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IC Markets vs IFC Markets

IC Markets is licensed by ASIC in Australia, CySEC in the European Union and SCB in The Bahamas, and also has an offshore registration. IFC Markets is licensed by Labuan FSA in Labuan, Malaysia, and also has an offshore registration. The licence that applies to you depends on where you live, so check which company you would contract with before comparing anything else.

On its cheapest account per lot, IC Markets costs about $8 per standard lot on EUR/USD (Raw Spread (MetaTrader) account: 0.1 pips plus $7 commission); IFC Markets costs about $18 (Classic Standard (fixed spread) account: 1.8 pips, no commission). On these typical figures IC Markets is $10 cheaper per lot, or $100 a month at 10 lots. Swap and other fees are extra.

Minimum deposits start at $0 at IC Markets and $15 at IFC Markets (the Classic Standard (fixed spread) account needs $1,000). Only IFC Markets offers negative balance protection. Only IC Markets offers segregated client money.

Facts last checked: IC Markets on 20 October 2026, IFC Markets on 20 October 2026.

IC Markets profileIFC Markets profile
Broker 1
Broker 2
Broker 3

Monthly cost uses the account chosen in each slot: cost per lot × your lots. Swap and other fees are extra. The lowest monthly cost is highlighted only as a fact about cost, not as a recommendation.

Broker
IC MarketsStrictly regulatedRead the profile
IFC MarketsOffshore registration onlyRead the profile
Comparing
IC MarketsRaw Spread (MetaTrader) account · Australia
IFC MarketsClassic Standard (fixed spread) account · British Virgin Islands

Overview

Founded
Not yet checked
2006
Headquarters
Sydney, Australia
Not yet checked
Official websites
  • icmarkets.com
  • icmarkets.sc
  • icmarkets.eu
  • icmarkets.com.au
  • icmarkets.bs
  • ic.com
  • ifcmarkets.com
  • ifcmarkets.co.in
  • ifcmarkets.ae
  • ifcmarkets.hk
Facts last checked
20 October 2026
20 October 2026

Regulation and protection

Company you would contract with
International Capital Markets Pty Ltd
IFCMARKETS. CORP.
Regulator
ASIC
Australia
BVI FSC
British Virgin Islands
Regulation level
Strictly regulated
Offshore registration only
Licence number
AFSL 335692
Check the register
SIBA/L/14/1073
Check the register
Clients this company serves
Australian residents
International clients (not residents of the US, Russia or the BVI)
All licences held
  • ASIC (Australia)
  • CySEC (European Union)
  • SCB (The Bahamas)
  • FSA Seychelles (Seychelles)
  • BVI FSC (British Virgin Islands)
  • Labuan FSA (Labuan, Malaysia)
Segregated client money
Yes
No
Negative balance protection
No
Yes
Compensation scheme
ICF up to €20,000 (IC Markets EU only); none for the Seychelles or Bahamas companies
None

Costs

Your monthly cost
$80$8 per lot × 10 lots
$180$18 per lot × 10 lots
Cost per lot (EUR/USD)
$8
$18
Spread from
0.0 pips
1.8 pips
Typical EUR/USD spread
0.1 pips
1.8 pips
Commission per lot (round turn)
$7
None
Typical GBP/USD spread
Not yet checked
Not yet checked
Typical USD/JPY spread
Not yet checked
Not yet checked
Typical XAU/USD spread
Not yet checked
Not yet checked
Swap-free account
Yes
Yes

Leverage and margin

Maximum retail leverage
1:30 (EU, Australia); up to 1:5000 at the Seychelles company
1:400 on Micro and Nano accounts; 1:200 on Standard accounts
Retail leverage by asset class
  • Major currency pairs (EU and Australian retail): 1:30
  • All account types (Seychelles company): Up to 1:5000
  • All instruments, Standard accounts: Up to 1:200
  • All instruments, Micro and Nano accounts: Up to 1:400
Margin call level
Not yet checked
Not yet checked
Stop-out level
50%
10%

