A head-to-head comparison of Axi and IC Markets across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
No minimum deposit, strong ASIC regulation, excellent MT4 infrastructure for EA traders, DXtrade for a modern web experience, and competitive Pro account pricing.
True ECN routing with raw 0.0 pip spreads on majors plus commission, deep liquidity, and the cleanest MT4 / MT5 / cTrader stack we test.
IC Markets comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.7/5 compared to Axi's 4.1/5.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
IC Markets offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView.
IC Markets edges out Axi with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2007 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Sydney, Australia |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC DFSA | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 DXtrade | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Axi | Visit IC Markets |
Pros
No minimum deposit
Strong ASIC, FCA, and DFSA regulation
MT4-focused with excellent EA and algorithmic trading support
No inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
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
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
No MT5 or cTrader support
Pro account commission of $7/lot is above some ECN peers
Research and education tools are more limited than some peers
No proprietary platform
Cons
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Axi | 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 | Pass | 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.7/5 vs 4.1/5 for Axi. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Axi and IC Markets may each suit different trader profiles.
Both Axi and IC Markets offer spreads starting from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
Axi has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Axi more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Axi 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: Axi has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Axi offers maximum leverage of 500:1, 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.
Both Axi and IC Markets charge the same commission of $7 per lot on applicable accounts.
Axi supports MetaTrader 4, DXtrade and IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView; both support MetaTrader 4; Axi exclusively offers DXtrade; IC Markets exclusively offers MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView.
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