IC Markets Review 2026 — Is It Worth It?
Drawdown may earn a referral commission if you open an account via our links. This never influences our recommendations — we only feature brokers and platforms we have personally used or thoroughly evaluated. See our full Review Methodology.
01 // Overview
IC Markets is one of the world's only true "Raw Spread" brokers. Founded in Sydney in 2007, they were built by traders for traders, with a focus on providing institutional-grade liquidity and lightning-fast execution. The core differentiator for IC Markets is their infrastructure. They utilize Equinix NY4 data center servers in New York and LD5 in London, the same infrastructure used by major investment banks. This results in sub-1ms latency and almost zero slippage for most orders. While they are not directly FCA regulated for their main global entity, they are heavily regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Europe), making them a top choice for serious high-frequency scalpers and algorithmic traders who need the absolute lowest latency and tightest spreads.
02 // Key Stats at a Glance
| Regulation | Global/Offshore |
| Min Deposit | $200 |
| Spreads From | 0.0 pips |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Execution | No Dealing Desk / ECN |
| Assets | Forex, Indices, Stocks, Commodities |
// What We Like
- Ultra-tight spreads
- Equinix NY4 infrastructure
- No restrictions on scalping
// What We Don't Like
- Not FCA regulated (ASIC/CySEC)
- Limited education for beginners
03 // Account Types
IC Markets offers three primary account types: 1. Raw Spread (MetaTrader): The most popular choice. Spreads from 0.0 pips with a small commission of $3.50 per lot per side. 2. Raw Spread (cTrader): Optimized for the cTrader platform with a slightly lower commission of $3.00 per $100k traded. 3. Standard Account: No commission, with spreads starting from 0.6 pips. All accounts provide access to 60+ forex pairs and over 1,000 CFDs across indices, stocks, and commodities.
04 // Platforms & Tools
IC Markets focuses on providing the best third-party platforms: MT4 & MT5: The industry standards, optimized with IC Markets' deep liquidity and fast execution. cTrader: A superior platform for manual traders, offering Level 2 market depth and advanced charting. TradingView: Full integration for charting and direct trade execution. Social Trading: They support third-party social trading via Myfxbook AutoTrade and ZuluTrade.
05 // Fees & Costs
IC Markets is built for the lowest possible cost of trading. - Forex Spreads: Consistently 0.0 pips on EURUSD and other majors. - Commissions: $7.00 round-turn per lot (Standard) or $6.00 (cTrader). - Deposits/Withdrawals: Zero fees for almost all methods, including credit cards and international bank transfers. - No Inactivity Fee: They do not charge for dormant accounts.
06 // Regulation & Safety
Directly Regulated
This broker is authorized and regulated by the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) in the UK.
IC Markets is a global firm with strong Tier-1 licenses: - ASIC Regulated (Australia) - CySEC Regulated (Europe) - FSA Regulated (Seychelles) - Segregated Client Funds: All client capital is held in top-tier banks like Westpac and NAB. - Professional Indemnity Insurance: Providing an extra layer of security for client funds.
Good Fit For
- High-frequency scalpers
- Algorithmic traders and EA users
- Traders needing 0.0 pip raw spreads
- Users who value lightning-fast execution
Not A Good Fit
- UK traders who strictly require FSCS protection (ASIC/CySEC entities)
- Absolute beginners who need simple mobile-only apps
- Long-term stock investors
Who Should NOT Use IC Markets?
If you are a UK retail trader who values the security of the FCA and FSCS protection above all else, the lack of a direct UK retail license for IC Markets' primary entity might be a deterrent.
The Verdict
IC Markets is the ultimate choice for the technical power-user. Their execution speed is unmatched in the retail space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IC Markets an ECN broker?
Yes, IC Markets uses a true ECN/Raw Spread model with deep institutional liquidity.
What is the minimum deposit?
The minimum deposit for IC Markets is $200.
// ON THIS PAGE
Start Trading
Join IC Markets via Drawdown and gain institutional-grade execution on global markets.
Visit Site