Account

Minimum deposit (this account)
$0
$1,000
Base currencies
AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, JPY, CHF, NZD, CAD, HKD
USD, EUR, JPY
Execution
Raw spread plus $3.50 per lot per side
Instant execution, fixed spread, no commission (MT4 and NetTradeX)

Platforms and features

Platforms
  • MetaTrader 4
  • MetaTrader 5
  • cTrader
  • TradingView
  • Web platform
  • NetTradeX
  • MetaTrader 4
  • MetaTrader 5
  • Web terminal
  • Mobile apps
Markets
Forex, commodities, indices, metals, bonds, share CFDs and crypto CFDs (2,250 instruments on MetaTrader)
650+ CFDs on forex, metals, indices, stocks, commodities, ETFs and cryptocurrencies, plus self-built synthetic instruments
Demo account
Yes
Yes
Copy trading
Not yet checked
Not yet checked
Expert advisors (automated trading)
Yes
Yes
News trading allowed
Not yet checked
Not yet checked
Guaranteed stops
Not yet checked
Not yet checked

Deposits and withdrawals

Deposit methods
  • Credit card
  • Debit card
  • PayPal
  • Neteller
  • Skrill
  • Bank transfer
  • Cryptocurrency
  • UnionPay
  • Broker to broker transfer
  • Bank transfer
  • Bank card
  • Cryptocurrency
  • Open Banking
  • Local bank (Africa)
  • Mobile money
  • WebMoney
Withdrawal fee
Not yet checked
Bank wire at your bank's fee; card, crypto and e-wallet withdrawals carry fees that vary by method (for example 3% for Open Banking)
Inactivity fee
Not yet checked
Up to $10 a month after 12 months without trading, only while the balance is positive

Support

Customer support
24 hours a day, Monday to Sunday
24/7 online support

Our notes

Strengths
  • Australian and EU companies licensed by strict regulators (ASIC and CySEC)
  • Published average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips on the Raw Spread account, with commission set out per currency
  • Client money held in segregated accounts, according to each IC company
  • Wide platform choice, including cTrader and TradingView
  • Fixed 1.8-pip EUR/USD spread on Classic accounts, so costs are known in advance
  • Micro and Nano accounts from $15
  • Choice of NetTradeX, MT4 and MT5, with hedging or netting on MT5 and NetTradeX
Watch out for
  • International clients join Raw Trading Ltd, regulated only in Seychelles (offshore), where leverage goes up to 1:5000
  • The Seychelles company's risk warning says losses may exceed the amount you deposit
  • The Standard account's typical spread is not published (it quotes "from 0.8 pips")
  • Brand changing from IC Markets to IC, with several regional domains; check you are on one listed here
  • Licensed only in the BVI (offshore) and Labuan; no FCA, ASIC, CySEC or similar licence
  • Stop-out level of only 10%, so positions are closed late and losses can run far
  • Monthly inactivity fee of up to $10 after 12 months without trading
  • Standard accounts need a $1,000 first deposit

Risk warnings

The buttons to a broker’s website above the table are partner links: we may earn a commission if you open an account through them. That never changes the facts shown here. Trading leveraged products such as forex and CFDs carries a high risk of losing money rapidly, and most retail accounts lose money. Each broker’s own warning:

  • IC Markets: Risk Warning: Trading in securities involves significant risk. Prices may fluctuate and securities can become entirely valueless. You may incur losses that exceed your potential profits, and in some cases, losses may exceed the amount you have deposited. Securities, futures, options, and contracts for differences are complex financial instruments and are not suitable for all investors. Engaging in such transactions requires a sound understanding of the associated risks. Please read and ensure you fully understand our Risk Disclosure.
  • IFC Markets: Your capital is at risk. Leveraged products may not be suitable for everyone.

Open this comparison in the full tool to share a link with your own accounts and companies chosen.

Other head-to-head pages

Cost per lot is the typical EUR/USD spread in busy hours × $10, plus any round-turn commission, for one standard lot. “Not yet checked” means we have not confirmed that fact yet. This page compares facts; it does not rank the brokers or recommend either. Confirm costs and licences on each broker’s site and the regulator’s public register before opening an account: see how we review brokers and check a broker yourself.

Nothing on this page is financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.

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