IC Marketsvs
SkillingStock Broker Comparison
In this matchup, IC Markets and Skilling compete on stock CFDs, platform depth, and regulatory strength. The tension centers on coverage and pricing heft.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
IC Markets edges Skilling on editorial score (4.1/5 vs 3.7/5), making it the overall winner. The gap stems from stronger category scores for IC Markets, notably trust/regulation and platforms.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IC Markets covers 12 exchanges vs Skilling's 10.
- 2IC Markets provides 24/5 live chat and phone support.
- 3Skilling offers a proprietary Skilling Trader platform.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Skilling?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want broad exchange access and 24/5 live chat plus phone support.
Choose Skilling if…
Choose Skilling if you prefer a proprietary Skilling Trader platform with cTrader and algorithmic options.
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
IC Markets leads with higher Trust & Regulation score and ASIC/CySEC/FSCA tier-1 coverage.
Best for active traders
Recommended
IC Markets vs Skilling: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $200 | $50▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
IC Markets vs Skilling 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 Skilling: 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
Skilling
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
IC Markets vs Skilling: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.1/5 and Skilling rates 3.7/5. 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 Skilling's 0.7. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Skilling has $50, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Skilling more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC Markets and Skilling 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: Skilling requires a lower minimum deposit ($50), 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 Skilling 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 Skilling 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 Skilling supports cTrader, Skilling Trader, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView. Skilling has exclusive access to Skilling Trader.
Neither IC Markets nor Skilling 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 Skilling 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.
