IC Marketsvs
Plus500Crypto Exchange Comparison
IC Markets and Plus500 compete for crypto CFD exposure across platform depth, pricing, and regulation.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
IC Markets edges Plus500 on the overall editorial score for crypto CFDs. IC Markets offers four platforms and is regulated by ASIC and CySEC, while Plus500 uses a proprietary platform and is regulated by FCA, ASIC, CySEC, MAS, and CMA.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IC Markets offers 24/7 phone support.
- 2IC Markets has no inactivity fee.
- 3Plus500 uses a proprietary platform.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Plus500?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you value 24/7 phone support, no inactivity fee, and advanced charting across MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer a beginner-friendly WebTrader with no minimum deposit and a proprietary platform.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Plus500 is best for security due to broader regulator coverage and its LSE listing.
Best for low fees
Recommended
IC Markets vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  IC Markets |  Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Taker Fee | 7.00% | N/A |
IC Markets vs Plus500 Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- ECN-adjacent raw spreads on crypto CFDs, tighter than most retail market makers
- All four platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView) support crypto CFDs from one account
- ASIC and CySEC regulated with segregated client funds and negative balance protection
- No inactivity fee; 24/7 customer support across multiple channels
Cons
- CFDs only, no real crypto ownership, staking, or on-chain withdrawals
IC Markets vs Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
IC Markets
criteria wins
0
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
IC Markets vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.1/5 and Plus500 rates 3.7/5. IC Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
IC Markets lists a lower spread from 0, compared with Plus500's 0.6. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
Plus500 has $100, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Plus500 more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both IC Markets and Plus500 hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Plus500 requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IC Markets offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Plus500's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
IC Markets charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for Plus500 are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
IC Markets scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
