Head to head · data verified September 2026

Trading 212 vs IC Markets

A close call — 0.0 points apart. The winner depends on what you trade.

Trading 212
Long-term stock investors · Beginners
8.7
Visit Trading 212Read the review
IC Markets
Scalpers · High-volume forex traders
8.7
Visit IC MarketsRead the review

Pillar scores

Trading 212IC Markets
FeesTie
9.39.3
PlatformsIC Markets
8.49.0
Trust & regulationIC Markets
8.28.4
Market rangeTie
8.38.2
SupportIC Markets
7.68.5

Side by side

CriterionTrading 212IC Markets
Overall score8.78.7
Founded20042007
RegulationFCA (UK), CySEC (EU), BaFin (DE), FSC (BG), ASIC (AU)ASIC (AU), CySEC (EU), FSA (SC)
Min. deposit£1 (bank transfer or card)$200
Fees0% commission on stocks and ETFs; 0.15% FX fee on Invest/ISA, 0.5% on CFD; no custody, inactivity or withdrawal fees; card and e-wallet deposits cost 0.7% once you pass a €2,000 lifetime totalRaw account: spreads from 0.0 pips + $3.50/lot; average EUR/USD spread ~0.1 pip
PlatformsTrading 212 web platform, Trading 212 mobile app (iOS, Android)MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView
Markets13,000+ stocks and ETFs on Invest and ISA; CFDs on forex, indices, commodities and stocks; crypto ETNs for UK clients2,250+ instruments: forex, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto & stock CFDs
Demo accountYesYes
Best forLong-term stock investors, Beginners, UK ISA investorsScalpers, High-volume forex traders

Our verdict

Choose Trading 212 if you want long-term stock investors · beginners · uk isa investors — its standout pillar in our scoring is fees.

Choose IC Markets if you want scalpers · high-volume forex traders.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 77% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Trading 212 or IC Markets?

It's close: Trading 212 scores 8.7/10 and IC Markets 8.7/10 in our methodology. The right choice depends on your profile — Trading 212 is strongest for long-term stock investors, while IC Markets leads for scalpers.

Is Trading 212 safe?

Trading 212 is overseen by FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), BaFin (DE), FSC (BG), ASIC (AU). Our trust score for it is 8.2/10 — see the full Trading 212 review for the reasoning.

Is IC Markets safe?

IC Markets is overseen by ASIC (AU), CySEC (EU), FSA (SC). Our trust score for it is 8.4/10 — see the full IC Markets review for the reasoning.