Two brokers frame a clash between active trading tools and global market access. The tension centers on fees, platforms, and regulatory coverage.
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.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| 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 |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| 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 |
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.
E*TRADE wins for low cost trading with commission-free stocks and ETFs.
IC Markets wins safety & regulation due to compensation scheme and tier-1 equity CFD oversight.
E*TRADE wins long-term investing with dividend reinvestment and a history exceeding 40 years.
ETRADE wins for active traders with Power ETRADE and futures access.
E*TRADE suits beginners with no account minimum and user-friendly tools.
IC Markets provides broader global access with 12 exchanges.
| N/A |
| 0.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferACHWire transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferACHWire transfer | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free ACH; $25 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | ASIC CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Proprietary Web/Mobile | TradingView cTrader MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
E*TRADE edges IC Markets on editorial score, driven by stronger category scores across trust and platforms.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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