Year 2023, you’re prowling the trading jungle, agonizing over which platform to siege: IC Markets or IQ Option? 🤔 Let’s sharpen those claws and dive right in. IC Markets emerges victorious when it comes to diverse instruments and lower commission, while IQ Option offers a more user-friendly interface and charts for binary options trading. Quite a seesaw, isn’t it!
Key Takeaways
→IC Markets shines in offering a plethora of trading instruments and lower commission. |
→IQ Option wins hearts with a user-friendly interface and binary options charts. |
→Each platform has unique pros and cons, leaning towards distinct trading preferences. |
By Bart Bregman
Fact checked: by Shrijan Dangol
Our broker rankings are based on thorough research and analysis. We put a strong emphasis on transparency, regulatory oversight, and client feedback.
(Data
last updated:
14-09-2023)
🏢Company Background:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Regulatory Compliance? | Yes | Yes |
Publicly traded company? | Yes | Yes (part of flatexDEGIRO) |
Does it offer banking services? | Yes | Yes (UK) |
Year Founded | 1974 | 2013 |
Country headquarters | Australia | Cyprus |
Website Language Options | en, ar, dan, de, es, fr, ne, nor, po, ru, swe, it, swi | EN, DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, PT, PL, CZ, BG, RU, TR, UA |
Separate Client Funds? | Yes | Yes |
Non-ESMA Branches Available? | Yes | Yes |
EU Clients Accepted? | Yes | Yes |
US Clients Accepted? | Yes | No |
Canadian Clients Accepted? | No | No |
➤ Elite Signals | Stock, Crypto, & Forex
Type of assets offered:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Forex (e.g. USDJPY or EURGBP) | Yes | No |
Options and futures (S&P500 Futures or Crude Oil Futures) | Yes | No |
Funds Van(ARK invest or BlackRock Equity Dividend) | No | No |
CFDs (Google Share in CFD form) | Yes | No |
Cryptos (BTC or ETH) | Yes | No |
Stocks and ETFs (TESL or AAPL) | Yes | No |
Commodities (Gold or Silver market) | Yes | Yes |
Beginner-friendly (demo-account access) | Yes | Yes |
Advanced /pro (High-frequency trading, algorithmic trading) | Yes, supports (HFT, Algo, API) | No |
Binary option (note this is non-regulated trading, considers EXTREME risk) |
🏛️Tier 1 Regulatory Bodies:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
FSA (Financial Services Authority) | (Body replaced by(FCA) in 2013) | (Body replaced by(FCA) in 2013) |
FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) | Yes | No |
MAS (Monetary Authority of Singapore) | Yes | No |
FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) | Yes | No |
CFTC (Commodity Futures Trading Commission) | Yes | No |
MIFID-ESMA (Markets in Financial Instruments Directive) | Yes | Yes |
ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) | Yes | No |
IIROC (Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada) | No | No |
SFC (Securities and Futures Commission) | No | No |
🏛️Tier 2 Regulatory Authorities:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
FMA (Financial Markets Authority) | Yes | No |
CBR (Central Bank of Russia) | No | No |
FSCA (Financial Sector Conduct Authority) | Yes | No |
SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) | No | No |
DFSA (Dubai Financial Services Authority) | Yes | No |
CBRC (China Banking Regulatory Commission) | No | No |
CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) | No | Yes |
ISA (Israel Securities Authority) | No | No |
🏛️Tier 3 Regulatory Oversight:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Offshore Regulators | No | Yes |
MMA (Maldives Monetary Authority) | No | No |
EDR (External Dispute Resolution) | No | Yes |
FSA (Seychelles Financial Services Authority) | No | Yes |
SCB (Securities Commission of The Bahamas) | No | Yes |
FSC (Financial Services Commission, Mauritius) | No | No |
VFSC (Vanuatu Financial Services Commission) | No | Yes |
IFSC (International Financial Services Commission, Belize) | No | No |
CIMA (Cayman Islands Monetary Authority) | No | No |
SVG (St. Vincent & Grenadines Financial Services Authority) | No | No |
FSRC (Financial Services Regulatory Commission, St. Kitts & Nevis) | No | No |
