Eightcap vs IC Markets (2025): We Tested Both—Here’s What We Found

IC Markets vs Eightcap — two Australian brokers known for speed, low costs, and reliability. But which one actually delivers the better all-around trading experience? This comparison highlights the real differences that matter for everyday traders.

Eightcap vs IC Market: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Founded	2015	2007
Regulation	ASIC, FCA, CySEC, SCB	ASIC, CySEC, SCB, FSA, FSCA
Minimum Deposit	$100	$200
Platforms	MT4, MT5, TradingView, WebTrader	MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, ZuluTrade
Tradable Instruments	763	2,245
Forex Pairs	56	61
Cryptocurrencies	92	21
Stocks/CFDs	585	2,100
EUR/USD Raw Spread	From 0.0 pips	From 0.1 pips
Commission (Raw)	$7/lot round-turn	$7/lot round-turn (MT4/MT5), $6/lot (cTrader)
Max Leverage	1:500 (SCB entity)	1:500 (FSA entity)
Customer Support	24/5	24/7
Trustpilot Score	4.2/5 (3,200+ reviews)	4.8/5 (47,000+ reviews)
Account Types	2 (Standard, Raw)	2 (Standard, Raw Spread)
Islamic Account	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Demo Account	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
VPS Hosting	Not mentioned	✅ Free (conditions apply)

Regulation and Security

Both brokers maintain robust multi-jurisdictional licensing, though Eightcap holds a slight edge in maximum fund protection through its UK FCA authorization. Understanding which regulatory entity covers your account determines leverage access, compensation eligibility, and legal recourse options.

Eightcap vs IC Markets — Regulation Overview

Both brokers demonstrate strong commitment to compliance and client protection, though IC Markets edges ahead slightly in geographic regulatory reach.

Client Fund Protection: Eightcap vs IC Markets

Protecting client money is one of the strongest indicators of a broker’s reliability. Both Eightcap and IC Markets apply strict segregation rules and offer compensation schemes, but there are key differences worth noting.

Eightcap

• Segregated Accounts: Client funds are kept separate from company capital in tier-1 banks.

• Compensation Coverage:

  • UK clients — Protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000 per claim.

  • EU clients — Covered by the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000.

• Negative Balance Protection: Ensures traders can never lose more than their deposited funds.

• Additional Safeguards: Professional indemnity insurance and audited annual reports confirming financial health.

IC Markets

• Segregated Accounts: Funds are held in National Australia Bank and other top-tier institutions under strict segregation.

• Compensation Coverage:

  • EU clients — Eligible for ICF protection up to €20,000.

  • No FSCS coverage — IC Markets is not regulated by the UK FCA.

• Negative Balance Protection: Retail traders are fully shielded from owing beyond their deposits.

• Regulatory Note: In July 2024, CySEC imposed a €200,000 fine for initial margin protection issues, which IC Markets swiftly resolved without affecting client funds.

Quick Comparison: Client Fund Protection

🏆 Winner: Eightcap edges ahead for fund protection due to FCA regulation offering £85,000 FSCS compensation versus IC Markets’ €20,000 EU maximum. However, IC Markets provides broader geographic coverage through five regulatory entities versus Eightcap’s four.

Trading Platforms and Tools

Platform selection dramatically impacts execution quality, analytical capabilities, and automation potential. IC Markets vs Eightcap reveals significant differences in platform variety, with IC Markets offering five distinct platforms against Eightcap’s four—though Eightcap delivers superior TradingView integration.

Eightcap Trading Platforms:

• MetaTrader 4 – Classic platform with 50+ indicators, full EA support, 40-60ms execution
• MetaTrader 5 – Advanced version with economic calendar, depth of market, additional timeframes
• TradingView – Native integration (no third-party bridge), one-click execution, Pine Script support
• WebTrader – Browser-based access without downloads
• Eightcap Labs – Proprietary no-code automation tool for visual strategy building
• Mobile Apps – iOS and Android with biometric security, push alerts, full charting

IC Markets Trading Platforms:

