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.
When comparing AvaTrade and IC Markets, both brokers were founded close together in the mid-2000s, with AvaTrade launching in 2006 and IC Markets in 2007. Neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank. From a trust and regulation point of view, AvaTrade has the edge: it holds 4 Tier-1 licenses and 4 Tier-2 licenses, while IC Markets holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and no Tier-2 licenses.
That regulatory difference is reflected in their ForexBrokers.com Trust Scores. AvaTrade scores 96 out of 99, placing it in the highly trusted range, while IC Markets scores 83 out of 99, which still falls in the trusted range but below AvaTrade. For traders comparing online brokers, AvaTrade may offer greater peace of mind on regulation, while IC Markets remains a well-regarded option with a solid trust rating.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
AvaTrade and IC Markets both offer competitive pricing, but they serve different types of traders. AvaTrade’s spreads are close to the industry average at just under 1 pip, with EUR/USD around 0.9 pips as of June 2024. For professional traders who qualify, AvaTrade’s Professional account can be more attractive, with spreads around 0.6 pips, which is similar to what some low-cost brokers offer. AvaTrade is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #14 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
IC Markets is the stronger choice for low trading costs overall. Its commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts are designed for tight pricing, with very small spreads and low commissions that can bring all-in costs close to the best forex brokers in the market. IC Markets also offers a commission-free Standard account, giving traders a choice between spread-only pricing and commission-based pricing. IC Markets is rated 5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #5 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In simple terms, AvaTrade is a solid option if you want straightforward pricing and may qualify for professional account rates, while IC Markets is the better pick if your main goal is keeping trading costs as low as possible. If commissions and spreads are your top priority, IC Markets has the edge.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.93 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 0.62 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
AvaTrade and IC Markets both give traders access to forex as CFDs or spot contracts, along with copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. Neither broker offers exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international exchanges, and neither lets clients buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency. For everyday traders looking for forex and CFD markets, both platforms cover the basics well.
Where they differ most is in choice. AvaTrade offers 1,260 tradeable symbols and 53 forex pairs, while IC Markets provides a much wider selection with 7,435 tradeable symbols and 61 forex pairs. That larger menu helps explain why IC Markets is rated higher for range of investments, with 4.5 out of 5 stars and a ForexBrokers.com ranking of #22, compared with AvaTrade’s 4 stars and #27 ranking.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 7435 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
AvaTrade and IC Markets both make it easy for traders to get started with free demo accounts, and each broker supports popular choices like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, desktop downloads, web trading, and copy trading. Both also let users place trades directly from charts, which can be helpful for active traders who want a quicker workflow. In short, the two platforms cover the main tools most traders look for, whether they prefer trading on a browser, a computer, or by following other traders.
The biggest difference is that AvaTrade also offers its own in-house platform, while IC Markets does not. That extra option may appeal to beginners who want a simpler experience or to traders who like having more than one platform choice. In independent ratings, AvaTrade scores 4.5 out of 5 for Trading Platforms and Tools and ranks #13 out of 36 brokers, while IC Markets scores 4 out of 5 and ranks #17, giving AvaTrade a slight edge overall in this category.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 32 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
AvaTrade and IC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, so traders can place trades and follow the markets from either device. Each app also supports stock or forex price alerts and lets users draw trendlines on charts. Where AvaTrade pulls ahead is in charting and convenience: its mobile app includes 73 technical studies, compared with 30 at IC Markets, and it also offers watchlist symbol syncing so changes update across the mobile app and online account.
IC Markets does have one useful edge in charting, since its mobile app auto-saves drawings on charts, while AvaTrade does not. Still, AvaTrade earns the higher overall score for mobile trading apps, with a 4.5-star rating and a ForexBrokers.com rank of #13 out of 36 brokers, versus IC Markets at 4 stars and #22. For traders who want more chart tools and better watchlist syncing on mobile, AvaTrade is the stronger pick, while IC Markets remains a solid choice for users who value saved chart drawings.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
AvaTrade and IC Markets both give traders access to useful market research tools, including forex news from major sources, Trading Central insights, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar. Both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for research, so each offers a solid set of features for staying on top of market moves. Neither broker includes Autochartist or Acuity Trading tools, but AvaTrade does not provide daily market commentary, while IC Markets does.
The main difference is that IC Markets has a slight edge in research depth. It offers daily market commentary and TipRanks market research, which AvaTrade does not. This also shows in the broader ranking, where IC Markets places #21 out of 36 brokers for Research, compared with AvaTrade at #29 out of 36. For traders who want a bit more frequent analysis and added research input, IC Markets may be the better pick.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to beginner-friendly learning, both AvaTrade and IC Markets give new traders plenty of ways to get started. Each broker offers forex and CFDs education with at least 10 learning pieces, plus online educational webinars at least once a month. They also each provide at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so traders can keep learning as their skills grow.
That said, AvaTrade stands out a bit more for education overall. Both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for Education, but AvaTrade is ranked #2 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets is ranked #16. For beginners looking for a broker with stronger educational support, AvaTrade has the edge, though IC Markets still offers a solid library of helpful learning materials.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 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 #15, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #21.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, along with strong educational resources and copy trading support.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
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IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 83 |
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AvaTrade vs IC Markets: both brokers support buying cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency.
AvaTrade vs IC Markets: both brokers do not offer ACH or SEPA transfers, both support PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire deposits and withdrawals, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | 96 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| 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 | 4 | 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 (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| 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) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 7435 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 account | 0.93 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 0.62 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $200 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 32 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | IC Markets Review |
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