IC Markets vs Trading 212: which broker is better in 2026?
We compare IC Markets and Trading 212 — two forex & CFD brokers — side by side across regulation, fees, platforms, minimum deposit, and our editorial scores. Based on our overall editorial score, IC Markets edges ahead (4.1/5), but the right choice depends on what matters most to you — check the breakdown below.
Side-by-side comparison
CriteriaIC MarketsTrading 212
Overall score 4.1 3.8
Regulation & safety 3.5 4.0
Fees & deposit 4.5 4.0
Platform & assets 4.5 3.5
User support 4.0 3.5
Trust score80/10077/100
Minimum depositVaries by account type — check the official siteVaries by account type — check the official site
Demo accountAvailableAvailable
PlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView, WebTrader, IC Mobile AppTrading 212 app (web/mobile)
Fee modelSeveral account types (Raw Spread, Standard, Raw Pro/Pro+, cTrader Raw Spread, Swap Free) — the fee structure per account type has not been verified in detailCommission-free stocks & ETFs (Invest); CFDs via spread
Pros & cons
- One of the most popular raw-spread ECN brokers for scalping/algo trading (very low costs)
- Very complete platform selection (MT4/MT5/cTrader/TradingView)
- Regulated by ASIC (Australia) + CySEC for certain entities
- A class-action record (reported since 2024) alleging it misled investors — no verdict yet, but a relevant public fact
- Many clients via offshore entities (Seychelles/Bahamas)
- Leverage is high-risk
- Regulated by the FCA + FSC; commission-free stocks & ETFs
- Very beginner-friendly app & popular in Europe
- Good for long-term investing (Invest) + separate CFDs
- CFD features are more limited than dedicated forex brokers (no MT4/MT5)
- Not for pro/algorithmic traders
- Leveraged CFDs remain high-risk
Regulation at a glance
IC Markets
Exact license numbers not yet verified — the official site mentions multi-regulation but the detailed regulation page was inaccessible during our check. Verify directly with the regulator (ASIC, CySEC, or the Seychelles FSA depending on the entity) before signing up.
Trading 212
Regulated by the FCA (UK) & FSC (Bulgaria). Trading 212 UK Ltd is supervised by the FCA. Popular for commission-free stocks & ETFs.