IC Markets vs Windsor Brokers Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of IC Markets and Windsor 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 / 5
2 bonusesOne of the longest-operating CySEC-regulated brokers, offering standard and ECN accounts on MT4 and MT5 - a solid EU retail offering backed by a track record few Cyprus-based competitors can match.
Our Verdict
IC Markets winsClear Winner
IC Markets comes out ahead with an editorial score of 4.7/5 compared to Windsor Brokers's 4/5.
IC Markets
4.7/5
Windsor Brokers
4/5
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
It's a tie
Both equally suited
Both brokers offer spreads from 0 pips.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
IC Markets has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
IC Markets offers more exclusive platform options: cTrader, TradingView.
Best for beginners
Recommended
IC Markets edges out Windsor Brokers with a higher editorial score (4.7/5 vs 4/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
IC Markets vs Windsor Brokers: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.7/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 5.0 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.6 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
| Founded | 2007 | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Nicosia, Cyprus |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0 pips | 0 pips |
| Commission / lot | $7/lot | $8/lot |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 500:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC CySEC | FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 cTrader TradingView | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit IC Markets | Visit Windsor Brokers |
IC Markets vs Windsor 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
35+ years of continuous operation - one of the longest track records in retail forex
CySEC regulated with EU investor protections
ECN Zero account from 0.0 pips + $8 commission
Islamic swap-free accounts available
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
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
Platform limited to MT4 and MT5 - no cTrader or proprietary option
$100 minimum deposit on standard accounts
ECN commission slightly above IC Markets and Pepperstone
No top-tier regulatory licence
Limited charting capabilities
IC Markets vs Windsor 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
0
Windsor Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | IC Markets | Windsor Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
IC Markets vs Windsor Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, IC Markets ranks higher with a score of 4.7/5 vs 4/5 for Windsor Brokers. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; IC Markets and Windsor Brokers may each suit different trader profiles.
Both IC Markets and Windsor Brokers offer spreads starting from 0 pips, making them equivalent on this metric. Consider commissions and account types when evaluating total trading costs.
Windsor Brokers has a lower minimum deposit of $100, while IC Markets requires at least $200. This makes Windsor Brokers more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
IC Markets holds top-tier regulation (FSCA, ASIC, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. Windsor Brokers 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: Windsor Brokers has a lower minimum deposit ($100), 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 Windsor Brokers offers up to 500:1. 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 Windsor Brokers's $8 per lot. Lower commissions benefit active traders who execute many trades per day.
IC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView and Windsor Brokers offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; both support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5; IC Markets exclusively offers cTrader, TradingView.
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Score 4 / 5
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