ACY Securities and IC Markets face off as equity CFD specialists. The matchup centers on regulatory safety, exchange access, and pricing structures.
IC Markets leads on editorial score with stronger regulation, fees, and platform tools compared with ACY Securities.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ACY Securities if…
Choose ACY Securities if you want access to 5 exchanges and you do not need 24/5 live chat. ACY also does not offer a compensation scheme.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want access to 12 exchanges and 24/5 live chat support, supported by MT5 and IRESS DMA options. IC Markets also offers a compensation scheme to protect client funds, unlike ACY Securities.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
IC Markets is strongest on regulation with ASIC, CySEC, and FSCA oversight.
| Editorial score | 3.6/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50▼ lower | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ACY Securities | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ACY Securities rates 3.6/5 and IC Markets rates 4.1/5. 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.
Both ACY Securities and IC Markets start from the same spread of 0. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
ACY Securities has $50, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes ACY Securities more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ACY Securities 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: ACY Securities requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ACY Securities lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while IC Markets lists up to 5:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Both ACY Securities and IC Markets charge the same commission of $7 per trade on applicable accounts. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ACY Securities supports MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader.
Neither ACY Securities nor IC Markets is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
IC Markets scores higher on investor protection criteria, with compensation scheme coverage and segregated client funds. For stock investors, confirming compensation scheme coverage ensures your assets are protected up to a defined limit if the broker becomes insolvent.
IC Markets wins for active traders due to broad exchange access and DMA options.
ACY Securities suits beginners with a low minimum deposit of $50.
IC Markets offers broader global market access with 12 exchanges.
IC Markets wins for low cost trading with USD 0.02 per US stock share.
Equally matched.
| 0.7 pips |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardCrypto | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSA Seychelles | ASIC FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.6 / 5
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