BMA (Bermuda Monetary Authority) | Yes | No |
BVI (British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission) | No | No |
Max Leverage Options:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Leverage for Non-EU Clients | 200:1 | 1/500 |
European Leverage Limits | 30:1 | 30:1 |
Leverage in Australia | 200:1 | N/A |
US Leverage Restrictions | 50:1 | 1/500 |
Canadian Leverage Rules | 0 | No |
📂Account Offerings:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Demo Account Access | Yes | Yes |
Expiration of Demo Accounts | No | Yes |
Account Currency Choices | AUD, EUR, GBP, USD, ZAR, AED, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD | EUR, USD, GBP, AUD, CAD, NZD, CHF, JPY |
Standard Accounts | Yes | Yes |
Micro-lots Accounts | Yes | Yes |
Low-cost Account (nano lots) | Yes, $10 | |
Variable Spread Accounts | Yes | Yes |
Fixed Spread Accounts | No | Yes |
Zero Spread Accounts | No | Yes |
ECN Accounts | No | Yes |
Swap-Free Accounts | No | No |
Islamic Accounts | No | No |
Professional Trading Accounts | Yes | No |
Active Trader Rewards Program | Yes | Yes |
💰Deposits and Withdrawals:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Minimum Deposit Requirements | Yes $300 | Yes, $10 |
Minimum Withdrawal Limits | No | Yes, $20 |
Credit Card Options | Yes | Visa, Mastercard, Maestro |
Bank Transfer Availability | Yes | yes |
PayPal Support | Yes | Yes |
Neteller Integration | No | Yes |
Skrill Compatibility | No | Yes |
Additional Payment Methods | Bank Transfer, Credit Card,PayPal | Bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Sofort, iDeal, Giropay, EPS, Bancontact, Przelewy24, WebMoney, Qiwi, China UnionPay, cryptocurrencies |
Deposit Processing Time | instant | Instant |
Withdrawal Processing Time | 1 business day | Yes |
Fees and Charges:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Deposit-related Fees | Yes | Yes |
Commissions on Withdrawals | No | Yes |
Overnight/Swap Charges | Yes | Yes |
Account Inactivity Fees | Yes | Yes |
Currency Conversion Costs | Yes | Yes |
Are bonus Programs Available? | No | Yes |
Security Protocols and Measures:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
(2FA) available? | Yes | Yes |
(SSL) security? | Yes | Yes |
(AML) Policy Compliance | Yes | Yes |
Know Your Customer (KYC) | Yes | Yes |
🌐Brand Influence:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Twitter Follower Counts | 10.2K | 77.5K |
💹Forex Fixed Spreads:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
EUR/GBP Spread Range | No | No |
EUR/USD Spread Range | No | No |
USD/JPY Spread Range | No | Yes |
GBP/USD Spread Range | No | No |
USD/CHF Spread Range | No | Yes |
AUD/USD Spread Range | No | No |
USD/CAD Spread Range | No | Yes |
NZD/USD Spread Range | No | No |
Trade Execution Methods:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Direct Market Access (DMA) | Yes | Yes |
Straight Through Processing (STP) | Yes | Yes |
Electronic Communication Network (ECN) Execution | No | No |
Market Maker Model | No | Yes |
Non-Dealing Desk (NDD) Approach | Yes | Yes |
First In, First Out (FIFO) Rule Application | No | Yes |
4-Digit Decimal Pricing | Yes | Yes |
5-Digit Decimal Pricing | Yes | Yes |
Order Types & Tools:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Stop Loss Orders | Yes | Yes |
Take Profit Orders | Yes | Yes |
Limit Orders | Yes | Yes |
Fill or Kill (FOK) Orders | No | No |
Trailing Stop Orders | Yes | Yes |
Margin Call Alerts | Yes | Yes |
One Cancels Other (OCO) Orders | No | Yes |
Guaranteed Stop Loss Orders | Yes | Yes |
Negative Balance Protection Measures | Yes | Yes |
Minimum Trade Sizes | 0.01 lots | Yes |
Maximum Trade Sizes | 100 lots | Yes |
Available Asset Classes:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Forex Currency Pairs | 90 | Yes |
Cryptocurrencies | 90 | Yes |
Commodities | 34 | Yes |
Equities | - | Yes |
Market Indices | 37 | Yes |
Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) | 20 | No |
Futures Contracts | 5 | No |
Options Contracts | 20 | Yes |
Bonds | 12 | No |
Metals | 5 | Yes |
Agricultural Products | No | No |
Energy Resources | 6 | Yes |
Interest Rates | Yes | No |
Penny Stocks | Yes | |
