Admiralsvs
IC MarketsForex Broker Comparison
Admirals and IC Markets square off over regulation, fees, and platform choices. The central tension is true ECN pricing versus account variety, inviting you to read on.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
IC Markets emerges as the editorial winner because its higher score reflects stronger regulatory coverage and fee transparency, though Admirals remains a competitive option for its account variety.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1True ECN routing with 0.0 pip spreads at IC Markets
- 2Admirals charges $6/lot on its zero account
- 3IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView
Who should choose Admirals vs IC Markets?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Admirals if…
Choose Admirals if you value a broad range of accounts and strong EU/UK regulation.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you prioritize true ECN pricing, 0 pip spreads, and deep liquidity.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
IC Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.50 pips for Admirals, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Admirals vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Admirals vs IC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Extensive range of accounts including Zero, Trade, and Invest
Strong FCA and CySEC regulation covering EU and UK traders
High-quality educational content including live webinars
Zero account offers spreads from 0.5 pips with $6 round-turn commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Admirals vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
Admirals
criteria wins
1
IC Markets
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Admirals vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Admirals rates 4.3/5 and IC Markets rates 4.7/5. IC Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
IC Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than Admirals's 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Admirals has $100, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Admirals more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Admirals and IC Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: Admirals requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Admirals lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while IC Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Admirals charges $6 per lot, lower than IC Markets's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView.
