IC Marketsvs
tastytradeForex Broker Comparison
Two distinct approaches to retail trading head to head: IC Markets delivers multi-platform ECN access and tight pricing, while tastytrade centers on US options with a proprietary platform.
Who should choose IC Markets vs tastytrade?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose if…
Choose IC Markets if you want MT4/MT5 or cTrader and raw 0 pip spreads with a commission.
Choose if…
Choose tastytrade if you want a US options focus with a proprietary platform and per-contract pricing.
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 vs tastytrade: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 5 |
IC Markets vs tastytrade 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
IC Markets vs tastytrade: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
5
IC Markets
criteria wins
1
tastytrade
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | tastytrade |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| 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 | 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 | Fail |
IC Markets vs tastytrade: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.7/5 and tastytrade rates 4.3/5. IC Markets has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
IC Markets starts from 0 pips. Current spread data is not available for tastytrade. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date pricing.
tastytrade has no minimum deposit, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes tastytrade more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC Markets and tastytrade 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, two factors stand out: tastytrade has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and IC Markets provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
IC Markets lists maximum leverage of 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
tastytrade charges $1 per lot, lower than IC Markets's $7 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
IC Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, MetaTrader 4, while tastytrade supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and MetaTrader 4. tastytrade has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
