IC Markets
Skilling
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Overview
IC Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while Skilling was established in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. IC Markets holds licences including Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), while Skilling is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) among others. IC Markets serves 60,000+ clients worldwide; Skilling has 5,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IC Markets and $100 at Skilling.
| Feature | IC Markets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Regulation | Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), CIF license number 357/18, Financial Services Authority (FSA) under license No. SD042 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2016 |
| Country | Australia | Cyprus |
| Clients | 60,000+ | 5,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IC Markets and Skilling, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Skilling has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $200 at IC Markets). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. IC Markets charges deposit fees; Skilling does not. Overall, Skilling scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IC Markets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Skilling 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 | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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, 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 Skilling 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 | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Skilling supports 2 (bank transfer, credit/debit card). IC Markets uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. IC Markets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | IC Markets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Skilling offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. IC Markets supports 8 languages and Skilling supports 2, giving IC Markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | IC Markets | Skilling |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Afrikans, Danish, Dutch, German and more | English, and Chinese |