CMC Marketsvs
IC MarketsForex Broker Comparison
Two regulated forex brokers clash over pricing models and platform ecosystems. The matchup centers on cost structures, platform breadth, and how each firm balances protection with execution options.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.2 pts
IC Markets is the overall winner on editorial score (4.7 vs 4.5). IC Markets also offers true ECN pricing and deep liquidity, though CMC Markets shows strength in regulation and its proprietary platform.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Proprietary platform available: CMC Markets; IC Markets lacks one.
- 2Inactivity fees apply at CMC Markets but not at IC Markets.
- 3Minimum deposit is $0 at CMC Markets versus $200 at IC Markets.
Who should choose CMC Markets vs IC Markets?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose CMC Markets if…
Choose CMC Markets if you value FCA regulation and an LSE-listed institution with a strong proprietary platform. You also benefit from segregated client funds, negative balance protection, 24/5 multilingual support, a robust MT4 offering, and no deposit fees.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want raw spreads and true ECN pricing with transparent commissions, plus access to MT4, MT5, and cTrader. You also gain deep liquidity from 25+ tier-1 sources, no deposit or inactivity fees, and 24/5 multilingual support.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
IC Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.70 pips for CMC Markets, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
CMC Markets vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.5/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
CMC Markets vs IC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
FCA-regulated, LSE-listed
Excellent proprietary platform
MT4 also available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
CMC Markets vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
CMC Markets
criteria win
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | CMC Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
CMC Markets vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: CMC Markets rates 4.5/5 and IC Markets rates 4.7/5. 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 starts from 0 pips, tighter than CMC Markets's 0.7 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes CMC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both CMC Markets and IC Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: CMC Markets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
CMC Markets lists maximum leverage of 30:1, while IC Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
IC Markets charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for CMC Markets are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
CMC Markets supports ProRealTime, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. CMC Markets has exclusive access to ProRealTime and Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
