded securities.
IC Markets stands out by giving clients access to international exchange-traded securities, allowing investments in companies like Vodafone, a feature that Markets4you does not offer. As a result, IC Markets receives a 4.5-star rating for its range of investments and ranks #25 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Markets4you, on the other hand, is rated 3.5 stars and ranks at #58 in the same category.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 43 |
| 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, both IC Markets and Markets4you offer compelling options for traders. IC Markets provides a wide array of platform choices, including popular third-party options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. They also have a user-friendly web-based trading platform and desktop download for Windows users. Their features include a free virtual demo account for simulated trading, copy trading through services like ZuluTrade, and the ability to trade directly from charts. IC Markets offers 15 drawing tools for charting and has watch lists with 7 columns, helping traders manage their investments efficiently. Overall, IC Markets is highly rated with 4 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, ranking #16 among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, Markets4you stands out with a proprietary trading platform developed in-house, alongside popular offerings like MetaTrader 4 and 5. They also support both desktop and web-based trading, mirroring the functionality provided by IC Markets. Markets4you features include paper trading through a virtual demo account, copy trading, and the ability to execute trades directly from stock charts. Charting tools are on par with 15 drawing tools available, and their watch lists also accommodate 7 fields for comprehensive tracking. Although Markets4you shares a 4-star rating for its platforms and tools, it is ranked significantly lower at #52, reflecting some differences in user experience or features compared to IC Markets.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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.
IC Markets and Markets4you both offer comprehensive mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users. Traders with either app can receive stock or forex price alerts and have access to drawing tools like trendlines for detailed chart analysis. Both platforms provide users with 30 technical studies for charting and support multiple time frames, ensuring versatile tools for effective decision-making. However, one limitation shared by both apps is the lack of syncing for watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the client's online account, which means changes in one platform don't automatically carry over to the other.
Despite these similarities, there are distinctions in terms of ratings and rankings. Notably, IC Markets achieves a higher position in industry rankings at #22 out of 63 by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, compared to Markets4you's rank of #50. Both platforms share a mobile trading app rating of four out of five stars, highlighting solid performance and features. With auto-saving capabilities for chart drawings and real-time quote watchlists, both apps cater well to the needs of forex and stock traders, though IC Markets edges out with its stronger industry recognition.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Both IC Markets and Markets4you provide comprehensive resources for market research, including daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Traders will find technical and fundamental analysis tools from Autochartist and Trading Central available at both brokers to support informed trading decisions. An economic calendar is also offered by each broker, keeping traders updated on global news events. However, IC Markets sets itself apart by offering a sentiment-based trading tool. While neither broker provides research tools from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading, IC Markets' additional offerings earn it higher marks in overall research capability.
IC Markets receives a solid 4-star rating for research, surpassing Markets4you’s 3.5-star rating. Ranking among 63 brokers, IC Markets stands at the 23rd position in the Research category according to ForexBrokers.com, while Markets4you is ranked 47th. This ranking reflects IC Markets' slightly better-equipped research suite, despite both brokers presenting strong options for traders seeking quality market analysis tools and news resources. Whether it’s technical analysis, economic insights, or sentiment data, IC Markets offers a slight edge, catering to traders looking for a broader spectrum of research support.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| 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 and Markets4you both provide a good starting point with over 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. However, IC Markets takes a step further with online webinars conducted at least once a month, offering an interactive learning experience for newcomers. Although both platforms have an archive of previously recorded webinars, IC Markets extends its educational offerings with at least 10 videos specifically tailored for beginners, which Markets4you does not match.
In terms of comprehensive resources for those advancing beyond the basics, IC Markets provides at least 10 advanced educational videos, while Markets4you lacks in this area. For terminology clarification, IC Markets offers an investor dictionary with definitions of at least 50 terms, a resource unavailable with Markets4you. Due to these additional educational supports, IC Markets garners a higher educational rating of 4 stars and ranks 16th out of 63 brokers for education with ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, Markets4you receives a 3.5-star rating, positioning it at 26th in the same category.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Markets4you. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while Markets4you finished with an overall rank of #56.
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
|
Markets4you
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 84 | 61 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both IC Markets and Markets4you do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency; however, both platforms provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
IC Markets and Markets4you both provide Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire options for funding accounts, but only IC Markets supports PayPal, and neither broker offers ACH or SEPA transfers for deposits or withdrawals.
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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 84 | 61 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 61 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IC Markets | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 43 | |
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 | |
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | No | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | No | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | No | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | No | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | No | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | No | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | No | |
| Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Markets4you | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 84 | 61 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill