Core Spreads
IC Markets
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Overview
Core Spreads was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in London, while IC Markets was established in 2007 and is based in Australia. Core Spreads holds licences including Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), while IC Markets is regulated by Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) among others. Core Spreads serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; IC Markets has 60,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Core Spreads and $200 at IC Markets.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) |
| Founded | 2014 | 2007 |
| Country | London | Australia |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 60,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Core Spreads and IC Markets, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Core Spreads has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $200 at IC Markets). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. Core Spreads charges deposit fees; IC Markets does not. Overall, Core Spreads scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Core Spreads offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while IC Markets supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. IC Markets supports social and copy trading features, which Core Spreads does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps | MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Mac |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Core Spreads and IC Markets compare. IC Markets runs regular live webinars; Core Spreads does not. Both provide video tutorials. IC Markets publishes daily market commentary; Core Spreads does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. IC Markets maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. IC Markets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Core Spreads accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while IC Markets supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). IC Markets uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. IC Markets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Core Spreads and IC Markets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Core Spreads supports 2 languages and IC Markets supports 8, giving IC Markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Core Spreads | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Afrikans, Danish, Dutch, German and more |