This comparison pits easyMarkets against IC Markets in the realm of stock CFDs and equity access. The axis of tension centers on cost, exchange coverage, and regulatory strength.
IC Markets edges out easyMarkets on editorial score, reflecting stronger Trust & Regulation, Fees & Spreads, Platforms & Tools, and Customer Support.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose easyMarkets if…
Choose easyMarkets if you value fixed spreads on share CFDs.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want access to 2,000+ share CFDs across multiple exchanges and DMA-style access via IRESS.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
IC Markets wins for safety & regulation due to tier-1 oversight and broad regulatory coverage.
| Editorial score | 3.4/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $25▼ lower | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0.7 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | easyMarkets | 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 | 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 | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets rates 4.1/5 versus 3.4/5 for easyMarkets. IC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
IC Markets lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with easyMarkets's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
easyMarkets has $25, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes easyMarkets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both easyMarkets 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: easyMarkets requires a lower minimum deposit ($25), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
easyMarkets lists maximum leverage of 400:1, 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.
IC Markets charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for easyMarkets are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
easyMarkets supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. easyMarkets has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView.
Neither easyMarkets 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.
Both easyMarkets and IC Markets are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
IC Markets wins for active traders due to broad equity access and DMA-capable IRESS.
IC Markets wins for global access with 12 exchanges.
IC Markets wins for low cost trading due to commission-transparent USD 0.02 per US stock.
Equally matched.
| N/A |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | 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 CNV HCMC CySEC MNB | ASIC FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.4 / 5
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