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Plus500 vs IC Markets 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs IC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Plus500
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: €50 info
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 5500 info
IC Markets
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $200
  • Trust Score: 83
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 3583

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.

Regulation

Plus500 and IC Markets are well-known online brokers with different profiles. Plus500, founded in 2008, is publicly traded, while IC Markets, founded in 2007, is privately held. Neither company is a bank.

In terms of regulation, Plus500 holds 7 Tier-1 licenses and 4 Tier-2 licenses, whereas IC Markets holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and no Tier-2 licenses. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 has a Trust Score of 99/99 (90–99 = highly trusted), while IC Markets scores 83/99 (80–89 = trusted). These ratings and license counts highlight broader regulatory coverage for Plus500 compared with IC Markets.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Year Founded info 2008 2007
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 7 2
Tier-2 Licenses info 4 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 2 3

Fees

When comparing commissions and fees, IC Markets is the lower-cost choice for most forex traders. It earned a 5-star rating and ranks #5 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees, thanks to tight spreads, low commission-based pricing, and discounts for high-volume active traders. Its account options include a commission-free Standard account, plus Raw Spread accounts on MT4, MT5, and cTrader, with all-in EUR/USD trading costs that are competitive with top low-cost brokers.

Plus500 is simpler, but its pricing is a bit higher than average. It has a 4.0-star rating and ranks #24 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees. On EUR/USD, its average spread was 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is above the industry average. Plus500 does not give retail client discounts, though eligible Professional clients may receive cash rebates.

In short, IC Markets is better for traders focused on saving on trading costs, while Plus500 may appeal to those who want straightforward pricing without commission-based accounts. If commissions, spreads, and active trader discounts matter most, IC Markets has the stronger value.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Minimum Deposit info €50 info $200
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 0.62 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.3 info 0.62 info
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

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Range of investments

When comparing Plus500 vs IC Markets for range of investments, both brokers give traders access to forex as a CFD or spot contract, plus cryptocurrency CFDs and international exchange-traded shares. Plus500 stands out for choice, with 5,500 tradeable symbols and 65 forex pairs, compared with IC Markets’ 3,583 symbols and 61 forex pairs. Plus500 also lets clients buy actual shares on U.S. exchanges, while IC Markets does not offer U.S.-listed exchange-traded securities.

IC Markets does have one clear edge in copy trading, which Plus500 does not offer. Both brokers also support international share trading, but neither lets clients buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency. For overall range of investments, both are rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, though ForexBrokers.com places Plus500 higher at #16 out of 36 brokers, ahead of IC Markets at #22.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes info Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 5500 info 3583
Forex Pairs (Total) info 65 61
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes info 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. 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.

Trading platforms and tools

Plus500 and IC Markets both give traders a free demo account and a web-based platform, so you can test strategies and trade from a browser without installing software. That said, IC Markets offers more platform choices for active traders, including a Windows desktop download, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and copy trading, plus the ability to place trades directly from charts. Plus500 takes a simpler route with its own in-house platform, but it does not offer MT4, MT5, a desktop app, or copy trading.

For trading tools, both brokers cover the basics, though IC Markets is the better pick if you want more ways to analyze and manage trades across different setups. Plus500 is rated 4.5 out of 5 for Trading Platforms and Tools and is ranked #14 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 and ranked #17. In short, Plus500 may suit traders who want a straightforward platform, while IC Markets is stronger for those who want more platform flexibility and chart-based trading features.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) info No Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 115 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info No Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

When comparing Plus500 vs. IC Markets for mobile trading apps, both brokers make it easy to trade on the go with iPhone and Android apps, plus price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Plus500 stands out for mobile charting depth, offering 115 technical studies compared with IC Markets’ 30, which gives active traders more tools to review price action and spot trends. Plus500 also lets watchlists sync between the mobile app and online account, so updates carry over automatically across devices. In user ratings, Plus500 scores 4.5 out of 5 for mobile trading apps and ranks #14 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, ahead of IC Markets.

