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Best For Not recommended for InvestinGoal Rating
  • Active forex and CFD traders focused on low spread costs
  • Scalpers and algorithmic traders needing fast execution and flexible strategy rules
  • Traders who want a choice of MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView
  • Demo, mobile and copy traders who prefer strong third-party platform support
  • UK traders who want FCA regulation, FSCS cover and Ombudsman access
  • Long-term investors seeking real shares, ETFs or spot crypto ownership
  • Absolute beginners who want cent or nano-lot live accounts
  • Traders who want portfolio copy trading rather than copying individual strategies
Rated: High
87

logo ic marketsIC Markets is best suited to active forex and CFD traders who value low costs, fast execution and broad platform choice. Its strongest points are very tight raw spreads, strong support for MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, and trader-friendly conditions for scalping, algorithmic and demo trading. It is less suitable for investors looking for real shares, ETFs or spot crypto, and it does not accept residents of the US.

How we review

Led by Filippo Ucchino, broker expert and CEO at InvestinGoal, we test brokers directly and assess them through a methodical review system. That includes live checks of the platform experience, account setup, tools, pricing structure, and key trading features, supported by research into official broker materials and regulatory records. We then evaluate each broker across the categories that matter most to traders, from safety and costs to platforms, markets, mobile trading, education, and support. Learn more about InvestinGoal methodology.

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Trust comes from transparency and consistency. Our reviews are written by specialists, fact-checked before publication, and updated when important broker details change. We show both positives and negatives, explain who a broker is best suited for, and avoid reducing the review to generic marketing language. That gives readers a clearer basis for comparing brokers and making decisions with confidence. Learn more about why you can trust InvestinGoal.

In this IC Markets review, we break down pros and cons, regulation and security, fees, platforms, markets, account features, and trading conditions, so you can decide faster and with more confidence. IC Markets is also part of our selection of the top online trading platforms. The tabs below let you jump directly to the factor most important to your decision.

Regulation

IC Markets is regulated by CySEC, ASIC and the FSA in the Seychelles, through a different IC Markets company for each area, and holds licences in the Bahamas and Kenya. Client money is held in segregated accounts, while negative balance protection and investor compensation depend on the company that holds your account: the EU company has both, with compensation up to €20,000, the Australian company has negative balance protection only, and the Seychelles company has neither.

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Safety

IC Markets is reasonably safe operationally. It uses segregated client funds, SSL security, optional 2FA, biometric mobile login and negative balance protection at its EU and Australian companies, with margin calls typically starting around 50% equity. The main weakness is structural rather than technical: investor compensation depends on the company that holds your account, the Seychelles company offers neither investor compensation nor negative balance protection, and IC Markets does not offer insurance on client money beyond the compensation scheme.

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Available Markets

IC Markets offers a broad CFD-only market range with 2,250 instruments at the Australian company and 2,850 at the EU and Seychelles companies, across 60+ forex pairs, indices, commodities, bonds, futures, shares and cryptocurrencies. The deepest coverage is in forex and share CFDs, with 2,100+ equity CFDs plus 20+ crypto CFDs and 25 global indices. The key limitation is that you cannot buy real shares, real crypto, ETFs, options or spread betting products here.

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Cost

IC Markets is very competitive on cost, especially on its Raw Spread accounts. EUR/USD is typically around 0.0-0.1 pips plus commission, which works out near 0.7 pips round turn per standard lot on MetaTrader, while the Standard account starts around 0.8 pips with no separate commission. Non-trading fees are light: deposits and withdrawals cost $0 and the Seychelles company charges no inactivity fee, while the EU and Australian companies do, and overnight swaps still matter for longer-held positions.

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Trading Quality

IC Markets is very good for active CFD trading, particularly in forex, algorithmic, copy, mobile and demo trading. It combines low pricing, fast execution, micro-lot sizing, multiple platforms and broad trading freedoms such as scalping and hedging. The main limitation is product structure rather than execution: IC Markets is not built for investing because it offers CFDs only, with no real shares or spot crypto.

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Trading Conditions

IC Markets offers trader-friendly conditions with a non-dealing-desk ECN/STP model, minimum trade sizes from 0.01 lots, and maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs from 30:1 to 5,000:1, depending on the IC Markets company that holds your account. Hedging, scalping and algorithmic trading are allowed, Raw Spread accounts have no minimum order distance or freeze level, and average execution is around 40 ms at the Australian and Seychelles companies. The trade-off is that the Seychelles company offers no negative balance protection, stop orders can still slip, and guaranteed stop-losses are not available.

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Account Types

IC Markets offers Standard, Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts, plus Islamic and Demo options, with a clear split between spread-only and commission-based pricing. The Raw Spread setup is the flagship choice for active traders, while Demo accounts mirror live conditions and stay open if used at least every 30 days. Professional and corporate access are available for eligible clients, but the Islamic option is not offered by the EU company and professional status comes with fewer protections.

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Account Opening

Opening an account with IC Markets is fully online and usually straightforward. You complete personal and trading-profile questions, choose the account type, platform and base currency, then upload ID and proof of address for KYC review; verification commonly takes about one business day. The main friction point is the need to fund the account before trading: the minimum deposit is USD 0 at the Seychelles company, €200 at the EU company and USD 200 at the Australian company, and 10 base currencies are available.

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Trading Platforms

IC Markets offers a strong third-party platform lineup centred on MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView. That covers manual, chart-based and automated trading well, with Expert Advisors on MetaTrader, cTrader Automate, advanced charting, depth of market, Trading Central tools and optional VPS access for eligible users. The main limitation is that TradingView execution requires a cTrader Raw account connection rather than being available across every account setup.

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Mobile Trading

IC Markets is excellent for mobile trading, with dedicated apps across MT4, MT5, cTrader and the IC Markets app on iOS and Android. Mobile users can trade the full instrument range, manage deposits and withdrawals, follow news and the economic calendar, and use 30+ indicators plus drawing tools on the go. The trade-off is familiar: core trading conditions match desktop, but deeper chart customisation, multi-screen workflows and serious automation remain better on desktop.

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Learning Material

IC Markets is good for learning trading and stronger on education than many execution-focused CFD brokers. It offers beginner guides, tutorials, daily analysis, podcasts, webinars with Q&A and a realistic demo account that can stay active indefinitely with regular use. The main drawback for absolute beginners is practical rather than educational: there are no cent or nano-lot accounts, so live trading starts at the higher-risk level of micro lots.

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Customer Care

IC Markets has excellent customer care, with 24/7 live chat, phone and email support, multilingual service and website localisation. Support is available across multiple departments and higher-volume clients can receive priority handling through the Raw Trader Plus programme, without extra support fees. The main trade-off is that premium-style support is not standard for every client.

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My take after testing IC Markets: IC Markets is not a broker you end up with by accident. It’s one you pick because execution costs actually matter to you. I’ve been watching it long enough to say the raw spread pricing has stayed sharp, which is what keeps traders like me from drifting to alternatives. MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, you’re not going to outgrow the platform setup. Of course, there are some limits too. No FCA-regulated entity for UK retail clients. Everything is CFDs: you’re not holding real shares or crypto, full stop. I’ve always been upfront about that with anyone asking. If you want a buy-and-hold account, this isn’t it. If you’re an experienced trader who runs strategies and watches spreads, it makes perfect sense.

