IC Markets vs Capital.com 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
IC Markets suits traders who value tighter spreads. Capital.com suits traders who prioritise lower minimum deposit ($20 vs $200), more instruments (6,800 vs 2,250).
Head to head
| IC Markets | Capital.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC 335692 | FCA 793714 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $200 | $20 |
| EUR/USD spread | From 0.0 pips (ECN) | 0.6 pips |
| Instruments | 2,250+ | 6,800+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only | No — CFDs only |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Founded | 2007 | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | London, UK |
Regulation: IC Markets vs Capital.com
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC under licence 335692 (International Capital Markets Pty Ltd). The ASIC is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Capital.com is regulated by FCA under licence 793714 (Capital Com (UK) Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Spreads and fees
IC Markets's EUR/USD spread is From 0.0 pips (ECN). Capital.com's EUR/USD spread is 0.6 pips. IC Markets offers tighter spreads on this pair.
IC Markets does not charge an inactivity fee. Capital.com does not charge an inactivity fee.
Platforms and tools
Both IC Markets and Capital.com support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200. Capital.com requires $20. Capital.com has the lower barrier to entry.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
Capital.com also has the lower minimum deposit of $20. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Both IC Markets and Capital.com support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. IC Markets's tighter spreads (From 0.0 pips (ECN)) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. Capital.com offers more instruments (6,800) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: IC Markets vs Capital.com
Choose IC Markets if you want tighter spreads. The ASIC licence (335692) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose Capital.com if you want lower minimum deposit ($20 vs $200), more instruments (6,800 vs 2,250). The FCA licence (793714) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
IC Markets vs Capital.com: which is better?
IC Markets is better for tighter spreads. Capital.com is better for lower minimum deposit ($20 vs $200), more instruments (6,800 vs 2,250). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is IC Markets or Capital.com safer?
Both IC Markets (ASIC 335692) and Capital.com (FCA 793714) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for IC Markets and Capital.com?
IC Markets minimum deposit: $200. Capital.com minimum deposit: $20. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do IC Markets and Capital.com have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.