Two brokers with distinct platform ecosystems, pricing, and instrument breadth face off in a cost vs. choice showdown.
IC Markets edges Tickmill in editorial score due to broader platform coverage and 2200 instruments. Tickmill remains competitive with lower per-lot commissions and higher leverage.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose IC Markets if…
Choose IC Markets if you want MT4, MT5, cTrader and a broad instrument universe.
Choose Tickmill if…
Choose Tickmill if you value low commissions and high leverage.
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 | 4.7/ 5 | 4.3/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.4 / 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 | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| 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 |
The scores are close: IC Markets rates 4.7/5 and Tickmill 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.
Both IC Markets and Tickmill start from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Compare commissions and account types to evaluate total trading costs.
Tickmill has $100, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Tickmill more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both IC Markets and Tickmill 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: Tickmill requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), 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 Tickmill lists up to 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Tickmill charges $6 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 Tickmill supports MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and MetaTrader 4. IC Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and TradingView.
Equally matched; both have multiple top-tier regulators and segregated funds.
Tickmill is better suited for scalpers: lower commission ($6/lot).
IC Markets lists 2200 instruments, more than Tickmill.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.5 / 5 |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2014 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | London, United Kingdom |
|---|
| Min Deposit | $200 | $100▼ lower |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0 pips | 0 pips |
|---|
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $6/lot▼ lower |
|---|
| 0.7 pips | 0.6 pips▼ lower |
| Max Leverage | 500:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | ASIC FSCA CySEC | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView MetaTrader 4 | 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
Industry-low commission of $6 round-turn on Pro account
Strong FCA, CySEC, and FSCA regulatory coverage
No dealing desk on Pro and Raw accounts
Negative balance protection for retail clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
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
Not available to US residents
Higher minimum deposit than IG/OANDA
No proprietary platform
Cons
No cTrader support
Limited asset classes compared to multi-asset peers
Not available to US residents
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.3 / 5
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