CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and can afford the risk of losing your money.
Last updated: 10 July 2026
IC Markets is a True ECN broker built for scalpers, algorithmic traders, and high-frequency strategies, offering spreads from 0.0 pips, execution under 40ms, and support for MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Backed by ASIC and CySEC — two top-tier regulators — it's one of the more heavily supervised brokers in this comparison, though its $200 minimum deposit is higher than Exness or XM.
Visit brokerFounded in 2007 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, IC Markets offers Forex, Indices, Commodities, Share CFDs, Cryptocurrency CFDs, Bonds trading via MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView (via cTrader integration).
Ready to try IC Markets?
Open an accountRegulatory coverage varies by entity — some licenses (for example, FCA in the UK) may apply only to institutional or professional clients, while retail clients are onboarded under an offshore entity (such as Seychelles or Mauritius). Offshore entities typically offer negative balance protection but not the investor compensation schemes that come with EU/UK-regulated accounts. Confirm which entity you are being onboarded under before depositing.
| Account | Min deposit | Spread from | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $200 | 0.6–0.8 pips | None |
| Raw Spread (MT4/MT5) | $200 | 0.0 pips | $3.50/lot/side ($7 round turn) |
| Raw Spread (cTrader) | $200 | 0.0 pips | $3.00/lot/side ($6 round turn) |
Maximum leverage: Up to 1:500 (varies by entity and region)
Available platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView (via cTrader integration). Free VPS hosting and copy trading may also be available for active traders — check current eligibility requirements on the broker's site.
No deposit fees and no inactivity fees. Most withdrawal methods are free; international bank wire withdrawals may incur a fee (commonly cited around $20). Overnight positions incur standard swap fees.
Ready to try IC Markets?
Open an accountIC Markets suits traders who prioritize raw, transparent pricing and fast execution over beginner-friendly extras like large bonuses or extensive hand-holding education. Its True ECN model and Equinix-hosted low-latency infrastructure make it a strong choice for scalpers and algorithmic/API-driven strategies specifically. Residents of the US, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and several sanctioned countries cannot open accounts — check current eligibility for your country before signing up.
$200, or the equivalent in EUR, GBP, AUD, or SGD, applying uniformly across the Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader accounts.
Yes, by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), both top-tier regulators, plus the FSA in Seychelles for international clients outside those jurisdictions.
Yes. IC Markets places no restrictions on scalping, hedging, or automated trading, and its Raw Spread accounts with sub-40ms execution are specifically popular among algorithmic and high-frequency traders.
Generally no. IC Markets' top-tier regulators (ASIC, CySEC) restrict aggressive promotional bonuses. Always verify current offers directly with IC Markets rather than relying on third-party claims.
IC Markets' account opening is typically completed within a day, requiring standard KYC documents (government ID and proof of address). There is no minimum deposit to open the account itself, though $200 is required to start trading live.
IC Markets supports the full range serious traders look for: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView (via a cTrader connection). This breadth matters less for casual traders but is a genuine advantage if you run custom indicators, Expert Advisors, or cTrader Automate scripts — you're not locked into one ecosystem.
The Raw Spread account is IC Markets' headline offering: spreads from 0.0 pips plus a $3.50 per lot per side commission on MT4/MT5 ($7 round turn), slightly cheaper on cTrader ($6 round turn). Execution is aggregated from up to 25 institutional liquidity providers, with published execution speeds under 40 milliseconds via Equinix data centers in New York and London. The Standard account folds costs into a wider spread (0.6–0.8 pips) with no commission, aimed at traders who prefer simplicity over the lowest possible cost.
IC Markets places no restrictions on scalping, hedging, or EAs, and its low-latency infrastructure is specifically built around algorithmic and high-frequency use cases — this is arguably its strongest differentiator versus XM or Exness.
Deposits are free and typically instant across most methods (cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, bank transfer). Withdrawals are also free for most methods, though international bank wire withdrawals may incur a fee.
Support is available 24/7, and independent reviews consistently cite IC Markets' live chat as responsive for account and platform issues.
Beyond spreads and Raw Spread's per-lot commission, IC Markets charges no account maintenance or inactivity fees. Overnight positions incur standard swap fees, and currency conversion charges may apply outside its supported base currencies.
Against Exness and XM, IC Markets' edge is regulatory tier and execution quality — ASIC and CySEC sit above the offshore entities most retail clients use at Exness, and its Raw Spread pricing and infrastructure are purpose-built for algorithmic traders. The trade-off is a higher $200 minimum deposit versus Exness's $10, and less beginner-focused education than XM. Against Pepperstone, the two are closely matched on regulation and execution quality — the choice often comes down to platform preference and specific account cost structure for your trading volume.
IC Markets earns its reputation among serious and algorithmic traders through genuine execution infrastructure and top-tier regulation rather than promotional gimmicks — notably, it doesn't lean on deposit bonuses the way some less-regulated competitors do. It's a strong choice if you already know your strategy and want institutional-grade pricing; less ideal if you're a complete beginner wanting a lower entry cost or heavy educational support.
CFDs are complex instruments and carry a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and can afford the risk of losing your money.