Short answer
Pocket Option is ahead on our score, 4.1/5 against 3.1/5 for IQcent.
Pocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders
Skip Pocket Option if: You want a regulator behind your money, or contests make you trade too much
IQcent fits: Very small trades and copy trading
Skip IQcent if: You pay by card or want a regulator behind you
Score by score
Pocket Option 4.1/5
- Platform and apps4.7
- Costs and minimums4.8
- Payment options4.6
- Support4.2
- Licensing and openness2.6
IQcent 3.1/5
- Platform and apps3.9
- Costs and minimums3.2
- Payment options3.8
- Support3.6
- Licensing and openness1.5
How the two sites look
Pocket Option and IQcent in brief
Pocket Option (2017). Pocket Option has run since 2017 and is built around short fixed-time trades: choose up or down and a timer, and a correct call pays a set percentage. Next to the chart sit copy trading, a signals panel and regular contests. An MT5 account for forex and CFDs is offered separately.
IQcent. IQcent combines fixed-time options and CFDs on its own platform and is known for very small trades and account levels.
Licence and safetyBetter here: Pocket Option
Neither Pocket Option nor IQcent is authorised by a leading regulator or by any regulator in Asia. Both run through offshore companies, so there is no compensation fund and no local authority to complain to.
Official warnings and alert-list entries we found: Pocket Option 4, IQcent 0.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | IQcent |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | No leading or Asian regulator. Pocket Option cites an offshore MISA licence from the Comoros. | No. Reportedly run from the Marshall Islands, citing only IFMRRC, a private organisation. |
| Official warnings we found | FCA, CFTC, RBI, Bank of Russia | – |
| Dispute body | No outside dispute body | No outside dispute body |
On licensing and openness Pocket Option scores higher (2.6 vs 1.5).
Entry cost and chargesBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option is cheaper to open: its minimum deposit is $5, compared with $10 at IQcent. The smallest trade is $1 on Pocket Option and $0.01 on IQcent.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | IQcent |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest deposit | $5 | $10 |
| Lowest trade | $1 | $0.01 |
| Charges | No pay-in fee listed; currency conversion costs can apply | Reported 5% charge on card deposits; crypto deposits free |
| Pay-out charges | None from the platform; your payment provider may charge | Reported 5% fee on card deposits; check the cashier |
| Dormant account fee | Not mentioned in the sources we checked – read the current terms | Check the current terms |
| Bonus | Deposit bonuses, often 50–100%, with volume rules that can block withdrawals | Large deposit bonuses with volume rules |
Payouts and the win rate you needBetter here: IQcent
IQcent advertises the higher top payout (95% vs 92%), which cuts the win rate you need to break even from 52.1% to 51.3%.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | IQcent |
|---|---|---|
| Top payout | 92% | 95% |
| Win rate to break even | 52.1% | 51.3% |
| Note | 92% applies to popular assets at busy hours; quieter hours are reported 7–12 points lower | Sources cite 84–98% by level and asset |
Top payouts apply to a few assets at the busiest hours. Look at the payout on the trade ticket before you open a trade; it is often lower.
Platform and phone appsBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option. A browser platform with several chart styles, indicators and drawing tools. Copy trading and signals sit beside the chart, which makes it easy for a beginner to copy trades before understanding them.
IQcent. Web platform with options and CFD modes, and copy trading from about USD 20.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | IQcent |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Browser, Android, iPhone, MT5 (forex) | Browser, Android, iPhone |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone | Browser app only | Yes |
| Extras | Copy trading, Contests, Small minimum | Account levels, Copy trading |
Instruments and trade durations
| What we compare | Pocket Option | IQcent |
|---|---|---|
| Instruments | 100+ | – |
| Markets | Currencies, Crypto, Commodities, Shares, Indices | Currencies, Crypto, Commodities, Indices |
| Trade durations | 3 seconds – 4 hours | From 5 seconds (short-term) |
Paying in and cashing outBetter here: Pocket Option
Pocket Option. Money normally goes back the way it came in. Your ID and address are checked before the first pay-out. An active bonus can block a withdrawal until its volume is reached.
IQcent. Reported USD 20 minimum; faster on higher levels.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | IQcent |
|---|---|---|
| Pay-in methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto, Local payment methods | Cards, Crypto |
| Pay-out methods | Cards, E-wallets, Crypto, Local payment methods | Cards, Crypto |
| Smallest withdrawal | $10 | $20 |
| Pay-out speed | Typically 1–3 working days; crypto often quicker (user reports) | Faster on higher levels |
Practice accountLevel
Both have a free practice account, so you can try the two platforms with virtual money before depositing.
| What we compare | Pocket Option | IQcent |
|---|---|---|
| Practice balance | $50,000 | Yes |
| Try without signing up | Yes | – |
SupportBetter here: Pocket Option
| What we compare | Pocket Option | IQcent |
|---|---|---|
| How to reach support | Live chat, Email, Help pages | Live chat, Email |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 3.6/5 |
Which markets they acceptBetter here: IQcent
Pocket Option accepts residents of 17 of the markets we cover, IQcent of 18.
Only IQcent: 1 markets
Philippines
Strengths and weak points
Pocket Option
- +Accounts open from USD 5 and trades from USD 1
- +Copy trading and contests on the same screen as the chart
- +Many ways to pay in, including crypto and local agents in Asia
- +Light web platform that runs well on a phone
- −Only an offshore Comoros licence
- −Named by the UK FCA, the US CFTC and India's RBI
- −Bonuses lock your balance behind trading volume
- −Refuses residents of the Philippines and Japan
IQcent
- +Trades from USD 0.01
- +Copy trading
- +Advertised payouts up to 95%
- +Crypto deposits accepted
- −No regulator; cites a private body (IFMRRC)
- −Minimum deposit varies, up to USD 250
- −Reported 5% fee on card deposits
- −Regulator warnings reported by third parties
So, Pocket Option or IQcent?
Pocket Option is better in 5 of 7 categories here. Pocket Option is ahead on our score, 4.1/5 against 3.1/5 for IQcent.
Our choice: Pocket Option
Our pickPocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders
+50% bonusConditions
Go to Pocket OptionWhichever you pick, practise on the demo first, keep the first deposit small and withdraw part of it before adding more. Binary options are high-risk and most retail accounts lose money.
Quick answers
Pocket Option or IQcent: which is better?
Pocket Option is ahead on our score (4.1/5 vs 3.1/5). Pocket Option fits: Very small first deposits and copying other traders. IQcent fits: Very small trades and copy trading.
Which needs a smaller deposit, Pocket Option or IQcent?
Pocket Option is cheaper to open: its minimum deposit is $5, compared with $10 at IQcent.
Which pays more, Pocket Option or IQcent?
IQcent advertises the higher top payout (95% vs 92%), which cuts the win rate you need to break even from 52.1% to 51.3%.
Does any regulator supervise Pocket Option or IQcent?
No leading regulator and no Asian regulator licenses either of them. Both work through offshore companies, so your money has little protection.
More comparisons and guides
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- Pocket Option vs BinaryCent
- Pocket Option vs Exnova
- Pocket Option vs Quotex
Pocket Option review →IQcent review →Is Pocket Option legit? →Is IQcent legit? →