Filippo Ucchino profile photo

Filippo Ucchino

Co-Founder and CEO of InvestinGoal - Introducing Broker

What type of broker is IC Markets?

IC Markets is a No-Dealing-Desk (NDD) agency broker using a hybrid ECN/STP execution model. It routes client orders directly to external liquidity providers without dealing desk intervention, acting as principal and sole counterparty to trades as a CFD issuer.

IC Markets operates as a broad multi-asset CFD broker, offering 2,250 instruments at International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (Australia) and 2,850 at IC Markets (EU) Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd, across forex (60+ pairs), commodities, indices, shares, bonds, futures, and cryptocurrencies. All products are CFDs—leveraged contracts that provide price exposure without owning the underlying asset. While multi-asset, forex remains a core offering.

IC Markets serves both retail and institutional clients through tiered account structures. It bridges retail and institutional markets by providing retail traders with execution infrastructure, raw spreads, and pricing models traditionally reserved for investment banks and high-net-worth clients. Maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs ranges from 30:1 to 5,000:1, depending on the IC Markets company that holds your account. Professional clients can access higher leverage, subject to eligibility criteria.

General View of the IC Markets Homepage

Yes, IC Markets is a legitimate broker. IC Markets was founded in 2007 as International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and has operated continuously for over 15 years. The privately held firm had a monthly trading volume of over $1.39 trillion and more than 200,000 clients in June 2023. Its companies are authorised or licensed by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), the FSA (Seychelles), the SCB (Bahamas) and the CMA (Kenya). The FCA in the UK has warned that “IC Markets Global”, a trading name of Raw Trading Ltd, is not authorised and may be acting unlawfully by promoting financial services to UK clients.

The advantages of IC Markets are listed below.

  • Tight Spreads and Low Costs: IC Markets offers very low spreads, with EUR/USD averaging close to 0.1 pips on Raw Spread and cTrader accounts, which is ideal for high-volume and active trading strategies.
  • Fast Execution and Infrastructure: Uses institutional-grade liquidity from multiple providers and low-latency data centres, supporting scalping, algorithmic trading, and rapid order execution.
  • Platform Choice and Tools: Supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView with add-ons for automation, strategy testing, and copy trading across different trading styles.
  • Wide Instrument Range: Offers hundreds to thousands of tradable symbols across forex, commodities, indices, futures, stocks, and CFDs for diversified exposure.
  • Transparent Fee Structure: No deposit or withdrawal fees, no inactivity fee at Raw Trading Ltd (Seychelles), 10 base currencies supported, and low non-trading cost burden overall.
  • Negative Balance Protection: Retail clients of IC Markets (EU) Ltd (CySEC) and International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (ASIC) are protected from losses exceeding their deposited amount during adverse market conditions; Raw Trading Ltd (Seychelles) does not offer it.
  • Account Flexibility: Standard and Raw Spread accounts let traders choose spread-only or commission-based pricing based on volume and strategy preference.
  • Funding Options: Accounts available in 10 base currencies, with several deposit and withdrawal methods for convenience.

The disadvantages of IC Markets are listed below.

  • Restricted Countries: IC Markets does not accept residents of 39 countries and territories, including the US, Canada, the UK and New Zealand.
  • Limited Asset Selection: Primarily focused on Forex and CFDs. It offers exchange-traded funds (ETFs) only as CFDs, and stock trading is limited, with no real ownership of shares.
  • Minimal Education and Research: IC Markets offers a solid education and market-analysis section with training articles, tutorials and market outlooks. However, it is less comprehensive than the strongest beginner-focused brokers.

Is IC Markets regulated?

Yes, IC Markets is regulated. Its companies are authorised by CySEC in Cyprus and the FSA in the Seychelles, and licensed by ASIC in Australia, the SCB in the Bahamas and the CMA in Kenya. Client funds are held in segregated accounts at IC Markets (EU) Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd. Retail clients of IC Markets (EU) Ltd and International Capital Markets Pty Ltd have negative balance protection, which Raw Trading Ltd does not offer. Investor compensation depends on the company: clients of IC Markets (EU) Ltd are covered by an investor compensation scheme up to €20,000, while International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd have no compensation scheme.

The IC Markets companies are listed below.

  • IC Markets (EU) Ltd: CySEC (Cyprus)
  • International Capital Markets Pty Ltd: ASIC (Australia)
  • Raw Trading Ltd: FSA (Seychelles)
  • IC Markets Ltd: SCB (Bahamas)
  • IC Markets (KE) Limited: CMA (Kenya)
Broker
Tier 1 regulations held ASIC, ESMA (CySEC) ASIC, FCA, ESMA (BaFin, CySEC) ASIC, FCA, ESMA (CySEC)
Tier 2 regulations held N/A CMA, DFSA N/A
Tier 3 regulations held FSA SCB FSA

Yes, IC Markets is legal in the countries it accepts, through the IC Markets company that serves each area. Residents of the EU, except Belgium, open their account with IC Markets (EU) Ltd, authorised by CySEC (licence 362/18), and residents of Australia with International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, licensed by ASIC (AFSL 335692). Residents of the other accepted countries open their account with Raw Trading Ltd, authorised by the FSA in the Seychelles (licence SD018). IC Markets also holds a licence in the Bahamas through IC Markets Ltd, licensed by the SCB (SIA-F214), and one in Kenya through IC Markets (KE) Limited, licensed by the CMA (licence 199). CFDs on forex, indices, commodities, shares and cryptocurrencies are offered by IC Markets (EU) Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd; share dealing and spread betting are not offered. The companies regulated in the EU and Australia apply the leverage caps set by their regulators, such as 30:1 on major forex pairs for retail clients. Each licence can be verified on the register of its regulator, using the company name or the licence number above.

No. IC Markets has no company registered in the United States and does not accept US residents. Explore the best Forex brokers in US.

Is IC Markets safe?

IC Markets holds client funds in segregated accounts with top-tier banks at IC Markets (EU) Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd. Clients of IC Markets (EU) Ltd are covered by an investor compensation scheme up to €20,000, which pays out if the firm fails and does not cover trading losses; International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd have no compensation scheme. Retail clients of IC Markets (EU) Ltd and International Capital Markets Pty Ltd have negative balance protection, which Raw Trading Ltd does not offer, and margin calls typically at 50% equity trigger automatic position closures. Security includes SSL encryption, secure servers, optional 2FA and biometric login on mobile apps, plus regular cyber-security tests. IC Markets does not offer insurance on client money beyond the compensation scheme.

Broker
Segregated client funds Yes Yes Yes
Negative balance Yes Yes Yes
Investor compensation scheme Yes Yes Yes
Founded in 2007 2010 2007
Publicly traded No No Yes

The risks with IC Markets are listed below.

