Written by ForexBrokers.com
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.
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.
Plus500, established in 2008, and IC Markets, founded a year earlier in 2007, are both reputable online brokers, but they have notable differences in terms of trust and regulation. Plus500 stands out with a top-tier Trust Score of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its strong reputation. It also holds six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, making it a highly trusted option. As a publicly traded company, Plus500 enhances its transparency to investors and traders alike.
In comparison, IC Markets carries a solid Trust Score of 84, which places it in the trusted category according to ForexBrokers.com. It is backed by two Tier-1 licenses, ensuring a reliable level of regulatory compliance. However, IC Markets is not listed publicly on a stock exchange, which may factor into considerations for some investors. Neither Plus500 nor IC Markets operates as a bank, focusing solely on brokerage services. Both brokers offer dependable services, but Plus500's stronger regulatory credentials and higher trust rating might appeal more to traders prioritizing regulatory assurance.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Plus500 and IC Markets, there are distinct differences that are important to consider. Plus500, with a 4 out of 5 stars rating for commissions and fees, ranks at #25 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Their pricing is slightly above the industry average, especially for active traders. While Plus500 doesn't offer discounts to retail clients, there is a potential for cash rebates if you're designated as a Professional client. For instance, average spreads on the popular EUR/USD pair at Plus500 were 1.5 pips as of April 2024, which is higher than what many competitors offer.
IC Markets stands out with a top-tier 5-star rating in the same category and holds the #5 ranking on ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers. Known for its low trading costs, IC Markets boasts some of the most attractive pricing models available. Their commission-based accounts feature small effective spreads and low deposit requirements, making them a favorite for cost-savvy traders. For EUR/USD trading, the all-in cost can be as low as 0.62 pips when using the cTrader account, including commissions. Additionally, active traders can benefit from discounts when trading over 100 standard lots per month. This cost efficiency has earned IC Markets accolades such as Best in Class honors in Commissions & Fees for 2024.
IC Markets offers three account types to cater to diverse trading needs: the commission-free Standard account, and the commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts. The Standard account presents an appealing option with an average spread of 0.62 pips without any commissions. Meanwhile, the Raw Spread accounts show variability in pricing based on the platform choice—cTrader or MetaTrader—with competitive, low-cost offerings aligning closely with trader preferences. This flexibility, coupled with IC Markets’ three regulatory bodies in Cyprus, Australia, and Seychelles, allows clients to choose the best fit for their trading style.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $200 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.62 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| 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 comparing investment offerings between Plus500 and IC Markets, it's evident that both platforms provide a rich selection of options tailored to different trading needs. Plus500 shines with an impressive 5,500 tradeable symbols, which includes the ability to engage in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. Traders have access to 65 forex pairs, offering varied opportunities in the forex market. Plus500 stands out by allowing customers to purchase actual exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling direct investment in companies like Apple and Vodafone. However, it lacks support for copy trading and the delivery of actual cryptocurrencies, although it does provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives.
IC Markets, on the other hand, offers approximately 3,583 tradeable symbols with a similar facility to trade forex using CFDs or spot contracts, including 61 forex pairs. Despite not supporting direct purchases of U.S. exchange-traded securities, it extends this service to international exchanges, allowing investments in global companies outside of the U.S. A notable feature of IC Markets is its support for copy trading, appealing to those who wish to replicate the strategies of seasoned traders. Like Plus500, IC Markets provides access to cryptocurrency derivatives but doesn't support the purchasing of actual cryptocurrencies. Both platforms are well-rated, each garnering 4.5 stars for their range of investments, with Plus500 ranked 24th and IC Markets 25th by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). 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.
When evaluating online brokers for their trading platforms and tools, Plus500 and IC Markets both offer features that cater to different trading needs. Plus500 provides access to its proprietary platform, highlighting its unique approach to trading, even though it lacks a Windows-based desktop download. Conversely, IC Markets, while not having an in-house platform, supports popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, offering more versatility for traders who prefer these popular interfaces. Additionally, both brokers provide web-based platforms for easy browser access, and offer free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice before using real funds. However, IC Markets distinguishes itself with copy trading opportunities and integration with ZuluTrade, making it appealing for those interested in social trading.
On the other hand, Plus500 excels with its charting capabilities, offering more drawing tools than IC Markets, and better customization for watch lists with 10 columns. While Plus500 does not allow trading directly from the stock chart, IC Markets gives this convenience to its users. Both brokers deliver strong trading platforms and tools, with Plus500 receiving a slightly higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to IC Markets' 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 ranks 14th out of 63 brokers, just ahead of IC Markets at 16th, showcasing a slight edge in trading platform offerings.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Plus500 and IC Markets cater to iPhone and Android users, providing a comprehensive trading experience. Both platforms offer essential features like stock and forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts, with flexibility in viewing multiple time frames, whether daily, weekly, or intraday. However, Plus500 distinguishes itself with the capability to sync watchlist symbols with the client's online account, ensuring seamless updates across devices. In contrast, IC Markets does not support this syncing feature. Furthermore, for technical analysis enthusiasts, Plus500 provides 115 technical studies within its app, which is significantly greater than the 30 offered by IC Markets.
Another difference is how these apps handle chart drawings; Plus500 does not auto-save drawings, while IC Markets does. Both allow users to create watchlists featuring real-time quotes, providing up-to-date market information. In terms of user ratings, Plus500 has a slightly better score with 4.5 stars, compared to IC Markets' 4 stars. This difference in user satisfaction is also reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Plus500 is placed at #14 among 63 brokers, while IC Markets sits at #22. Overall, Plus500 appears to offer a more feature-rich and user-acclaimed mobile trading experience compared to IC Markets.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research offerings, both Plus500 and IC Markets provide solid options for traders, each with its unique strengths. Plus500 and IC Markets offer daily market commentary, helping traders stay informed with the latest market trends. However, only IC Markets provides forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, giving it an edge in this area. Moreover, IC Markets stands out by offering tools from Autochartist for technical analysis, which Plus500 does not provide. Conversely, both platforms feature tools from Trading Central for advanced insights and market analysis.
Traders looking for sentiment-based trading tools will find both Plus500 and IC Markets accommodating, as each provides insights into the ratio of long or short positions. Economic calendars showcasing global news events are also available on both platforms. However, neither Plus500 nor IC Markets offers market research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. When rated for research, Plus500 scores 4.0 stars, marginally outpacing IC Markets, which holds 4 stars. In terms of rankings among 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is ranked 19th, four spots ahead of IC Markets at 23rd place, highlighting its competitive edge in the research category.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Plus500 and IC Markets excel in offering a wide range of materials. Each platform provides over ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. New traders can benefit from online webinars held at least once a month, with both brokers maintaining a searchable archive for convenient access. Beginner traders will find at least ten dedicated educational videos on each platform to help them get started in trading.
Differentiating the two, IC Markets offers an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 trading terms, a feature that Plus500 lacks. Despite both brokers scoring 4.0 out of 5 stars for their educational offerings, their rankings tell a slightly different story. According to ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets holds a more favorable position at #16, whereas Plus500 is ranked #31 among 63 brokers in the education category. These aspects make IC Markets potentially more appealing for traders seeking comprehensive learning tools.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
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 #20.
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
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 |
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Both Plus500 and IC Markets do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies; however, they both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Neither Plus500 nor IC Markets offer ACH or SEPA transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but both brokers support PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, providing a versatile range of choices for managing account transactions.
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 | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). 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 | 1.5 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | 0.62 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $200 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 36 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Plus500 Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | IC Markets Review |
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