In this matchup, Fidelity targets long-term investors with cost advantages, while IC Markets emphasizes active trading infrastructure and global CFD access.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose Fidelity if you want commission-free trading and fractional shares. You also gain extended-hours trading and deep research tools, including Morningstar and Zacks, plus zero-expense-ratio index funds for long-term investing as part of one platform.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you want DMA access and 2,000+ share CFDs via MT5 and IRESS. You also get commission-transparent pricing at USD 0.02 per US share, plus access to major markets, though you do not own the underlying shares.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 4.6/ 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 | Fidelity | 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 | Pass | 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 |
Fidelity rates 4.6/5 versus 4.1/5 for IC Markets. Fidelity edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
IC Markets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Fidelity. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
IC Markets requires $200. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Fidelity.
Both Fidelity 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.
Fidelity 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 Fidelity 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.
Fidelity supports Active Trader Pro, Proprietary Web/Mobile, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Fidelity has exclusive access to Active Trader Pro and Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4.
Fidelity 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.
Fidelity wins for low-cost trading due to commission-free US stocks and ETFs.
Fidelity leads safety and regulation with higher trust scores and excess SIPC coverage.
Fidelity offers zero-expense index funds and DRIP for long-term investing.
Fidelity suits active traders with Active Trader Pro and research.
Fidelity provides fractional shares and no minimums for beginners.
IC Markets wins global access with CFDs across multiple regions.
| 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 transferCheque | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free EFT; $10 wire transfer | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | Yes | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | Yes | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | Yes | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | Yes | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | SEC FINRA | ASIC CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | Active Trader Pro Proprietary Web/Mobile | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses | 2 offers | None |
|---|
Fidelity edges IC Markets on editorial score, supported by commission-free US trading, zero-expense funds, and strong trust/regulation and long-term investing features.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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