Fusion Markets vs IC Markets

Both brokers may operate through more than one legal entity, and which one serves you shapes your protections, leverage limits and dispute options. Do not assume the strongest-sounding regulator applies to your account. Read the client agreement to identify the contracting entity, then look up its licence on the regulator's official register. Also check whether client funds are segregated and whether any compensation scheme covers that entity. If you cannot clearly identify the entity for your country, ask support in writing before proceeding.

Key checks: Identify the contracting entity named in each broker's client agreement for your region.; Verify licence numbers on the relevant regulator's public register.; Check client money handling and any applicable compensation arrangements.; Note retail leverage caps and negative balance protection rules for your entity..

Comparing account types across brokers is where most mistakes happen. A commission-based account at one broker is not directly comparable to a spread-only account at another, so calculate all-in cost per trade for each combination you would realistically use. Pull current spread and commission data from each broker's own pages, then add overnight financing, conversion costs if you fund in a different currency, and any withdrawal or inactivity fees. Test costs during the hours you actually trade, since spreads can widen outside peak liquidity.

Key checks: Compare equivalent account types: spread-only against spread-only, commission against commission.; Calculate round-trip cost for your typical lot size, including commission and average spread.; Check swap rates for positions you plan to hold overnight or over weekends.; List non-trading fees such as funding, withdrawal, conversion and inactivity charges..

Confirm which trading platforms, order types and market ranges each broker currently offers to clients in your region, since availability can differ by entity. Open demo accounts where offered and run your normal strategy for at least a week, paying attention to order handling, slippage on your typical entries and platform stability. Review minimum deposits, base currencies, funding methods and withdrawal timelines in the official terms. The Compare broker tool on InvestorTrip provides a structured side-by-side workflow you can use to record what you verify.

Key checks: Verify platform availability and instrument coverage for your entity, not globally.; Trial each platform on demo with your real strategy and position sizes.; Confirm minimum deposit, base currencies and funding methods that apply to you.; Read withdrawal processing terms and identity verification requirements in full..