IC Markets Review 2026
Regulated by ASIC, CySEC
IC Markets remains a benchmark for true ECN execution and raw pricing, making it especially well-suited to high-volume, scalping, and algorithmic traders who prioritize cost and execution speed above all else. The…
Flexible leverage to suit a range of trading styles, subject to your regulatory jurisdiction.
Tight, competitive spreads on major instruments during normal market liquidity.
A low barrier to entry for opening a live trading account.
Rated AA overall, with average execution around 35 ms.
Rating Index
Trading Environment
- Avg. Execution
- 35 ms
- Platforms
- cTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView
- Demo Account
- Available
- Regulation
- ASIC, CySEC
Pros
- Institutional-grade raw ECN pricing sourced from multiple liquidity providers
- True 0.0 pip spreads available on the Raw Spread account during peak liquidity
- Extremely fast order execution, with average speeds frequently cited under 40 milliseconds
- Very high maximum leverage available for eligible account types
- Deep liquidity supports large order sizes without excessive slippage
- Choice of MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView integration
Cons
- Higher minimum deposit than some beginner-oriented rivals
- Commission-based pricing on the Raw Spread account adds a separate line-item cost
- Limited proprietary research or in-house market analysis tools
- Educational content is thinner than brokers that specifically target beginners
Overview
IC Markets is a broker founded in 2007 and headquartered in Australia, offering trading across Forex, CFD, Indices, Commodities, Crypto, Gold markets to clients in multiple regions worldwide.
With an Editorial Score of 9.5 out of 10 in our assessment, IC Markets is positioned as one of the stronger overall options among the brokers covered on this site, based on its regulatory profile, trading conditions, and platform offering.
Regulation & Safety
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and operates under the specific capital adequacy, conduct, and client-money rules that apply to each of those licensing jurisdictions.
Client funds are expected to be held in segregated accounts separate from IC Markets’s own operating capital, a standard investor-protection practice required by all of the regulators listed above.
Trading Platforms
IC Markets supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, giving traders a choice that spans manual discretionary trading, algorithmic/EA-based automation, and chart-first workflows depending on which platform is selected.
Each supported platform is available across desktop, web browser, and mobile app, so a IC Markets account can be monitored and traded from virtually any device.
Fees & Spreads
Spreads at IC Markets start from 0 pips depending on account type and prevailing market liquidity, with a minimum deposit of $200 required to open an account.
Maximum leverage of up to 1:500 is available where permitted by local regulation — higher leverage magnifies both potential gains and potential losses, so position sizing and risk management remain the trader’s responsibility regardless of the leverage offered.
Account Types
IC Markets offers multiple account types suited to different experience levels and trading styles, typically differentiated by spread/commission structure and minimum deposit.
IC Markets also offers a swap-free Islamic account option for clients who require Sharia-compliant trading conditions, removing overnight swap charges on eligible positions.
Deposit & Withdrawal
IC Markets supports a range of funding methods including bank transfer, debit/credit cards, and select e-wallets, with processing times varying by method, currency, and region.
As with any broker, we recommend confirming current deposit and withdrawal processing times and any associated fees directly with IC Markets before funding a live account, since payment provider terms can change.
Customer Support
IC Markets offers customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual coverage aimed at its core client regions.
Response times and support hours can vary by region and channel — live chat is typically the fastest route for time-sensitive account or platform questions.
Education & Research
IC Markets provides educational resources aimed at helping traders build market knowledge alongside their trading activity, ranging from written guides to structured video content.
These resources are generally most useful for traders building foundational knowledge; more advanced traders may rely more heavily on third-party research and their own strategy testing.
Who Is It Best For?
Based on its regulatory profile, platform selection, and fee structure, IC Markets is well suited to traders who value ecn and low spread.
Traders whose priorities lie elsewhere — for example, wanting the absolute lowest possible cost, or a specific platform IC Markets doesn’t support — should compare it directly against alternatives on our Best Forex Brokers and Best MT4 Brokers pages before deciding.
Final Verdict
IC Markets remains a benchmark for true ECN execution and raw pricing, making it especially well-suited to high-volume, scalping, and algorithmic traders who prioritize cost and execution speed above all else. The trade-off is a platform experience with fewer built-in educational tools than beginner-focused brokers. For experienced or systematic traders, however, few brokers match its combination of pricing and execution quality.
