Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs IC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
AvaTrade, founded in 2006, and IC Markets, established in 2007, are both prominent online brokers, although neither is publicly traded nor operates as a bank. When examining their regulatory standing, AvaTrade holds an advantage with four Tier-1 licenses, indicative of high trust, compared to IC Markets' two Tier-1 licenses. In addition, AvaTrade has secured three Tier-2 licenses, denoting trust, whereas IC Markets has not obtained any Tier-2 licenses. This robust regulatory framework contributes to AvaTrade's strong Trust Score of 94 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, IC Markets holds a Trust Score of 84, placing them in the trusted category but slightly below AvaTrade's rating. These scores reflect a comprehensive evaluation of each broker's reliability and safety, with AvaTrade emerging as the more trusted choice, partly due to its more extensive licensing portfolio. Both brokers offer significant experience and stability in the online trading space, but AvaTrade's extra layer of regulatory trust might provide added peace of mind for cautious investors.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
When evaluating commissions and fees, AvaTrade offers spreads that hover around the industry average, just under one pip (0.9 pips as of June 2024). These spreads are marginally higher compared to entry-level accounts from brokers like CMC Markets and Tickmill. However, for traders who qualify as elected professionals, AvaTrade's Professional account presents competitive spreads at 0.6 pips, similar to those offered by FP Markets. AvaTrade secures a commendable 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks 12th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, IC Markets is celebrated for having some of the most competitive trading costs available, earning it Best in Class honors in the Commissions & Fees category in the 2024 Annual Awards. IC Markets provides three account options: the commission-free Standard account with spread only, and two commission-based options — the Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts. The cTrader account benefits from slightly lower commissions than those using the MetaTrader platform. The all-in trading cost for IC Markets' cTrader account brings its effective spread to an attractive 0.62 pips, maintaining its status as a top contender for low-cost trading. IC Markets proudly holds a 5-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked 5th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Both AvaTrade and IC Markets cater to different types of traders, with IC Markets standing out for its lower trading costs and appealing features for active traders, such as discounts for high-volume trading. In comparison, AvaTrade offers competitive conditions for professional traders. Ultimately, the choice between these two brokers might hinge on your trading style and the importance you place on variable commissions versus fixed spreads. Whether you are drawn to AvaTrade's solid ratings or IC Markets' accolades for low-cost trading, both brokers present viable options for forex trading.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 0.62 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing AvaTrade and IC Markets for their range of investments, both brokers provide access to forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, appealing to traders interested in currencies. AvaTrade offers 1,260 tradeable symbols, which includes 53 forex pairs, while IC Markets surpasses this with 3,583 symbols and 61 forex pairs. However, neither broker provides exchange-traded securities from the U.S., although IC Markets allows trading on select international exchanges like the London Stock Exchange. Both brokers cater to modern trading styles by supporting copy trading, catering to investors who like to mimic strategies of others in the market.
For those interested in the burgeoning crypto market, both AvaTrade and IC Markets enable trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, albeit not the physical cryptocurrencies themselves. AvaTrade is rated 4 stars for its range of investments, placing it at #32 among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, IC Markets enjoys a slightly higher rating of 4.5 stars, ranking #25 in the same category. Investors evaluating their options between these two platforms can consider these factors when choosing which broker aligns best with their trading preferences.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing AvaTrade and IC Markets, both brokers offer a range of trading platforms and tools, making it easy for traders at all levels to find what suits them best. AvaTrade boasts a proprietary platform developed in-house, alongside support for popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). IC Markets, while not offering a proprietary platform, also provides MT4 and MT5 support. Both brokers deliver Windows-based and web-based trading platforms, along with the option to engage in copy trading via ZuluTrade. However, AvaTrade has a slight edge with additional support for DupliTrade, which IC Markets does not offer. For those interested in honing their trading skills, simulated (paper) trading is available with a free virtual demo account at both brokers.
