IC Markets
tradestation
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Overview
IC Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while tradestation was established in 2014 and is based in Cyprus. IC Markets holds licences including Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), while tradestation is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. IC Markets serves 60,000+ clients worldwide; tradestation has 3,500,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IC Markets and $250 at tradestation.
| Feature | IC Markets | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| 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-F329 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2014 |
| Country | Australia | Cyprus |
| Clients | 60,000+ | 3,500,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IC Markets and tradestation, 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 tradestation). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. IC Markets charges deposit fees; tradestation does not. Overall, IC Markets scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IC Markets | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while tradestation supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. IC Markets supports social and copy trading features, which tradestation does not offer. IC Markets edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | IC Markets | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| 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 tradestation 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. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | IC Markets | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
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 tradestation supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | IC Markets | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 tradestation 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 | tradestation |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |