A head-to-head comparison of IC Markets and RoboForex across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
True ECN routing with raw 0.0 pip spreads on majors plus commission, deep liquidity, and the cleanest MT4 / MT5 / cTrader stack we test.
IFSC Belize-regulated broker with a genuine ECN/STP execution model, multiple platform options including cTrader, and a broad 12,000+ instrument range that goes beyond most forex-focused competitors.
IC Markets comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.7/5 compared to RoboForex's 4/5.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
IC Markets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
RoboForex offers more exclusive platform options: Proprietary Web/Mobile, a proprietary platform.
IC Markets edges out RoboForex with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 3.6 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Belize City, Belize |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $20/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 2000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC CySEC | FSCA CySEC IFSC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader Proprietary Web/Mobile |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit IC Markets | Visit RoboForex |
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
12,000+ instruments including real stocks and ETFs
cTrader available with full Level II and cAlgo
Multiple account types from Cent to ECN
R Trader proprietary platform with built-in analytics
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Raw spread account available
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
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
Cons
Primary entity uses IFSC Belize - offshore, limited protection
ECN commission of $20 round-turn is higher than IC Markets ($7)
Very high leverage (2000:1) amplifies risk significantly
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | IC Markets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Pass |
| 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 |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.7/5 vs 4/5 for RoboForex. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; IC Markets and RoboForex may each suit different trader profiles.
Both IC Markets and RoboForex offer spreads starting from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
RoboForex has a lower minimum deposit of $10, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes RoboForex more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
IC Markets holds top-tier regulation (FSCA, ASIC, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. RoboForex may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
For beginners: RoboForex has a lower minimum deposit ($10), 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 RoboForex offers up to 2000:1. 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, lower than RoboForex's $20 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
IC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView and RoboForex offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, Proprietary Web/Mobile; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader; IC Markets exclusively offers TradingView; RoboForex exclusively offers Proprietary Web/Mobile.
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