IC Markets still covers the basics well, but its mobile experience is more limited in a few key areas. While it does offer iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, and trendline drawing, its watchlists do not sync with the online account, and its mobile chart drawings are saved automatically in the app. IC Markets offers 30 technical studies on mobile, which is less than Plus500, and it is rated 4 out of 5 for mobile trading apps, ranking #22 out of 36 brokers. For traders who want simpler mobile tools, IC Markets is solid, but Plus500 has the edge for app features and charting.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 115 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info No Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

Plus500 and IC Markets both give traders useful market research features, including daily market commentary, Trading Central tools, sentiment data, and an economic calendar. This means either broker can help you follow key market events and get a quick sense of trader positioning before placing a trade.

Where IC Markets has an edge is in broader news coverage and added research depth, since it offers forex news from top sources like Reuters and Bloomberg, plus Autochartist tools. Plus500 does not offer those extras, but it still scores slightly higher overall for research, with a 4.5-star rating and a #16 ranking versus IC Markets’ 4-star rating and #21 ranking.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info No Yes
Autochartist info No Yes
Trading Central info Yes Yes
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

For beginners looking for learning support, both Plus500 and IC Markets offer a wide range of education on forex and CFDs, including at least 10 learning pieces in each case, plus monthly educational webinars. Each broker also provides at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so new traders and more experienced users can both find material that fits their level. In simple terms, neither broker leaves beginners short on basic trading education.

That said, Plus500 gets a slightly higher Education rating from ForexBrokers.com, with 4.5 stars compared with IC Markets’ 4 stars. However, IC Markets places higher in the category ranking overall, coming in at #16 out of 36 brokers, while Plus500 ranks #26 out of 36. So, Plus500 appears a little stronger on the star score, while IC Markets edges ahead in the broader ranking.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Webinars info Yes info Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than IC Markets. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #21.

Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IC Markets logoIC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 83
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.0/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Plus500 or IC Markets?

Plus500 vs IC Markets: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer trading in cryptocurrency CFDs.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Plus500 vs IC Markets: both brokers do not support ACH or SEPA transfers, both offer PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals, while Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.

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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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Overall Rating Plus500 IC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.0/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 83
Winner check_circle
Review Plus500 Review IC Markets Review
Broker Screenshots Plus500 IC Markets
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
Plus500 mobile app charts. Plus500 trading platform EURUSD Plus500 web platform market news analysis articles. Plus500 webinars with Corellian Academy YouTube video playlist
IC Markets cTrader mobile app charting IC Markets EU cTrader desktop trading platform layout IC Markets webinar IC Your Trade YouTube video series. IC Markets Educational content blog articles.
Regulation Plus500 IC Markets
Trust Score info 99 83
Year Founded info 2008 2007
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 7 2
Tier-2 Licenses info 4 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 2 3
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) Plus500 IC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info Yes No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes No
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) Plus500 IC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info Yes No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes No
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info Yes info No
India (SEBI Authorised) info Yes No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments Plus500 IC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes info Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 5500 info 3583
Forex Pairs (Total) info 65 61
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes info 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. 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 Plus500 IC Markets
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 0.62 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.3 info 0.62 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info No Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding Plus500 IC Markets
Minimum Deposit info €50 info $200
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
Trading Platforms Plus500 IC Markets
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) info No Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
cTrader info No Yes
Trading Tools Plus500 IC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 115 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info No Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading Plus500 IC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 115 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info No Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research Plus500 IC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info No Yes
Autochartist info No Yes
Trading Central info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education Plus500 IC Markets
Webinars info Yes info Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs Plus500 IC Markets
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes info Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review Plus500 Review IC Markets Review
Overall Plus500 IC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.0/5 Stars 5/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 83
Winner check_circle
Review Plus500 Review IC Markets Review
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