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 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
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
When comparing commissions and fees, IC Markets comes out ahead of Plus500 for most traders. Plus500’s pricing is slightly above the industry average, and its EUR/USD spread averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than what many low-cost forex brokers charge. Plus500 does not offer retail pricing discounts, although qualified Professional clients may receive cash rebates. It is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars and is ranked #25 out of 36 by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees.
IC Markets, by contrast, is built for lower trading costs. It offers a commission-free Standard account plus Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts with very tight pricing. Its EUR/USD spreads can be extremely low, and even after commissions, the all-in cost is competitive with top low-fee brokers. Active traders may also qualify for discounts after trading over 100 standard lots per month. IC Markets is rated 5 out of 5 stars and is ranked #5 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
In simple terms, Plus500 is a solid choice if you want straightforward pricing, but IC Markets is the stronger pick if keeping trading costs as low as possible is your main goal.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $200 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.62 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
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
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
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
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
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
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
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
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
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
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | 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 #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
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IC Markets
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 |
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Plus500 vs IC Markets: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer trading in cryptocurrency CFDs.
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.
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 | 83 | |
| 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 | 83 | |
| 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 | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 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) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 1.3 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 0.62 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €50 | $200 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 115 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Plus500 Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review | IC Markets Review |
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