• MetaTrader 4 – Industry standard with marketplace access, 40-50ms execution
• MetaTrader 5 – Enhanced MT version with additional order types
• cTrader – Professional ECN platform with Level II pricing, depth of market, cAlgo for algorithmic trading
• TradingView – Basic chart integration (less integrated than Eightcap)
• ZuluTrade – Social copy trading platform for strategy replication
• WebTrader – Browser platform for all three main platforms
• Mobile Apps – iOS and Android supporting MT4, MT5, and cTrader
• VPS Hosting – Free for accounts with $5,000+ balance or 30+ lots monthly volume

Trading Tools & Features

🏆 Winner: IC Markets wins for platform diversity (includes cTrader for professional ECN trading) and free VPS hosting. Eightcap excels for TradingView enthusiasts with native integration and no-code automation through Labs. MetaTrader users find equivalent experiences on both platforms.

Account Types and Minimum Deposit

Both brokers simplify account selection with just two primary tiers, eliminating confusion from excessive account hierarchies. The $100 difference in minimum deposits may matter significantly for beginners testing live trading with limited capital.

Account Tiers Compared

Additional Eightcap Account Notes:

• TradingView Account available as third option with Raw pricing ($7/lot commission, spreads from 0.0 pips)
• Seven base currency options: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, NZD, CAD, SGD
• Leverage up to 1:500 for international clients (SCB entity), 1:30 for ASIC/European entities
• Swap-free Islamic accounts comply with Sharia law

Additional IC Markets Account Notes:

• cTrader Raw Spread charges $6/lot commission versus $7 on MetaTrader platforms
• Eight base currencies available including CHF and JPY beyond Eightcap’s seven
• Volume-based rebate program reduces commission by $1.50-$2.50 per lot for high-volume traders
• Maximum position size of 200 lots (double Eightcap’s 100-lot limit)

🏆 Winner: Eightcap for accessibility with $100 minimum deposit versus IC Markets’ $200 requirement. IC Markets benefits high-volume traders with larger maximum position sizes (200 lots vs 100) and commission rebates for active trading.

Trading Costs

Trading costs determine long-term profitability more than any other factor. Both Eightcap vs IC Markets deliver competitive ECN pricing, though subtle differences in spread consistency and commission structures impact different trading strategies uniquely.

Spreads and Commissions

Cost Calculation Example (1 lot EUR/USD):

• Eightcap Raw: 0.0 pip spread + $7 commission = ~0.7 pip total cost
• IC Markets Raw (MT): 0.1 pip spread + $7 commission = ~0.8 pip total cost
• IC Markets Raw (cTrader): 0.1 pip spread + $6 commission = ~0.7 pip total cost

Hidden Fees to Watch

Eightcap:

• Inactivity Fee: None charged
• Deposit Fees: No internal fees; intermediary bank charges may apply for international wire transfers
• Withdrawal Fees: None for most methods (PayPal, cards, e-wallets); potential intermediary bank fees for wire transfers
• Currency Conversion: Charged at prevailing rates when trading in non-base currencies
• Overnight Financing: Swap rates apply to positions held overnight (except Islamic accounts)
• Minimum Withdrawal: No minimum specified

IC Markets:

• Inactivity Fee: None charged
• Deposit Fees: No internal fees; third-party payment processors may charge
• Withdrawal Fees: None for most methods; international wire transfers subject to intermediary bank charges
• Currency Conversion: Applied at market rates for non-base currency trades
• Overnight Financing: Standard swap rates (exempt for Islamic accounts)
• Minimum Withdrawal: None specified

🏆 Winner: Eightcap marginally wins on spreads with EUR/USD starting from 0.0 pips versus IC Markets’ 0.1 pips. However, IC Markets cTrader accounts tie Eightcap’s total costs at ~0.7 pips with the $6 commission structure. Both brokers avoid predatory inactivity fees and withdrawal charges that plague lesser competitors.

Available Instruments

Instrument diversity determines trading opportunities beyond forex pairs. IC Markets vs Eightcap shows the widest performance gap here, with IC Markets offering nearly 3x more tradable assets—critical for multi-asset portfolio diversification.

Instrument Breakdown by Asset Class

Forex Pairs:

• Eightcap: 56 currency pairs (majors, minors, exotics)
• IC Markets: 61 currency pairs including additional emerging market exotics
• Difference: IC Markets provides 5 additional forex pairs

Indices:

• Eightcap: 16 global stock indices (US, European, Asian markets)
• IC Markets: 25 indices with broader emerging market coverage
• Difference: IC Markets offers 9 more index CFDs

Commodities:

• Eightcap: 14 commodities (metals, energies)
• IC Markets: 25 commodities including expanded agricultural products
• Difference: IC Markets provides 11 additional commodity markets

Cryptocurrencies:

• Eightcap: 92 cryptocurrency CFDs (industry-leading selection)
• IC Markets: 21 cryptocurrency CFDs (Bitcoin, Ethereum, major altcoins)
• Difference: Eightcap dominates with 71 more crypto assets

Stocks/Share CFDs:

• Eightcap: 585 individual stock CFDs
• IC Markets: 2,100 stock CFDs across US, European, and Australian exchanges
• Difference: IC Markets provides 1,515 additional stock CFDs

Bonds:

• Eightcap: Not available
• IC Markets: Yes, government bond futures
• Difference: IC Markets exclusive offering

🏆 Winner: IC Markets dominates overall with 2,245 instruments versus Eightcap’s 763—nearly triple the selection. However, Eightcap crushes IC Markets in cryptocurrency CFDs (92 vs 21), making it the clear choice for crypto traders seeking altcoin exposure beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Leverage and Margin

Leverage amplifies both profits and losses, with maximum ratios determined by regulatory jurisdiction rather than broker preference. Both Eightcap and IC Markets offer competitive leverage, though availability depends on which regulatory entity holds your account.

Leverage Comparison by Region and Account Type

Key Leverage Notes:

• Retail vs Professional: Tier-1 regulators (ASIC, FCA, CySEC) cap retail leverage at 1:30 for forex, 1:20 for indices, 1:10 for commodities, 1:5 for stocks, 1:2 for crypto
• Professional Accounts: Traders meeting regulatory criteria (€500,000 portfolio, 40+ trades quarterly, financial industry employment) access higher leverage under European entities
• Negative Balance Protection: Both brokers provide this across all retail accounts regardless of leverage level
• Margin Call Level: Typically 100% (varies by account type)
• Stop Out Level: Usually 50% (broker closes positions to prevent negative balances)

Dynamic Leverage Example: Both brokers may implement tiered leverage where maximum ratios decrease as position sizes increase:

• Up to $100,000: 1:500
• $100,001-$500,000: 1:200
• $500,001+: 1:100

🏆 Winner: Tie – Both brokers offer identical leverage profiles based on regulatory jurisdiction. International clients access 1:500 through offshore entities, while tier-1 regulated accounts cap at 1:30 for retail traders. Neither broker provides leverage advantages over the other.

Deposits and Withdrawals

Funding flexibility and withdrawal speed directly impact trading convenience. Both brokers support diverse payment methods, though processing times and geographic availability vary.

Payment Methods

Processing Times

Eightcap:

• Deposit Processing: Instant for cards and e-wallets; 1-3 business days for wire transfers
• Withdrawal Processing:
  • E-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller): 1 business day
  • Credit/Debit cards: 3-5 business days
  • Bank wire: 2-5 business days
• Withdrawal Fees: None from Eightcap; potential intermediary/bank charges apply
• Verification Required: Yes, identity verification before first withdrawal

IC Markets:

• Deposit Processing: Instant for most methods (cards, e-wallets, PayPal); 1-3 days for wire transfers
• Withdrawal Processing:
  • E-wallets: Same day to 1 business day
  • PayPal: 1 business day
  • Credit/Debit cards: 3-7 business days
  • Bank wire: 2-5 business days
  • Cryptocurrency: 1-2 business days
• Withdrawal Fees: None from IC Markets; third-party/intermediary fees may apply
• Verification Required: Yes, KYC documentation mandatory before withdrawals

🏆 Winner: IC Markets offers superior payment flexibility with 13+ methods versus Eightcap’s 8 options, including Union Pay, Klarna, POLi, and broker-to-broker transfers unavailable on Eightcap. Processing speeds remain comparable, with both brokers delivering e-wallet withdrawals within 1 business day.

Customer Support

Quality support can mean the difference between resolving account issues quickly or facing frustrating delays. Eightcap vs IC Markets shows a clear distinction in availability, with IC Markets operating round-the-clock versus Eightcap’s business-hour coverage.

