Two brokers clash over regulation, pricing, and platform breadth. The comparison highlights how cost transparency and tool depth influence choice.
IC Markets edges OctaFX with an editorial score of 4.7 versus 4.0, reflecting stronger trust, fees, and platform coverage.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want top-tier regulation, raw spreads with a $7/lot commission, and broad instrument access.
Choose OctaFX if…
Choose OctaFX if you value OctaTrader copy trading, a low $25 minimum deposit, and local payment options.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
IC Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.60 pips for OctaFX, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Pass | Fail |
| 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 | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets rates 4.7/5 versus 4/5 for OctaFX. IC Markets edges ahead on our composite score, though both brokers meet a reasonable standard for most traders.
IC Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than OctaFX's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
OctaFX has $25, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes OctaFX more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
IC Markets holds top-tier regulation (ASIC, FSCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. OctaFX may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: OctaFX requires a lower minimum deposit ($25), lowering the barrier to entry, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IC Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1, while OctaFX 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.
IC Markets charges $7 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for OctaFX are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while OctaFX supports OctaTrader, MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView. OctaFX has exclusive access to OctaTrader.
IC Markets wins for safety & regulation with top-tier licenses and investor compensation coverage.
IC Markets suits active traders with raw spreads and deep liquidity.
IC Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
IC Markets offers MT4 MT5 and cTrader, plus TradingView integration.
OctaFX appeals to beginners with a low $25 deposit and OctaTrader copy trading.
IC Markets offers far more instruments, about 2200 versus 100.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2011 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $200 | $25▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips▼ lower | 0.6 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | N/A |
|---|
| 0.7 pips | N/A |
| Max Leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerUPIFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerUPIFasaPay |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSCA CySEC | FSCA CySEC SVGFSA |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | OctaTrader MetaTrader 5 MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
OctaTrader copy trading platform, transparent stats, one-click follow
Localised payment methods for India, Pakistan, Indonesia
Swap-free Islamic accounts available
$25 minimum deposit, no inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
Cons
Most international clients are under SVG offshore entity, not CySEC
Limited product range, no stocks or bonds
Copy trading focus means limited support for advanced discretionary traders
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4 / 5
Personalised recommendation
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