eToro vs IC Markets Stock Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of eToro and IC Markets across regulation, commissions, platforms, and editorial scoring.
eToro's zero-commission real stocks and fractional share offering make it accessible for beginners, though its USD-denominated accounts mean non-US investors face FX conversion costs on every transaction.
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.
eToro and IC Markets are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.1/5 and 4.1/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
eToro offers commission-free trading while IC Markets does not, making eToro the more cost-effective choice for frequent stock traders.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
eToro is better suited for long-term investing: fractional shares.
Both brokers offer equivalent conditions for active trading across commissions, platforms, and charting tools.
Both brokers share the same editorial score of 4.1/5, but eToro requires a lower minimum deposit ($50 vs $200 for IC Markets), making it more accessible for new investors.
eToro vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | $50 | $200 |
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
| Extended hours | No | No |
| IPO access | No | No |
| Short selling | No | Yes |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC AMF CySEC FSRA CMVM Finansinspektionen Finanstilsynet ASF FSC CNB MNB KNF Finanstilsynet HCMC MFSA CMA FSA Seychelles | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView |
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
| Visit broker | Visit eToro | Visit IC Markets |
eToro vs IC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
- Commission-free real stock trading
- Fractional shares from $10
- Strong social and copy-trading community
- Regulated by FCA, CySEC, and ASIC
- Clean, beginner-friendly interface
- USD-only accounts mean FX conversion costs for non-US investors
- Withdrawal fee of $5 per transaction
- Limited research tools compared to professional brokers
- $5 inactivity fee after 12 months
- 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
eToro vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | eToro | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Fail | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
eToro vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
eToro and IC Markets share the same editorial score of 4.1/5. The right choice depends on your priorities: commissions, fractional shares, account features, or regulatory safety.
eToro 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 eToro 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.
eToro has a lower minimum deposit of $50, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes eToro more accessible for traders starting with limited capital.
eToro 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: eToro has a lower minimum deposit ($50). Also compare educational resources, customer support quality, and the simplicity of each broker's platform before deciding.
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