IC Marketsvs
Plus500Stock Broker Comparison
IC Markets and Plus500 square off on stock access and trading platforms. The matchup tests whether quantity of exchanges or platform simplicity dominates equity exposure.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.5 pts
IC Markets edges Plus500 on editorial score due to stronger trust/regulation and more capable platforms.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IC Markets offers phone support; Plus500 does not.
- 2IC Markets provides advanced charting; Plus500 lacks advanced charting.
- 3Plus500 has a proprietary Web/Mobile platform.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Plus500?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you value phone support and advanced charting.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you want a proprietary Web/Mobile platform and access to 18 exchanges.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Plus500 is best for safety and regulation with FCA, ASIC, MAS oversight and LSE listing.
Best for active traders
Recommended
IC Markets vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.6/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
IC Markets vs Plus500 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 Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
0
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
IC Markets vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.1/5 and Plus500 rates 3.6/5. IC Markets 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 lists tighter spreads from 0, compared with Plus500's 0.6. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Plus500 has $100, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Plus500 more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC Markets and Plus500 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: Plus500 requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IC Markets lists maximum leverage of 5:1, while Plus500 lists up to 20:1. 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 Plus500 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.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither IC Markets nor Plus500 is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both IC Markets and Plus500 are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
