HF Markets vs IC Markets

HF Markets or IC Markets – which is better for UK traders 2024? Compare HF Markets and IC Markets in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

HF Markets vs IC Markets Comparison Table 2024
HF Markets IC Markets
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4
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4.8
HF Markets is ranked #96 among CFD brokers. IC Markets is ranked #9 among CFD brokers.
HF Markets is an established CFD broker with over 3 million clients and more than 60 industry awards. The trustworthy firm is authorized by several leading regulators, including the CySEC and FCA. New traders get a choice of accounts to suit different strategies and experience levels while the firm stands out for its impressive range of trading tools, from the MetaTrader software to Autochartist and the bespoke copy trading app, HFCopy. IC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker known for its excellent pricing, comprehensive range of trading instruments, and premium trading technology. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, the brokerage is regulated by the ASIC, CySEC and FSA, and has attracted more than 180,000 clients from over 200 countries.
Pros
  • Respected brand with millions of users and 60+ accolades
  • Heavily regulated holding licenses with top financial agencies including CySEC
  • Superb research tools including advanced insights dashboard and daily market commentary
  • MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 integration with desktop and mobile compatibility
  • Excellent breadth of products including fractional shares
  • Beginner-friendly copy trading app
  • Demo account with no expiry
  • Free deposits and withdrawals
  • IC Markets offers among the tightest spreads in the industry, with 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs, making it especially cost-effective for traders.
  • As a tightly regulated and widely respected broker, IC Markets prioritizes client security and transparency, helping to ensure a reliable trading experience globally.
  • IC Markets offers fast and dependable 24/5 support based on firsthand experience, particularly when it comes to accounts and funding issues.
  • You have access to over 2,250 CFDs across various markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies, allowing for diversified trading strategies.
Cons
  • Slow sign-up process
  • Mediocre range of funding options
  • Average spreads on some assets
  • HFM app has limited analysis tools compared to MetaTrader
  • While IC Markets offers a selection of metals and cryptos for trading via CFDs, the range is not as extensive as brokers like eToro, limiting opportunities for traders interested in these asset classes.
  • The breadth and depth of tutorials, webinars and educational resources still need work, trailing alternatives like CMC Markets and reducing its suitability for beginners.
  • There are fees for certain withdrawal methods, including a $20 wire charge, which can eat into profits, especially for frequent withdrawals.
  • Despite four industry-leading third-party platforms, there is no proprietary software or trading app built with new traders in mind.
  • Interest isn't paid on unused cash, an increasingly popular feature found at alternatives like Interactive Brokers.
Awards
  • Best Forex Trading App 2022 - Capital Finance International Magazine
  • Best Educational Broker 2022 - Global Forex Awards
  • Best Forex Broker South Africa 2022 - International Finance Awards
  • Best Forex Broker Middle East 2022 - All Forex Review
  • Best CFD Trading Conditions 2021 - World Economic Magazine
  • Best Market Research & Education Global 2021 - Capital Finance International Magazine
  • Best Client Services 2020 - Capital Finance International Magazine
  • Best MT4/MT5 Broker 2023 - DayTrading.com
  • Best Forex Broker 2022 - DayTrading.com
  • Best Overall Broker 2020 - DayTrading.com
  • Best Trading App 2020 - DayTrading.com
FCA Regulated
Yes No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Instruments
CFDs, Forex, Metals, Energies, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, ETFs CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$0 $200
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.01 Lots 0.01 Lots
Regulator
CySEC, FCA, DFSA, FSCA, FSA, CMA ASIC, CySEC, FSA
Mobile Apps
iOS & Android iOS & Android
Trading App

IC Markets deliver mobile apps for their cTrader, MT4, MT5 and TradingView  platforms. They have been developed on Android and iOS separately, taking full advantage of the functionality available on each. With raw pricing, and spreads from 0.0, the apps deliver an excellent trading tool for all levels of trader. Yet what really stands out is how they’ve managed to maintain the lightning-fast execution speed IC Markets is known for, right within the apps. It’s a seamless trading experience that feels both professional and highly responsive.

iOS App Rating
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3.1
Android App Rating
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4.2
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
Yes Yes
cTrader
No Yes
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No Yes
Autochartist
Yes No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
Yes No
ECN Account
Yes Yes
DMA Account
Yes Yes
MAM Account
No Yes
PAMM Account
No Yes
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
Yes No
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
Yes Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade
Copy Trading
Yes Yes
Copy Trading Platform
The HFCopy app allows users to automatically copy the trades of experienced traders in a few taps. You can follow multiple traders at the same time, set a rescue level to protect your capital, and withdraw profits without restrictions. You can start copy trading in 4 easy steps. Launched in February 2023, the IC Social app offers an intuitive way to learn, share, and mirror the positions of other traders with just a few clicks. Additionally, the app features risk management tools and supports dedicated trading groups. Alternatively, IC Markets grants access to Signal Start, along with well-known third-party copy trading platforms including ZuluTrade and cTrader Copy.
Social Trading
No Yes
Trade Signals
Signal Start
VPS Hosting
Yes Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
Yes No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
$5 $0
Islamic Account
Yes Yes
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • PLN
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • JPY
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Commodities
  • Oil
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Platinum
  • Palladium
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Copper
  • Cotton
  • Sugar
  • Gold
  • Oil
  • Silver
  • Orange Juice
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Corn
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
CFD
HF Markets offers over 1000 CFDs spanning forex, stocks, indices, commodities, bonds and ETFs. Traders can speculate on rising and falling prices with flexible leverage. Fees are also transparent with no hidden charges. You gain access to over 2,250 CFDs, available for trading 24/5 across popular markets such as forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds. Utilizing deep liquidity and advanced bridge technology, IC Markets ensures optimal conditions for scalpers, hedgers, and algo traders alike.
Leverage
1:30 (EU), 1:1000 (Global) 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
FTSE Spread
1.7 1.0
GBPUSD Spread<
2.0 0.23
Oil Spread
0.05 0.03
Stocks Spread
Variable 0.02
Forex
HF Markets offers trading on over 50 currency pairs including all majors. The no dealing desk model ensures fast execution speeds with tight spreads from 0.1 pips. HFM also offers excellent research and analysis in the currency markets. IC Markets maintains its commitment to providing exceptionally tight 0.0-pip forex spreads on major currency pairs such as EUR/USD. This makes it an excellent option if you are seeking superior execution, with an average of 35 milliseconds. Additionally, if you are a high-volume trader, you can benefit from rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
Assets
50+ 75
GBPUSD Spread
2.0 0.23
EURUSD Spread
1.2 0.02
EURGBP Spread
1.7 0.27
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
IC Markets offers 20+ cryptocurrencies which are tradable via CFDs, including lesser-known tokens such as Avalanche, Kusama and Uniswap. Commission-free trading is available, and experienced crypto traders can access high leverage up to 1:200 in the MetaTrader platforms.
Spread
BTC 42.036
Coins
  • BTC
  • BCH
  • DOT
  • DSH
  • EMC
  • EOS
  • ETH
  • LNK
  • LTC
  • NMC
  • PPC
  • XLM
  • XRP
  • ADA
  • BNB
  • DOG
  • UNI
  • XTZ
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No No
Auto Market Maker
No No
HF Markets IC Markets
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