IC markets vs FP markets
In the vast world of retail forex, you will come across two common names: IC markets and FP Markets. But which one should you prefer? — a common conundrum amongst traders, especially beginners who are unaware of the differences between them. It is natural that you would want to explore everything about these financial markets before trading. Having an in-depth understanding would make it easy for you to not only start strongly but also have a luminous future in this field.
Further, if you want to make sure that your investments are secure and in safe hands, it is crucial to find a dependable and reputable broker. Without this assurance, you won’t be able to focus on trading, which will hold you back from moving forward. In addition to this, the knowledge will also help you figure out which market suits your trading needs the best.
In this article, we have thoroughly compared the two aforesaid markets, making it easier for you to choose which is right for you. Read on and absorb the information to make a sane and informed decision. So, let’s get right into it.
IC Markets and FP Markets — A Brief Insight
Launched back in 2007, the IC market is one the most prominent names in the forex trading market, which serves a global audience. Millions of customers benefit from the financial instruments provided by this platform, which are roughly around 232. It is regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), and of course, Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
First Prudential or FP markets, on the other hand, was established in 2005 and is also regulated by Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The financial regulators may differ depending on your geolocation.
IC Markets Summary
| Website | https://www.icmarkets.com/ |
| Live Chat | YES |
| Telephone | +61 (0)2 8014 4280 |
| Broker Type | ECN, RAW spreads |
| Regulations | ASIC, FSA, CySEC |
| Min Deposit | $200.00 |
| Account Base Currency | USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, CAD, JPY, NZD,CHF, SGD, HKD |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 |
| Trading Platforms | Metatrader 4/5, cTrader, Webtrader, API Trading, MAM / PAMM |
| Markets | Forex, Index CFD Trading, Precious Metals, Energy, Bitcoin |
| Bonus | None |
| Funding Options | Credit / Debit Card, PayPal, China Union Pay, Bank Transfer, Bpay, Skrill, Neteller, Qiwi, Fasapay, Webmoney, Fasapay, Broker to Broker |
fpmarkets Summary
| Website | https://www.fpmarkets.com/ |
| Live Chat | Yes |
| Telephone | 61 2 8252 6800 |
| Broker Type | ECN, DMA |
| Regulations | ASIC, CySEC |
| Min Deposit | $100.00 USD |
| Account Base Currency | AUD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, CNY, NZD, SGD, USD |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 |
| Trading Platforms | IRESS, Metatrader 4 and 5, MAM, PAMM |
| Markets | Forex, CFD’s, Shares, Crypto-currencies, Metals, Indicies, Equities |
| Bonus Offered | None |
| Funding Options | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Ngan Luong, Paytrust88, Poli Pay, Skrill, Fasapay Neteller, Bpay, Bank wire |
Benefits of IC and FP Markets Compared
The following are some benefits of using these financial markets:
Minimum Deposit
With a minimum deposit of $0, FP market is ideal for users having a low budget. On the other hand, the IC market stands with 200 as the minimum deposit. Depositing what you can afford is always wise as a trader, so choose the broker that suits your budget more.
However, consider the financial instruments and the trading features you are getting from the broker. Sometimes higher minimum deposit proves more beneficial than a broker with a low deposit. Therefore, don’t just let the initial value deceive you and speculate every aspect of the market before making a decision.
- FP Markets min deposit = $0.00
- IC Markets min deposit = $200.00
Listed Stocks
There are 730+ listed stocks for IC markets and 10,00 listed stocks for FP markets. The former allows users to trade the assets like CFDs, Forex, Share Dealing, Spread Betting, Cryptos on the markets Mirror Trader, MTR, MT5, ZuluTrade, cTrader, Web Trader, Mac Trading, and other platforms.
FP Markets, on the other side, allows people to trade CFDs, Forex on the markets of Mac, IRESS, MT4, MT5, Web Trader, trading platform applications of mobile phones and tablets
Financial Instruments
It goes without saying that the more financial instruments are available on the platform the more superior will be the trading. Remember trading revolves around availing every opportunity that comes your way but limitations in the market can be a great hindrance.
