Circle Markets
iq option
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Overview
Circle Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while iq option was established in 2019 and is based in United States. Circle Markets holds licences including Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), while iq option is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Circle Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; iq option has 14,000,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Circle Markets and $250 at iq option.
| Feature | Circle Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F262 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2019 |
| Country | New Zealand | United States |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 14,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Circle Markets and iq option, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Circle Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $250 at iq option). Both brokers charge withdrawal fees. Circle Markets charges deposit fees; iq option does not. Overall, Circle Markets scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Circle Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | No |
Platforms
Circle Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while iq option supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Circle Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | Desktop, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Circle Markets and iq option compare. Circle Markets runs regular live webinars; iq option does not. Circle Markets has a video library; iq option does not. Circle Markets publishes daily market commentary; iq option does not. Circle Markets integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central); iq option does not. Circle Markets maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Circle Markets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Circle Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Circle Markets accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while iq option supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). iq option uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. iq option scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Circle Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Circle Markets and iq option offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Circle Markets supports 2 languages and iq option supports 8, giving iq option broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Circle Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |