| Online Broker | Minimum Deposit | Trading Platforms | Markets | About |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets | $200 Minimum Deposit | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView Trading Platforms | 2500+ Markets To Trade | IC Markets offers a wide range and relatively large number of markets and supports a wide range of styles from scalping to automated trading to high volume trading About |
| IQ Option | $10 Minimum Deposit | Web Trader, Downloaded Platform Trading Platforms | 300+ Markets To Trade | IQ Option has a low minium deposit and trade size ($1) and a user friendly platform with technical and fundamental tools About |
IC Markets vs IQ Option Comparison
IC Markets is a broker offering platforms aimed at traders who wish to trade in this environment, for example traders who let robots trade on their behalf. To this end, it offers MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView. All these platforms allow the trader to both use automated trading and to use, build and run robots to trade on their behalf, executing automated trading strategies via algorithms.
To support this kind of trading, IC Markets uses Equinix infrastructure to help deliver high speed order execution and uses its ECN to access liquidity. IC Markets offers more than Forex, as it actually has a rather wide number of markets, with 2500+ (the bulk of which are Stocks CFDs) and can be used by traders who make their own trading decisions.
IQ Option has developed its platform over a series of iterations to support traders who make their own trading decisions. IQ Option offers a similar number of CFD markets to trade. As it has a small minimum order size of $1, IQ Option can offer a low minimum deposit of $10.
Quick comparison
IC Markets is a broker offering MT4, MT5 and cTrader supporting both automated and non-automated trading. IQ Option provides a user friendly trading platform and has a lower minimum deposit.
Minimum deposit and key account features
The minimum deposit for IC Markets is $200. The minimum deposit for IQ Option is $10 for non-EEA countries and $20 for EEA countries.
- IC Markets offers the Standard, Raw Spread, Islamic (Swap Free) and cTrader Raw accounts. IC Markets provides market analysis, Web TV (market commentary and trade ideas in a video), educational articles and video tutorials and an economic calendar on its website. IC Markets provides ZuluTrade, Myfxbook and IC Social for social and copy trading. IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 and London LD5 Servers to deliver low latency trading conditions and has micro (0.01) lot trading.
- IC Markets's Standard account does not charge a commission, but the Raw Spread and cTrader Raw accounts charge a commission. Scalping, hedging and automated trading are allowed.
- IQ Option has Market Analysis, News, a Forex Calendar, an Earnings Calendar and a Crypto Calendar on its trading platform. The minimum order size is $1.
Markets
- IC Markets offers Forex, Indices, Energy, Cryptocurrencies, Soft Commodities, Stocks, ETFs, Metals and Bonds, with 2500+ available.
- IQ Option offers Forex, Indices, Energy, Cryptocurrencies, Soft Commodities, Stocks, ETFs, Metals and Options, with 300+ available.
| Broker | Trading Platforms | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IC Markets Broker | MT4, MT5, cTrader Trading Platforms | IC Markets supports styles such as automated trading and high volume trading and traders who trade at lower volumes and frequencies, offering 2000+ Stocks CFDs to trade Description |
| IQ Option Broker | Web Trader & Apps Trading Platforms | IQ Option offers a user friendly platform with analysis tools and has a low minimum order size ($1) and deposit ($10) Description |
Leverage
Maximum leverage for IC Markets (FSA regulated) is 500:1. Maximum leverage for IC Markets (CySEC or ASIC regulated) is . Maximum leverage for IQ Option (CySEC regulated) is .
Online trading platforms
IC Markets provides MT4, MT5 and cTrader. IQ Option offers a web trader and a downloaded version of it. Both have apps for tablet and mobile.
Why IC Markets or IQ Option ?
For traders who wish to trade using Expert Advisors (MT4 and MT5) or cBots (cTrader), IC Markets offers the platforms and trading environment to support them. For traders who wish to access 300+ CFDs on a user friendly platform, IQ Option offers this and has developed it over a series of iterations. Such traders can also use IC Markets and may appreciate its high speed order no dealing desk intervention order processing (which may suit some human executed trading strategies). With a minimum trade size of 0.01 lots, IC Markets has a minimum deposit of $200. IQ Option allows the trader to trade with a minimum order size down to $1, and has thus a low minimum deposit of $10.
TL;DR summary
IC Markets if a CFD provider for those using automated trading and higher frequency trading, but also offers platforms for traders who plan their own trades. IQ Option is a CFD provider for those who plan and execute their own trades, offering a user friendly platform and a low minimum deposit and order size.
Comparison summary
- Both offer CFD trading
- IQ Option has a user friendly trading platform
- IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView
- IC Markets supports the use of automated trading with Expert Advisors (EAs) and cBots
- IQ Option has a low minimum deposit ($10) and order size ($1)
