Broker comparison

IC Markets vs Plus500 Comparison

Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers IC Markets and Plus500. Find out which broker is best for you.

VS summaryScores and ranking at a glance
IC Markets
Rating
4.7/5
Rank
#6
Register

Trading CFDs carries high risks. You may lose all invested funds

Plus500Higher ranked
Rating
4.3/5
Rank
#3
Register

80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

  • Conditions, fees and platforms compared
  • Ratings and ranking positions checked
  • Based on our review methodology
How we compare brokers
Updated

We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.

Who is better - IC Markets or Plus500?

Quick comparison

Key differences between the brokers

Below, we show only the differences in trading conditions covered in our reviews. These may include the minimum deposit, available markets, platforms and account types. Compare these details with your requirements.

Methodology

Ratings and ranks

Plus500 ranks higher in the editorial ranking.
IC Markets
Rating: 4.7/5Rank: #6
Plus500
Rating: 4.3/5Rank: #3

IC Markets

Minimum deposit · USD
200 USD
Different platforms
  • MetaTrader 5
  • MetaTrader 4
  • cTrader
  • TradingView
Different markets
  • Bonds
  • Cryptocurrency

Plus500

Minimum deposit · USD
100 USD
Different platforms
  • WebTrader
Different markets
None listed

This material is not personalized financial advice. Terms and service availability vary by country.

Full broker ranking

Comparison Table of IC Markets and Plus500

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Overview: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Foundation Year20072008
Regulated in CountriesSeychelles, Australia, Cyprus, KenyaCyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States
Minimum Deposit
  • 200 AUD
  • 200 CHF
  • 200 EUR
  • 200 GBP
  • 1500 HKD
  • 30000 JPY
  • 200 NZD
  • 200 SGD
  • 200 USD
  • 100 AUD
  • 100 CAD
  • 100 CHF
  • 100 EUR
  • 100 GBP
  • 1000 NOK
  • 1000 SEK
  • 100 SGD
  • 100 USD
Spreadfrom 0 pointsfrom 0.6 points
Max Leverage1:5001:30
Trading Assets (CFDs)
  • Forex
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Soft Commodities
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • ETF
  • Bonds
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Forex
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Soft Commodities
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • ETF
Trading Platforms
  • MetaTrader 5
  • MetaTrader 4
  • cTrader
  • TradingView
  • WebTrader
ReviewIC Markets ReviewPlus500 Review

IC Markets Review

IC Markets Logo
RegisterTrading CFDs carries high risks. You may lose all invested funds
Countries of registration:
Regulators:
Trading Assets
Forex Precious Metals Energy Carriers Soft Commodities Indices Stocks ETF Bonds Cryptocurrency
Trading Platforms
MetaTrader 5MetaTrader 4cTraderTradingView
compare IC Markets trading accounts

IC Markets is a reliable and versatile broker that offers a wide range of services and tools for trading in the financial markets. The company provides impressive trading instruments, high-quality trading platforms, advanced analytical tools, and valuable education for traders of all levels.

IC Markets is likely most suitable for experienced traders who value deep liquidity, tight spreads, and advanced trading tools. Beginner traders can also benefit from the educational materials offered by the company, but they should be prepared for some additional expenses and a higher minimum deposit requirement.

Pros and Cons of IC Markets

Pros

  1. A wide range of trading assets.
  2. Low spreads.
  3. Variety of trading platforms.
  4. Quality educational materials.
  5. Efficient customer support service.

Cons

  1. High minimum deposit.

IC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:

Plus500 Review

Plus500 Logo
Register80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Countries of registration:
Regulators:
Trading Assets (CFDs)
Forex Precious Metals Energy Carriers Soft Commodities Indices Stocks ETF
Trading Platforms
WebTrader
compare Plus500 trading accounts

Plus500 is ideal for traders seeking a convenient and intuitive platform with a broad spectrum of trading instruments. It's particularly well-suited for those who value a diverse range of CFDs on stocks, indices, currencies, commodities, and ETFs. The built-in Insight+ analytics tool is a significant advantage for those keen on analyzing trends and activities based on real-time data.

