IC Markets is a high-performance ECN (Electronic Communication Network) broker that excels in execution speed and cost-efficiency. It is the go-to destination for automated traders (EAs) and scalpers who require sub-1ms execution.
Pros/Cons: Industry-leading EUR/USD spreads (averaging 0.1 pips) and no withdrawal/inactivity fees; however, the $200 minimum deposit is higher than some "micro-entry" competitors, and the asset library—while broad—is more focused on CFDs than physical ownership.
Fees: Exceptional. The Raw Spread account offers $7.00 round-turn commissions with near-zero spreads, and there are no inactivity fees.
Account Opening: Efficient. A $200 minimum deposit is standard across all account types, with rapid digital verification.
Instruments: Over 2,250+ instruments, including 61+ Forex pairs, 2,100+ Stock CFDs, plus Bonds, Futures, and Cryptos.
Platforms: A "powerhouse" lineup featuring MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.
Safety: Tier-1 and Tier-2 protection. Regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), FSA (Seychelles), and SCB (Bahamas).
IC Markets is consistently ranked as one of the lowest-cost brokers globally in 2026 due to its volume-based business model.
- Raw Spread Account (MT4/MT5/TradingView): Spreads from 0.0 pips. Commission is $3.50 per side ($7.00 per round turn) for USD accounts.
- cTrader Raw Spread: Spreads from 0.0 pips. Commission is slightly lower at $3.00 per side ($6.00 per round turn) per 100k USD.
- Standard Account: $0 commission. Spreads include a markup (typically starting from 0.8 pips on EUR/USD).
- Non-Trading Fees: Zero. There are no deposit fees, no withdrawal fees, and no inactivity fees, making it an extremely fair environment for infrequent traders.
The onboarding process is streamlined for professional speed, though it maintains a higher financial threshold than "retail-first" apps.
- Minimum Deposit: $200 (or equivalent in 10 supported base currencies).
- Base Currencies: Supports USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, SGD, NZD, JPY, CHF, HKD, and CAD.
- Verification: Automated. Users can typically expect account approval within 12–24 hours after uploading standard identity and address documentation.
In 2026, IC Markets offers arguably the most technically diverse platform suite in the industry.
- TradingView: The "Gold Standard" for 2026. Users can trade directly on TradingView charts while utilizing IC Markets’ Raw Spread liquidity.
- cTrader: Often cited as the best platform for manual scalping, featuring Level II pricing and advanced "DoM" (Depth of Market) visibility.
- MetaTrader 4 & 5: The industry workhorses, supported by IC’s "Advanced Trading Tools" package (20+ additional apps like Sentiment Trader and Correlation Matrix).
- Social Trading: Full integration with IC Social, ZuluTrade, and Myfxbook AutoTrade for those looking to copy successful strategies.
While not a "supermarket" like Swissquote, IC Markets provides a deep, liquid selection of the world's most traded assets.
- Forex: 61+ pairs, including all majors, minors, and a broad range of exotics.
- Stocks & ETFs: Over 2,100+ stock CFDs from the ASX, NYSE, and NASDAQ.
- Commodities: 22+ products including Energies (Oil/Gas), Metals (Gold/Silver/Platinum), and Softs (Coffee, Sugar, Wheat).
- Indices & Bonds: 25+ global indices and 9+ Bond CFDs, allowing for macro-economic hedging.
- Cryptocurrency: 18+ major Crypto CFDs with leverage up to 1:200 (outside the UK/EU).
IC Markets provides a high level of security by maintaining licenses across multiple continents, ensuring compliance with varied global standards.
- Tier-1 Regulation: Authorized by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus).
- Global Licenses: FSA (Seychelles) and SCB (Bahamas).
- Fund Protection: Client funds are held in segregated accounts with AA-rated Australian banks (such as Westpac and NAB).
- Audit Standards: IC Markets undergoes regular external audits to ensure their "Raw Pricing" claims match their actual execution logs.
IC Markets is the best choice for the "Technical Scalper" or the "Algo Trader." If your strategy relies on getting in and out of the market in seconds, or if you use Expert Advisors that require the lowest possible spreads, IC Markets is statistically one of the best-performing brokers in 2026.
Recommendation: A strong "Yes" for active traders. While the $200 minimum deposit might be a hurdle for some, the zero withdrawal/inactivity fees and the sub-40ms execution make it a more profitable long-term home for serious capital.
If you are moving from a commission-free broker, choose the Raw Spread Account over the Standard Account. Even though you see a $7 commission, the "spread savings" on a 0.0 pip EUR/USD trade will almost always result in a lower total cost than a "free" trade with an 0.8 pip spread. Also, take advantage of the Depth of Market (DoM) tool on cTrader—it shows you the volume of orders waiting at different price levels, which is a massive advantage when trying to find "support" or "resistance" zones.
Yes, IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and the SCB (Bahamas), and is one of the most trusted ECN brokers globally.
The minimum deposit for IC Markets is $200, which applies to all account types including the Raw Spread and Standard accounts.
IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread accounts with a commission of $3.50 per side per lot, making it one of the lowest-cost brokers available.
Yes, IC Markets fully supports automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4 and MT5, and also supports cTrader's cAlgo for algorithmic strategies.
Yes, IC Markets is consistently rated among the top forex brokers globally due to its deep liquidity, tight spreads, fast execution, and support for all trading styles.