  • Leverage risk: Retail leverage on major forex pairs reaches 5,000:1 at Raw Trading Ltd (Seychelles). Higher leverage magnifies both gains and losses; at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia retail leverage is capped at 30:1. Raw Trading Ltd does not offer negative balance protection, so losses can exceed the deposit.
  • CFD complexity: CFDs are derivatives where clients don’t own underlying assets. 72.52% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with IC Markets. Costs include spreads, overnight financing, and potential requotes during volatility, making total costs hard to predict for inexperienced traders.
  • Margin and forced liquidation: Margin trading requires minimum balance versus open positions. During high volatility, rapid moves can trigger automatic margin calls or liquidations before funds can be added, closing positions at unfavorable prices.
  • Order execution risk: Despite fast execution, slippage occurs during news events or low liquidity. Market orders may fill at prices different from display, particularly for larger sizes or exotic pairs.
  • Platform reliability: Trading depends on MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader. Technical failures, connectivity issues, or outages can prevent position management or execution, causing missed trades or inability to close losing positions.
  • Market volatility: Forex and CFD markets fluctuate sharply due to geopolitical events, data releases, and central bank decisions. Rapid swings can create substantial losses within seconds, especially during announcements without protective stops.
Broker
Risk percentage 74-89% of retail CFD accounts lose money 72.9% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs 61% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

What markets can you trade on IC Markets?

The markets you can trade on IC Markets are listed below.

  • Currency pairs (CFDs): 60+ major, minor, and exotic FX pairs. Minimum trade: 0.01 lots (1,000 base currency units). Learn more about what is the Forex market.
  • Indices (CFDs): 25 global index CFDs. Minimum trade: varies per product specification sheet.
  • Commodities (CFDs): 20+ spot and futures-referenced CFDs across energies, metals, and agricultural products. Minimum trade: 0.01 lots for gold and palladium; standard metals contracts are 100 oz.
  • Stocks (CFDs): 2,100+ equity CFDs from US, European and UK exchanges, plus Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and the UAE at Raw Trading Ltd. Minimum trade: typically 0.01 lots or equivalent contract size (varies by instrument).
  • Bonds (CFDs): 9+ government bond CFDs. Minimum trade: varies by contract specification (e.g., contract size “200” means each 0.01 move is worth US$2).
  • Cryptocurrencies (CFDs): 20+ crypto CFDs including major digital assets. The companies regulated in the EU and Australia offer them with leverage up to 2:1, and Raw Trading Ltd up to 500:1. Minimum trade: varies by pair; some pairs require minimum 100 lots under updated specifications.
  • Futures (CFDs): 4 global futures CFDs across indices and commodities. Minimum trade: varies per instrument’s contract specification.
Broker
Forex Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs)
Indices Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs)
Commodities Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs)
Shares Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs) Yes (Real, CFDs)
ETFs Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs) Yes (Real, CFDs)
Cryptocurrencies Yes (CFDs) Yes (CFDs) Yes (Real, CFDs)

 

General View of the Available Markets on IC Markets

The trading products not offered by IC Markets are listed below.

  • Real ETFs
  • Interest rates
  • Options
  • Real shares
  • Spread betting

No, you can’t buy real crypto on IC Markets. IC Markets offers only crypto CFDs (e.g., BTC/USD, BCH/USD, SOL/USD), providing price exposure to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple, and altcoins without underlying asset ownership.

No, you can’t trade real shares on IC Markets. IC Markets offers only share CFDs (contracts for difference), not direct equity ownership.

No, IC Markets does not offer fractional shares.

How cheap are spreads with IC Markets?

IC Markets spreads are very low overall, especially on its Raw Spread account. On EUR/USD, the IC Markets Raw Spread account typically shows 0.0 to 0.1 pips on the spread, with a separate commission of approximately 0.35 pips per side (0.7 pips round-turn per standard lot). The IC Markets Standard account has EUR/USD spreads from about 0.8 pips with no separate commission. On US500, the IC Markets spread is about 0.36 to 0.49 points, depending on the company, and on XAU/USD (gold) it is excellent at about $0.08 to $0.09.

The IC Markets Raw Spread account is more cost-efficient for active traders because the underlying spreads are tighter, even after adding commission. The IC Markets Standard account is simpler (no separate commission) but the cost is bundled into wider average spreads.

Learn more about low spread Forex brokers.

The fees with IC Markets are listed below.

  • Spreads: Standard account: EUR/USD averages 0.8 pips, with no separate commission.
  • Commissions per lot: Raw Spread account MT4/MT5: $3.50 per side per lot ($7 round turn); cTrader/TradingView: $3 per $100,000 traded per side.
  • Overnight financing: Variable rates by pair, size, direction; examples include EUR/USD long −6.25 points/lot/night, EUR/USD short +2.56 points/lot/night.
  • Inactivity: an inactivity fee applies at IC Markets (EU) Ltd and International Capital Markets Pty Ltd; Raw Trading Ltd charges none.
  • Deposits, withdrawals: $0.
Broker
Overnight fees Yes Yes Yes
Inactivity fee Yes No No
Deposit fees No No No
Withdrawal fees No No Yes
Currency conversion fee Yes Yes Yes

Yes, IC Markets charges good raw commissions on every lot traded. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread Trading account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side on MetaTrader, which equals $7.0 round turn per 1.00 lot, which lowers to $6 round turn per 1.00 lot on cTrader.

Broker
Avg. EUR/USD spread (markup) 0.80 pips 1.10 pips 1.16 pips
Avg. EUR/USD spread (raw) 0.06 pips 0.10 pips N/A
Commission/lot $7.00 Round Turn $7.00 Round Turn N/A
All-in FX cost $7.60 $8.00 $11.60

IC Markets’ overnight swaps for EUR/USD are good, being roughly –0.0625% per night on long positions and +0.0256% per night on short positions (about –6.25 points/lot long and +2.56 points/lot short on MT4/MT5 for a standard lot).

Triple swaps are applied on Wednesdays for FX and metals to cover weekend settlement. Swap fees don’t materially vary between Standard and Raw Spread accounts in terms of the calculation method, as both use the same overnight financing structure.

IC Markets charges commission on share CFDs as a % of trade value or per-share fee, depending on the exchange:

  • US shares: $0.02/share per side.
  • UK shares (LSE): 0.10% of trade value per side.
  • European shares: 0.10% of trade value per side.

No tiered discounts or volume rebates apply to share CFD commissions. When the share currency differs from your account base currency, the commission is converted at the prevailing spot rate and charged in your base currency.

IC Markets’ crypto CFD commissions are included in the spread. No spot/real-crypto ownership is offered. Example spreads: BTCUSD min ~US$8.71, avg ~US$42.04; ETHUSD min ~US$4.56, avg ~US$11.605.

Is IC Markets good for trading?

IC Markets is good for trading forex, CFD stocks, CFD cryptocurrencies, algorithmic trading, copy trading, mobile trading, and demo trading. IC Markets is not good for trading real stocks or real cryptocurrencies.

