IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of IC Markets and Interactive Brokers across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
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.
VS
Score 4.6 / 5
2 bonusesListed broker with global market access, lowest financing rates we benchmark, and the powerful TWS workstation.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsby 0.1 pts
IC Markets edges ahead with a score of 4.7/5 vs Interactive Brokers's 4.6/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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 0.2 pips for Interactive Brokers, 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
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer equivalent trading costs across spreads, commissions, and account types.
Best for platform choice
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer an equivalent platform selection with similar exclusive and proprietary options.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IC Markets edges out Interactive Brokers with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 4.6/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.6 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Greenwich, United States |
| Min deposit | $200 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0.2 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $2/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 50:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | First withdrawal/month free |
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC CySEC | FCA CMF SEC FINRA ASIC JFSA SEBI AMF SFC DFSA CMVM NFA IIROC CNV FSC CBI CNB MFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView | Proprietary Web/Mobile Trader Workstation (TWS) |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit IC Markets | Visit Interactive Brokers |
IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
Pros
Available to US residents
Lowest margin rates in industry
150+ global markets
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
Cons
Steeper learning curve on TWS
No MT4 / MT5
No MetaTrader support
No 24/5 live chat
IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
IC Markets
criteria wins
1
Interactive Brokers
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5 for Interactive Brokers. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; IC Markets and Interactive Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
IC Markets offers tighter spreads starting from 0 pips, compared to Interactive Brokers's spreads from 0.2 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Interactive Brokers has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Interactive Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC Markets and Interactive Brokers 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: Interactive Brokers has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
IC Markets offers maximum leverage of 500:1, while Interactive Brokers offers up to 50:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per lot, lower than IC Markets's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
IC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView and Interactive Brokers offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS); IC Markets exclusively offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView; Interactive Brokers exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile, Trader Workstation (TWS).
Ready to get started?
Open an account directly with the broker that suits you best.
Score 4.6 / 5
More Broker Comparisons
More IC Markets comparisons
More Interactive Brokers 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