IC Marketsvs
Interactive BrokersStock Broker Comparison
IC Markets and Interactive Brokers clash over regulation, platform breadth, and international reach. The tension centers on market access and how commissions are charged.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsClear Winner
Interactive Brokers has the higher editorial score (4.8/5 vs 4.1/5). It offers access to 150+ markets and the powerful Trader Workstation platform.
Interactive Brokers
4.8/5
IC Markets
4.1/5
Key Differences
- 1Exchanges covered: IC Markets 12, Interactive Brokers 150.
- 2IBKR Lite offers commission-free US stock trading.
- 3IC Markets charges USD 0.02 per US share.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want 2,000+ stock CFDs and you gain direct equity access via IRESS. You also benefit from commission-transparent pricing, USD 0.02 per US share.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want access to 150+ markets and you use the Trader Workstation platform. You can use IBKR Lite to access commission-free US stock trading.
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
Interactive Brokers offers the lowest practical costs with IBKR Lite, including commission-free US trading.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.8/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $200 | No minimum▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $2/lot▼ lower |
IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers Stock Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
- 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
Cons
- CFDs only, no real share ownership, ISA wrapper, or dividend reinvestment programme
IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
6
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Fail |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Pass |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Pass |
| IPO access | Fail | Pass |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Pass |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Interactive Brokers rates 4.8/5 versus 4.1/5 for IC Markets. Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers's 0.2. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC Markets and Interactive Brokers 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: Interactive Brokers has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and IC Markets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IC Markets lists maximum leverage of 5:1, while Interactive Brokers lists up to 1:4. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per trade, lower than IC Markets's $7 per trade. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS) and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Interactive Brokers 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.
