Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Trading 212, 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 and Trading 212 are two prominent online brokers catering to retail investors, and both have established themselves with reputable regulatory credentials. Founded in 2007, IC Markets holds two Tier-1 licenses—recognized as highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com—indicating strong regulatory oversight. Trading 212, established in 2004, also boasts two Tier-1 licenses, suggesting a similar level of regulatory confidence. It’s noteworthy that neither broker is publicly traded or operates as a bank, providing them with a focused niche in online brokerage without the added complexities of being a banking institution or publicly owned entity.
When considering trustworthiness, IC Markets has a Trust Score of 84 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, categorizing it as a "trusted" broker. Trading 212, while also performing well, has a slightly lower Trust Score of 79, placing it in the "average risk" category. This subtle difference in their ratings reflects varying investor perceptions, although both brokers demonstrate commendable structures in terms of reliability and regulatory compliance in their field.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2004 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
When comparing IC Markets with Trading 212 in terms of commissions and fees, IC Markets stands out with its competitive trading costs and flexible account options. IC Markets offers three types of accounts: Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader Raw Spread. The cTrader Raw Spread account charges $3.0 per side for every 100,000 units traded, while Raw Spread accounts linked with MetaTrader charge $3.5 per side. Effective spreads for the EUR/USD stand at a minimal 0.62 pips for the cTrader account, making IC Markets an excellent choice for both new and active traders. Additionally, IC Markets is highly rated, earning a full 5 stars and securing the 5th rank out of 62 brokers for commissions and fees.
On the other hand, Trading 212 offers two account types: Invest and CFD, with the focus here being on their CFD account. While Trading 212 promises zero-commission trading, it does charge a spread, with an average of 1.9 pips on the EUR/USD pair in January 2024, which is relatively high. This high spread places Trading 212 at a disadvantage compared to industry leaders. Although affordable with a minimum deposit of just 10 euros for the CFD account, Trading 212 received a slightly lower rating of 4 stars and ranks 43rd for commissions and fees among 62 brokers.
In summary, IC Markets provides more competitive pricing with lower spreads and commissions, especially appealing to active traders, while Trading 212 offers a more straightforward fee structure at the expense of higher spreads. Both brokers have their merits, but IC Markets clearly leads with its advanced trading conditions and better overall value for cost-effective trading.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | €10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 1.9 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 1.9 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| 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 offered by IC Markets and Trading 212, there are notable differences that cater to various trading preferences. IC Markets offers 3,583 tradeable symbols, including 61 forex pairs, making it a substantial choice for forex enthusiasts. However, it does not provide the opportunity to trade U.S. exchange-listed stocks like Apple directly, though it does support trading in international exchange-listed securities. This broker also enables copy trading, an attractive feature for those interested in following and replicating the strategies of experienced traders. While IC Markets offers cryptocurrency trading through derivatives, it does not allow trading of actual cryptocurrencies.
Trading 212, on the other hand, presents a broader selection with 8,025 tradeable symbols, including 146 forex pairs. It stands out by allowing investors to trade U.S. exchange-listed securities, alongside international stocks, providing a more comprehensive equity trading experience. Unlike IC Markets, Trading 212 does not support copy trading, but it aligns with IC Markets in offering cryptocurrency derivatives instead of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings and rankings, Trading 212 shines with a 5-star rating for its range of investments, ranked #15 out of 62 brokers, while IC Markets follows with a 4.5-star rating and is ranked #25.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 8025 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 146 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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 of IC Markets and Trading 212, each has its unique offerings. IC Markets supports simulated trading through a free virtual demo account, similar to Trading 212. However, IC Markets utilizes well-known platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5, which are preferred by many traders for their flexibility and detailed charting features. It also offers a Windows-based desktop download for those who prefer trading from their computers. In contrast, Trading 212 provides a proprietary platform that you can access via the web, making it convenient for users who appreciate an in-house developed experience. While both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, Trading 212 offers five configurable columns for watchlists, which is fewer compared to the seven offered by IC Markets.
