IC Markets Comprehensive Broker Review

At a glance

IC Markets is renowned for institutional‑grade pricing and execution for retail traders, featuring very tight raw spreads (often averaging near 0.1 pips on majors) and low commissions, on MT4, MT5, and cTrader. It remains a top choice for algos, scalpers, and high‑volume traders.

Regulation & client money protection

IC Markets operates under ASIC (Australia), CySEC (EU), and the FSA (Seychelles). EU clients can access the Investor Compensation Fund (up to €20,000), while the Seychelles entity provides private indemnity insurance up to $1 million. Protections and leverage differ by entity.

Account types & pricing

• Raw Spread (cTrader / MT4/5 Raw): 0.0 pips advertised, ~0.1 pips typical on majors, plus low commission—among the most competitive in the industry.
• Standard: Wider spreads, no commission; better for simplicity, not for ultra‑low cost.

Platforms & tools

• MT4, MT5, and cTrader with full algo support (EAs/cBots), VPS options, FIX/API connectivity for advanced users, and a large marketplace of tools.

Markets offered

Forex, indices, commodities, bonds, shares & ETF CFDs, and crypto CFDs (depending on regulator).

Deposits & withdrawals

Wide selection of fee‑friendly funding options with fast processing; third‑party fees may apply.

Research & education

IC Markets focuses more on pricing and execution than on flagship research. You’ll get the essentials (market updates, webinars), but many power users source analytics elsewhere.

Customer support

Responsive, 24/7 live chat and email, with good technical knowledge for EA/cTrader users.

Pros

• Among the tightest spreads and lowest all‑in trading costs.
• MT4/MT5/cTrader with deep algo & API support.
• Solid multi‑entity regulation and insurance add‑ons.

Cons

• Research/education is adequate, not exceptional.
• Entity fragmentation: protections, leverage, and product availability differ.

Best for

Scalpers, algorithmic traders, and high‑volume or cost‑sensitive traders who prize razor‑thin spreads and fast execution over bells‑and‑whistles research.

Final verdict

IC Markets remains one of the strongest “execution + pricing” brokers on the market. If you can live without an industry‑leading research portal, it’s hard to beat for raw trading conditions.