Pros and Cons of Plus500

Pros

  1. Intuitive CFD trading platform.
  2. 24/7 support.
  3. Built-in analytics.
  4. Diversity of trading assets.

Cons

  1. Limited channels for communication with technical support.
  2. Limited choice of trading accounts.

Plus500 is in the top 10 of the following ratings:

Reliability

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Reliability: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Reliability
5/5
5/5
Foundation Year20072008
Regulated in CountriesSeychelles, Australia, Cyprus, KenyaCyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States
Regulators

IC Markets

IC Markets operates under the regulation of several jurisdictions, including ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cyprus, and SFSA in the Seychelles, indicating a high degree of regulation.

Plus500

Plus500 is registered and regulated in several jurisdictions by authoritative bodies. This means that the broker is required to adhere to strict financial standards and provide regular reports on its activities to regulators.

Account Opening

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Account Opening: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Account Opening
4.5/5
5/5
Minimum Deposit
  • 200 USD
  • 200 EUR
  • 200 CHF
  • 200 GBP
  • 200 AUD
  • 200 NZD
  • 200 SGD
  • 1500 HKD
  • 30000 JPY
  • 100 USD
  • 100 EUR
  • 100 GBP
  • 100 CHF
  • 100 AUD
  • 100 CAD
  • 100 SGD
  • 1000 NOK
  • 1000 SEK

IC Markets

The account opening process at IC Markets is well-thought-out, transparent, and detailed, ensuring convenience and ease for clients. However, the high minimum deposit may deter many beginners.

Plus500

Opening an account with Plus500 is straightforward due to its fast registration and low minimum deposit. Beginners should use the demo account and Trading Academy to learn before real trading.

Account Types

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Account Types: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Account Types
3.8/5
2/5
Trading Accounts
  • Standard
  • Raw Spread cTrader
  • Raw Spread
  • Plus500
Minimum Deposit
  • 200 USD
  • 200 EUR
  • 200 CHF
  • 200 GBP
  • 200 AUD
  • 200 NZD
  • 200 SGD
  • 1500 HKD
  • 30000 JPY
  • 100 USD
  • 100 EUR
  • 100 GBP
  • 100 CHF
  • 100 AUD
  • 100 CAD
  • 100 SGD
  • 1000 NOK
  • 1000 SEK
Spreadfrom 0 pointsfrom 0.6 points
Max Leverage1:5001:30
Trading Assets (CFDs)
  • Forex
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Soft Commodities
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • ETF
  • Bonds
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Forex
  • Precious Metals
  • Energy Carriers
  • Soft Commodities
  • Indices
  • Stocks
  • ETF
Trading Platforms
  • MetaTrader 5
  • MetaTrader 4
  • cTrader
  • TradingView
  • WebTrader
Demo Account
Swap-free Account

IC Markets

IC Markets' accounts are mainly aimed at experienced and professional traders.

Pros

  1. ECN accounts
  2. Ability to copy trades
  3. Access to VPS

Cons

  1. No cent accounts
  2. No fixed spread accounts

Plus500

The lack of account diversity and market execution of orders at Plus500 significantly limits flexibility and opportunities for traders of various categories.

Commissions

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Commissions: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Commissions
4.5/5
3.5/5
Spreadfrom 0 pointsfrom 0.6 points
Average Spread (EURUSD)0.621.2
Commissionper 1 lot$3.50No data

IC Markets

IC Markets has low commissions. Fees for transactions on ECN accounts and spreads are acceptable to most traders, and the absence of charges for deposits/withdrawals and account inactivity is a significant advantage.

Plus500

Plus500 offers clients market average trading commissions.

Pros

  1. No commission for deposit or withdrawal.

Cons

  1. Inactivity account fee.

Deposit and Withdrawal

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Deposit and Withdrawal: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Rating
4.5/5
5/5
Account Funding Methods
  • PayPal
  • Neteller
  • Skrill
  • Bpay
  • FasaPay
  • Klarna
  • Swift
  • SEPA
  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • UnionPay
  • POLi
  • Rapidpay
  • PayPal
  • Skrill
  • Bank Transfer
  • Visa
  • Mastercard

IC Markets

IC Markets offers multiple options for depositing and withdrawing funds, but possible fees from banks and payment systems should be considered, along with some restrictions on withdrawal methods.

Plus500

Plus500 offers convenient and diverse methods for depositing and withdrawing funds, but processing requests may take up to 3 business days.

