IC Markets
Uphold
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Overview
IC Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Australia, while Uphold was established in 2013 and is based in United States. IC Markets holds licences including Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), while Uphold is regulated by FCA and FINCEN: Uphold Europe Limited among others. IC Markets serves 60,000+ clients worldwide; Uphold has 4,000,000+. The minimum deposit is $200 at IC Markets and $1 at Uphold.
| Feature | IC Markets | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Regulation | Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) | FCA and FINCEN: Uphold Europe Limited, Reg No. 09281410. Uphold HQ Inc. NMLS ID No. 1269875 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2013 |
| Country | Australia | United States |
| Clients | 60,000+ | 4,000,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between IC Markets and Uphold, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Uphold has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $200 at IC Markets). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. IC Markets charges deposit fees; Uphold does not. Overall, Uphold scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | IC Markets | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Uphold supports a proprietary platform. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. IC Markets supports social and copy trading features, which Uphold does not offer. IC Markets edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | IC Markets | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | No |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Mac | Web, Desktop & Mobile Apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how IC Markets and Uphold compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. IC Markets publishes daily market commentary; Uphold does not. IC Markets integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); Uphold does not. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. IC Markets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | IC Markets | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | No |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Uphold 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 | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Uphold offer live chat support. IC Markets offers phone support; Uphold does not. Email support is available at both brokers. IC Markets supports 8 languages and Uphold supports 1, giving IC Markets broader global reach. IC Markets scores higher overall on customer support in our assessment.
| Feature | IC Markets | Uphold |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Afrikans, Danish, Dutch, German and more | English |