IC Markets supports forex trading with over 60 currency pairs across raw and standard account types on MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView platforms, with a minimum of 0.01 lots (micro-lots). The broker offers 2,100+ stock CFDs on US, European and UK exchanges, plus the ASX at Raw Trading Ltd on MetaTrader 5, with commissions of approximately $0.02 per share per side for US stocks and 0.10% per side (minimum A$7) for ASX stocks at Raw Trading Ltd. CFD cryptocurrency trading is available for around 20+ crypto pairs with 24/7 trading, real-time pricing, and costs embedded in spreads and swaps rather than per-trade commissions. Algorithmic trading is fully supported with Expert Advisors on MT4/MT5 and cBots on cTrader, featuring low-latency infrastructure through Equinix NY4/LD5 data centers, VPS support, and API access through cTrader FIX/Open API. Copy trading operates through IC Social app and third-party platforms including cTrader Copy, ZuluTrade, Signal Start, and MetaTrader Signals. ZuluTrade is not offered by International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (Australia). Mobile trading is enabled across all asset classes through MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader mobile applications with account management, technical indicators, and economic calendar features. Demo accounts are available with configurable virtual balances, unlimited demo accounts, and indefinite access with periodic use (expiring after approximately 30 days of inactivity). However, IC Markets does not provide direct ownership of real stocks or spot cryptocurrency trading with withdrawal capabilities. It offers equity and crypto exposure exclusively through CFD instruments.

IC Markets is not a good fit for investing because it does not offer ownership of real stocks or ETFs. IC Markets provides access to shares and ETFs exclusively through CFDs (Contracts for Difference), meaning clients do not own the underlying securities and have no ownership rights in the underlying assets. IC Markets offers no physical stocks, ETFs, bonds, or mutual funds and provides no features for long-term investors such as fractional shares, recurring investments, or dividend reinvestment plans that would typically support a buy-and-hold investment strategy.

IC Markets is excellent for demo trading because it offers unlimited demo account duration for active users, real-time market data from actual liquidity providers, full platform parity with live accounts, complete instrument coverage, and flexible virtual balance settings.

IC Markets provides a comprehensive demo trading environment with real-time pricing feeds from the same liquidity providers rather than artificial or delayed data. The demo environment grants access to all available trading platforms and tools, covering the full range of tradable instruments including forex pairs, indices, commodities, cryptocurrency CFDs, and stock CFDs. Traders can customize their starting virtual balance to amounts such as $5,000, $50,000, or $100,000 and top up demo funds as needed. The demo account remains active indefinitely as long as it is used, with deactivation occurring only after 30 days of inactivity, making it effectively unlimited for regular users. The demo environment replicates live trading conditions without significant restrictions while execution factors such as slippage and order fills may differ slightly due to separate demo servers.

eToro, XTB, XM and FBS are some good alternatives to IC Markets as demo Forex brokers. Explore the best Forex demo accounts.

IC Markets is an excellent broker for algo trading because it offers MT4, MT5, and cTrader with full algorithmic support, provides FIX API access, maintains infrastructure in Equinix NY4 and LD5 data centers for ultra-low latency execution, and allows VPS hosting for 24/7 automated trading operations.

IC Markets supports algorithmic traders across three major platforms: MetaTrader 4 and 5 for MQL-based Expert Advisors and cTrader with cTrader Automate for C#-based cBots and custom indicators. The broker’s servers are located in Equinix NY4 for MetaTrader platforms and LD5 for cTrader, delivering average execution speeds of around 40 milliseconds at International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd, and around 66 milliseconds at IC Markets (EU) Ltd, optimized for high-frequency strategies. Traders can access FIX API and Open API through cTrader for advanced order routing, while partnered VPS providers enable uninterrupted algorithm operation with potential sponsorship for active accounts. The broker explicitly permits scalping and hedging algorithms, allows shorting across all FX and CFD instruments, and supports high-frequency trading without minimum order time restrictions. cTrader accounts feature zero freeze levels and no minimum order distance, further accommodating latency-sensitive strategies. Price scraping is not allowed, and latency arbitrage strategies are prohibited and can result in trade cancellations when they exploit quote delays, which distinguishes acceptable statistical arbitrage from abusive practices.

Pepperstone, FP Markets, Roboforex and FxPro are some good alternatives to IC Markets as best brokers for algo trading.

IC Markets is excellent for Forex trading because it offers very tight spreads of approximately 0.8 pips all-in on EUR/USD through its Raw Spread account, provides access to 61 currency pairs, has companies authorised or licensed by CySEC, ASIC and the FSA (Seychelles), allows unrestricted scalping and hedging strategies, supports algorithmic trading through MT4, MT5, and cTrader platforms with API and VPS capabilities, and includes comprehensive analysis tools such as trader sentiment indicators, drawing tools, technical indicators, and an economic calendar.

IC Markets delivers institutional-grade trading conditions with raw spreads starting near zero on its Raw Spread account type and supports micro lot sizes (0.01 lot minimum) for flexible position sizing, though it does not offer nano lot capability (0.001 lot). The broker provides three professional third-party platforms MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and cTrader, giving traders multiple execution environments suited to manual and automated strategies, and it also offers a proprietary mobile trading platform (not available in its desktop/webtrader version). All major trading freedoms are enabled. Scalping is permitted without restrictions, hedging positions on the same account is allowed, and Expert Advisors run seamlessly with dedicated VPS hosting options. International Capital Markets Pty Ltd is licensed by ASIC and holds client money in segregated accounts.

See the complete best Forex brokers guide.

IC Markets is a great broker for CFD stock trading because it offers very low commissions on US stock CFDs at $0.02 per side per share, provides access to major US exchanges including NYSE and NASDAQ through MetaTrader 5, and allows full trading freedom including scalping, hedging, algorithmic trading, and short selling. IC Markets is great and not excellent for CFD stock trading because it lacks a proprietary trading platform for stocks, offers share CFDs on US, European and UK exchanges at IC Markets (EU) Ltd and International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, and on seven markets at Raw Trading Ltd, adding Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and the UAE, does not support fractional CFD share trading with a minimum trade size of 1 share, and provides limited analytical tools with no stock screener, earnings calendar, fundamental data, or trader sentiment indicators.

IC Markets delivers a competitive pricing structure for stock CFD traders with US equities charged at $0.04 round-trip per share and Australian Securities Exchange stocks at approximately 0.10% per side with a minimum A$7 fee at Raw Trading Ltd. The broker exclusively offers stock CFD trading through the MetaTrader 5 platform with real-time pricing, though ASX data feed may incur an additional fee. Traders benefit from unrestricted strategy implementation as the broker permits Expert Advisors for automated trading, simultaneous long and short positions for hedging, and both scalping and short-selling without restrictions. International Capital Markets Pty Ltd is licensed by ASIC and holds client money in segregated accounts. However, the broker’s stock CFD offering lacks the comprehensive research ecosystem that advanced equity traders require, with no built-in screening tools, corporate earnings calendars, fundamental financial data, or sentiment analysis features available on the platform.

