Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets 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.
CMC Markets, established in 1989, stands out as a highly trusted online broker, boasting a Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. This broker is publicly traded and holds five Tier-1 licenses, ensuring a strong regulatory standing, along with one Tier-2 license. While CMC Markets is not a bank, its admirable regulatory compliance and status as a publicly listed company on a stock exchange provide added confidence for investors.
In contrast, IC Markets, founded in 2007, is a privately-owned broker with a Trust Score of 84, indicating a trusted status. Although IC Markets does not operate as a bank or hold any Tier-2 licenses, it maintains two Tier-1 licenses, providing a secure environment for traders. Despite not being publicly traded, its regulatory measures contribute to its credibility within the trading community.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
When comparing CMC Markets to IC Markets in terms of commissions and fees, both online brokers shine in delivering competitive pricing, but each brings unique elements to the table. CMC Markets consistently ranks at the top, having been awarded the #1 position in our 2025 Annual Awards for Commissions and Fees. With an impressive 5-star rating, CMC Markets stands out due to its competitive spreads, with typical spreads of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD as of August 2023. Their innovative FX Active program enhances their appeal by charging a $2.50 commission per side alongside spreads as low as zero pips, creating a 0.5 pip all-in cost on the EUR/USD pair.
IC Markets, recognized as Best in Class for Commissions & Fees in our 2024 Annual Awards, also holds a 5-star rating and sits in the #5 position among 62 brokers. Known for competitive pricing, IC Markets offers an average spread of just 0.02 pips on the EUR/USD, with a total cost of 0.62 pips for cTrader accounts and 0.72 pips with MetaTrader. Their commission-based Raw Spread account and the Standard account provide flexibility, the latter being commission-free with a 0.62 pip average spread. The account variations and low entry requirements make IC Markets a formidable contender among low-cost forex brokers.
Ultimately, both CMC Markets and IC Markets deliver impressive trading cost structures designed to cater to a range of investors. While CMC Markets is distinguished for its low spreads and commission-based FX Active pricing, IC Markets captures attention with some of the industry's most attractive effective spreads, particularly appealing for those trading larger volumes. Each broker's offerings are well-suited for traders seeking cost-effective and reliable trading environments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $200 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.62 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets and IC Markets in terms of available investments, both cater to forex traders by offering forex trading as both a CFD and spot contract. However, the breadth of options diverges significantly. CMC Markets provides a staggering 11,925 tradeable symbols, with a rich selection of 156 forex pairs. This diversity extends to CMC's support for exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to invest directly in giants like Apple and Vodafone. Meanwhile, IC Markets offers 3,583 tradeable symbols and 61 forex pairs. While IC Markets enables trading in international exchange-traded securities such as Vodafone, it does not support U.S. securities trading. Both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives and the option for copy trading but do not facilitate the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Overall, CMC Markets stands out with a higher rank and rating for its range of investments, receiving a commendable five-star rating and ranking ninth among 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, IC Markets, while still offering a broad array of investment options, is rated at 4.5 stars and is positioned at the 25th spot. Investors who prioritize a wide variety of tradeable symbols and direct access to a mix of U.S. and international markets might favor CMC Markets for its expansive offerings and higher industry ranking.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 between CMC Markets and IC Markets for trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer compelling features tailored to enhance your trading experience. A key similarity is their provision of simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, which allow you to practice without financial risk. Both brokers support the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms and offer Windows-based desktop and browser-based platforms for versatile access. However, a standout difference is that CMC Markets offers a proprietary platform developed in-house, while IC Markets does not. This gives CMC Markets a unique edge in customization and functionality tailored by the brokers themselves.
Traders interested in charting will find CMC Markets more accommodating, offering 40 drawing tools compared to IC Markets' 15, and 11 columns for watch lists versus IC Markets' 7. While both support trading directly from stock charts and offer copy trading capabilities, IC Markets also includes ZuluTrade for social trading enthusiasts. Despite these offerings, CMC Markets holds a higher rating of five stars for its trading platforms and tools, while IC Markets is rated four stars. On the ForexBrokers.com ranking of trading platforms and tools, CMC Markets claims the impressive fourth position out of 62 brokers, whereas IC Markets sits at the 17th spot. These distinctions reflect the superior range and customization of tools available through CMC Markets.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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 | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and IC Markets both offer their users mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, providing essential features like stock and forex price alerts. However, CMC Markets shines with its comprehensive package that includes watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring seamless integration between your mobile and online trading activities. Both platforms allow trendline drawing and support multiple time frames for chart analysis. When it comes to technical studies, IC Markets has a slight edge with 30 studies compared to CMC Markets' 29. Users of both apps can enjoy the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings and creating watchlists with real-time quotes.
Despite their similarities, CMC Markets outranks IC Markets in user ratings and industry rankings. CMC Markets has achieved an impressive 5-star rating for its mobile trading app, positioning itself at #5 among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This contrasts with IC Markets, which holds a 4-star rating and is ranked at #22. Overall, while both apps provide a solid mobile trading experience, CMC Markets gains a competitive edge with its top-tier features and higher user satisfaction scores.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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 providing daily market commentary, both CMC Markets and IC Markets have their users covered, keeping traders informed with regular updates. They both also offer forex news from premier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, ensuring that clients have access to high-quality information. Additionally, these brokers provide Autochartist's technical and fundamental research tools, enhancing their platforms with predictive analysis capabilities. However, IC Markets has an edge with tools from Trading Central, offering advanced technical analytics that CMC Markets does not.
Both brokers supply a sentiment-based trading tool, displaying the ratio of long or short positions across various currencies and instruments, which can be valuable for strategic trading decisions. Moreover, CMC Markets and IC Markets offer comprehensive economic calendars for tracking global economic events. Despite these similarities, CMC Markets stands out, earning a top-tier research rating of five stars and a higher rank than IC Markets, which sits at 22nd. This distinction reflects CMC Markets' superior overall research capabilities among its competitors.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | 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 comparing the educational offerings for beginners between CMC Markets and IC Markets, both online brokers provide ample resources with a focus on forex and CFDs education. CMC Markets and IC Markets each offer more than ten educational pieces including articles, videos, and archived webinars, specifically targeted at forex and CFDs. Both brokers have a searchable archive of past webinars and provide at least ten educational videos on trading topics tailored for beginners. Moreover, they each offer a comprehensive investor dictionary that defines over fifty investing terms, which can be a valuable tool for those new to trading.
However, there are distinct differences in their approach to webinars. CMC Markets does not host monthly online educational client webinars, whereas IC Markets ensures these are available to their clients. Despite this, CMC Markets is rated slightly higher with five stars for education compared to IC Markets' four stars. Additionally, CMC Markets is ranked #10 out of 62 brokers for their educational offerings by ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets is positioned at #16. These distinctions could influence a beginner's decision when choosing a broker based on education resources.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
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 CMC Markets is better than IC Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both CMC Markets and IC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency; however, they both provide options for purchasing cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets and IC Markets both provide diverse options for depositing and withdrawing funds, including PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but CMC Markets uniquely supports ACH and SEPA transfers, whereas IC Markets offers Skrill as an additional method.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 0.62 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $200 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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 | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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 | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | 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 | CMC Markets | 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 | CMC Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill