IC Markets
iq option
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Overview
IC Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while iq option was established in 2019 and is based in United States. IC Markets holds licences including Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), while iq option is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. IC Markets serves 60,000+ clients worldwide; iq option has 14,000,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IC Markets and $250 at iq option.
| Feature | IC Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Regulation | Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | 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 | Australia | United States |
| Clients | 60,000+ | 14,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IC Markets and iq option, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. IC Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $200 (vs $250 at iq option). iq option charges withdrawal fees while IC Markets does not, giving IC Markets an edge for frequent withdrawers. IC Markets charges deposit fees; iq option does not. Overall, IC Markets scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IC Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while iq option supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. IC Markets supports social and copy trading features, which iq option does not offer. The two brokers are closely matched on platform offering.
| Feature | IC 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 | MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Mac | 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 IC Markets and iq option compare. IC Markets runs regular live webinars; iq option does not. IC Markets has a video library; iq option does not. IC Markets publishes daily market commentary; iq option does not. IC Markets integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); iq option does not. IC Markets maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. IC Markets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | IC Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| 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 iq option supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | IC Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill | Yes | Yes |
| Neteller | Yes | Yes |
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 iq option offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 8 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | IC Markets | iq option |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Afrikans, Danish, Dutch, German and more | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |