CMTrading
IC Markets
CMTrading vs IC Markets
A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.
CMTrading and IC Markets are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. CMTrading, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, is regulated by FSCA, FSC and offers spreads starting from 1.2 pips with a minimum deposit of $250. IC Markets, established in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC, FSA with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $200 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, IC Markets scored 8.8/10 overall compared to CMTrading's 6.9/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, CMTrading holds its own with superior education resources, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.
Trust stack
Trust stack for this head-to-head
This comparison uses the same review dataset, methodology, disclosure, and corrections standards as the rest of TBR money pages. Head-to-head verdicts still need an entity-level regulation check before signup.
Risk layer
Risk & regulation snapshot for CMTrading
Regulation
Third-partyFSCA, FSC · brand-level entity model
Leverage / exposure
Broker-stated1:200 (moderate-to-high retail risk)
Trust read
VerifiedTier 2 trust profile
Regulation status
Third-partyThe visible regulator mix leans lighter and includes FSC, so entity selection matters more than the headline brand name.
Entity nuance
Third-partyCMTrading shows 2 regulators in the shared broker dataset. Treat that as a brand-level trust signal, not proof of the exact legal entity you will onboard with.
Investor protection
UnknownThe dataset does not yet pin clean investor-protection details for the exact entity you may onboard with, so treat brand-level regulation as a starting signal, not a final safety guarantee.
Verification state
VerifiedVerification state: brand-level regulator mapping is in place, but the exact contracting entity is still inferred rather than fully pinned in the canonical dataset.
High-risk warning
Broker-statedA 1:200 ceiling still creates meaningful downside if position sizing is sloppy. Regulation does not remove market risk.
Safer alternative lens
If this profile feels too aggressive, compare brokers with cleaner tier-1 coverage and lower leverage ceilings before funding an account.
Risk layer
Risk & regulation snapshot for IC Markets
Regulation
Third-partyASIC, CySEC, FSA · brand-level entity model
Leverage / exposure
Broker-stated1:500 (high-risk if you size trades badly)
Trust read
VerifiedTier 1 trust profile
Regulation status
Third-partyASIC, CySEC gives the brand real tier-1 coverage, but the footprint is mixed because FSA also appears in the regulator stack.
Entity nuance
Third-partyIC Markets carries a solid regulator mix, but the brand still routes clients through different legal entities by region.
Investor protection
UnknownTop-tier regulation helps on paper, but the canonical dataset still does not lock the exact compensation scheme or client-money safeguards for every onboarding entity.
Verification state
VerifiedVerification state: brand-level regulator mapping is in place, but the exact contracting entity is still inferred rather than fully pinned in the canonical dataset.
High-risk warning
Broker-statedA 1:500 ceiling is aggressive retail leverage. Small mistakes can snowball fast even if the broker itself is regulated.
Safer alternative lens
If this profile feels too aggressive, compare brokers with cleaner tier-1 coverage and lower leverage ceilings before funding an account.
Evidence labels
How to read the evidence in CMTrading vs IC Markets
Comparison pages mix our own review work with broker-published facts and outside records. The labels make that visible instead of flattening everything into one fake confidence level.
Overall verdict and score differences
VerifiedThese come from our review methodology and the underlying hands-on review dataset used for scoring.
Spreads, minimum deposits, leverage, and platform lists
Broker-statedThese are usually published broker facts unless a review explicitly documents a direct test.
Regulation and entity background
Third-partyThose checks rely on regulator registers and other external records, not just broker marketing copy.
Cells the source reviews do not support cleanly
UnknownIf the underlying evidence is thin or conflicted, the safe answer is to keep the gap visible.
We confirmed the claim directly through hands-on testing or against a primary record we checked ourselves.
Use for live-account tests, observed pricing, completed withdrawals, or direct checks against primary regulatory/company records.
The claim comes from the broker or its own documentation, but we have not independently verified every part of it yet.
Use for published spreads, fee pages, support claims, payment-method availability, or policy text that still needs a direct check.
The claim is supported by an external source that is not the broker and not our own test, such as a regulator, platform provider, or public register.
Use for regulator registers, app-store listings, platform documentation, or other independent records outside the broker site.
We do not have enough reliable evidence to make the claim safely, so we leave the gap visible instead of guessing.
Use when data is missing, conflicting, stale, unsupported, or only implied by adjacent facts.
Key Differences at a Glance
- 📊
IC Markets scores 8.8/10 overall vs 6.9/10 for CMTrading — a 1.9-point difference.
- 💵
IC Markets requires just $200 to start, while CMTrading needs $250 — IC Markets is 1x more accessible.
- 🛡️
IC Markets holds Tier 1 regulation (ASIC, CySEC, FSA) offering stronger investor protection than CMTrading's Tier 2 status.
- 📈
IC Markets offers 2,200+ instruments vs 200+ at CMTrading — a massive gap in market coverage.
- 🖥️
CMTrading runs on MT4, Sirix, while IC Markets uses MT4, MT5, cTrader — different ecosystems for different trading styles.