Support Availability Comparison

🏆 Winner: IC Markets dominates with 24/7 availability versus Eightcap’s 24/5 coverage, faster average response times, and superior Trustpilot ratings (4.9 vs 4.2). The weekend support gap matters significantly for traders who need assistance outside business hours or during Sunday night market opens.

Education and Research

Educational depth indicates broker investment in trader success beyond transaction fees. Both brokers provide learning materials, though Eightcap edges ahead with dedicated research platforms.

What Each Broker Offers

Eightcap:

• Trading Guides: Comprehensive beginner-to-advanced written tutorials covering forex basics, technical analysis, risk management
• Video Library: 50+ video tutorials on platform usage, trading strategies, market analysis
• Webinars: Regular live sessions with market analysts (2-3 weekly)
• Economic Calendar: Integrated calendar with high-impact event filters
• Eightcap Labs: Proprietary platform offering daily trade ideas, market insights, automation tools
• Trading Central: Premium third-party research with Recognia pattern recognition
• Market Analysis: Daily and weekly market commentary from in-house analysts
• Demo Accounts: Unlimited practice accounts with virtual funds
• Blog: Regularly updated articles on trading psychology, strategies, broker updates

IC Markets:

• Education Hub: Structured learning path from beginner basics to advanced concepts
• Video Tutorials: Platform-specific guides for MT4, MT5, cTrader
• Webinars: Educational sessions covering trading fundamentals, not regular live market analysis
• Economic Calendar: Real-time calendar with consensus forecasts and historical data
• Trading Tools: Calculators for pip value, margin, profit/loss, currency conversion
• Market Analysis: Weekly market outlook and technical analysis reports
• Demo Accounts: Unlimited virtual trading across all platforms
• Blog/News: Market updates and broker announcements
• AutoChartist: Pattern recognition tool available (not standard across all accounts)

Research Quality Comparison

🏆 Winner: Eightcap delivers superior research and education with Trading Central integration, daily market analysis, frequent webinars, and the proprietary Eightcap Labs platform. IC Markets provides solid foundational education but lacks the depth and frequency of actionable research that active traders value.

Trustpilot Reviews: IC Markets versus Eightcap

Online reputation reveals patterns in customer experience across thousands of real trader interactions. The review gap between these brokers proves substantial and noteworthy.

Reputation Breakdown

Eightcap:

• Trustpilot Score: 4.2 out of 5 stars
• Total Reviews: 3,200+ reviews

Common Praise Themes:

• Fast execution speeds with minimal slippage
• Responsive customer support, especially via live chat
• Smooth verification and withdrawal processes
• Excellent TradingView integration and platform stability
• Competitive spreads on major pairs

Recurring Complaints:

• Occasional platform maintenance during active trading hours
• Limited instrument selection compared to larger brokers
• Some users report spread widening during high volatility
• Weekend customer support unavailable (24/5 only)

IC Markets:

• Trustpilot Score: 4.8 out of 5 stars
• Total Reviews: 47,000+ reviews

IC Markets maintains an outstanding 4.8 Trustpilot rating from over 47,000 reviews, significantly outperforming Eightcap’s 4.2 rating from approximately 3,200 reviews. The 6.5x larger review volume for IC Markets suggests broader market adoption and customer base, while the 0.7-point rating difference indicates materially higher satisfaction levels.

🏆 Winner: IC Markets dominates reputation metrics with a near-perfect 4.8/5 score from 48,000+ reviews versus Eightcap’s solid but lower 4.2/5 from 3,200+ reviews. The consistency of positive feedback across IC Markets’ massive review base demonstrates exceptional service delivery at scale.

Eightcap or IC Markets: Which Should You Choose?

Both brokers deliver professional-grade trading conditions with competitive pricing, robust regulation, and reliable execution. Your ideal choice depends on trading priorities rather than fundamental quality differences.

Choose Eightcap If:

• You’re a beginner with limited starting capital ($100 minimum deposit vs $200)
• TradingView is your primary platform and you want seamless native integration without third-party bridges
• Cryptocurrency trading matters to your strategy (92 crypto CFDs vs IC Markets’ 21)
• You value research quality over quantity and want daily market analysis from Trading Central
• UK-based protection appeals with £85,000 FSCS compensation (FCA regulation)
• You prefer no-code automation through Eightcap Labs visual strategy builder
• Simpler instrument selection suits your focused trading approach (763 assets)

Choose IC Markets If:

• You need maximum market diversity with access to 2,245 instruments, including bonds and 2,100+ stock CFDs
• cTrader’s ECN features match your professional trading requirements (Level II pricing, depth of market)
• You trade outside business hours and require 24/7 customer support availability
• Larger position sizes fit your strategy (200-lot maximum vs Eightcap’s 100 lots)
• Social/copy trading interests you through ZuluTrade platform integration
• Commission savings matter on cTrader accounts ($6/lot vs standard $7/lot)
• Free VPS hosting benefits your automated trading systems (with $5,000+ balance or 30+ lots monthly)
• Exceptional reputation backed by 20,000+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.9/5 rating influences your decision
• Geographic payment flexibility through 13+ deposit methods including Union Pay, Klarna, POLi

Final Thoughts on Eightcap and IC Markets

Your decision between IC Markets vs Eightcap ultimately depends on whether you prioritize comprehensive asset access and 24/7 support that IC Markets offers or lower entry barriers with superior research tools that Eightcap gives. No matter which broker you choose, both brokers deliver professional-grade execution, competitive pricing, and robust regulation, making either choice a solid foundation for forex trading success in 2025.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which broker is better for beginners?

Eightcap edges ahead for absolute beginners due to its lower $100 minimum deposit (versus IC Markets’ $200), simpler instrument selection that avoids overwhelming choice, and superior educational resources including daily webinars and Trading Central research.

Are both brokers regulated?

Yes, both maintain robust multi-jurisdictional regulation. Eightcap holds licenses from ASIC, FCA, CySEC, and SCB, with UK clients receiving £85,000 FSCS protection—the highest compensation available. IC Markets operates under ASIC, CySEC, SCB, FSA Seychelles, and FSCA (South Africa) regulation, providing standard €20,000 ICF protection for European accounts but lacking UK FCA authorization.

Can I trade crypto on both platforms?

Yes, but Eightcap dominates cryptocurrency trading with 92 crypto CFDs including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and numerous altcoins like Cardano, Solana, Polygon, Chainlink, and emerging tokens. IC Markets offers 21 cryptocurrency CFDs focused on major coins (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple) without extensive altcoin coverage. Neither broker provides actual cryptocurrency ownership—both offer CFD trading with leverage.

Which broker offers better leverage?

Leverage remains identical across both brokers based on regulatory jurisdiction rather than broker policy. Tier-1 regulated entities (ASIC, FCA, CySEC) cap retail leverage at 1:30 for forex, 1:20 for indices, 1:10 for commodities, 1:5 for stocks, and 1:2 for crypto. International clients accessing offshore entities (SCB for both brokers, FSA Seychelles for IC Markets) receive up to 1:500 leverage.

Do either offer demo accounts?

Yes, both Eightcap and IC Markets provide unlimited demo accounts with virtual funds for risk-free practice. Eightcap demos support all platforms including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView with full access to the 763 tradable instruments and real-time pricing. IC Markets demos cover MT4, MT5, and cTrader platforms with access to all 2,245 instruments and realistic market conditions.

Which has better customer support?

IC Markets delivers superior customer support with 24/7 availability (including weekends) versus Eightcap’s 24/5 business-hour coverage. This matters significantly for traders operating during Sunday night market opens or requiring weekend assistance. IC Markets achieves faster average response times (under 90 seconds for live chat versus Eightcap’s 2 minutes) and supports 15+ languages compared to Eightcap’s 12+.

What are the minimum deposit requirements?

Eightcap requires a $100 minimum deposit for both Standard and Raw accounts, making it more accessible for beginners or traders testing the platform with limited capital. IC Markets sets its minimum at $200 for both Standard and Raw Spread accounts—double Eightcap’s requirement.

Can I use Expert Advisors (EAs) and automated trading on both platforms?

Yes, both Eightcap and IC Markets fully support Expert Advisors across all MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 accounts without restrictions. IC Markets extends automation support to cTrader through cAlgo, allowing C#-based algorithmic trading with more sophisticated backtesting capabilities than MetaTrader’s Strategy Tester.