IM
IC Markets
3.9 / 5Score: 1 / 4
Ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips and six asset classes make IC Markets the go-to platform for serious, multi-market traders.
- Min deposit
- $200
- Max leverage
- 1:500
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, CySEC
Reviewed by Experts Updated 9/14/2026
IC Markets vs Stake: Which Broker Wins in 2026?
IC Markets and Stake serve two very different types of investors, and choosing between them depends heavily on what you actually want to trade. Our proprietary research gives IC Markets the edge overall with a 3.9/5 rating against Stake's 3.4/5, largely thanks to superior regulation depth, tighter spreads, and a far wider product suite.
S
Stake
3.4 / 5Score: 3 / 4
Zero minimum deposit and commission-free stock trading make Stake the simplest way to start investing in equities.
- Min deposit
- $0
- Max leverage
- 1:1
- Spread from
- 0 pips
- Regulators
- ASIC, FCA
Overall Winner
IC Markets
Best for Beginners
Stake
Lowest Fees
IC Markets
Top Regulation
IC Markets
Side-by-side comparison
Core features compared head-to-head.
| Feature | IM IC Markets | S Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Sydney, Australia |
| Regulation | ASIC, CySEC | ASIC, FCA |
| Fees & Limits | ||
| Min Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission | $3.5/lot | None |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1 |
| Platforms & Markets | ||
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, TradingView, Proprietary Mobile | Proprietary Web, Proprietary Mobile |
| Markets Offered | Forex, Cfd, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, Commodities | Stocks |
Trading & non-trading fees
Min Deposit
IC Markets
$200
Stake
$0
Spreads From
IC Markets
0 pips
Stake
0 pips
Commission
IC Markets
$3.5/lot
Stake
None
Deposit Fees
IC Markets
None
Stake
None
Withdrawal Fees
IC Markets
None
Stake
None
Pros & cons
IM
IC Markets
Pros
- Higher overall rating of 3.9/5 on our proprietary scoring system
- Access to significantly higher leverage of up to 1:500
- Broader market coverage spanning six distinct asset classes
- Longer, more established operating history dating back to 2007
- Advanced platform ecosystem including MT4, MT5, and TradingView
- Transparent, competitive commission structure for active traders
- Strong dual regulatory oversight from ASIC and CySEC
Cons
- Higher minimum deposit requirement of $200 compared to competitors
- Charges a per-lot commission rather than being fully commission-free
- Higher leverage can increase risk exposure for inexperienced traders
- Platform complexity may feel overwhelming for absolute beginners
S
Stake
Pros
- No minimum deposit needed to start investing
- Completely commission-free stock trading model
- Straightforward, beginner-friendly platform design
- Regulated by reputable authorities including ASIC and FCA
- No deposit or withdrawal fees to worry about
- Low barrier to entry ideal for first-time investors
Cons
- Limited to stocks only with no forex, crypto, or CFD access
- Maximum leverage capped at 1:1 with no margin trading available
- FX conversion fees can add hidden costs for international investors
- Lacks advanced platforms like MT4 or MT5 for active traders
- Shorter operating history compared to more established competitors
Our expert verdict
Editor's verdict
Overall winner IC Markets
Lowest fees IC Markets
Best regulation IC Markets
Better for beginners Stake
IC Markets is our overall winner, scoring 3.9/5 versus Stake's 3.4/5 on our proprietary rating system. It wins on raw fee competitiveness for active traders, offering spreads from 0 pips, higher leverage up to 1:500, and access to six asset classes through MT4, MT5, and TradingView. Stake still earns a strong recommendation for cost-conscious beginners thanks to its zero minimum deposit and commission-free stock trading model, but its single-market focus and 1:1 leverage cap limit its appeal for anyone wanting to trade forex, crypto, or CFDs.
Regulation & Safety
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC, two well-respected regulatory bodies that impose strict capital adequacy and client fund segregation rules on brokers operating under their license. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, IC Markets has built nearly two decades of operating history, which counts for a great deal when trusting a broker with your capital.
Stake is also regulated by reputable authorities, holding licences from both ASIC and the FCA, giving it solid credibility despite being a newer entrant to the market having launched in 2017. Both brokers operate under tier-1 regulatory oversight, so neither can be considered a high-risk proposition from a compliance standpoint.
That said, IC Markets' longer track record and broader regulatory footprint across two jurisdictions edge it slightly ahead on our proprietary safety assessment. Traders prioritising an established, battle-tested operator will likely lean toward IC Markets for this reason alone.
Fees, Spreads & Commissions
On paper, both brokers advertise spreads starting from 0 pips, but the underlying cost structures are fundamentally different. IC Markets charges a transparent $3.5 per lot round-turn commission on its raw spread accounts, a model favoured by active forex and CFD traders who value tight, interbank-level pricing plus a clear, predictable fee.
Stake takes the opposite approach with zero commission on stock trades, making it exceptionally attractive for buy-and-hold equity investors who don't want per-trade fees eating into smaller positions. However, Stake's FX conversion fees can quietly add up for international investors funding accounts in a non-native currency, a detail cost-conscious users should factor in.
Neither broker charges deposit or withdrawal fees, which is a welcome standard both platforms meet. Overall, IC Markets wins on pure trading-cost efficiency for high-frequency or leveraged traders, while Stake wins for simple, low-volume stock investing.
