IC Marketsvs
VantageStock Broker Comparison
IC Markets and Vantage duel over stock CFDs across global markets. The tension hinges on cost, access, and platform approach.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.3 pts
IC Markets edges Vantage on overall score, thanks to broader exchange access and more extensive equity CFD options via MT5 and IRESS.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1IC Markets provides 12 exchanges versus Vantage's 8
- 2Vantage offers a proprietary platform; IC Markets does not
- 3Max leverage differs: IC Markets 5:1 vs Vantage 20:1
Who should choose IC Markets vs Vantage?
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want broader equity access and transparent per-share pricing.
Choose Vantage if…
Choose Vantage if you want a proprietary DXtrade platform and social copy trading.
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
Vantage wins with dual Tier-1 regulators, ASIC and FCA.
Best for active traders
Recommended
IC Markets vs Vantage: Side-by-Side Stock Broker Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 3.8/ 5 |
| Min deposit | $200 | $50▼ lower |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $6/lot▼ lower |
IC Markets vs Vantage 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 Vantage: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets vs Vantage: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.1/5 and Vantage rates 3.8/5. 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.
Both IC Markets and Vantage start from the same spread of 0. For stock trading, also compare per-trade or per-share commissions to determine the total cost per transaction.
Vantage has $50, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Vantage more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC Markets and Vantage 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: Vantage 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 Vantage 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.
Vantage charges $6 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 Vantage supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView. Vantage has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile and DXtrade.
Neither IC Markets nor Vantage 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 Vantage 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.