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) | Yes | No |
Asset Blends | 1 | Yes |
Dow Jones Index | No | Yes |
FTSE 100 Index | Yes | Yes |
DAX Index | Yes | Yes |
Nikkei 225 Index | Yes | Yes |
Gold Market Trading | Yes | Yes |
Special Account Features:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Multi-Account Manager (MAM) | No | Yes |
Percentage Allocation Money Management (PAMM) | No | Yes |
Social Trading Integration | No | Yes |
Copy Trading Support | No | Yes |
Lot Allocation Money Management (LAMM) | No | Yes |
Supported Trading Techniques:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Scalping Strategies | Yes | Yes |
Hedging Techniques | Yes | Yes |
Spread Betting Opportunities | Yes | No |
Automated Expert Advisor (EA) Integration | Yes | Yes |
Virtual Private Server (VPS) Options | Yes | Yes |
Application Programming Interface (API) Support | Yes | Yes |
Trading Tools and Features:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
One-Click Trade Execution | Yes | Yes |
Signal Trading Availability | Yes | Yes |
Price Alert Notifications | Yes | Yes |
Number of Chart Indicators Offered | 22 | Yes |
Number of Chart Drawing Tools Provided | 17 | Yes |
Direct Trading From Charts | Yes | Yes |
Customizable Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Trading Compatibility:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Android App | Yes | Yes |
iOS App | Yes | Yes |
Windows Mobile App | No | Yes |
Mobile Trading Signal Integration | Yes | Yes |
App for Smartwatches | No | Yes |
Forex Mobile Trading | Yes | Yes |
CFD Mobile Trading | Yes | Yes |
Alert Notifications on Mobile Devices | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Charting and Drawing Tools | Yes | Yes |
Languages Supported on Mobile App | en, de, es, fr, po | English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Turkish, Polish, Czech, Hungarian, Slovenian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Greek, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish |
Watchlist Feature on Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
Commodity Offerings:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Crude Oil Trading | 2.8 | Yes |
Natural Gas Trading | No | No |
Silver Markets | 2 | Yes |
Platinum Trading | No | Yes |
Copper Trading | No | Yes |
Soybean Contracts | No | No |
Corn Markets | No | Yes |
Gold Markets | 0.3 | Yes |
Lithium Markets | Yes | Yes |
Stock Trading Fees:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Apple Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Amazon (AMZN) Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Invidia Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
META Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Ford Motor Co Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Alphabet (GOOGL) Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
BP Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Tesco Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Barclays Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Lloyds Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Adobe (ADBE) Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Microsoft (MSFT) Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Nvidia (NVDA) Shares | $0-$3 | $0-$1 |
Index Trading Fees:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
FTSE 100 Fee Structure | 1 | Yes, 0.07% per trade |
S&P 500 Fee Structure | 0.4 | Yes |
Dow Jones Fee Structure | - | Yes |
Nasdaq Fee Structure | 1 | Yes |
CAC 40 Fee Structure | 1 | Yes |
DAX 30 Fee Structure | 2 | Yes |
Nikkei 225 Fee Structure | 7 | Yes |
Euro Stoxx 50 Fee Structure | 2 | Yes |
Cryptocurrency Trading Fees: Maker-Taker-Spread
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Bitcoin Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Ethereum Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Ripple Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Binance Coin Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Cardano Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Solana Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Polygon Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Dogecoin Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Chainlink (LINK) Fees | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Polkadot (DOT) | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Avalanche (AVAX) | 0.01%, 0.07%, Up to 2.5% | (binary option) |
