E*TRADEvs
IC MarketsStock Broker Comparison
Two brokers frame a clash between active trading tools and global market access. The tension centers on fees, platforms, and regulatory coverage.
Who should choose E*TRADE vs IC Markets?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose E*TRADE if you want commission-free stocks and ETFs and access to Power E*TRADE's advanced analytics.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you want 2,000+ stock CFDs with DMA access through IRESS and multilingual support.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
E*TRADE vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min deposit | N/A | $200 |
| Spreads from | N/A | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
E*TRADE vs IC Markets Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- Power E*TRADE platform with professional options analytics and strategy scanner
- Commission-free stocks and ETFs with $0.50/contract options for active traders
- Futures trading available on CME products from the same account
- Morgan Stanley analyst reports now included for account holders
- 40+ year operating history; SEC, FINRA, and SIPC regulated
Cons
E*TRADE vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
E*TRADE
criteria wins
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | E*TRADE | 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 | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | — |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Pass | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Pass | 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 | Pass | Pass |
E*TRADE vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: ETRADE rates 4.3/5 and IC Markets rates 4.1/5. ETRADE 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.
IC Markets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for E*TRADE. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
IC Markets requires $200. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for E*TRADE.
Both E*TRADE 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, IC Markets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
E*TRADE lists maximum leverage of 1:4, 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 E*TRADE 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.
ETRADE supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, while IC Markets supports TradingView, cTrader, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. ETRADE has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to TradingView and cTrader and MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5.
E*TRADE offers commission-free stock trading while IC Markets does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
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.
