Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Capital.com 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.
Capital.com and IC Markets are both prominent online brokers that have carved out strong presences in the trading world. Founded in 2016, Capital.com is a relatively newer player compared to IC Markets, which was established in 2007. Both companies are privately owned and do not operate as banks. Capital.com takes the lead in regulatory oversight with 3 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, signaling a solid level of trust with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 87. In contrast, IC Markets holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and maintains a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 84.
While neither broker is publicly traded, Capital.com shows slightly higher regulatory strength and trust, making it a trusted choice for those emphasizing security and compliance in their trading practices. IC Markets, with its two Tier-1 licenses, also provides a trusted environment, though its Trust Score is slightly lower than that of Capital.com. These factors make each platform appealing based on individual user needs and preferences over regulatory assurance, security, and longevity.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
When comparing Capital.com and IC Markets in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers offer competitive pricing that appeals to traders seeking cost-effective solutions. Capital.com provides slightly better-than-average pricing within the industry, highlighted by its universal account accessible to both retail and professional traders. With an average spread of 0.67 pips for EUR/USD, Capital.com stands out for offering one of the lower spreads, making it a favorable choice for traders focused on minimizing forex trading costs. Rated 5 stars, Capital.com is ranked #3 out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
IC Markets, on the other hand, is renowned for its low trading costs, earning Best in Class honors in the Commissions & Fees category for 2024. With an average EUR/USD spread of 0.02 pips, IC Markets effectively competes with top low-cost forex brokers. The broker provides three account options: a commission-free Standard account, and the commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts. While the cTrader account offers a slightly lower commission of $3.0 per side for every 100,000 units, the MetaTrader-linked Raw Spread account charges $3.5 per side. The all-in cost remains competitive at 0.62 pips for cTrader and 0.72 pips for MetaTrader accounts. IC Markets is also rated 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 62 brokers in this category by ForexBrokers.com.
Both Capital.com and IC Markets offer appealing features for cost-conscious traders, but they cater to slightly different needs. Capital.com is ideal for those seeking low-cost forex trading without the complexity of varying account types. IC Markets, with its flexible account and platform options, appeals to traders who require specific features or who trade in large volumes, benefiting from potential discounts for active traders handling over 100 standard lots monthly.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | $200 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 0.62 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 range of investments between Capital.com and IC Markets, both online brokers provide a similar yet distinct set of options for traders. Both brokers allow for forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, catering to those interested in the foreign exchange market. Capital.com stands out with a notable offering of 3,007 tradeable symbols and an impressive 125 forex pairs, providing a diverse selection for its clients. Meanwhile, IC Markets exceeds Capital.com with 3,583 tradeable symbols, although it offers 61 forex pairs, fewer than Capital.com. However, IC Markets allows access to exchange-traded securities on international exchanges—such as Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange—granting more variety for clients seeking global opportunities.
Both Capital.com and IC Markets enable trading in cryptocurrency derivatives but do not support the purchasing of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of other features, IC Markets distinguishes itself by offering copy trading, which is absent in Capital.com's services. Despite these differences, both brokers are rated 4.5 stars for their range of investments, demonstrating a high level of satisfaction among users. When ranked by ForexBrokers.com in this category, Capital.com holds the 22nd position, slightly ahead of IC Markets, which is ranked 25th out of 62 brokers. This ranking suggests a competitive edge for Capital.com in the diversity of its investment range.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3007 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 Capital.com to IC Markets, both online brokers offer a rich suite of trading platforms and tools, catering to different user preferences and needs. Capital.com stands out with its in-house developed proprietary platform, which provides a tailored user experience, whereas IC Markets doesn't offer a proprietary platform but supports the widely popular MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platform. Both brokers provide access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and each supports Windows-based desktop downloads as well as browser-based platforms, ensuring flexibility for traders. Notably, Capital.com does not support copy trading, whereas IC Markets embraces this feature, including ZuluTrade, catering to traders who prefer to follow the strategies of experienced peers. Both brokers provide virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading in a simulated environment.