Available Trading Platforms:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
cTrader Desktop App | No | Yes |
cTrader Web Interface | No | Yes |
Mirror Trader Platform | No | Yes |
ZuluTrade Integration | No | Yes |
MT4 Desktop Interface | No | Yes |
MT4 Web Platform | No | Yes |
MT5 Desktop App | No | Yes |
MT5 Web Interface | No | Yes |
Tradingview | No | No |
Proprietary Desktop Software | No | Yes |
Proprietary Web-based Platform | Yes | Yes |
Mac-Compatible Platform Options | Yes | Yes |
Sirix Trading Platform | No | Yes |
Education Resources:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Education Offerings | Yes | Yes |
Webinar Offerings | Yes | Yes |
Platform Tutorial Videos | Yes | Yes |
Beginner-Level Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Expert-Level Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Tutorial guides | Yes | Yes |
Terminology Glossary | Yes | Yes |
Customer Support Options:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
Callback Request Feature | No | Yes |
Email Support Availability | Yes | Yes |
Telephone Support | Yes | Yes |
Live Chat support | Yes | Yes |
Offered Support Languages | en, ar, dan, de, es, fr, ne, nor, po, ru, swe, it, swi | Yes |
Research-Tools:
Data | IC Markets | IQ Option |
---|---|---|
In-Depth Professional Reports | Yes | Yes |
Social Trading Features - Social Newsfeeds | Yes | Yes |
Economic Event Calendar | No | Yes |
Daily Email With Trading Ideas | Yes | Yes |
Analysis From Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
Analysis From Delkos Research | No | Yes |
AutoChartist Tool | Yes | Yes |
Trader Sentiment Metrics | Yes | Yes |
Twitter-Based News Updates | Yes | Yes |
Facebook-Based News Updates | Yes | Yes |
Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
IC Markets in the Spotlight
Table of content
- IC Markets in the Spotlight
- Dancing With The Pros… And Cons
- IQ Option: The Grand Maestro
- Basking in the Wins, Bruised By The Losses
- When Trading Instruments Play the Pied Piper
- Trading Instruments: A Tale of Missing Pizza Toppings🍕
- Commission Rates and Spreads: Cost Efficiency is King
- Having Cake and Eating it, Too 🎂
- Customer Support: The Knight in Shining Armour
- A Helping Hand in Bumpy Trading Waters 🌊
- Clash Of The Titans: The Verdict
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 1. Can IC Markets and IQ Option be trusted? 🧐
- 2. Which platform offers more trading instruments, IC Markets or IQ Option? 📊
- 3. Ok, but who offers a more beginner-friendly platform? 👀
- 4. Lower commission or user-friendly interface – what should I prioritize when choosing a platform? 🤔
- 5. Are the educational resources on these platforms sufficient for a beginner? 📚
- 6. What about customer support – who has the edge? ⌛
- Disclaimer And General Risk Warning:
- Author & Expert Trader - Financial Analyst:
Let’s cut right to the chase. IC Markets is a top-dog for seasoned traders and testing spoons in the trading bowl. It offers a galore of trading instruments, such as forex, commodities, and CFDs 💰📈. Lower commission, speedy order execution, and top-notch customer support are its queen pieces.
Dancing With The Pros… And Cons
IC Markets displays a powerful backflip with its robust MetaTrader and cTrader platforms, offering a schmorgasboard of advanced features. But alas, it performs a half-hearted somersault when it comes to educational resources. Traders hungry for knowledge might find their stomachs growling.
IQ Option: The Grand Maestro
Simplicity is IQ Option’s middle name. It puts binary options charts and a user-friendly interface upfront, luring beginner traders.
Basking in the Wins, Bruised By The Losses
Blazing speed, intuitive UI, free demo account, and splendid educational resources make IQ Option a darling among rookies. But beware, connoisseurs of diversity! The limited assortment of trading instruments might leave you a trifle deflated.
