IC Markets
ICICI Direct
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Overview
IC Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while ICICI Direct was established in 1994 and is based in India. IC Markets holds licences including Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), while ICICI Direct is regulated by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) among others. IC Markets serves 60,000+ clients worldwide; ICICI Direct has 2,000,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IC Markets and $0 at ICICI Direct.
| Feature | IC Markets | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Regulation | Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Member of the Bombay Stock Exchange |
| Founded | 2007 | 1994 |
| Country | Australia | India |
| Clients | 60,000+ | 2,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IC Markets and ICICI Direct, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. ICICI Direct has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $0 (vs $200 at IC Markets). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. ICICI Direct applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; IC Markets does not. IC Markets charges deposit fees; ICICI Direct does not. Overall, ICICI Direct scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IC Markets | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while ICICI Direct supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | IC Markets | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Mac | Web Trader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how IC Markets and ICICI Direct compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. Both integrate third-party research tools including Trading Central. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. IC Markets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | IC Markets | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. IC Markets accepts 5 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller), while ICICI Direct supports 1 (bank transfer). IC Markets uniquely supports credit/debit card and PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. IC Markets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | IC Markets | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | No |
| PayPal | Yes | No |
| Skrill | Yes | No |
| Neteller | Yes | No |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both IC Markets and ICICI Direct offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. IC Markets supports 8 languages and ICICI Direct supports 13, giving ICICI Direct broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | IC Markets | ICICI Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Afrikans, Danish, Dutch, German and more | English, Deutsch, Nederlands, Espanol, Francais, Italiano, Polski, Srpski, Norsk, Svenska, Cesky, Romana, Turkce |