Charting capabilities also vary between the two. Capital.com offers 18 drawing tools compared to IC Markets' 15, and both brokers support direct trading from stock charts. For watch lists, Capital.com provides 11 columns for customization, surpassing the 7 columns offered by IC Markets. In terms of rankings and ratings, Capital.com receives an impressive 4.5 stars for their trading platforms and tools and ranks 11th among 62 brokers per ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets earns 4 stars and holds the 16th spot in the same category. These distinctions highlight Capital.com's emphasis on user-centric platform development and customization potential, offering a comprehensive trading environment that appeals to a broad range of traders.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 83 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 18 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
If you're deciding between Capital.com and IC Markets for trading on the go, both platforms offer strong mobile apps available for iPhone and Android users. Each app allows traders to receive stock and forex price alerts, ensuring you're never out of the loop. Whether you're charting or tracking market trends, both apps provide 30 technical studies and support for drawing trendlines. Traders can view stock or forex charts across various time frames, whether daily, weekly, or intraday. Additionally, any drawings made on charts automatically save for future convenience.
Both Capital.com and IC Markets enable the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes straight from the app. However, neither platform currently offers syncing of watchlist symbols between the mobile app and your online account. Capital.com's mobile trading app is rated slightly higher at 4.5 stars compared to IC Markets' 4 stars, and it ranks 12th out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category, while IC Markets ranks 22nd. Choose between these platforms based on personal preference, but note that Capital.com might offer a slightly stronger mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IC 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 | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both Capital.com and IC Markets provide daily market commentary, helping traders stay updated with the latest happenings. However, IC Markets stands out by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas Capital.com does not. For those who prioritize technical analysis tools, IC Markets again has an edge with offerings from Autochartist and Trading Central, which are not available with Capital.com. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools and comprehensive economic calendars to assist with understanding market trends and future events.
Capital.com provides market research from TipRanks, a feature not found in IC Markets, giving it an additional benefit. Both brokers do not offer tools from Acuity Trading. Capital.com holds a slightly higher research rating of 4.5 stars compared to IC Markets' 4 stars and ranks 14th out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com, outpacing IC Markets which stands at 23rd. This suggests that while both brokers offer valuable resources, Capital.com's research offerings might appeal more to those looking for a well-rounded service with specific data insights.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners exploring educational resources provided by online brokers, both Capital.com and IC Markets offer a wide range of useful materials aimed at enhancing trading knowledge. Capital.com provides over 10 educational pieces, including articles and videos focusing on forex and CFDs, complemented by a searchable archive of recorded webinars. They also feature a substantial investor dictionary and more than 10 beginner and advanced educational videos, making it easy for new and seasoned traders to learn. While Capital.com does not host live monthly webinars, they still earn a high rating of 4.5 stars for education, and they are ranked 8th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
IC Markets matches Capital.com in offering over 10 educational pieces and maintains a comprehensive searchable webinar archive. Like Capital.com, they also provide more than 10 videos tailored for both beginners and advanced traders and include a well-stocked investor dictionary. Notably, IC Markets hosts regular monthly webinars, providing valuable opportunities for real-time learning and interaction. However, with a slightly lower education rating of 4 stars, IC Markets is ranked 16th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that while both brokers supply excellent educational content, Capital.com may have a slight edge for educational quality overall.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Capital.com is better than IC Markets. Capital.com finished with an overall rank of #10, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20.
Capital.com stands out for its quality research, strong educational content, and innovative web platform. Capital.com holds fewer regulatory licenses and offers a narrower range of markets than some of the best brokers, but still significantly outperforms the industry average.
| Feature |
Capital.com
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IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 84 |
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Capital.com and IC Markets both do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Capital.com and IC Markets both offer PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires as options for depositing or withdrawing funds, but neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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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2 of 5| Overall Rating | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 84 | |
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| Review | Capital.com Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
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| Regulation | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 87 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Capital.com | IC 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) | Yes | No | |
| 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) | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3007 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 0.62 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | $200 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 83 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 18 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Capital.com | IC 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 | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Capital.com | IC 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 | Capital.com Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | Capital.com | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Capital.com Review | IC Markets Review |
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