Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs VT 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.
When comparing IC Markets and VT Markets, both online brokers bring distinct regulatory features to the table. IC Markets, established in 2007, holds a Trust Score of 84 out of 99, as per ForexBrokers.com. This score places it in the trusted category. The broker possesses two Tier-1 licenses, which contribute to its strong regulatory standing. On the other hand, VT Markets, founded in 2016, holds one Tier-1 license and one Tier-2 license. With a Trust Score of 70, it resides in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com.
Neither IC Markets nor VT Markets are publicly traded or operate as banks. While IC Markets boasts a longer operational history and a slightly higher Trust Score, VT Markets still maintains a noteworthy regulatory presence with its Tier-1 and Tier-2 licenses. These credentials offer potential users essential insights into how each broker is perceived by regulatory agencies and their overall trustworthiness in the financial market.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2016 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
When comparing IC Markets to VT Markets in terms of commissions and fees, IC Markets stands out as a low-cost option, thanks to its competitive spread and commission structure. With a variety of account options, including the commission-free Standard account and the commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts, IC Markets offers flexibility to traders. Notably, the cTrader Raw Spread account has a lower commission rate than the IC Markets MetaTrader accounts, costing $3.00 per side for every 100,000 units. This results in an effective spread of 0.62 pips for the cTrader account on EUR/USD trades. Moreover, IC Markets ranks #5 out of 63 brokers with a 5-star rating for its commissions and fees.
On the other hand, VT Markets provides two main account options: the commission-free Standard STP account and the commission-based Raw ECN account. While the Standard STP account offers an average spread of 1.2 pips on EUR/USD trades without a commission, the Raw ECN account features a more competitive effective spread of 0.83 pips, thanks to a 0.6 pip round turn commission. Despite its slightly higher trading costs compared to IC Markets, VT Markets still ranks #20 and earns a respectable 4.5-star rating in the Commissions and Fees category.
In summary, both brokers cater to different trading preferences; IC Markets appeals to traders looking for lower effective spreads and reduced trading costs with its cTrader accounts, while VT Markets offers straightforward commission-free options. IC Markets' higher ranking and 5-star rating underscore its position as a top choice for cost-conscious traders, whereas VT Markets provides a competent alternative, especially for those valuing simplicity and low deposit requirements.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.8 |
| 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 VT Markets both cater to traders interested in forex trading, offering options through CFDs and spot contracts. IC Markets provides a broader selection with 3,583 tradable symbols compared to VT Markets' 1,000. For forex pairs specifically, IC Markets offers 61 pairs, giving it an edge over VT Markets, which lists 39 pairs. While neither platform allows direct buying of U.S. exchange-listed securities like Apple shares, both allow access to international exchange-traded securities, such as shares of Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange.
When it comes to cryptocurrency, both IC Markets and VT Markets enable trading through derivatives but not through actual cryptocurrencies. Additionally, both platforms support copy trading, which can be appealing to beginners seeking to mirror successful strategies. Evaluating their investment offerings, IC Markets is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, ranking 25th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, VT Markets, rated 3.5 stars, is positioned at 39th in the same category. This comparison suggests that IC Markets offers a more extensive range of investments compared to VT Markets.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 1000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 39 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 choosing an online broker, both IC Markets and VT Markets provide strong trading platforms and tools for their users. Each broker offers a demonstration account, allowing new traders to practice without risk. While neither broker has its own proprietary platform, they both support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Additionally, they also offer options for copy trading; however, only IC Markets features integration with ZuluTrade. For those who prefer desktop trading, both options include Windows-based platforms, along with web-based interfaces for trading through your browser.
In terms of charting tools, VT Markets has an edge with 30 drawing tools compared to IC Markets' 15, though both brokers allow trading directly from a stock chart. Watch list customizations are on par with each offering seven columns for data fields. Despite the similarities, IC Markets does rank higher in the Trading Platforms and Tools category as per ForexBrokers.com, coming in at 16th out of 63 brokers, while VT Markets ranks at 47th place. Nevertheless, both brokers score equally well with a four-star rating for their trading interfaces and tools, catering efficiently to varying trader needs.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | No |
| 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 | 15 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both IC Markets and VT Markets offer comprehensive mobile trading apps that cater to their users, providing support for both iPhone and Android devices. Users can access alerts for stock or forex prices through each app and enjoy the functionality to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, neither app offers the ability to sync watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the client's online account. In terms of technical studies for charting, both platforms provide 30 options, alongside features like trendline drawing and the ability to view multiple time frames, such as daily or intraday.
Although both apps share many similar features, there are some differences. One key distinction is that IC Markets' app automatically saves drawings on charts, whereas VT Markets' app does not. Despite these differences, both apps have received an equal rating of four out of five stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets holds a higher rank for mobile trading apps, coming in at number 22 out of 63 brokers, while VT Markets is ranked at 44. These rankings reflect the subtle differences and overall user experience offered by each platform.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IC Markets and VT Markets both cater to traders with a strong emphasis on market research. Both brokers provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed, and offer forex news from respected sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. Additionally, they each provide sentiment-based trading tools that illustrate the long and short positions across various instruments. While both brokers offer tools from Trading Central, which can help with technical analysis, IC Markets takes the lead by also providing research tools from Autochartist, a feature not available with VT Markets.
When it comes to keeping track of upcoming global events, both brokers offer an economic calendar. However, in terms of overall research ratings, IC Markets edges ahead with a 4-star evaluation compared to VT Markets' 3.5 stars. This slight advantage is reflected in the rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where IC Markets is placed at #23 out of 63 brokers, whereas VT Markets is positioned at #36. These distinctions make IC Markets an appealing choice for traders focused on comprehensive research tools and resources.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| 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 beginner traders, both IC Markets and VT Markets offer extensive materials, including articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. IC Markets stands out by consistently hosting monthly educational webinars and maintaining a searchable archive of past webinars, while VT Markets does not provide these ongoing webinar sessions or archives. Both platforms offer numerous beginner-friendly videos, but IC Markets also provides additional advanced videos, catering to more experienced traders as well.
Both brokers feature a comprehensive investor dictionary, each with definitions for over 50 investing terms, aiding newcomers in understanding trading jargon. However, IC Markets is favored slightly higher for educational offerings, earning a 4-star rating compared to VT Markets' 3.5 stars. Ranking 16th out of 63 brokers in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets surpasses VT Markets, which holds the 55th spot. These factors suggest IC Markets may offer a more thorough educational experience for those starting their trading journey.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | 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 VT Markets. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while VT Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
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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VT Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 70 |
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Both IC Markets and VT Markets do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers IC Markets and VT Markets, both platforms provide options for depositing and withdrawing account funds via Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires; however, IC Markets uniquely supports transactions through PayPal, while neither broker offers ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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 | VT Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | VT Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 70 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2016 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 1000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 39 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | No | |
| 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 | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 15 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | VT 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 | IC Markets Review | VT Markets Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | VT Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | VT Markets Review |
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