SimpleFX vs IC Markets

SimpleFX or IC Markets – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare SimpleFX and IC Markets in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

SimpleFX vs IC Markets Comparison Table 2025
SimpleFX IC Markets
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4.2
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4.8
SimpleFX is ranked #59 among CFD brokers. IC Markets is ranked #5 among CFD brokers.
SimpleFX is an online broker offering CFD and cryptocurrency trading. With multi-currency accounts, STP execution, competitive pricing, and no minimum deposit, the platform delivers an accessible trading experience. Since 2014, SimpleFX has been innovative and has earned acclaim at various industry events. Today, it serves over 200,000 active users in more than 190 countries, catering to retail traders worldwide. IC Markets is an internationally acclaimed forex and CFD broker, admired for its competitive pricing, diverse trading instruments, and superior technology. Established in 2007 and based in Australia, the firm is under the regulation of ASIC, CySEC, and FSA. It has successfully drawn over 180,000 clients from more than 200 nations.
Pros
  • SimpleFX's unique WebTrader, supported by TradingView, provides a stable trading platform with an intuitive interface, welcoming even to beginner traders.
  • With MT4 support, traders can access advanced charting tools, technical indicators, customisable algorithms, and expert advisors for automated strategies.
  • In 2021, SimpleFX refreshed its platform, introducing a more streamlined client area with improved load speeds. It also launched a social trading community for idea exchange.
  • With leverage reaching 1:1000, traders can significantly boost their positions. This offers increased market exposure and the chance for amplified profits or losses.
  • The variety of cryptocurrencies for trading includes popular choices like ADA, BTC, and ETH, alongside niche options such as YFI, YFII, and ZEC.
  • IC Markets provides some of the industry's narrowest spreads, offering 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs. This makes it an extremely cost-effective choice for traders.
  • As a well-regulated and reputable broker, IC Markets focuses on client safety and transparency to provide a dependable global trading experience.
  • In 2025, IC Markets earned DayTrading.com's accolade for 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' due to its top-tier MetaTrader integration. This achievement highlights the broker's continuous refinement over the years to enhance the platform experience.
  • IC Markets provides reliable 24/5 support, especially for account and funding queries, drawing from direct experience.
  • Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.
Cons
  • SimpleFX functions with limited regulatory oversight, enabling it to provide high leverage. This means it is subject to less stringent scrutiny from regulators than brokers such as IG, which operate under strict regulatory environments.
  • While Bloomberg TV news and the economic calendar provide useful information, the absence of research tools such as Autochartist and Trading Central places traders at a significant disadvantage when seeking to identify opportunities.
  • The educational resources are adequate but could be improved. The 'Opinion' section requires more frequent updates. Adding video tutorials on market analysis and risk management would greatly benefit novice traders.
  • The limited availability of non-crypto funding methods is a drawback for traders who prefer more diverse and convenient ways to manage their accounts.
  • IC Markets provides metals and cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, though the selection is narrower compared to brokers such as eToro. This limits opportunities for traders focused on these asset classes.
  • The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
  • Certain withdrawal methods incur fees, including a $20 charge for wire transfers. These costs can reduce profits, particularly with frequent withdrawals.
  • Although there are four top-tier third-party platforms available, the absence of in-house software or a trading app tailored for novice traders is notable.
  • Interest is not paid on idle cash, a feature gaining popularity with alternatives such as Interactive Brokers.
Awards
  • Best Support 2023, Crypto Expo Europe
  • The Best Trading Platform Cryptocurrency, World Expo 2022 - Warsaw
  • Best Mobile App 2020 - Rankia Awards
  • The Best Trading Platform, Finance World Expo 2019 - Zug
  • Best Cryptocurrency Trading Platform, Cryptocurrency World Expo 2018 - Berlin
  • Best MT4/MT5 Broker 2025 - DayTrading.com
  • 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
No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Instruments
CFDs, Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities, Cryptos 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
FSC ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
Mobile Apps
iOS, Android + WebTrader iOS & Android
Trading App

SimpleFX provides a proprietary app for both Apple and Android mobile devices. The application boasts a user-friendly design, facilitating easy opening and closing of trades with access to the broker’s 220+ tradable assets. However, occasional unresponsiveness during testing, alongside an average charting package, means it won’t meet the needs of highly active traders.

