IC Marketsvs
VanguardStock Broker Comparison
Two brokers collide in a test of breadth versus cost-conscious strategy. The tension centers on exchange coverage and platform approach, inviting readers to weigh access against long-term investing features.
Who should choose IC Markets vs Vanguard?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you want access to 12 global exchanges. You also get 24/5 live chat support and negative balance protection.
Choose if…
Choose Vanguard if you want ISA and SIPP wrappers for long-term investing. You also benefit from a platform fee capped at £375 per year and access to low-cost Vanguard funds.
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
Recommended
IC Markets vs Vanguard: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
IC Markets vs Vanguard 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 Vanguard: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
IC Markets
criteria wins
1
Vanguard
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Vanguard |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Pass |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets vs Vanguard: Frequently Asked Questions
IC Markets and Vanguard share the same editorial score of 4.1/5. One concrete differentiator: Vanguard requires a lower minimum deposit.
IC Markets starts from 0. Current spread data is not available for Vanguard. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
Vanguard has $100, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Vanguard more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC Markets and Vanguard 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: Vanguard requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, 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 Vanguard lists up to 1:1. 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 Vanguard 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, TradingView, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while Vanguard supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView and MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. Vanguard has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither IC Markets nor Vanguard 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 Vanguard 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.