When Trading Instruments Play the Pied Piper
While IQ Option lures traders with an intuitive user-interface and a focus on binary options, IC Markets turns the compass needle with an impressive array of trading assets. From forex to your favourite commodities to stock indexes – it’s like walking into a shopping mall during a sale. The diversity in trading instruments can be a game-changer for those who love experimenting and spreading their risks across different assets.
Trading Instruments: A Tale of Missing Pizza Toppings🍕
Imagine ordering a pizza only to find out that the only topping available is olives! IC Markets saves you from such disappointment with its extensive menu. For a trader, this leads to greater portfolio diversification, increased trading opportunities, and the ability to adapt to market dynamics.
Commission Rates and Spreads: Cost Efficiency is King
IC Markets puts a cherry on top with its comparatively lower commission rates and tight spreads, making it the go-to choice for both scalpers and swing traders. You can trade more and pay less with IC Markets. It’s like snagging the best seat in the house without paying a premium!
Having Cake and Eating it, Too 🎂
With IC Markets, you get to enjoy the cake (read trading) with reduced nibbles at your profits thanks to the lower commission. Quite a treat, isn’t it? However, let’s spare a thought for IQ Option—while its commission rates and spreads might not compete with IC Markets, its simplicity and user-friendliness still leave a mark.
Customer Support: The Knight in Shining Armour
One of the defining factors that set IC Markets apart is its top-notch customer support. Have a question? Run into a problem? They’re just a click or call away. With excellent response times and a team of professionals who eat, sleep, and breathe trading, you’re sure to get the help you need. Fast.
A Helping Hand in Bumpy Trading Waters 🌊
We all know that trading can sometimes feel like navigating a ship through stormy waters. IC Markets’ customer support is the sturdy anchor that eases the journey, making it more palatable, especially for novice traders.
In conclusion, the choice between IC Markets and IQ Option is like choosing between a five-course meal and fast food, both are good depending on your appetite and preferences. IC Markets offers a comprehensive, enriched trading experience with its diverse assets and lower commission, while IQ Option serves the fast, simple, and user-friendly trading platform ideal for beginners and fans of binary options. No matter what your pick is, make sure you savour the taste of trading success. Bon Appétit! 🍾🎉📈
Clash Of The Titans: The Verdict
When the dust settles, the choice between IC Markets vs IQ Option narrows down to your trading preferences. If a broad array of trading instruments and low commission get your heart thumping, IC Markets is your glittering jewel. On the flip side, if a simplified interface and binary options are your flavor, IQ Option is the gastronome’s choice.
Feeling puzzled? Take a deep breath. Trading is a marathon, not a sprint. Equip yourself with all the facts, then make your pick. Only the market’s tide will tell how your choice fares. Happy trading, folks! 🚀 🏁 📊
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can IC Markets and IQ Option be trusted? 🧐
Absolutely! Both IC Markets and IQ Option are regulated platforms, meaning they tick the boxes when it comes to security and reliability.
2. Which platform offers more trading instruments, IC Markets or IQ Option? 📊
The laurel goes to IC Markets in this case—it offers a broader range of trading instruments than IQ Option. From forex to commodities, it’s a veritable trading buffet!
3. Ok, but who offers a more beginner-friendly platform? 👀
IQ Option wins this round. With its user-friendly interface and emphasis on binary options, beginners will find it more approachable.
4. Lower commission or user-friendly interface – what should I prioritize when choosing a platform? 🤔
That’s a very personal decision, trader! If cost-efficiency is paramount to you, you might lean towards IC Markets with its lower commission. But if ease of use gets your vote, then the interactive interface of IQ Option is your catnip.
5. Are the educational resources on these platforms sufficient for a beginner? 📚
While both platforms offer educational materials, IQ Option wins by nose with a more comprehensive suite of learning resources. However, don’t be discouraged—both platforms provide enough knowledge to get you started on your trading journey.
6. What about customer support – who has the edge? ⌛
IC Markets has carved a niche here with its swift, efficient, and round-the-clock customer support that makes resolving any issues a breeze.
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