ADS Securities vs IC Markets Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ADS Securities and IC Markets across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Score 4.3 / 5
2 bonusesUAE-headquartered broker regulated by FSRA (Abu Dhabi Global Market) and FCA, providing institutional-quality execution and capital markets access to GCC institutional and high-net-worth retail traders.
VS
Score 4.7 / 5
4 bonusesTrue ECN routing with raw 0.0 pip spreads on majors plus commission, deep liquidity, and the cleanest MT4 / MT5 / cTrader stack we test.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.4 pts
IC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.7/5 vs ADS Securities's 4.3/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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 pips vs 0.5 pips for ADS Securities, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
IC Markets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for active traders
Recommended
IC Markets has a cost edge: tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
ADS Securities offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IC Markets edges out ADS Securities with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 4.3/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
ADS Securities 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 | 4.8 / 5▲ | 4.6 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2011 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Sydney, Australia |
| Min deposit | $2,000 | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 200:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA FSRA | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ADS Securities | Visit IC Markets |
ADS Securities vs IC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
FSRA (ADGM) and FCA dual regulation - institutional-grade UAE framework
Institutional prime brokerage liquidity for tight spreads
Multi-asset including equities and fixed income
FIX API available for algorithmic and professional clients
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
True ECN routing with raw 0.0 pip spreads
All three major platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader)
Deep liquidity from 25+ tier-1 sources
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
$2,000 minimum deposit - not accessible to entry-level retail traders
Primary focus on institutional and HNW clients; limited retail tools
Less suitable for traders seeking educational support or copy trading
No negative balance protection
No investor compensation scheme
Cons
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
ADS Securities vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
ADS Securities
criteria win
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ADS Securities | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | 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 |
ADS Securities vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.7/5 vs 4.3/5 for ADS Securities. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ADS Securities and IC Markets may each suit different trader profiles.
IC Markets offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to ADS Securities's spreads from 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
IC Markets has a lower minimum deposit of $200, while ADS Securities requires at least $2000. This makes IC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ADS Securities and IC Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: IC Markets has a lower minimum deposit ($200), lowering the barrier to entry; IC Markets offers negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
ADS Securities offers maximum leverage of 200:1, while IC Markets offers up to 500:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
IC Markets charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ADS Securities supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile and IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; ADS Securities exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile; IC Markets exclusively offers cTrader, TradingView.
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Score 4.3 / 5
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