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Interactive Brokers vs IC Markets 2023

BrokerNotes.co

Written by BrokerNotes.co

March 14, 2023

Trying to decide between Interactive Brokers and IC Markets? Weโ€™ve taken the guesswork out of the equation with our Comparison Tool. Use our tool to compare hundreds of data points, side-by-side, to see how these two brokers stack up against each other.

Based on our extensive research, hands-on testing, and expert analysis of over a hundred data-driven variables, we've determined that, overall, Interactive Brokers ranks more highly than IC Markets.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 65% and 82% 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.

Select Brokers

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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxACY Securities
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAdmiral Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlpari
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxATFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAvaTrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAxiTrader
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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCity Index
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCMC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxDooPrime
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeasyMarkets
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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxExness
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFineco Bank
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFlowBank
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFOREX.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxForex4you
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFP Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXCM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXOpen
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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHYCM (Henyep)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIC Markets
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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLegacyFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLibertex (Forex Club)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMarkets.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMoneta Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOANDA
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOctaFX
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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRoboForex (RoboMarkets)
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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSwissquote
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTD Ameritrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTeleTrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxThinkMarkets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTickmill
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTMGM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTopFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrade Nation
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  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrading 212
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Compare

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Overall RatingInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Overall Rating 9.7 / 10 8.2 / 10
Account TypeInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Standard Trade Size (100,000 units) Yes Yes
Mini Trade Size (10,000 units) Yes Yes
Micro Trade Size (1,000 units) No Yes
Islamic Account No Yes
Copy TradingInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Social Trading / Copy Trading No Yes
DupliTrade No No
ZuluTrade No Yes
CryptocurrencyInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Cryptocurrency (Physical) Yes No
Cryptocurrency (CFD) No Yes
Bitcoin Yes Yes
ethereum No Yes
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs)Interactive BrokersIC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) Yes Yes
Mobile Trading - Forex or CFDs Yes Yes
Indices (Index CFDs)Interactive BrokersIC Markets
DAX Yes Yes
Dow Jones Yes Yes
FTSE Yes Yes
NASDAQ 100 Yes Yes
Nikkei Yes Yes
SP 500 Yes Yes
InvestmentsInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) Yes Yes
Spread Betting No No
Social Trading / Copy Trading No Yes
Metals Yes Yes
Energies Yes Yes
Agriculturals Yes Yes
ETF Yes Yes
U.S. Stocks (CFD) Yes Yes
Trading PlatformsInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Apple iOS App Yes Yes
Android App Yes Yes
Proprietary Platform Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) Yes Yes
Web Platform Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) No Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) No Yes
Regulatory LicensesInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Tier-1 Licenses 8 1
Australia (ASIC Authorised) Yes Yes
Canada (SRO Authorised) Yes No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) Yes No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) No No
USA (CFTC Authorized) Yes No
Tier-2 Licenses 1 1
Tier-3 Licenses 0 1
Research, EducationInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Trading Central (Recognia) Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) Yes Yes
Daily Market Commentary Yes Yes
Autochartist No Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos Yes Yes
Client Webinars (Archived) Yes Yes
Trading CostsInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Minimum Deposit $0 $200
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard 0.6 info 0.62 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active 0.6 info 0.62 info
Active Trader or VIP Discounts Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) Yes Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) No Yes
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) No Yes
Trading ToolsInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Watchlists - Total Fields 640 7
Mobile Watchlist Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) 128 30
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies 97 30
Trust FactorsInteractive BrokersIC Markets
Year Founded 1977 2007
Publicly Traded (Listed) Yes No
Bank No No
European Union Authorised (MiFID) Yes info Yes info
Trust Score 99 86
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Interactive Brokers vs IC Markets Comparison

Comparing forex brokers side by side is no easy task. For our 2023 annual forex broker review, we spent hundreds of hours assessing 39 forex and CFD brokerages to find the best forex broker. Let's compare Interactive Brokers vs IC Markets.

Can I trust Interactive Brokers?

Interactive Brokers has a trust score of 99, giving it a "Highly Trusted" trust label. Here's what each trust score label means:

  • "Highly Trusted" (90-99) - These brokers are considered the most trustworthy firms in the industry. Simply put, we would not hesitate to open and fund an account with a Highly Trusted broker.
  • "Trusted" (80-89) - These brokers are reliable and trustworthy. "Trusted" firms are a solid choice, and may simply hold fewer regulatory licences or feature different corporate structures than those brokers that have earned our top Trust Score rating.
  • "Average Risk" (70-79) - Average Risk brokers are firms we generally consider to be safe, but that may warrant a closer inspection before you open and fund a live trading account. At the least, we always encourage traders to check the regulatory licenses for Average Risk firms to verify that they are regulated in their own country of residence.
  • "High Risk" (60-69) - High-risk firms should be scrutinized and carefully reviewed before opening an account. These forex brokers are โ€“ in most cases โ€“ operating without credible regulatory licensing, and likely have a history of legal or financial issues. Before considering an account with a high-risk firm, we recommend checking our country guides for your country of residence to see if a more trusted broker is available.
  • "Do Not Trust" (<59) - We do not recommend opening an account of any kind with a broker that earns a โ€œDo Not Trustโ€ rating.