Pros

  1. Wide selection of payment systems.
  2. No commission for depositing and withdrawing.

Markets and Products

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Markets and Products: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Markets and Products
5/5
5/5
Forex6165
Precious Metals75
Energy Carriers57
Soft Commodities810
Indices2536
Stocks21751550
ETF3896
Bonds10-
Cryptocurrency21-

IC Markets

IC Markets offers various trading instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs on metals, energy resources, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.

Plus500

Plus500 offers a deep diversity of products and markets, including CFDs on currencies, indices, commodities, stocks, and ETFs from various countries worldwide.

Trading Platforms

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Trading Platforms: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Rating
5/5
4.2/5
Trading Platforms
  • MetaTrader 5
  • MetaTrader 4
  • cTrader
  • TradingView
  • WebTrader

IC Markets

IC Markets provides powerful and functional trading platforms suitable for various trader categories.

Plus500

Plus500 offers an efficient, user-friendly platform, however, there is no choice between platforms.

Pros

  1. Proprietary platform
  2. Available on mobile devices.

Cons

  1. No choice between platforms.

Analytics

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Analytics: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Rating
5/5
5/5

IC Markets

IC Markets provides its clients with an extensive set of analytical tools and materials, which can assist them in successful trading in the financial markets.

Plus500

Plus500 offers good analytical tools and useful services.

Pros

  1. Insights+
  2. ESG scoring
  3. Convenient risk management tools

Education

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Education: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Rating
5/5
5/5

IC Markets

IC Markets offers a wide range of educational resources, from interactive video lessons to webinars and podcasts, demonstrating care for their clients and a commitment to providing all the necessary resources for successful trading.

Plus500

Plus500 offers its users quality training through webinars, interactive materials and e-books. This allows traders to gain comprehensive knowledge for a successful start and effective trading.

Pros

  1. Quality and detailed video lessons
  2. Free webinars from independent experts
  3. Interactive guides and e-books

Customer Support

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Customer Support: comparison of IC Markets, Plus500
BrokerIC MarketsPlus500
Rating
4.7/5
3.7/5
Email Support
Hotline Phones
Social Media

IC Markets

IC Markets provides a variety of communication channels, ensuring support service accessibility for clients. Numerous client reviews indicate the support team's quick response and high professionalism.

Pros

  1. Positive reviews about professional support
  2. Multiple channels for support communication
  3. Support is available 24/7

Cons

  1. Only international call option is available

Plus500

The Plus500 customer support is limited and not ideal, although it provides support in multiple languages 24/7.

Pros

  1. Support in many languages.
  2. Operates around the clock.

Cons

  1. Lack of direct communication channels (e.g., telephone).
  2. Potential delays in responses due to limited communication channels.

Comparisons of IC Markets and Plus500 with other brokers

Conclusion

When choosing between Plus500 and IC Markets, match their platforms, markets, account types and funding terms to your needs.

Before opening an account, verify fees, regulation, support and service availability for your country in the sections above.

FAQ

Which broker is better: IC Markets or Plus500?

Plus500 ranks higher than IC Markets in our editorial ranking. That does not make it a universal choice: compare fees, markets, platforms, account types and support.

Which broker is better for beginners: IC Markets or Plus500?

Beginners should compare availability in their country, account types, minimum deposit, trading platforms and customer support.

Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — IC Markets or Plus500?

It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.

What trading platforms are available with IC Markets and Plus500?

IC Markets: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. Plus500: WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.

What markets can you trade with IC Markets and Plus500?

IC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Plus500: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.

What account types are offered by IC Markets and Plus500?

IC Markets: Standard, Raw Spread cTrader, Raw Spread. Plus500: Plus500. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.

What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IC Markets and Plus500?

IC Markets: PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, Swift, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, POLi, Rapidpay. Plus500: PayPal, Skrill, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.

Which broker is safer — IC Markets or Plus500 — and how was this assessed?

We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.

Nikolay is an experienced specialist in financial markets and co-founder of IamForexTrader. He has been successfully trading Forex since 2014 and has been actively involved in the cryptocurrency market since 2017.

He develops investment strategies adaptable to any level of experience and has been actively investing in stocks, bonds and ETFs since 2018.