Capital.com vs IC Markets Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Capital.com and IC Markets across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com offers share CFDs on 4,000+ global stocks under FCA, ASIC, and CySEC regulation with AI-enhanced trading insights and no commission - one of the widest regulated share CFD selections among multi-asset platforms.
IC Markets offers Shares CFDs on 2,000+ global stocks via MT5 and IRESS, combining its benchmark ECN infrastructure with direct equity access - a strong complement to its core forex offering for active traders who also need equity exposure.
IC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.1/5 vs Capital.com's 3.9/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Capital.com offers commission-free trading while IC Markets does not, making Capital.com the more cost-effective choice for frequent stock traders.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Capital.com has the edge for active traders: commission-free trading, advanced charting.
IC Markets edges out Capital.com with a higher editorial score (4.1/5 vs 3.9/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new stock investors.
Long-term investing feature data (fractional shares, dividend reinvestment, IPO access) is not yet available for this pair.
Capital.com vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $20 | $200 |
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
| Fractional shares | No | No |
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
| Extended hours | No | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC MAS CySEC CMA | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView |
| Visit broker | Visit Capital.com | Visit IC Markets |
Capital.com vs IC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- 4,000+ share CFDs across major global exchanges - wider than most regulated multi-asset brokers
- AI trading insights identify behavioural biases in equity trading decisions
- FCA, ASIC, and CySEC regulated with no commission and no minimum deposit
- No inactivity fee; 24/7 customer support
- Share CFDs only - no real ownership, ISA wrapper, dividends, or voting rights
- Spread-only model less transparent than commission plus raw spread for active traders
- No MetaTrader - algorithmic traders cannot use MT4/MT5 Expert Advisors
- Overnight financing costs on leveraged positions accumulate for longer-term holders
- 2,000+ share CFDs across US, UK, ASX, European, and Asian exchanges on MT5 and IRESS
- IRESS provides genuine DMA access to ASX and major global equity markets
- Commission-transparent pricing: USD 0.02/share on US stocks, no spread markup
- ASIC and CySEC regulated - tier-1 regulatory coverage for equity CFD trading
- CFDs only - no real share ownership, ISA wrapper, or dividend reinvestment programme
- 2,000+ stock range narrower than CMC Markets (10,000+) or Interactive Brokers
- IRESS monthly fee makes DMA access uneconomical for low-frequency traders
- Not available to US residents; 5:1 leverage cap applies on retail share CFDs
Capital.com vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Capital.com | 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) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Pass | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
Capital.com vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.1/5 vs 3.9/5 for Capital.com. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Capital.com offers commission-free stock trading while IC Markets does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can significantly reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both Capital.com and IC Markets hold top-tier regulatory licences, indicating a high standard of investor protection. Confirm each broker's specific regulatory bodies and compensation scheme coverage to ensure they apply in your jurisdiction.
Capital.com has a lower minimum deposit of $20, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Capital.com more accessible for traders starting with limited capital.
Capital.com supports Proprietary Web/Mobile and IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView. Platform availability affects the tools, charting, and order types available to you. If you rely on a specific platform like MetaTrader or a proprietary web app, confirm compatibility before opening an account.
For beginners: Capital.com has a lower minimum deposit ($20); IC Markets has a higher overall editorial score. Also compare educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of each broker's platform before deciding.
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