BlackBull Markets vs IC Markets Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of BlackBull Markets and IC Markets across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Score 4.1 / 5
2 bonusesNew Zealand-regulated ECN broker with all three major platforms, no minimum deposit on standard accounts, and good Asia-Pacific coverage.
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 winsClear Winner
IC Markets comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.7/5 compared to BlackBull Markets's 4.1/5.
IC Markets
4.7/5
BlackBull Markets
4.1/5
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
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
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
BlackBull Markets has a cost edge: lower commission ($6/lot).
Best for platform choice
Recommended
BlackBull Markets offers more exclusive platform options: DXtrade.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IC Markets edges out BlackBull Markets with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
BlackBull Markets vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 2014 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Auckland, New Zealand | Sydney, Australia |
| Min deposit | No minimum | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FMA FSC | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 TradingView MetaTrader 5 DXtrade cTrader | MetaTrader 4 TradingView MetaTrader 5 cTrader |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit BlackBull Markets | Visit IC Markets |
BlackBull Markets vs IC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Supports all three major platforms: MT4, MT5, and cTrader
Regulated under FSC - well-established for offshore clients
No minimum deposit on standard account
Good for Asia-Pacific timezone traders
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Raw spread account available
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
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
ECN commission of $6/lot round-turn is above some peers
Customer support timezone is NZ-centric
Brand recognition outside APAC is limited
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Cons
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
BlackBull Markets vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
0
BlackBull Markets
criteria wins
1
IC Markets
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | BlackBull Markets | 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) | 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 | 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 |
BlackBull Markets vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.7/5 vs 4.1/5 for BlackBull Markets. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; BlackBull Markets and IC Markets may each suit different trader profiles.
Both BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes BlackBull Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both BlackBull Markets 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: BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets charges $6 per lot, lower than IC Markets's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
BlackBull Markets supports MetaTrader 4, TradingView, MetaTrader 5, DXtrade, cTrader and IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, TradingView, MetaTrader 5, cTrader; both support MetaTrader 4, TradingView, MetaTrader 5, cTrader; BlackBull Markets exclusively offers DXtrade.
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Score 4.1 / 5
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