IG Markets, Pepperstone, eToro, and AvaTrade are some good alternatives to IC Markets as best CFD brokers.

IC Markets is not a good fit for real stock trading because the broker does not offer direct share ownership or real stock trading at all. The platform provides access to stocks exclusively through Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which are derivative instruments that track stock prices rather than representing actual ownership of company shares. This means traders cannot hold real shares, receive dividends as shareholders, vote at company meetings, or transfer stocks to other brokerage accounts. The absence of any share-dealing service makes it unsuitable for investors seeking to buy and hold actual stocks or build a traditional equity portfolio. IC Markets provides market news and commentary.

DEGIRO, eToro, XTB and Trading 212 are some good alternatives to IC Markets as best stock brokers.

IC Markets is a good broker for CFD crypto trading because it charges zero commissions on crypto CFDs, provides real-time market data with live streaming available 7 days per week, and operates under established regulatory oversight from ASIC, CySEC, and FSA Seychelles for its CFD crypto trading services. IC Markets is good and not excellent for CFD crypto trading because it offers a limited selection of 20+ tradable cryptocurrencies and has minimum trade sizes that may not be accessible for smaller traders, with requirements of 0.01 BTC for major pairs and 100 units for certain altcoins.

IC Markets offers CFD crypto trading with a commission-free structure where costs are incorporated into spreads and swap rates, making pricing straightforward for traders. The broker provides real-time market data with continuous live streaming throughout the week, enabling traders to monitor crypto markets without interruption. The platform supports trading on 20+ cryptocurrency CFDs, covering major digital assets but offering fewer options compared to brokers with more extensive crypto selections. The minimum position sizes start at 0.01 BTC for major cryptocurrency pairs, while some altcoins require 100 units as the minimum trade size. IC Markets operates its crypto CFD offerings under the regulatory supervision of multiple authorities including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles, though it does not hold crypto-specific regulatory licenses.

eToro (crypto CFDs not offered to retail clients of its UK company), NAGA, Pepperstone, and AvaTrade are some good alternatives to IC Markets as brokers for CFD crypto trading.

IC Markets is not a good fit for real crypto trading because the broker does not offer spot cryptocurrency trading or any facility to buy, own, or transfer actual digital assets. The broker only provides cryptocurrency CFDs (contracts for difference), which are derivative products that track crypto prices but do not involve ownership of the underlying coins. IC Markets does not operate any cryptocurrency wallets, neither custodial nor non-custodial, meaning clients cannot deposit, withdraw, or send cryptocurrencies. The platform does not support fiat-to-crypto purchases, crypto-to-fiat sales of owned assets, or crypto-to-crypto exchanges. IC Markets lacks any crypto-specific exchange or wallet licenses and does not function as a cryptocurrency exchange or custody provider, although it does provide real-time price data for 20+ cryptocurrency CFD pairs and holds regulatory authorization from ASIC, CySEC, and the Seychelles FSA to offer these CFD products.

eToro, Coinbase, Crypto.com and Binance are some good alternatives to IC Markets as best crypto exchanges.

IC Markets is great for copy trading because it provides a proprietary social app (IC Social) alongside multiple third-party integrations, including cTrader Copy, MetaTrader Signals, ZuluTrade, and Signal Start. It supports both copying strategies and becoming a signal provider, implements comprehensive risk management tools, and charges no additional copy trading commissions beyond standard trading costs. IC Markets is great but not excellent for copy trading because it does not offer portfolio copy trading. Clients can only follow individual traders and strategies rather than diversified, pre-curated portfolios. ZuluTrade is not offered by International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (Australia).

IC Markets delivers extensive copy trading functionality through both its own IC Social platform and established third-party networks. Clients can connect their accounts to copy individual strategy providers across all supported platforms, and traders can themselves act as signal providers for others to follow. The broker does not impose separate copy trading fees, though individual signal providers or third-party platforms may charge their own subscription or performance fees. Risk management features include ZuluGuard protection, adjustable copy sizing, equity-loss limits, maximum drawdown stops in cTrader Copy, and manual intervention options that allow clients to close positions or stop copying at any time. The main limitation is the absence of portfolio copy trading products—IC Markets exclusively supports person-based and strategy-based copying rather than offering curated multi-trader portfolios.

eToro, ZuluTrade, AvaTrade and NAGA are some good alternatives to IC Markets as best copy trading platforms.

What are the IC Markets trading conditions?

The IC Markets trading conditions are listed below.

  • Pricing model: Standard account uses spreads with no commission. Raw Spread account offers raw inter-bank spreads plus a commission of USD 7 per lot on MetaTrader, USD 6 per lot on cTrader for forex and metals.
  • Order size: Minimum 0.01 lots (micro lot level); maximum 200 lots on major forex pairs, subject to margin and risk controls.
  • Trading approaches: Hedging, scalping, and algorithmic trading allowed without style restrictions. Raw Spread account has no minimum order distance or freeze level; stop losses can be placed immediately, hedging permitted without FIFO rule.
  • Leverage: Maximum retail leverage on major forex pairs ranges from 30:1 to 5,000:1, depending on the IC Markets company that holds your account.
  • Risk management: Negative balance protection applies at IC Markets (EU) Ltd and International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, not at Raw Trading Ltd. Client funds held in segregated accounts at top-rated banks. Risk-management systems monitor net exposure and apply hedging when internal limits exceeded.
Broker
Execution model ECN ECN/STP Market Maker
Max. FX leverage 1:30 1:30 1:30
Min. FX trade size 0.01 standard lots 0.01 standard lots 0.01 standard lots
Hedging allowed Yes Yes No
Scalping allowed Yes Yes No

IC Markets applies a non-dealing-desk ECN execution model. IC Markets sources pricing from external liquidity providers via an ECN and passes prices through without dealing-desk intervention. IC Markets remains principal to the CFD contract and may internalise some matching to support speed and price certainty. IC Markets does not offset every position externally in real time and manages residual exposure through risk controls and hedging. IC Markets keeps the execution model consistent across account types and varies costs mainly through spread and commission schedules.

IC Markets’ trade execution is excellent for latency-sensitive trading. IC Markets operates a true ECN-style environment with no dealing desk and routes flow into a deep liquidity pool for market execution. IC Markets remains strong during volatile sessions, and stop orders can still slip when gaps and thin liquidity occur.

IC Markets’ maximum leverage for retail clients on major forex pairs is 30:1 at its companies regulated in the EU and Australia, and up to 5,000:1 at Raw Trading Ltd, authorised by the FSA (Seychelles), on smaller positions, falling as the position size grows.

The table showing the leverage and the protections of each IC Markets company is shown below.

If you live inYour account is withMax retail leverage (major forex / crypto)Investor compensationNegative balance protection
the EUIC Markets (EU) Ltd (CySEC)30:1 / 2:1up to €20,000yes
AustraliaInternational Capital Markets Pty Ltd (ASIC)30:1 / 2:1noneyes
other accepted countriesRaw Trading Ltd (FSA)5,000:1 / 500:1noneno
the US, the UK, Canada, New Zealand and 35 other countriesnot accepted

The max leverage with IC Markets for each asset class is listed below.