Platforms & Tools
IC Markets offers a genuinely comprehensive platform suite, including the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, plus TradingView integration and a proprietary mobile app. This gives traders access to advanced charting, algorithmic trading via Expert Advisors, and one-click execution across desktop, web, and mobile.
Stake, by contrast, keeps things simple with a proprietary web platform and companion mobile app. This is perfectly adequate for straightforward stock investing but lacks the depth of charting tools, automation, and multi-asset order types that active traders typically demand.
For anyone planning to run technical strategies, use expert advisors, or trade across multiple asset classes from one interface, IC Markets is the clear platform winner. Stake's simplicity is a feature for beginners, but a limitation for anyone scaling up their trading ambitions.
Market Access & Leverage
IC Markets supports six distinct market categories: Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, and Commodities, offering leverage up to 1:500 depending on jurisdiction and asset class. This breadth makes it a genuine one-stop-shop for diversified traders who want to move between asset classes without switching brokers.
Stake, in comparison, focuses exclusively on stocks with leverage capped at 1:1, meaning no margin trading is available. This is by design rather than a flaw, catering to investors who prefer straightforward, unleveraged equity exposure without the amplified risk that comes with margin.
The right choice here really depends on trading intent. Diversified and leveraged traders will find IC Markets far more capable, while pure equity investors seeking simplicity may see Stake's narrower focus as an advantage rather than a shortcoming.
Account Minimums & Accessibility
Stake requires no minimum deposit at all, making it one of the most accessible entry points into stock investing available today. This zero-barrier approach is ideal for beginners or younger investors testing the waters with small amounts of capital.
IC Markets requires a $200 minimum deposit, which, while modest by industry standards, is still a meaningfully higher barrier to entry than Stake's $0 requirement. This reflects IC Markets' positioning toward more serious, committed traders rather than casual dabblers.
For pure accessibility and low-commitment entry, Stake wins outright. But the $200 threshold at IC Markets is hardly prohibitive, and most traders will find it a fair trade-off given the platform and market access on offer.
Our Verdict
IC Markets earns our top recommendation overall, driven by its stronger regulatory profile, wider market access, advanced platform suite, and razor-thin trading costs for active traders. It's the superior option for anyone serious about forex, CFDs, or multi-asset trading with professional-grade tools.
Stake remains an excellent, low-cost gateway into stock investing for beginners, particularly those who want to start with zero capital and avoid per-trade commissions entirely. Its narrower focus and lack of leverage make it less suited to diversified or advanced traders.
Ultimately, your decision should hinge on your trading goals: choose IC Markets for depth, flexibility, and professional tools, or choose Stake for simplicity, accessibility, and commission-free stock investing.
Verdict summary
The bottom line — category winners and our final pick based on ratings.
Editor's verdict
IC Markets wins overall
IC Markets edges out Stake overall based on our expert rating score.
IM
Highest Rated
IC Markets
3.9 / 5 / 5
Category winners
Overall winner
Based on overall expert rating (3.9/5).
IC MarketsBetter for beginners
Stronger onboarding and educational resources.
StakeLower trading costs
More competitive spreads and baseline commissions.
IC MarketsStronger regulation
Higher trust based on tier-1 regulatory oversight.
IC Markets
Frequently asked questions
According to our proprietary rating system, IC Markets scores 3.9 out of 5, edging out Stake's 3.4 out of 5. IC Markets pulls ahead thanks to its wider market access, higher leverage options, and more advanced trading platforms, though Stake remains a strong pick for simple, low-cost stock investing.
Both brokers advertise spreads from 0 pips, but their fee models differ substantially. IC Markets charges a transparent $3.5 per lot commission ideal for active traders, while Stake offers commission-free stock trades but may apply FX conversion fees on international transactions.
IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, whereas Stake has no minimum deposit requirement at all. This makes Stake significantly more accessible for beginners or those wanting to start investing with a very small amount of capital.
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC and CySEC, while Stake holds licences from ASIC and the FCA. Both brokers operate under respected tier-1 regulators, though IC Markets' longer 19-year operating history adds an extra layer of trust for cautious investors.
IC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, and a proprietary mobile app, offering serious traders advanced charting and automation tools. Stake, on the other hand, offers only a proprietary web platform and mobile app, better suited to simple stock investing.
IC Markets offers a full multi-asset suite including Forex, CFDs, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, and Commodities. Stake is limited exclusively to stock trading, so investors wanting forex or crypto exposure will need to use IC Markets instead.
IC Markets offers leverage up to 1:500 depending on the asset class and your regulatory jurisdiction, appealing to traders who want amplified market exposure. Stake caps leverage at 1:1, meaning no margin trading is available, which suits more conservative, unleveraged investing styles.
Yes, there is nothing stopping you from holding accounts at both brokers simultaneously. Many traders actually use IC Markets for forex and CFD trading while keeping a separate Stake account for simple, commission-free stock investing.
Stake is the more beginner-friendly option thanks to its zero minimum deposit, commission-free trading, and simple platform design. IC Markets is better suited to traders who already have some experience and want access to advanced tools and a wider range of markets.
Risk warning: Trading CFDs and forex involves significant risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Please consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.