Dukascopyvs
IC MarketsForex Broker Comparison
Two established forex brokers square off on trust, costs and technology. The matchup tests whether stricter regulation and stronger safety match broader platform access and tighter spreads.
Who should choose Dukascopy vs IC Markets?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose Dukascopy if you want a proprietary JForex platform with Java/Groovy automation and Swiss fund protection.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you want true ECN routing with raw spreads, a choice of MT4/MT5/cTrader, and 24/5 live chat.
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
Dukascopy vs IC Markets: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.9 / 5▲ | 4.6 / 5 |
Dukascopy vs IC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Full FINMA banking licence - client cash protected under Swiss deposit guarantee up to CHF 100,000
Genuine interbank SWFX ECN liquidity from 14+ institutional providers
EUR/USD variable spreads from 0.1 pips during London/New York overlap
JForex supports Java/Groovy strategy automation built into the platform
Banking-grade transparency with published balance sheet
Dukascopy vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
Dukascopy
criteria win
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | Dukascopy | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Fail | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Dukascopy vs IC Markets: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: Dukascopy rates 4.3/5 and IC Markets rates 4.7/5. IC Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
IC Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than Dukascopy's 0.1 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
IC Markets has $200, while Dukascopy requires at least $1000. This makes IC Markets more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Dukascopy 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.
IC Markets stands out for beginners: it has a lower entry point and provides negative balance protection, which caps losses at your deposited amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
Dukascopy lists maximum leverage of 200:1, 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.
Both Dukascopy and IC Markets charge the same commission of $7 per lot on applicable accounts.
Dukascopy supports Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. Dukascopy has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
