Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Earn, 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 the online brokers IC Markets and Earn, regulatory credentials become a key factor for prospective users. IC Markets, established in 2007, holds two Tier-1 licenses, which reflect a high level of trust as per ForexBrokers.com's standards. While not publicly traded or a bank, IC Markets boasts a Trust Score of 84 out of 99, categorizing it as a trusted option for traders looking for a reliable platform.
In contrast, since 1994, Earn has operated in the financial market with one Tier-1 license to its name. Also not listed on any stock exchange or functioning as a bank, Earn has a Trust Score rating of 71 out of 99. This places it in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. While both brokers come with their own merits, IC Markets offers a slightly higher comfort level in terms of regulatory trust and security.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1994 |
| 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 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of IC Markets and Earn, IC Markets stands out for its competitive pricing and variety of account options. IC Markets is highly rated in the industry, earning a 5-star rating and ranking 5th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions & Fees category. The broker offers a commission-free Standard account with attractive spreads and commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts, each with their own pricing structures. The cTrader account offers a slightly lower commission at $3.0 per side for every 100,000 units, making the total cost very appealing when compared to competitors like IG and CMC Markets.
IC Markets' effective spreads are remarkably low, with the EUR/USD average spread listed at 0.02 pips. After including the commission, the all-in costs remain competitive, especially for active traders who qualify for discounts by trading over 100 standard lots per month. The platform choice between cTrader and MetaTrader can slightly affect commissions, but overall, trading costs are kept to a minimum, making IC Markets an excellent choice for those mindful of fees.
On the other hand, Earn offers a different fee structure and does not provide average spread data, receiving a 4-star rating and ranking 46th in the same category. While it may not be as cost-effective as IC Markets, it may still be suitable for traders interested in specific offerings unique to Earn. IC Markets' recognition as Best in Class in the Commissions & Fees category in the 2024 Annual Awards highlights its commitment to providing one of the best trading environments for cost-conscious forex traders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing the available range of investments, IC Markets and Earn both offer forex trading as either CFDs or spot contracts, catering to forex enthusiasts with 61 available forex pairs each. However, IC Markets stands out by offering a staggering 3,583 tradeable symbols, dwarfing Earn's offering of 500. Both brokers fall short when it comes to providing exchange-traded securities from U.S. exchanges, but IC Markets edges ahead by enabling access to international exchanges, something that Earn does not currently offer.
Although neither broker allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives. In terms of additional features like copy trading, both IC Markets and Earn meet the mark. However, IC Markets is favored in investment range ratings, boasting a 4.5-star rating and a solid 25th place rank, while Earn lags behind with a 3.5-star rating and a 45th place rank. Overall, IC Markets offers a more extensive and varied investment range compared to Earn.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 61 |
| 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.
Both IC Markets and Earn offer traders an array of tools and platforms that cater to different trading styles. They provide users with the opportunity to practice their strategies through free virtual demo accounts, making them suitable for both beginners and seasoned traders. Both brokers offer Windows-based desktop download platforms and user-friendly web-based trading platforms. Traders can utilize popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) with either broker, and both support copy trading via ZuluTrade. Notably, neither broker offers a proprietary platform or integration with DupliTrade. With 15 drawing tools available for charting, users of both brokers can easily analyze market patterns and trends. Additionally, both brokers offer the functionality to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing the trading experience substantially.
Despite their similarities, IC Markets holds a slight edge over Earn when it comes to industry recognition. Both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for their trading platforms and tools, but IC Markets is ranked higher at #16 compared to Earn's #51 in the category of Trading Platforms and Tools according to ForexBrokers.com. Both brokers offer traders 7 customizable columns for watch lists, which allows for personalized monitoring of market assets. However, IC Markets appears to be the more highly regarded option within the industry, providing traders with potentially greater confidence and credibility.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 35 |
| 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 Earn both provide dedicated mobile apps available for iPhone and Android users, making it convenient for traders to stay connected on the go. Both apps boast essential features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, access to multiple time frames, and the capability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. However, neither platform offers the option to sync watchlist symbols with the client's online account, meaning any changes made on the app won’t reflect on the online platform and vice versa.
When examining charting tools, Earn offers a slight edge with 35 technical studies compared to IC Markets' 30. Both apps allow users to auto-save drawings on charts, ensuring that any technical analysis is preserved between sessions. When it comes to ratings, both are rated 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. Despite the same rating, IC Markets is ranked slightly higher at #22 compared to Earn at #26 among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. This nuanced distinction might influence traders depending on their specific charting needs and preferences.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 |
| 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.
IC Markets and Earn both provide daily market commentary and offer forex news from top sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed with the latest developments. While both brokers feature an economic calendar highlighting significant global events, IC Markets sets itself apart by offering advanced technical analysis tools through partnerships with companies like Autochartist and Trading Central. In contrast, Earn does not provide these specific tools, which could be a consideration for traders focused on in-depth market analysis.
For those interested in sentiment-based trading tools that offer insights into market trends, IC Markets has the upper hand with its ratio indicators of long or short positions across various instruments. Although both brokers do not present research tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, IC Markets still leads with a research rating of 4 stars compared to Earn's 3.5 stars. Furthermore, IC Markets ranks higher at #23 in ForexBrokers.com's Research category, surpassing Earn, which is ranked at #38, reflecting its comprehensive research offerings.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, IC Markets stands out with a comprehensive array of materials. They provide more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. IC Markets also offers online educational client webinars at least once a month, accompanied by a searchable archive of past webinars. Beginners will find an impressive collection of over ten videos crafted specifically for those new to trading. Further enriching their offerings, IC Markets includes more than ten advanced educational videos for seasoned traders, as well as an investor dictionary featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms. Earning 4 out of 5 stars for education, IC Markets is ranked as the 16th best broker in this category by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, Earn provides significantly fewer educational resources. They lack a minimum number of educational materials with a focus on forex or CFDs and do not host monthly educational webinars. Additionally, Earn does not maintain an archive of past webinars. Beginners seeking educational videos will find Earn wanting, as the platform doesn't meet the threshold of offering at least ten beginner-oriented videos. Advanced traders and those seeking a comprehensive investor dictionary will also find limited resources on Earn's platform. With a 3.5-star rating and a rank of 61st out of 62 brokers in education, Earn may not be the preferred choice for those prioritizing educational support.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 Earn. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while Earn finished with an overall rank of #50.
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
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 71 |
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Both IC Markets and Earn do not allow the purchase of actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do offer options for buying cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers IC Markets and Earn, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers, while only IC Markets accepts PayPal for deposits and withdrawals compared to Earn, yet both platforms accommodate Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires as funding and withdrawal 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 | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Earn | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1994 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 61 | |
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 35 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 35 | |
| 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 | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | IC Markets | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
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