Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Trading 212, 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.
Founded in 2007, IC Markets and established in 2004, Trading 212, are both online brokers that cater to traders seeking reliable platforms. Neither of these brokers is publicly traded or operates as a bank. In terms of trustworthiness, IC Markets boasts two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of safety, while Trading 212 holds three of these reputable licenses. This suggests that both are reputable, with Trading 212 having a slight edge in regulatory strength.
When evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets received a Trust Score rating of 84 out of 99, reflecting a trusted status in the industry. Trading 212, on the other hand, scored an 80, aligning it closely with its competitor. While both brokers are considered dependable, IC Markets holds a slightly higher Trust Score, signaling a marginally more favorable perception among traders looking for secure trading options. Overall, both brokers rank well within the trusted bracket, offering a solid foundation for conducting online trading activities.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
IC Markets is built for low trading costs. Its commission-based Raw Spread accounts list average EUR/USD spreads near 0.02 pips (Aug 2022); once you add commissions, the all‑in cost works out to about 0.62 pips on cTrader ($3.00 per side per 100k, $6.00 round turn) or 0.72 pips on MT4/MT5 ($3.50 per side, $7.00 round turn). The Standard account is commission‑free with an average EUR/USD spread around 0.62 pips. Spreads vary by platform, account type, and which global entity you use (EU, Australia, or Seychelles). Active traders who exceed 100 standard lots a month can qualify for discounts. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions & Fees category, IC Markets earns 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63.
Trading 212 keeps things simple with two accounts: Invest (shares) and CFD. Minimum deposits are low (1 euro for Invest, 10 euros for CFD). While it advertises zero‑commission trading, CFD and forex trades pay the spread. For April 2025, Trading 212’s average EUR/USD spread was 2.7 pips, which is above the industry average. Publishing average spreads is a helpful step for transparency, but the pricing still trails cheaper forex and CFD brokers. In ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions & Fees category, Trading 212 earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #50 out of 63.
Bottom line on costs: IC Markets generally delivers lower all‑in pricing for active forex and CFD traders, thanks to tight effective spreads on its Raw Spread accounts and available volume discounts. Trading 212 offers very low entry barriers and straightforward pricing, but its average spreads—especially on major pairs like EUR/USD—are higher, making it less cost‑competitive for frequent traders focused on spreads and commissions.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | €1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.62 | 2.7 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 2.7 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IC Markets vs Trading 212: for sheer variety, Trading 212 has the edge with 7,868 tradeable symbols and 146 forex pairs, compared with IC Markets’ 3,583 symbols and 61 forex pairs. That breadth helps Trading 212 earn a 5/5 Range of Investments score and a #16 ranking from ForexBrokers.com, versus IC Markets at 4.5/5 and #26.
Both brokers support forex trading (CFD or spot) and offer crypto via CFDs, though neither lets you buy actual crypto. For stocks, Trading 212 lets you buy exchange-traded U.S. shares like Apple, and both provide exchange-traded international shares such as Vodafone. If copy trading matters, IC Markets offers it, while Trading 212 does not.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 7868 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 146 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | Yes |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). | 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.
IC Markets and Trading 212 both offer free demo (paper) accounts and web-based trading, plus the ability to place trades directly from charts. The key differences are in platform choice and extras. IC Markets does not have a proprietary platform; instead it supports popular third-party platforms MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and it offers a Windows desktop download along with copy trading. Trading 212 takes the opposite approach: it features its own in-house platform, does not provide MT4 or MT5, and does not offer a Windows desktop download, but it does let you trade via your browser.
If you want MetaTrader, desktop software, and copy trading, IC Markets is the better fit. If you prefer an all-in-one, broker-built platform with a browser-first experience, consider Trading 212. According to ForexBrokers.com, both are rated 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, with IC Markets ranked #16 and Trading 212 ranked #20 out of 63 brokers.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IC Markets and Trading 212 both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each supports price alerts for stocks and forex. On charts, both apps let you draw trendlines and will auto-save your drawings, making it easy to pick up where you left off.
When it comes to charting depth, IC Markets includes 30 technical studies, while Trading 212 offers 104. Trading 212 also syncs watchlists between its mobile app and your online account, a feature IC Markets lacks. Both earn 4 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps, but in ForexBrokers.com’s rankings of 63 brokers, Trading 212 is #17 and IC Markets is #22. If you want more built-in studies and watchlist syncing, Trading 212 has the edge; for essential mobile trading features, either app fits the bill.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing market research at IC Markets and Trading 212, IC Markets comes out ahead for built-in tools and daily insights. IC Markets provides daily market commentary, plus forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. It also includes Autochartist and Trading Central for technical and fundamental analysis, along with a sentiment tool and an economic calendar. Trading 212 also offers premium forex news, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar, but it does not include Autochartist or Trading Central. Neither broker offers TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools.
For overall research, IC Markets holds a 4-star rating and ranks #23 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while Trading 212 earns 3.5 stars and ranks #45. In short, choose IC Markets if you want daily commentary and advanced analysis tools; pick Trading 212 if you’re satisfied with news, sentiment data, and a clear calendar without extra add-ons.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IC Markets vs Trading 212: beginner education compared. If you’re starting out with forex and CFDs, IC Markets offers a clearer path for learning thanks to live, monthly client webinars, while Trading 212 does not run ongoing educational webinars. Both brokers provide plenty of on-demand videos for newcomers (10+ beginner videos each), and each also includes 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up.
On quality and depth, IC Markets earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 16th out of 63 brokers for Education at ForexBrokers.com, ahead of Trading 212’s 3.5 out of 5 stars and 21st-place ranking. If live instruction and a steady learning schedule matter to you, IC Markets has the edge; if you prefer self-paced video lessons, both platforms can meet your needs.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| 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 IC Markets is better than Trading 212. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
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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Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 80 |
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IC Markets vs Trading 212: neither online broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer trading in cryptocurrency CFDs.
IC Markets vs Trading 212 — for deposits and withdrawals, Trading 212 supports ACH/SEPA while IC Markets does not; both support PayPal and bank wire transfers; only IC Markets supports Skrill; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2004 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 7868 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). | 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.62 | 2.7 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 2.7 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | €1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
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