Two forex brokers clash over trust, pricing, and platform support. The contest centers on regulation reach, ECN pricing, and platform breadth.
IC Markets is the editorial winner with 4.7/5 versus BlackBull Markets 4.1/5.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose BlackBull Markets if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you want a $0 minimum deposit and access to a very large instrument universe.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want true ECN pricing with 0.0 pip spreads and a compensation scheme.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0.00 pips.
| Editorial score | 4.1/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
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)
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| 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 |
IC Markets rates 4.7/5 versus 4.1/5 for BlackBull Markets. IC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both BlackBull Markets and IC Markets start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, 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. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: BlackBull Markets has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
BlackBull Markets 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.
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 cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. BlackBull Markets has exclusive access to DXtrade.
IC Markets wins with ASIC, CySEC, and FSCA oversight and segregated client funds.
IC Markets wins for active traders due to true ECN pricing and deep liquidity.
BlackBull Markets is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($6/lot).
BlackBull Markets offers DXtrade in addition to MT4/MT5/cTrader and TradingView.
BlackBull Markets allows a $0 minimum and accessible account setup.
BlackBull Markets offers far more instruments (26,000 vs 2,200).
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▼ lower | $200 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $6/lot▼ lower | $7/lot |
|---|
| 0.6 pips▼ lower | 0.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
|---|
| 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 | FSC FMA | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView DXtrade MetaTrader 4 | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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