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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4.4
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3.1
Android App Rating
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3.8
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4.2
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
No Yes
cTrader
No Yes
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No Yes
Autochartist
No No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
Yes No
ECN Account
No Yes
DMA Account
No Yes
MAM Account
No Yes
PAMM Account
No Yes
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
Yes No
Robo Advisor
Yes No
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
No No
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
No Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade
Copy Trading
No Yes
Copy Trading Platform
Introduced in February 2023, the IC Social app provides an easy platform for learning, sharing, and replicating the trades of other traders with minimal effort. The app also includes risk management features and supports specialised trading groups. Alternatively, IC Markets offers access to Signal Start and popular third-party copy trading platforms like ZuluTrade and cTrader Copy.
Social Trading
Yes Yes
Trade Signals
Yes Signal Start
VPS Hosting
No Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
3% $0
Islamic Account
No Yes
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • JPY
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Commodities
  • Copper
  • Palladium
  • Platinum
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Oil
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Cotton
  • Corn
  • Natural Gas
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
  • Wheat
  • Gold
  • Oil
  • Silver
  • Orange Juice
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Corn
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
CFD
SimpleFX offers leveraged trading options up to 1:1000 across key assets like stocks, indices, currencies, and commodities. The platform's social community is a valuable resource for gaining insights into CFD strategies and short-term trading opportunities. Trade over 2,250 CFDs anytime from Monday to Friday across key markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds. IC Markets leverages deep liquidity and cutting-edge bridge technology to offer ideal trading conditions for scalpers, hedgers, and algorithmic traders.
Leverage
1:1000 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
FTSE Spread
1.3 1.0
GBPUSD Spread<
1.2 0.23
Oil Spread
0.04 0.03
Stocks Spread
Variable 0.02
Forex
SimpleFX offers a wide range of approximately 60 currency pairs, including major pairs such as GBP/USD and exotic ones like CHF/PLN. Trading fees are competitive, with an average of 0.9 pips for EUR/USD in tests. Designed for online currency trading, MetaTrader 4 can be accessed on desktop, web, and mobile platforms. IC Markets remains dedicated to offering tight 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs like EUR/USD, ensuring outstanding execution with an average speed of 35 milliseconds. Ideal for traders seeking high performance, those dealing in large volumes can also enjoy rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
Assets
57 75
GBPUSD Spread
1.2 0.23
EURUSD Spread
0.9 0.02
EURGBP Spread
1.0 0.27
Cryptocurrency
SimpleFX excels in its crypto trading environment, which now includes an expanding selection of tokens, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Filecoin, paired with USD, enhanced further in 2024. The platform's crypto accounts facilitate seamless trading, catering to crypto enthusiasts. Moreover, its tailored staking service enables capital to be leveraged for margin trading. IC Markets provides a range of over 20 cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, featuring less common tokens like Avalanche, Kusama, and Uniswap. Traders can enjoy commission-free transactions and experienced individuals can utilise high leverage up to 1:200 via the MetaTrader platforms.
Spread
45.57 BTC 42.036
Coins
  • ADA
  • APE
  • ARB
  • AVA
  • BCH
  • BNB
  • DASH
  • DOT
  • EOS
  • ETC
  • ETH
  • FET
  • FIL
  • INJ
  • LNK
  • LTC
  • MATIC
  • NEO
  • SOL
  • TIA
  • WAVE
  • XTZ
  • YFI
  • ZEC
  • 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
Yes No
Auto Market Maker
No No
SimpleFX IC Markets
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