In terms of advanced features, IC Markets integrates with ZuluTrade for copy trading, a capability Trading 212 lacks. While both platforms support charting with a substantial number of technical indicators, IC Markets stands out with 15 drawing tools compared to Trading 212's 20. Overall ratings for their trading platforms and tools are evenly matched with four stars each, as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. However, IC Markets ranks higher at #17 out of 62 brokers when it comes to Trading Platforms and Tools, compared to Trading 212, which holds the #21 spot. This comparison highlights IC Markets as a contender with a more versatile platform offering, while Trading 212 appeals with its streamlined proprietary platform.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 5 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both IC Markets and Trading 212 provide users with mobile trading apps available on iPhone and Android devices, making on-the-go trading convenient for users. These apps include essential features like stock and forex price alerts, trendline drawing, and the ability to view charts across different timeframes. Both platforms also offer the facility to create watchlists with real-time quotes and automatically save chart drawings, facilitating seamless tracking and analysis of market trends.
However, there are notable differences between the two when it comes to syncing and technical study options. Trading 212 allows the syncing of watchlist symbols across devices, ensuring a cohesive experience between its mobile app and online accounts, while IC Markets does not offer this feature. Furthermore, Trading 212 provides a wider range of technical studies, offering 104 compared to IC Markets' 30, giving users more options for market analysis. Despite these differences, both trading apps have an equal rating of 4 out of 5 stars. In terms of rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 is slightly ahead, ranked at #17, compared to IC Markets' #22.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 |
| 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 offerings, IC Markets outshines Trading 212 thanks to its comprehensive suite of resources. IC Markets provides daily market commentary and reports, which is something Trading 212 does not offer. Both brokers deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, yet IC Markets distinguishes itself further by offering technical and fundamental analysis tools from Autochartist and Trading Central. Trading 212 does not provide these advanced analysis tools, putting IC Markets ahead in delivering in-depth insights for traders.
Both platforms include a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar to keep traders informed of global news events. However, IC Markets takes the lead with a higher research rating of 4 stars compared to Trading 212's 3.5 stars, reinforcing its stronger research capabilities. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets is placed at the 22nd spot among 62 brokers in the Research category, while Trading 212 ranks at 46th, further highlighting IC Markets' superior market research offerings.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| 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.
For beginners exploring the world of trading, both IC Markets and Trading 212 offer extensive educational resources to help you get started. If you're interested in learning about forex or CFDs, both platforms provide over 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. They each host monthly online educational webinars, ensuring regular learning opportunities. In addition, both brokers maintain searchable archives of past webinars, so you never miss out on valuable insights. For those at the beginning of their trading journey, each broker offers at least 10 beginner-focused educational videos, making complex topics easier to grasp.
As you advance your trading skills, both IC Markets and Trading 212 cater to experienced traders with over 10 advanced educational videos. They also provide an investor dictionary with definitions for at least 50 investing terms, serving as a helpful reference. However, when it comes to their educational offerings' ratings, IC Markets scores slightly higher with a four-star rating compared to Trading 212’s 3.5 stars. IC Markets is also ranked 16th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, while Trading 212 is ranked 20th. This positions IC Markets as a slightly stronger choice for educational resources, particularly if you're prioritizing expert content.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 IC Markets is better than Trading 212. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31.
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
|
Trading 212
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 79 |
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Both IC Markets and Trading 212 provide the option to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the capability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
When comparing online brokers, IC Markets and Trading 212 both support PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but IC Markets stands out with Skrill support while Trading 212 offers ACH and SEPA transfers instead.
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 | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 79 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2004 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 8025 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 146 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 1.9 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 1.9 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | €10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 5 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 54 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 20 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 104 | |
| 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 | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Trading 212 | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 79 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Trading 212 Review |
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