In terms of charting tools and customization, AvaTrade includes 13 drawing tools and allows trading directly from charts, just like IC Markets. IC Markets, however, offers two more drawing tools than AvaTrade, bringing their total to 15. Both provide seven columns for watch lists, ensuring ample flexibility in monitoring market movements. In recognition of its tools, AvaTrade receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars, compared to IC Markets' 4 stars. When ranked by ForexBrokers.com for their trading platforms and tools, AvaTrade leads at number 13, while IC Markets is listed as 16 out of 62 brokers, highlighting AvaTrade's slightly superior offerings in this domain.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing AvaTrade and IC Markets for mobile trading apps, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android, complete with stock and forex price alerts. AvaTrade stands out with its synchronization feature, allowing watchlists on their app to sync seamlessly with the client's online account, a functionality IC Markets lacks. Furthermore, AvaTrade provides a more extensive charting experience with 73 technical studies compared to IC Markets' 30. Both apps support trendline drawing and multiple time frame views on charts, but IC Markets' app has the advantage of auto-saving chart drawings, a feature missing in AvaTrade's offering.
In terms of usability, both AvaTrade and IC Markets allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, enhancing the trading experience on the go. However, AvaTrade receives a higher user rating of 4.5 stars over IC Markets' 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, AvaTrade ranks at #13 out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, while IC Markets is placed at #22. This suggests that users generally find AvaTrade's mobile trading app more satisfying overall.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
AvaTrade and IC Markets are two online brokers offering various tools and features aimed at enhancing your trading experience. Both brokers provide forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have access to credible and timely information. For those interested in sentiment-based trading, AvaTrade and IC Markets both offer tools to gauge market sentiment by showing the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments. Additionally, they both supply technical analysis tools through collaborations with Trading Central, helping traders make informed decisions. However, IC Markets has the edge in offering Autochartist tools, which AvaTrade lacks, providing further technical analysis resources for their clients.
When it comes to daily market commentary, IC Markets stands out by offering this service, a feature AvaTrade doesn't provide. Both brokers offer comprehensive economic calendars to help traders stay informed about global news events impacting the markets. Despite these similarities, IC Markets takes a slight lead in its overall research offerings, being ranked #23 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared to AvaTrade's #34 ranking. Yet, both are rated four stars for research, highlighting their competitive offerings and commitment to equipping traders with essential market insights.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
If you're starting your trading journey and looking for educational resources, both AvaTrade and IC Markets provide strong options. AvaTrade offers a wealth of knowledge with a variety of educational materials like articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. Beginners can benefit from more than 10 videos designed specifically for them, and advanced traders have access to similarly tailored content. AvaTrade also hosts monthly educational webinars and maintains an accessible archive of past sessions. Additionally, it offers an investor dictionary, ensuring traders understand key terms. AvaTrade's dedication to education has earned it a 4-star rating and an impressive #2 position among 62 brokers in the education category ranked by ForexBrokers.com.
IC Markets is equally committed to educating its traders, also providing a wide array of educational content including articles, videos, and webinars with a focus on forex and CFDs. Beginners are catered to with more than 10 educational videos, while experienced traders have advanced resources at their disposal. Monthly webinars make learning up-to-date, and a searchable archive allows for convenient access to past webinars. IC Markets enhances learning with an investor dictionary featuring over 50 terms. With a 4-star rating for education, IC Markets holds the #16 spot in the same education category ranking. Thus, both AvaTrade and IC Markets offer comprehensive resources that support traders at any level, though AvaTrade takes a slight lead in terms of ranking.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that AvaTrade is better than IC Markets. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, as well as exceptional educational content that helped it nab Best in Class honors for Beginners in the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
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IC Markets
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| Trust Score | 94 | 84 |
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Both AvaTrade and IC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both AvaTrade and IC Markets do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for account funding, but they both offer versatile options including PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, making them comparable in terms of financial transaction flexibility for online trading.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 0.62 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $200 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | AvaTrade Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | IC Markets Review |
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