  • Forex: 30:1 on major pairs and 20:1 on other pairs at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 5,000:1 and 5,000:1 at Raw Trading Ltd.
  • Indices: 20:1 on major indices and 10:1 on other indices at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 200:1 and 200:1 at Raw Trading Ltd.
  • Commodities: 20:1 on gold and 10:1 on other commodities at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 2,000:1 and 1,000:1 at Raw Trading Ltd.
  • Shares (equities): 5:1 at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 20:1 at Raw Trading Ltd.
  • Cryptocurrencies: 2:1 at the companies regulated in the EU and Australia; up to 500:1 at Raw Trading Ltd.

Professional clients can access higher leverage, subject to eligibility criteria. Leverage at IC Markets depends on the company, the client classification and the instrument type. You can adjust leverage within permitted limits through the client area. IC Markets applies margin requirements and a stop-out level that typically closes retail positions when equity falls to 50% of required margin. Higher leverage magnifies both gains and losses.

Explore Forex brokers with high leverage.

The minimum trade size at IC Markets for Forex is 0.01 lots, equivalent to one micro-lot, on its MetaTrader platforms. The broker sets lot sizes as small as one micro lot (0.01) for Forex, commodities, and indices.

The maximum trade size is 200 lots for major Forex pairs and 50 lots for exotic currency pairs under certain conditions. In earlier specifications, a maximum of 1,000 lots was indicated for Forex.

For commodities and metal CFDs, the minimum lot size is also 0.01, while the maximum varies by instrument. For example, the silver contract allows a maximum of 10,000 ounces (MetaTrader volume 100) and a minimum of 1 ounce (MetaTrader volume 0.01).

IC Markets may impose limits on maximum order sizes from time to time.

In summary, traders at IC Markets can open positions from 0.01 lots on most instruments. The maximum trade size for major Forex pairs is typically 200 lots, although it was previously as high as 1,000 lots. IC Markets reserves the right to limit maximum order sizes when necessary.

The types of trading orders you can use with IC Markets are listed below.

  • Market order
  • Limit order
  • Stop order
  • Stop-limit order
  • Buy limit order
  • Sell limit order
  • Buy stop order
  • Sell stop order
  • Trailing stop order
  • Stealth order
  • Stop-loss order
  • Take-profit order

IC Markets does not offer guaranteed stop-loss orders.

IC Markets has low slippage for major pairs on raw pricing, and can show both positive and negative slippage under market execution without requotes.

Order execution speed with IC Markets is excellent at around 40 milliseconds on average at International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd, and good at around 66 milliseconds at IC Markets (EU) Ltd.

What are IC Markets account types?

The account types offered by IC Markets are listed below.

  • Standard Account: For traders who prefer commission-free trading. Spreads from 0.8 pips with no commissions. Uses MetaTrader 4/5 platforms with micro-lot trading support. Suitable for discretionary and beginner traders placing fewer trades.
  • Raw Spread Account (MetaTrader): For experienced traders seeking tighter spreads. Spreads from 0.0 pips plus $7 commission per round turn lot. Uses MetaTrader 4/5 with EA and scalping support. Ideal for high-volume and frequent traders.
  • cTrader Raw Spread Account: For active day traders and scalpers preferring cTrader’s advanced features. Spreads from 0.0 pips plus $3 commission per $100K volume. Low-latency execution optimized for algorithmic and high-frequency trading.
  • Islamic (Swap-Free) Account: For traders following Sharia-compliant requirements. Same spreads and platform options as Raw Spread or Standard accounts, but eliminates overnight swap charges on eligible instruments. Offered by Raw Trading Ltd and International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, not by IC Markets (EU) Ltd.
  • Raw Pro and Raw Pro+ Accounts: Offered by Raw Trading Ltd only.

Learn more about IC Markets account types.

General View of the Account Types on IC Markets

IC Markets’ most popular account is the Raw Spread Account, labeled “POPULAR” on the broker’s account overview page. It offers spreads from 0.0 pips on major currency pairs with a fixed commission of typically $3.50 per lot one way, designed for high-volume traders, scalpers, and algorithmic traders prioritizing ultra-tight pricing and minimal latency.

Yes, IC Markets offers a demo account. The demo account provides access to the same tradable instruments as the live account, including FX pairs, indices, commodities, crypto CFDs, and stock CFDs, with real-time market data fed from the same price source used on live accounts. Users can select their preferred virtual starting balance and top it up through the client area, and the demo account remains active indefinitely if it is used at least once every 30 days. Learn more about the IC Markets demo account.

Yes, IC Markets offers an Islamic (swap-free) account at Raw Trading Ltd (Seychelles) and International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (Australia); it is not offered by IC Markets (EU) Ltd. The swap-free option is available on both Raw Spread and Standard account types across MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader platforms.

Traders must submit a request, and IC Markets may require proof of Islamic faith; the broker reserves the right to decline applications. Once approved, all active accounts of the same client automatically convert to swap-free status.

The Islamic account removes overnight swap/interest charges per Sharia principles. However, a fixed administrative or holding fee may apply to certain instruments, particularly exotic currency pairs and energy products. All other trading conditions, such as spreads, leverage, and execution, remain the same as standard accounts.

Explore the Forex brokers with Islamic account.

Yes, IC Markets offers a professional client account (“Professional Client” status). At IC Markets (EU) Ltd, to qualify, clients must meet at least 2 of 3 criteria: (1) significant trading activity (avg. 10 trades per quarter over the previous four quarters), (2) at least 1 year of relevant financial-sector experience in a professional position, or (3) a portfolio exceeding €500,000 (financial instruments + cash deposits). At its companies regulated in the EU and Australia, the professional account is exempt from retail leverage limits in exchange for fewer protections: no negative balance protection required by the regulator and, at IC Markets (EU) Ltd, no investor compensation scheme coverage. Raw Trading Ltd already offers up to 5,000:1 to retail clients.

Learn more about Forex brokers for professional traders.

Yes, IC Markets accepts corporate (legal-entity) trading accounts for businesses that meet documentation requirements. The broker’s AML policy requires legal-entity verification: certificate of incorporation, articles of association, register of directors and beneficial owners, proof of registered address, and audited financial statements.

IC Markets does not offer a distinct “corporate” account tier with separate pricing. Corporate entities use standard account types (Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader Raw Spread) after satisfying business documentation and may qualify for professional client treatment based on specified criteria.

No, IC Markets does not formally offer a “Premium” or “VIP” account tier under that name. While the broker provides enhanced features such as a dedicated account manager and advanced tools that resemble premium services, it does not offer a VIP or genuinely separate premium-account category.

How to open an account with IC Markets?

The steps to open an account with IC Markets are listed below.

