Two ECN-style brokers face off on costs, execution quality and platform breadth, testing whether broader regulation and platform choice deliver real value for traders.
IC Markets edges Global Prime on the editorial score, supported by higher rating and a broader platform suite including MT5 and TradingView with true ECN raw spreads.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose Global Prime if…
Choose Global Prime if you value ASIC regulation with published quarterly execution quality reports and true NDD execution with no internal position matching.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want multi-jurisdiction regulation, investor compensation coverage, and multilingual 24/5 support.
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 | 4.2/ 5 | 4.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
Pros
ASIC regulated with published quarterly execution quality reports
Raw spreads from 0.0 pips with $7 round-turn commission
True NDD execution, no internal position matching
MT4 and cTrader available
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Global Prime | 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 | Fail | Pass |
| Phone support | Fail | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Fail | Pass |
IC Markets rates 4.7/5 versus 4.2/5 for Global Prime. IC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
Both Global Prime and IC Markets start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
Both Global Prime and IC Markets require a minimum deposit of $200 to open a live trading account.
Both Global Prime 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
Global Prime 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.
Both Global Prime and IC Markets charge the same commission of $7 per lot on applicable accounts.
Global Prime supports cTrader, MetaTrader 4, while IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4. Both provide cTrader and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and TradingView.
IC Markets wins for safety and regulation due to multi-jurisdiction licenses and segregated client funds.
IC Markets wins for active traders due to deep liquidity and true ECN routing.
Both brokers offer equivalent ECN conditions including raw spread accounts, commissions, and spread levels.
IC Markets wins for platform choice with MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.
IC Markets is best for beginners due to multilingual support and phone assistance for guidance.
IC Markets wins with 2200 instruments far exceeding Global Prime.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 5.0 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.6 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.1 / 5 | 4.5 / 5▲ |
|---|
| Founded | 2010 | 2007 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Sydney, Australia |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $200 | $200 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $7/lot |
|---|
| 0.7 pips | 0.7 pips |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPalSkrill | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC VFSC | ASIC FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 4 | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
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
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
$200 minimum deposit
Limited product range, forex and major CFD classes only
No proprietary platform or copy trading
No investor compensation scheme
No 24/5 live chat
No phone support
Support available in limited languages
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 4.2 / 5
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