Deriv vs IC Markets Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of Deriv and IC Markets across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Veteran retail broker with MFSA, VFSC, FSC BVI, and LFSA licensing, best known for synthetic indices - volatility-simulated instruments that trade around the clock - alongside a standard forex and CFD offering.
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 Deriv's 4.1/5.
IC Markets
4.7/5
Deriv
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
Recommended
IC Markets offers tighter spreads from 0 pips vs 0.5 pips for Deriv, 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: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Deriv offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IC Markets edges out Deriv with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
Deriv 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 | 4.0 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 3.9 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1999 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Birkirkara, Malta | Sydney, Australia |
| Min deposit | $5 | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 1000:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | VFSC LFSA FSC BVI MFSA | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Deriv | Visit IC Markets |
Deriv vs IC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7 - unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
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
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
Cons
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
Deriv vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Deriv
criteria win
5
IC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Deriv | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Fail | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Fail | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Deriv 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 Deriv. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Deriv and IC Markets may each suit different trader profiles.
IC Markets offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Deriv's spreads from 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Deriv has a lower minimum deposit of $5, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Deriv more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
IC Markets holds top-tier regulation (FSCA, ASIC, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: Deriv has a lower minimum deposit ($5), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Deriv offers maximum leverage of 1000:1, 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.
Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade and IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView; both support MetaTrader 5; Deriv exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade; IC Markets exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView.
Ready to get started?
Open an account directly with the broker that suits you best.
Score 4.1 / 5
More Broker Comparisons
More Deriv comparisons
Personalised recommendation
Not sure which broker is right for you?
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the brokers that best fit your trading style, experience level, and country.
Find my broker