  1. Start the application: Open the live account registration page and begin the online signup.
  2. Provide personal details: Enter an email address and provide personal information such as full name, date of birth, nationality, and tax residency status.
  3. Complete the profile questionnaire: Provide employment information and answer questions about trading experience, financial situation, and risk understanding.
  4. Choose the account configuration: Select the account type, select the trading platform, and select the base currency.
  5. Submit verification documents: Upload a valid photo identity document such as a passport or driving licence and upload proof of address such as a recent utility bill or bank statement showing the residential address.
  6. Accept terms and submit: Review the application, accept the terms and disclosures, and submit the application for review.
  7. Fund the trading account: Deposit at least the minimum required amount of the IC Markets company that holds the account, using an available method such as bank transfer, payment card, or other supported options.
  8. Start trading: Receive the account login details after approval, log in to the platform, and place the first trade.

The form-filling steps can usually be completed within minutes, while full verification commonly takes around one business day depending on document quality and any additional checks required. The process is generally easy to complete when the submitted details are consistent and the uploaded files are clear. The requirements typically include being of legal age, providing accurate personal and tax residency information, completing the questionnaire, and meeting the minimum deposit to fund the account before trading. A Know Your Customer process is required, and it typically includes identity verification and proof of address checks linked to anti-money laundering controls before live trading access is granted.

Broker
Minimum deposit $224 $0 $50
Demo trial available Yes Yes Yes
Payment methods Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Debit Card, Ewallets
Islamic account availability No Yes No
Account base currencies AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD GBP, USD, EUR, CHF USD, EUR, DKK

IC Markets minimum deposit is USD 0 at Raw Trading Ltd, €200 (or base-currency equivalent) at IC Markets (EU) Ltd and USD 200 (or base-currency equivalent) at International Capital Markets Pty Ltd (Australia). The minimum applies to initial and subsequent deposits and across all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader). There are no payment-method-specific minimums, though individual methods (card, bank wire, e-wallets) may impose processing minimums or intermediary charges. The deposit threshold does not unlock special perks or higher-tier features; trading conditions, platforms, and spreads remain identical once funded. Learn more about the minimum deposit with IC Markets.

IC Markets offers 10 account base currencies, which include USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, SGD, NZD, JPY, CHF, CAD, HKD. The wide range of account base currencies offered at IC Markets helps traders match the account base currency to funding preferences and reduce conversion fees.

The deposit methods supported by IC Markets are listed below.

  • Bank Wire Transfer
  • Debit Cards
  • Credit Cards
  • eWallets
  • Online Payment Methods

The withdrawal methods supported by IC Markets are listed below.

  • Bank Wire Transfer
  • Debit Cards
  • Credit Cards
  • eWallets
  • Local Payment Methods

Deposits and withdrawals with IC Markets are safe. Client funds are held in segregated accounts with top-tier banks at IC Markets (EU) Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd, kept separate from operational funds. Investor compensation depends on the company: an investor compensation scheme covers clients of IC Markets (EU) Ltd up to €20,000, while International Capital Markets Pty Ltd and Raw Trading Ltd have no compensation scheme. Payments use SSL encryption, and withdrawals must go to the original payment method; no third-party transfers allowed.

What trading platforms does IC Markets offer?

The trading platforms offered by IC Markets are listed below.

  • MT4: Forex/CFD trading across currency pairs, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds with advanced charting, custom indicators, and Expert Advisors (EAs). Available on Windows/macOS (desktop), web, and iOS/Android (MetaTrader app).
  • MT5: Multi-asset platform supporting forex, stocks, indices, bonds, cryptocurrencies, and commodities with Depth of Market, MQL5 programming, and advanced order types. Available on Windows/macOS (desktop) and iOS/Android (MetaTrader app).
  • cTrader: Forex/CFD platform with ultra-fast execution, depth-of-market tools, advanced order management, and smart stop-out functions. Available on Windows/macOS (desktop), web, and iOS/Android (cTrader app).
  • TradingView: TradingView integration for CFD execution on currency pairs, indices, futures, and cryptocurrencies directly from TradingView charts. Available on web, Windows/macOS (desktop apps), and iOS/Android (TradingView app).
Broker
MT4 Yes Yes No
MT5 Yes Yes No
cTrader Yes Yes No
TradingView Yes Yes No
Proprietary platform No Yes Yes
Copy trading platform Yes Yes Yes

 

General View of the Trading Platforms on IC Markets

The charting tools available at IC Markets are listed below.

  • Technical indicators: 400+ built-in indicators plus thousands of community scripts via TradingView integration. Custom indicators and Expert Advisors on MetaTrader via native scripting; custom indicators on cTrader via C# using Automate module.
  • Drawing tools: Horizontal/vertical/trend lines, rays, equidistant channels, Fibonacci retracements, equidistant price channels, and rectangle shapes (cTrader).
  • Chart timeframes & history: Tick charts and range-style charting in cTrader alongside standard timeframes, as well as nine timeframes on MetaTrader mobile apps.
  • Backtesting: Strategy tester via TradingView integration with price/indicator/strategy alerts; Expert Advisor testing on MetaTrader.
  • Platforms & usability: MT4/MT5 (desktop/web/mobile) and cTrader available on Standard and Raw Spread accounts; TradingView charting via cTrader Raw Spread account connection. Supported chart types include line, OHLC, candlestick, range, tick, and Renko-style (cTrader). Features include detachable charts (cTrader), multi-display workspaces (TradingView), one-click trading, and Level II depth-of-market (cTrader).
  • Pricing: TradingView integration requires cTrader Raw Spread account and TradingView account (free or subscription tiers available).

The trading tools offered by IC Markets are listed below.

  • Order types & risk controls: Market, limit, and stop orders for trade entry/exit; full depth of market views and VWAP indicators on cTrader for liquidity monitoring.
  • One-click trading: One-tap trading on mobile applications for faster order placement.
  • Pattern recognition: Trading Central integration for technical-view signals, market-buzz data, and opportunity identification.
  • Market analytics widgets: Advanced Trading Tools module on MetaTrader includes chart-in-chart, correlation matrix, and sentiment components, along with live curated insights via Trading Central.
  • Platform integrations: MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader for trading workflows; TradingView for charting and trade execution.
  • Copy/social trading: Dedicated social-trading application for account linking and signal replication, as well as cTrader Copy for strategy providers and investors.
  • Algorithmic trading: cTrader Automate for C# custom indicators and automated strategies, along with FIX API for higher-volume trading workflows.
  • VPS hosting: VPS for running automated strategies with low-latency connectivity; access based on trading-volume thresholds.
  • Trading calculators: Margin, pip value, commission, and point-value calculators for trade planning.
  • Market analysis: Real-time economic calendar and macro-event coverage via Trading Central.
  • Alerts & notifications: Alarm functions through MetaTrader Advanced Tools for price, market-condition, and sentiment thresholds.
  • Performance analytics: Third-party trade-journaling and performance-review tool support.
  • Mobile utilities: Trade ticket modification, watchlists, and account management features.
  • Tool access: Core platforms, order types, and calculators included across account types.
Broker
API support FIX API FIX API, cTrader API eToro API
EAs support Yes Yes No
Coding languages supported MQL4, MQL5, cAlgo, Pinescript MQL4, MQL5, cAlgo, Pinescript N/A
VPS support Yes Yes No

Yes, IC Markets provides a Virtual Private Server (VPS) service. The service is branded “IC VPS” and is available as a complimentary option for eligible clients. The hosting is provided via third-party providers and is co-located in data-centres that connect directly to IC Markets’ trading servers, which are based in the Equinix NY4 and LD5 data-centres.

