Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs ACY Securities, 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.
IC Markets, established in 2007, and ACY Securities, founded in 2011, are both private online brokerage firms not publicly traded nor functioning as banks. A critical aspect for potential traders is the regulatory standing of these brokers. IC Markets holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas ACY Securities maintains one such license. The Trust Score further differentiates the two: IC Markets achieves a Trust Score of 84, indicating it is considered trusted, while ACY Securities has a Trust Score of 75, placing it within the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com ratings.
Neither IC Markets nor ACY Securities holds any Tier-2 licenses, which are also recognized for being trusted by ForexBrokers.com. Despite both brokers being well-established players in the online trading arena, prospective clients might favor IC Markets due to its higher Trust Score and a greater number of high-trust licenses. When selecting an online broker, these regulatory insights can be instrumental for making an informed decision.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2011 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
IC Markets stands out in the world of online brokers for its competitive trading costs, boasting the title of Best in Class in the Commissions & Fees category as per the 2024 Annual Awards. With a ranking of #5 out of 62 brokers and a top-notch rating of 5 stars, IC Markets offers three account types: the commission-free Standard account, and the commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts. The cTrader Raw Spread account charges a lower commission of $3.0 per side per 100,000 units, translating to 0.62 pips all-in costs on the EUR/USD. Comparatively, its MT4 or MT5 counterparts charge $3.5 per side, making effective spreads slightly higher.
ACY Securities also caters to a diverse range of traders with its low-deposit and commission-based accounts. Offering three account types, ACY Securities provides a beginner-friendly Standard account with wider spreads averaging 1.2 pips on the EUR/USD and a low $50 deposit. The more sophisticated ProZero and Bespoke accounts offer tighter spreads, with ProZero averaging 0.25 pips and commissions as low as $3 per round turn (RT) for Australian residents, making it cost-effective. ACY Securities has earned a 4.5-star rating and ranks #21 in the Commissions & Fees category among 62 brokers.
Both brokers present attractive options, with IC Markets excelling in offering competitive spreads and flexible account types for varied trading strategies. Conversely, ACY Securities balances entry-level accessibility with more precise spreads in its advanced account tiers, particularly for Australian clients. Traders can consider these distinctions when choosing between the two platforms based on their personal trading goals and residential benefits.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.85 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing the investment offerings of IC Markets and ACY Securities, both online brokers provide forex trading options as CFDs or spot contracts. IC Markets stands out with a selection of 3,583 tradeable symbols, surpassing ACY Securities, which offers 2,200 symbols. While ACY Securities edges ahead in available forex pairs, offering 66 pairs compared to IC Markets' 61, IC Markets provides clients with the advantage of trading exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, unlike ACY Securities.
Neither IC Markets nor ACY Securities provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges or the option to buy actual cryptocurrency. However, both offer cryptocurrency derivatives and copy trading options. When it comes to the range of investments, IC Markets holds a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to ACY Securities' 4 stars. In the ranking by ForexBrokers.com for investment range, IC Markets comes in at 25th out of 62 brokers, while ACY Securities is ranked 30th.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 2200 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 66 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by IC Markets and ACY Securities, both brokers provide a range of similar features, yet there are distinct differences. Both firms offer virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice without financial risk. While IC Markets does not have a proprietary platform, ACY Securities offers one, potentially catering to those preferring in-house solutions. Both brokers provide clients with access to powerful platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with Windows-based desktop and web browser platforms. Both companies also afford the ability to execute trades directly from stock charts. However, when it comes to copy trading, IC Markets stands out by offering ZuluTrade, a feature not available with ACY Securities.
In terms of charting tools, both IC Markets and ACY Securities offer 15 drawing tools. They also provide an equivalent number of seven columns for watch lists, delivering similar usability in this aspect. Rankings and ratings indicate a further distinction: IC Markets is rated 4 stars and ranked #17 out of 62 by ForexBrokers.com for its trading platforms and tools, while ACY Securities shares the same rating but holds a rank of #41. This suggests a difference in perceived performance and satisfaction among users. Both brokers provide ample opportunity for traders to explore numerous tools and capabilities, yet IC Markets shows a slight edge in popularity and reach in the competitive landscape of online brokerage services.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| 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 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IC Markets and ACY Securities both offer feature-rich mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users. Each app includes essential trading tools such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and view different time frames from daily to intraday. Both platforms provide access to 30 technical studies for chart analysis, allowing traders to make informed decisions. An impressive feature of these apps is the capability to auto-save chart drawings, which enhances the user experience by ensuring that no important data is lost between sessions.
While both IC Markets and ACY Securities allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, neither supports watchlist symbol syncing across different devices. Despite this, IC Markets outshines ACY Securities in the ranking by ForexBrokers.com, securing the 22nd position out of 62 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, compared to ACY Securities, which ranks 40th. Both apps hold a commendable 4-star rating out of five, reflecting their solid offerings for traders on the go. The IC Markets app is a slightly better option for those looking for a well-ranked trading platform.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of IC Markets and ACY Securities, it is apparent that IC Markets provides a more comprehensive suite of tools and resources. Both brokers offer daily market commentary and an economic calendar, keeping traders informed of current and upcoming global events. However, IC Markets surpasses ACY Securities by providing access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which ACY Securities does not offer. Furthermore, IC Markets includes advanced technical analysis tools from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, as well as a sentiment-based trading tool, all of which ACY Securities lacks.
While neither broker includes research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, IC Markets is rated 4 stars for research, slightly higher than ACY Securities' 3.5-star rating. This distinction is reflected in their rankings from ForexBrokers.com, where IC Markets is positioned at #22 out of 62 brokers, a more favorable spot compared to ACY Securities' ranking of #44. Overall, IC Markets emerges as the more equipped option for traders seeking extensive market research tools and high-quality news sources.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing IC Markets and ACY Securities, both platforms are impressive in their commitment to educating beginners, as each provides a wealth of at least 10 articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex or CFDs. Additionally, both brokers host regular monthly webinars and maintain an accessible archive for users to revisit at their convenience. However, IC Markets stands out by offering a broader spectrum of educational media, including a comprehensive collection of more than 10 advanced videos tailored for experienced traders and an extensive investor dictionary with over 50 terms, which ACY Securities does not provide.
For those new to trading, IC Markets offers an outstanding educational experience with a solid four-star rating and ranks 16th in the education category according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, ACY Securities, while offering a respectable beginner education with over 10 entry-level videos, falls short in advancing trader education and investing resources, leading to a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars and a ranking of 43rd out of 62 brokers. Ultimately, IC Markets provides a more comprehensive educational suite for traders seeking to deepen their understanding of trading concepts and strategies.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IC Markets is better than ACY Securities. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while ACY Securities finished with an overall rank of #41.
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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ACY Securities
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 75 |
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Both IC Markets and ACY Securities do not provide the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
IC Markets and ACY Securities both support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, but IC Markets allows PayPal and lacks ACH or SEPA transfers, while ACY Securities supports ACH and SEPA but does not accept PayPal.
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 | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 75 | |
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| Review | IC Markets Review | ACY Securities Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2011 | |
| 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 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 2200 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 66 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.85 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $50 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| 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 | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ACY Securities Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | ACY Securities | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | ACY Securities Review |
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