Can I trust IC Markets?

IC Markets has a trust score of 86, giving it a "Trusted" trust label.

Is Interactive Brokers a good broker?

Interactive Brokers is a long-standing and highly-trusted broker that holds numerous regulatory licenses across the globe. We've rated IBKR as the best broker for professional traders, and it provides traders with access to over 100 markets, including forex and CFDs. IBKR's recently introduced web-based platform caters well to beginners, and its powerful research and extensive educational content makes for a balanced experience for newcomers and professionals alike.

Is IC Markets a good broker?

IC Markets' combination of low spreads and commissions, as well as its supportive execution policies that accomodate algorithmic traders make it our pick for the best MetaTrader broker. In addition, IC Markets recently bolstered its range of markets, sending the total available to over 3,000. It's worth noting, however, that its reserach and educational offerings still have lots of room to improve.

What tier-1 jurisdictions is each broker regulated in?

Tier-1 regulators go above and beyond by requiring additional capital requirements, checking in on brokers more frequently, and putting brokers through a tougher screening process. Interactive Brokers is Australia (ASIC Authorised), Canada (SRO Authorised), Hong Kong (SFC Authorised), CBI Authorised (Ireland), Japan (SFC Authorised), Singapore (MAS Authorised), United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) and USA (CFTC Authorized), while IC Markets is Australia (ASIC Authorised).. Neither have New Zealand (FMA Authorised) and Switzerland (FINMA Authorised)

What tier-2 jurisdictions is each broker regulated in? What about tier-3?

Tier-2 and tier-3 licenses are still important in evaluating the overall trustworthiness of forex brokers. As far as tier-2 licenses go, Interactive Brokers is India (SEBI Authorised), while IC Markets is Cyprus (CySEC Authorised).. Neither have China (CBRC Authorised), Israel (ISA Authorised), Russia (CBR Authorised), South Africa (FSCA Authorised), Thailand (SEC Authorised) and UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised). When comparing tier-3 licenses Interactive Brokers is none, while IC Markets is Bahamas (SCB Authorised).. Neither have Belize (FSC Authorised), Bermuda (BMA Authorised), British Virgin Islands (FSC Authorised), Cayman Islands (CIMA Authorised), Mauritius (FSC Authorised) and Vanuatu (VFSC Authorised).

Which broker offers more trading platforms?

For trading platforms Interactive Brokers supports a Proprietary Platform and Desktop Platform (Windows), whereas IC Markets supports a Desktop Platform (Windows), cTrader and ZuluTrade.. Neither have DupliTrade

Does Interactive Brokers offer MetaTrader? Does IC Markets offer MetaTrader?

For MetaTrader Interactive Brokers provides neither of these, while IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). If MetaTrader is a must for you, read our guides on the best MT4 brokers or best MT5 brokers.

How do Interactive Brokers and IC Markets differ in terms of minimum deposit? What about average spreads and funding options?

Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit of $0, while IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200. From our testing we found Interactive Brokers offers spreads of 0.6, while IC Markets offers spreads of 0.62. Interactive Brokers supports Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) for popular funding options, where IC Markets supports Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw), Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit), PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) and Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw).

Which brokers offers more tradeable asset classes, Interactive Brokers or IC Markets?

Interactive Brokers offers a more diverse selection of investment options than IC Markets allowing you to trade Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs), Metals, Energies, Agriculturals, ETF and U.S. Stocks (CFD).. Neither have Spread Betting Looking at total tradeable symbols, Interactive Brokers has 8500, compared to 3583 from IC Markets.

Can I trade cryptocurrency with Interactive Brokers or IC Markets?

Crypto trading is popular with forex traders. Most crypto assets are offered either as the underlying physical asset or as a CFD or other derivative โ€” including spot forex contracts. In terms of trading physical cryptocurrency neither Interactive Brokers nor IC Markets allow you to trade physical cryptocurrencies.

Who offers more research tools, Interactive Brokers or IC Markets?

In terms of research and research tools Interactive Brokers gives traders the following tools: Daily Market Commentary, Stock Charts, Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) and Trading Central (Recognia). In comparison IC Markets has the tools listed here: Autochartist, Daily Market Commentary, Stock Charts, Forex News (Top-Tier Sources), Trading Central (Recognia) and Social Trading / Copy Trading.

Broker Reviews

Still looking for more information, read our broker reviews.

Interactive Brokers Review

IC Markets Review

Overall winner: Interactive Brokers

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announcementPlease note:

We review each brokerโ€™s overall global offering โ€“ a โ€œYesโ€ 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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