DEGIRO vs IC Markets Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of DEGIRO and IC Markets across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
DEGIRO offers some of Europe's lowest stock commissions with access to 50+ exchanges. It lacks an ISA or SIPP wrapper, making it less suitable for UK tax-efficient investing, but excellent for low-cost international exposure.
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.
DEGIRO edges ahead with a score of 4.3/5 vs IC Markets's 4.1/5. 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.
IC Markets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
DEGIRO is better suited for long-term investing: dividend reinvestment.
IC Markets has the edge for active traders: more platform options, advanced charting.
DEGIRO edges out IC Markets with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new stock investors.
Commission data is not yet available for this pair. Check each broker's pricing page to compare trading costs directly.
DEGIRO vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | N/A | $200 |
| Commission-free | No | No |
| Fractional shares | No | No |
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
| Extended hours | No | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
| Regulators | AFM BaFin | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
| Platforms | DEGIRO Platform | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView |
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
| Visit broker | Visit DEGIRO | Visit IC Markets |
DEGIRO vs IC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- Among Europe's lowest stock commissions
- Access to 50+ exchanges worldwide
- Transparent, flat-fee pricing structure
- Regulated by BaFin, AFM, and under MiFID II
- No minimum deposit requirement
- No Stocks & Shares ISA or SIPP available
- No fractional shares
- Limited customer support options
- Platform and app less polished than newer competitors
- 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
DEGIRO vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | DEGIRO | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Fail | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
DEGIRO vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, DEGIRO ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 4.1/5 for IC Markets. The best choice still depends on your needs — commissions, features like fractional shares, and regulatory coverage all matter.
Neither DEGIRO 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 our regulatory safety criteria, with top-tier regulatory oversight, segregated client funds, compensation scheme coverage. For stock investors, regulatory safety is critical — always confirm a broker's specific licences and investor protections before depositing funds.
IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for the other broker.
DEGIRO supports DEGIRO Platform 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: IC Markets offers negative balance protection; DEGIRO 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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