This head-to-head pits two regulated brokers against each other on cost, platforms, and regulation. The resulting choices highlight different priorities for traders.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose BDSwiss if you want a $10 minimum deposit with regulated EU access and low upfront cost.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you seek true ECN pricing with 0.0 pip spreads on majors and a wider platform suite.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Pros
$10 minimum deposit (Classic account) - lowest among CySEC-regulated MT4/MT5 brokers
CySEC (199/13) regulation with ICF compensation scheme for EU clients
MT4, MT5, and proprietary WebTrader
Prime ECN account: raw 0.0 pip spreads at $6/lot commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | BDSwiss | 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 | 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 |
IC Markets rates 4.7/5 versus 3.9/5 for BDSwiss. IC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both BDSwiss and IC Markets start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
BDSwiss has $10, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes BDSwiss more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both BDSwiss 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: BDSwiss requires a lower minimum deposit ($10), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
BDSwiss lists maximum leverage of 30:1, 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.
BDSwiss charges $6 per lot, lower than IC Markets's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
BDSwiss supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. BDSwiss has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
IC Markets leads safety with ASIC and CySEC licensing plus FSCA.
IC Markets suits active traders with 2,200 instruments and ECN access.
BDSwiss is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($6/lot).
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2007 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Sydney, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $10▼ lower | $200 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 30:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FSA Seychelles FSC | ASIC CySEC FSCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
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
Classic account spreads (1.5-2.0 pips EUR/USD) wide for active traders
$1,000 minimum on the Prime ECN account
No cTrader or TradingView integration
Research tools are basic
Cons
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
IC Markets outperforms BDSwiss on overall score, fees and platform breadth.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
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