FXCM vs IC Markets Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of FXCM and IC Markets across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Veteran FCA-regulated broker with strong API support, MT4, and the proprietary Trading Station platform.
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 FXCM's 4.1/5.
IC Markets
4.7/5
FXCM
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 0.4 pips for FXCM, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Best for active traders
Recommended
IC Markets has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0 pips.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
FXCM offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, NinjaTrader, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IC Markets edges out FXCM with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
FXCM 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 | 4.2 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.0 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
| Founded | 1999 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Sydney, Australia |
| Min deposit | $50 | $200 |
| Spreads from | 0.4 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
| Max leverage | 400:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free for first per month | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC | FSCA ASIC CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 Proprietary Web/Mobile NinjaTrader | MetaTrader 4 TradingView MetaTrader 5 cTrader |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit FXCM | Visit IC Markets |
FXCM vs IC Markets Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
Strong APIs (REST, FIX)
Trading Station + MT4
FCA regulated
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
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
Withdrew from US market in 2017
No raw spread account option
Inactivity fee applies
Cons
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
FXCM vs IC Markets: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
FXCM
criteria win
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | FXCM | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | 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 |
FXCM 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 FXCM. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; FXCM and IC Markets may each suit different trader profiles.
IC Markets offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to FXCM's spreads from 0.4 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
FXCM has a lower minimum deposit of $50, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes FXCM more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both FXCM 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: FXCM has a lower minimum deposit ($50), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
FXCM offers maximum leverage of 400:1, 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.
FXCM supports MetaTrader 4, Proprietary Web/Mobile, NinjaTrader and IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, TradingView, MetaTrader 5, cTrader; both support MetaTrader 4; FXCM exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, NinjaTrader; IC Markets exclusively offers TradingView, MetaTrader 5, cTrader.
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Score 4.1 / 5
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