- ⚡
The biggest gap is in Trading Costs: IC Markets scores 9.5 vs 6.5 for CMTrading — a 3.0-point difference.
Our Verdict
CMTrading
Score: 6.9/10 · Wins 1 categories- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- You prefer CMTrading's trading environment overall
IC Markets
Score: 8.8/10 · Wins 7 categories- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- You need advanced trading platforms and tools
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- Responsive customer support matters to you
IC Markets takes the lead with an overall score of 8.8/10 compared to 6.9/10, winning in 7 out of 8 scoring categories. IC Markets stands out for lower trading costs and better trading platforms, while CMTrading fights back with superior education resources.
Broker recommendation block
If you only shortlist two names after this comparison, make it IC Markets first and CMTrading second
IC Markets is the stronger default pick on the numbers here, but CMTrading still makes sense if its edge lines up with how you actually trade.
IC Markets
🟢 Tier 1 RegulatedASIC · CySEC · FSA
IC Markets wins this matchup on overall score, especially for lower trading costs and better trading platforms.
Overall score
8.8/10
Minimum deposit
$200
CMTrading
🔵 Tier 2 RegulatedFSCA · FSC
CMTrading is still worth a second tab open if you care more about superior education resources.
Overall score
6.9/10
Minimum deposit
$250
Detailed Verdict
After testing both brokers with real accounts, IC Markets comes out ahead with a 8.8/10 overall rating, winning 7 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Trading Costs where it scores 9.5/10. IC Markets holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. CMTrading is not without merit — it scores 6.9/10 overall and excels in Education (7.5/10), winning 1 category. Traders who value superior education resources may find CMTrading the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full IC Markets review and CMTrading review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.
Score Breakdown
IC Markets wins by 3.0 points
IC Markets wins by 2.0 points
IC Markets wins by 2.5 points
CMTrading wins by 0.5 points
IC Markets wins by 0.5 points
IC Markets wins by 0.5 points
IC Markets wins by 1.5 points
IC Markets wins by 1.5 points
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 6.9/10 | 8.8/10 ✓ |
| Min Deposit Lower is better | $250 | $200 ✓ |
| Max Leverage | 1:200 | 1:500 |
| Spreads From | 1.2 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Platforms | MT4, Sirix | MT4, MT5, cTrader |
| Regulation | FSCA, FSC | ASIC, CySEC, FSA |
| Founded Older track record highlighted | 2012 | 2007 ✓ |
| Markets | 200+ | 2,200+ ✓ |
Fees & Costs
When it comes to trading costs, IC Markets has the edge with a score of 9.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for CMTrading. CMTrading offers spreads starting from 1.2 pips, while IC Markets starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at CMTrading is $250, compared to $200 at IC Markets. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.
Trading Platforms
IC Markets scores 9/10 for platforms compared to 7/10 for CMTrading. CMTrading provides MT4, Sirix, while IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.
Regulation & Safety
Regulation is crucial for fund safety. CMTrading is regulated by FSCA, FSC (Tier 2), while IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Tier 1). CMTrading scores 6.5/10 and IC Markets scores 9/10 in this category. CMTrading shows 2 regulators in the shared broker dataset. Treat that as a brand-level trust signal, not proof of the exact legal entity you will onboard with. IC Markets carries a solid regulator mix, but the brand still routes clients through different legal entities by region. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, but you should still verify the specific entity covering your jurisdiction before opening an account.
Education & Research
For learning resources, CMTrading leads with 7.5/10 compared to 7/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. CMTrading and IC Markets both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.
Customer Support
CMTrading offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 7.5/10, while IC Markets provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.
Deposit & Withdrawal
CMTrading scores 7/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while IC Markets scores 8.5/10. CMTrading accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin, and IC Markets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, UnionPay. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. CMTrading requires a minimum deposit of $250 versus $200 for IC Markets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.
Which Broker Is Right for You?
Choose CMTrading if you...
- You're a beginner who values learning resources
- You prefer CMTrading's trading environment overall
Choose IC Markets if you...
- You want lower spreads and trading fees
- You need advanced trading platforms and tools
- Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
- Responsive customer support matters to you
🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?
Cast your vote — see what other traders think
Routing after CMTrading vs IC Markets
Compare pages should route readers back to evidence, up to best-of lists, and across to regulator entities when trust is the real blocker.
Drop into the underlying reviews
Compare pages should hand people back to the full evidence pages for each broker.
Escalate to shortlist mode
If this head-to-head still feels too narrow, jump into a best page.
Pressure-test the trust layer
Regulator pages are the clean next step when the decision hinges on licensing strength.
Keep the compare graph alive
If neither broker is a fit, route into adjacent comparisons instead of dead-ending here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CMTrading better than IC Markets?
Which has lower fees, CMTrading or IC Markets?
Is CMTrading safe to trade with?
Which has better trading platforms, CMTrading or IC Markets?
What's the minimum deposit for CMTrading vs IC Markets?
Ready to Start Trading?
Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.