You will be allowed to trade 61 Forex pairs on the IC markets, while on FP markets there are over 60. The biggest difference in the two brokers is the amount of tradable CFD stocks, 730 with IC and over 10,000 with FP. The difference clearly indicates which market is on top of the game here. So, choose wisely by not missing out on any trading opportunity.
IC Markets Tradable Instruments
| 61 currency pairs |
| 25 Indices to trade from across the globe |
| Over 22 commodities to trade |
| 730+ stocks from ASX, Nasdaq & NYSE |
| Over 11 Bonds available to trade |
| 10 of the most popular Cryptos |
fp Markets Tradable Instruments
| 60+ currency pairs |
Over 10,000 stocks |
| 19 major global Indices |
5 CFD Commodities |
| 5 Popular cryptocurrencies |
Risk Management Features
Utilizing the risk management features to the maximum, you can become a full-fledged trader. Here we have compared the features of both aforementioned markets.
Hedging — both offer this feature which protects you from colossal risks. But what is it? It simply means to devise a strategy to use financial instruments in such a way that the risk of loss is minimized. For instance, the traders can trade in another to hedge on the previous investment.
Stop-loss orders — When it comes to volatile investments, these orders hold paramount importance. You only lose what you invest in normal trading, but it is different when leveraging. So, setting up a stop loss will keep your investments safe in case of bad results. Both —IC markets and FP markets — offer these stop-loss features.
Negative balance protection— Another feature offered by both markets to protect the customers. Since trading can be incredibly volatile from time to time, customers need protection against the vicious consequences.
Which Offers Better Spread?
Consider it as the trading cost, so it means a lower spread will be better for the investors. But it isn’t easy to get the spread data from the brokers. They tend to keep this information concealed from the public. Therefore, traders use the type of spreads to make the decisions. For example, two types of spreads are available in the market — variable and fixed. Both offer advantages and disadvantages, which vary depending on the trader. In the case of FP markets and IC markets, both offer variable spreads. We have a sample of each brokers spread at a given time.
Which Broker Offer The Best Trading Platform?
Agreeably, it all comes down to how functional and easy to handle the trading platform is. Plus, these platforms also provide traders many analytical tools and price charts to develop tactics and strategies for trading. IC markets support the traders by providing cTrader, MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. It is supported with a Browser-based platform, Mobile trading, One-click trading, Trading via API, Pending orders and Trailing stops.
With FP markets, you will have the options of mobile trading with MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Pending Orders, Trailing stop, One-click trading. Some consider the former to be a better hosting platform, while many users prefer the latter. But in the end, it all depends on the trader and the trading needs.
Ic Markets vs fp Markets Pros and Cons
PROS:
| IC Markets | FP Markets |
| Negative balance protection is available. | Negative balance protection is available. |
| Average execution speeds of under 40ms | 24/7 Multilingual Customer Support |
| Withdrawal and deposit without fee. | 15 Years Trading Experience |
| Account opening procedure is fast and easy. | Quick withdrawal and deposit. |
| Social trading option is available. | Globally Regulated |
| There is no inactivity fee. | Withdrawal processing time usually takes less than one day. |
CONS:
IC Markets | FP Markets | |
Even though it is popular, it is not listed on a stock exchange. | Two-step login is not available | |
| Some information isn’t transparent to public. | Under ASIC, it does not provide negative balance protection, only for EU residents |
| Less tradable instruments selection is available. | Do not accept clients from U.S, Japan or New Zealand |
| The non-EU clients do not have investor protection. | Higher fees on CFDs. |
| Do not expect traders from U.S., Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Japan and Iran | It offers outdated platform for desktop trading. |
Final Comparison
As we have discussed above our IC markets vs fpmarkets comparison, both brokers ensure investor protection, offer similar types of accounts, and provides a decent CFD product range. Even though the final choice depends on the trader and his or her personal preference, but if you want to enjoy best trading platforms and good spreads, IC market is cut above the other. In addition to this, it is known for its superb trading conditions and low cost of trading. The customers are free to choose between Islamic account or standard commission-free account, which is another huge benefit of this platform.
WINNER
