Skilling vs IC Markets

• 📊

  IC Markets scores 8.8/10 overall vs 7.8/10 for Skilling — a 1.0-point difference.

• 💵

  Skilling requires just $100 to start, while IC Markets needs $200 — Skilling is 2x more accessible.

• 📈

  IC Markets offers 2,200+ instruments vs 800+ at Skilling — a massive gap in market coverage.

• 🖥️

  Skilling runs on Skilling Trader, MT4, cTrader, while IC Markets uses MT4, MT5, cTrader — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

• ⚡

  The biggest gap is in Regulation & Trust: IC Markets scores 9.0 vs 7.0 for Skilling — a 2.0-point difference.

After testing both brokers with real accounts, IC Markets comes out ahead with a 8.8/10 overall rating, winning 6 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. Skilling is not without merit — it scores 7.8/10 overall and excels in Trading Costs (8.0/10). For a complete breakdown, read our full IC Markets review and Skilling review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Read IC Markets Review → Read Skilling Review →

When it comes to trading costs, IC Markets has the edge with a score of 9.5/10 versus 8/10 for Skilling. Skilling offers spreads starting from 0.1 pips, while IC Markets starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at Skilling is $100, 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.

IC Markets scores 9/10 for platforms compared to 8/10 for Skilling. Skilling provides Skilling Trader, MT4, cTrader, 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 is crucial for fund safety. Skilling is regulated by CySEC (Tier 1), while IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Tier 1). Skilling scores 7/10 and IC Markets scores 9/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.

For learning resources, Skilling leads with 7/10 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. Skilling 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.

Skilling offers 24/5 Live Chat, Email 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.

Skilling scores 8/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while IC Markets scores 8.5/10. Skilling accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Klarna, and IC Markets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, UnionPay. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. Skilling requires a minimum deposit of $100 versus $200 for IC Markets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.