The VPS is free only for clients who meet specified monthly trading criteria; those who do not meet these thresholds will have their subscription cancelled or may need to pay. The eligibility criteria include holding a live trading account and being categorised as a “Pro Trader.” The specific minimum volumes for complimentary access start at 15 lots per month under the Standard plan, rising to 30 lots and 75 lots for Pro and Premium plans respectively. If the minimum criteria are not met for two consecutive months, the VPS subscription may be cancelled without notice.

In terms of provider and hosting location, the VPS is provided by external third-party hosting firms that are collocated with IC Markets’ trading servers in Equinix data-centres. The trading servers of IC Markets are located in Equinix NY4 (New York) and LD5 (London) data-centres.

In summary, IC Markets offers a VPS solution which can be free for qualifying clients, subject to meeting trading-volume criteria and other eligibility conditions, and uses infrastructure hosted in data-centres close to the broker’s execution servers. Explore the Forex brokers with free VPS.

No, IC Markets does not offer the technical-analysis tool Autochartist. Learn more about the best brokers with Autochartist.

Yes, IC Markets offers integration with TradingView. The integration allows IC Markets clients to trade directly from TradingView’s interface by connecting their brokerage account to TradingView in the platform’s trading panel.

IC Markets specifically supports this via its cTrader Raw Account and the “Connect to TradingView” option found in the client area. To use TradingView with IC Markets you must first open an account (live or demo) and fund it, then link it via the secure client area “Connect to TradingView” function.

IC Markets charges no additional subscription or special fees for using TradingView beyond the normal account funding and trading costs; you still need a compatible account type (cTrader Raw) to trade via TradingView.

Explore the best brokers with TradingView.

Yes, the broker allows algorithmic trading. Retail clients can use MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 with Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom indicators, with no restrictions on high-frequency or automated trading. cTrader Automate (cAlgo) supports algorithmic system development and automated strategies. For developers, a FIX API gateway provides direct connectivity, low-latency order execution, and liquidity pool access. The broker also offers co-located VPS service with one-millisecond latency for continuous EA operation.

How good is IC Markets for mobile trading?

IC Markets is an excellent choice for mobile trading because it offers four dedicated mobile platforms (MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and its proprietary IC Markets app), supports both Android and iOS devices, and delivers an extensive suite of trading features on mobile.

IC Markets allows users to trade the full range of its instruments including forex, commodities, indices, stock CFDs, futures, and cryptocurrencies directly from their mobile devices. Traders can manage all aspects of their accounts from opening new accounts to depositing, withdrawing, and real-time monitoring. The mobile platforms feature over 30 built-in technical indicators, drawing tools for chart analysis, an integrated economic calendar, and up-to-date market news. The mobile experience covers essentially all major analytical and trading needs for users on the go, while some advanced drawing tools are more comprehensive on desktop.

XTB, IG Markets, Pepperstone, and AvaTrade are some of the best mobile trading apps and are good alternatives to IC Markets. Explore the best apps for Forex trading.

Broker
MT4 mobile Yes Yes No
MT5 mobile Yes Yes No
cTrader mobile Yes Yes No
Proprietary mobile app Yes Yes Yes

IC Markets’ mobile app matches the desktop in core trading conditions (spreads, execution, instrument access) but differs in interface, customisation, and advanced tools. Both support MT4, MT5, and cTrader with full forex and CFD access. The mobile app handles essentials like opening/managing trades, deposits/withdrawals, balances, margin/P&L, charts, and basic technical tools, optimized for small screens and quick use. The desktop adds comprehensive charting, indicator libraries, workspace customisation, advanced alerts, multi-window layouts, and full algorithmic trading support. Mobile lacks sophisticated automation tools and the flexible multi-screen setup desktop traders use for intensive analysis and multi-trade management. Trading conditions (spreads, order types, execution speed) remain identical; differences lie in interface and functional depth, not cost or performance.

How good is IC Markets to learn trading?

IC Markets is a great option for learning trading because it offers a comprehensive educational section, including training articles, tutorials, market outlooks, daily analysis, podcasts, and live webinars with Q&A. IC Markets is great but not excellent for learning trading because it does not provide cent or nano lot accounts, which can help absolute beginners manage risk with very small real-money positions.

IC Markets has a full suite of educational resources for new traders, such as structured beginner guides, multimedia content, live and recorded webinars, and analytical blog posts covering market trends and strategies. The broker supports learning through non-expiring demo accounts that replicate live market conditions, allowing users to practice indefinitely at no cost. The lack of cent or nano-lot account types means the minimum possible real-money trade size is a micro-lot, which represents a higher entry threshold compared to platforms that offer even smaller position sizes. This makes IC Markets especially strong for learning via simulated trading and educational content, but with a slightly higher practical barrier for risk-averse beginners transitioning to live trading.

Learn more about what is trading and how it works.

Broker
Webinars Yes Yes Yes
Tutorials Yes Yes Yes
Glossary Yes Yes Yes
Live analysis Yes Yes Yes

 

General View of the Education Resources on IC Markets

How good is IC Markets customer care?

IC Markets has excellent customer care because it offers 24/7 live chat support, multiple support email addresses, international and toll-free phone contact, multilingual support and website localization, priority service for high-tier clients, and does not charge any fees for customer support.

Clients can reach IC Markets customer care via live chat on the website at any time, through several dedicated email addresses for different departments, or by calling local and international phone lines. The support caters to clients in many languages due to a multilingual service team and localized websites, and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. High-volume traders can access priority support through the Raw Trader Plus program. All customer care features are provided free of charge for all clients, with no hidden costs for accessing support by chat, email, or phone.

Broker
Support languages Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Arabic, Indonesian, Italian, French, Thai, German, Polish English, Spanish, Malaysian, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese (traditional), Chinese (simplified), French, Polish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Czech, Danish, Romanian, Vietnamese, Finnish, Arabic, Thai
Phone support Yes Yes No
Email support Yes Yes Yes
Chat support Yes Yes Yes
Support hours Mon-Sun (00:00-24:00) Mon-Fri (00:00-24:00) Sun-Fri (13:00-23:00 GMT)

What are the best alternatives to IC Markets?

The best alternatives to IC Markets are HFM, FxPro, and eToro.

  • HFM: companies regulated in the UK and the EU; Premium accounts from 1 pip or Zero Spread accounts from 0.1 pips plus USD 6 commission; negative balance protection, segregated funds, and retail leverage caps.
  • FxPro: Raw spreads from 0 pips; wide platform availability with MT4/MT5/cTrader; supports algo trading and has companies regulated in the UK and the EU.
  • eToro: Social trading network; zero-commission stocks; simple platform; segregated funds and retail leverage limits.

Learn more about alternatives to IC Markets.

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