IC Markets Review (2026)

IC Markets is a long-established, multi-regulated broker built around raw-spread, true-ECN-style pricing — which is why it's a favourite of scalpers, high-volume traders, and Expert Advisor users on MetaTrader 4. Operating since 2007 out of Sydney, IC Markets reports more than 200,000 active clients and over $1 trillion in monthly trading volume across 2,250+ instruments. In this IC Markets review we go past the headlines — the account types, what it really costs, the platforms, deposits and withdrawals, how it's regulated, and where it falls short — so you can decide if it fits.

IC Markets at a glance

Founded	2007 (Sydney, Australia)
Regulation	ASIC, CySEC, FSA (multiple entities)
Minimum deposit	$200 (commonly published; lower on some entities)
Spreads from	0.0 pips (Raw Spread) · ~1.0 pip on average (Standard)
Platforms	MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView (via cTrader Raw)
Instruments	2,250+ — forex, indices, commodities, metals, shares, bonds, crypto CFDs
Leverage	1:30 (EU/CySEC & ASIC) up to 1:1000 (offshore FSA entity)
Demo account	Yes — free, with virtual funds
US clients	Not accepted
Best for	Scalping, EAs, Raw spread

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IC Markets account types compared

IC Markets keeps its retail line-up focused around one idea: raw spreads plus a transparent commission. The Standard account folds all costs into a slightly wider spread with no commission — simplest, but not the cheapest. The two Raw Spread accounts deliver spreads from 0.0 pips and charge a small commission instead; the only real difference between them is the platform and the commission rate — cTrader is a touch cheaper than MT4/MT5. All three share the same commonly published $200 minimum.

Costs & fees

Cost is IC Markets's headline strength. On the Raw Spread accounts the all-in cost — a near-zero spread plus roughly $6–$7 round-turn per lot — is among the tightest in the market, which is exactly what scalpers and high-volume traders want. The Standard account is fine for simplicity but isn't where IC Markets shines. The wins extend to the other fees too — no deposit or withdrawal charges from IC Markets, and no inactivity fee on its Global entity. Here's the full picture (IC Markets's published figures; confirm current values):

One caveat on spreads: the "from 0.0 pips" figure is best-case. IC Markets's own published average EUR/USD spread on the Raw Spread account is around 0.1 pip, and the Standard account nearer 1.0 pip — still very competitive, but worth knowing the typical number, not just the floor. Always check the live spread for the pairs you trade.

For a sense of the real cost, compare the all-in figure on the pairs you trade: a Raw-Spread commission of ~$6–$7 round-turn on top of a ~0.1 pip spread, versus a Standard-account ~1.0 pip spread with no commission. Work it out with our pip calculator and size trades with the lot size calculator.

Platforms

IC Markets has one of the broadest platform line-ups around. You get the full MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 terminals on desktop, mobile, and web (on the Standard and Raw Spread accounts), plus cTrader — a favourite for depth-of-market and advanced order types — and TradingView charting, available via the cTrader Raw account. That covers almost every trading style: MT4 for its huge ecosystem of indicators and Expert Advisors, MT5 for multi-asset, cTrader for order-book depth.

The execution side is the real draw. IC Markets routes through 25+ tier-1 liquidity providers with servers in the Equinix NY4 and LD5 data centres for low latency, and places no restrictions on scalping or EAs — so high-frequency and automated strategies are welcome rather than tolerated. For a 24/5 EA setup, pair it with a VPS.

Deposits & withdrawals

Funding is straightforward. IC Markets supports credit/debit cards, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and UnionPay (usually instant), plus BPAY and bank wire (slower). Withdrawals go back to your original method, and IC Markets doesn't charge its own deposit or withdrawal fee — a genuine plus. The caveat is international bank wires, which can pick up third-party intermediary or beneficiary charges and take longer to clear. Available methods depend on your country, so check the cashier.

Safety & regulation

IC Markets operates through several regulated entities — in our data ASIC, CySEC, FSA — each overseeing clients in different regions, with additional licences (such as the SCB in the Bahamas) on newer entities. Tier-1 oversight (ASIC) and EU oversight (CySEC) bring client-money segregation and, for eligible clients, negative-balance protection. The practical point: the protections you actually get depend on which IC Markets entity you sign up with, which is set by your country of residence — the offshore FSA (Seychelles) entity offers the highest leverage but the lightest statutory protections. Before depositing, confirm the entity, look up its licence on the regulator's own public register, and read the terms — see our guide to checking a broker is regulated.

Support & education

Support is solid: IC Markets offers 24/7 customer service via live chat, email, and phone, which is genuinely useful for active traders across time zones. Education is more functional than expansive — there's a help centre, platform tutorials, an economic calendar, and webinars, but IC Markets leans toward serving traders who already know the ropes rather than hand-holding complete beginners. None of it is personalised advice; treat it as general learning material.

How to open an IC Markets account (and demo)

Setting up takes only a few minutes:

• 1. Choose your entity. IC Markets routes you to the entity for your country, which sets your available account types, leverage, and minimum deposit.
• 2. Register. Open a free demo to practise, or a live account (commonly from $200).
• 3. Pick your account and platform. Standard or Raw Spread, on MT4, MT5, or cTrader — choose based on how you trade.
• 4. Verify your identity. Live accounts need ID and proof of address (standard KYC) — a quick, one-time step.
• 5. Fund it (or skip for a demo). Deposit by card, e-wallet, or bank transfer; a demo needs no deposit.
• 6. Download MT4 and log in. Use your login number, password, and server — our MT4 download guide has the full walkthrough.

Pros and cons

Who IC Markets is for

Choose IC Markets if you're a scalper, day trader, or EA user who wants the rawest realistic cost, deep liquidity, fast execution, and a free hand to run automated strategies — this is one of the strongest homes for active MetaTrader trading. The breadth of platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView) means you're rarely forced into a tool you don't like, and the cost structure rewards higher volume.

Look elsewhere if you're a complete beginner on a tiny budget who wants the smallest possible deposit and the deepest education — a lower-deposit broker may suit you better. If you're weighing raw-spread specialists head-to-head, see our IC Markets vs Pepperstone comparison. But for active, cost-sensitive trading on MT4, IC Markets remains one of the most capable choices out there.

Bottom line

IC Markets is a strong, well-regulated broker that does the thing active traders care about most: keep costs low and execution fast. Raw spreads from 0.0 pips, a small commission, deep liquidity, no EA or scalping restrictions, and a broad platform line-up add up to an excellent package for scalpers and automated strategies. It isn't the gentlest on-ramp for a first-timer — the deposit is higher and the education thinner than beginner-first brokers — but for cost-aware, higher-volume MT4 trading, it's hard to beat. If lowest realistic cost and fast execution are your priorities, IC Markets belongs on your shortlist; compare it against the field in our raw-spread brokers guide.

Open an account with IC Markets

Start with a free demo or a live account, and trade on MetaTrader 4, MT5, or cTrader with raw spreads and fast execution.

Visit IC Markets → MT4 download guide

⚠ Trading forex and CFDs is high-risk and most retail traders lose money. This is not financial advice.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you open a broker account through our links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Related guides

Compare IC Markets with the field in our best MT4 brokers guide, or see the best MT4 broker for scalping and best MT4 broker for EAs. Head-to-head: IC Markets vs Pepperstone and Exness vs IC Markets. Ready to set up? Follow the MT4 download guide.