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Broker review

IC Markets

IC Markets is a low-cost CFD and FX broker known for ultra-tight spreads, fast execution and strong platform choice. This review is written for traders who care about fills, latency and cost – not marketing slogans.

Reviewed using a 119-point FXExact checklist
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IC Markets at a glance

Key facts based on IC Markets’ public disclosures and independent info. Always re-check details on the broker’s own site before you open an account.

Regulation Multi-jurisdiction – group entities regulated by ASIC (AU), CySEC (CY) and FSA (Seychelles), among others.
Minimum deposit Typically from 200 USD or equivalent as a practical starting point, though some entities and accounts may allow less.
Account types Raw Spread (spreads from 0.0 with commission) and Standard (all-in spread, no explicit commission), plus regional variations.
Platforms MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader and TradingView on desktop, web and mobile, with full support for algorithmic trading.
Instruments 1,700+ CFDs across FX, indices, commodities, bonds, stocks and crypto (exact line-up depends on entity and platform).
Typical FX pricing Raw: EUR/USD spreads often from 0.0–0.1 pips plus per-lot commission.
Standard: no commission, all-in spreads from around 1.0 pip on majors.
Max leverage Up to 30:1 under ASIC / ESMA-style rules; up to 500:1 with some offshore entities, depending on product and region.
Copy / social trading Supports third-party copy and social integrations on MT4/MT5 and cTrader rather than a big in-house social network.

Quick verdict

What IC Markets does well

  • Exceptionally low FX costs on Raw accounts, with very tight spreads and competitive commissions.
  • Full platform stack – MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView supported for charting and execution.
  • Execution environment built for scalpers, algos and high-frequency styles (low latency, deep liquidity).
  • Leverage flexibility across different entities, allowing both conservative and higher-risk setups.
  • No major fees for deposits/withdrawals from the broker’s side in most cases.

Where it’s less ideal

  • Product range is focused on CFDs – no true share ownership or long-term investment accounts.
  • Education and research are fine but not as deep or curated as some big “education-first” brands.
  • High leverage via offshore entities can encourage over-trading and large position sizes.
  • Interface and product naming can feel technical to newer traders.

Trading experience & costs

IC Markets’ core pitch is cost. On the Raw Spread account, spreads on major FX pairs can sit very close to zero during liquid hours, with a per-lot commission on top. On the Standard account, that commission is rolled into the spread.

Combined with fast execution and deep liquidity, this setup is particularly attractive for scalpers, intraday traders and automated systems that are sensitive to every fraction of a pip.

Indicative FX pricing snapshot (Raw vs Standard)
Pair Raw (avg / min) Standard (from)
EUR/USD ≈ 0.0–0.1 pips + commission ≈ 1.0 pip, no commission
GBP/USD From around 0.4 pips + commission Typically ~1.3 pips, no commission
AUD/USD From around 0.2 pips + commission Typically ~1.0–1.2 pips, no commission
These are indicative, not fixed quotes. Spreads are variable and change with liquidity, time of day and entity. Always check live pricing in the platform you actually trade on.

Platforms & tools

You get the full suite: MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView. That covers most retail trading workflows from discretionary chart trading through to automated strategies and copy trading.

Expert Advisors, cBots and API-style trading are all supported. Latency is kept low via data-center hosting and connectivity that’s clearly designed with system traders in mind.

Markets & products

IC Markets offers a broad CFD line-up with a clear focus on FX, but also indices, commodities, bonds, stocks and some crypto CFDs. For most short-term traders this is more than enough to build and test diversified strategies.

Regulation & safety (neutral in our rankings)

IC Markets operates multiple regulated entities – including ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cyprus and FSA in Seychelles – with client funds held in segregated bank accounts. Exact protections vary by entity and region.

Important: FXExact does not automatically rank “onshore” licences above offshore ones. We treat regulation as a descriptive field and score primarily on trading conditions, platform quality and overall value.

Funding & withdrawals

Funding options include cards, bank transfer and popular e-wallets, with same-day or near-same-day processing in many cases. The broker generally doesn’t charge its own deposit/withdrawal fees, but your bank or provider might.

Support & education

Support is available across phone, chat and email with long daily coverage. Response quality is competent and practical, though the education and research stack is more “solid working broker” than full-blown academy.

Risk disclaimer: CFDs and margin FX are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A large percentage of retail accounts lose money when trading CFDs with most providers. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Nothing on this page is personal financial advice.