Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Exness, 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.
IC Markets and Exness are two well-regarded online brokers, each offering unique regulatory standings that influence their trust and reliability. Founded in 2007, IC Markets holds a Trust Score of 84 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the "trusted" category. This broker possesses 2 highly trusted Tier-1 licenses, underscoring its commitment to stringent regulatory standards, although it holds no Tier-2 licenses. Meanwhile, Exness, established a year later in 2008, scores 81, also within the "trusted" range. Exness similarly holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and additionally maintains 3 Tier-2 licenses, offering a slightly broader regulatory backing.
Both brokers are privately held, meaning they are not listed on any stock exchange, and neither operates as a bank. These attributes provide an insight into their operational frameworks, offering confidence in their financial dealings without the complexity of public ownership or banking activities. Choosing between IC Markets and Exness largely depends on individual preferences for regulatory depth and trust score, as both offer solid trust credentials and regulatory adherence in the trading industry.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
Looking strictly at commissions and fees, IC Markets generally comes out cheaper for forex trading than Exness. IC Markets earned 5 stars and ranks #5 of 63 for Commissions & Fees (Best in Class, 2024), while Exness earns 4 stars and ranks #36 of 63. Both brokers offer spread-only and commission-based pricing, but IC Markets’ raw pricing and small effective spreads often lead to lower all-in costs, especially for active traders.
IC Markets has three accounts: Standard (spread-only), Raw Spread on MT4/MT5, and cTrader Raw. Commissions are $3.0 per side ($6 round turn) on cTrader Raw and $3.5 per side ($7 round turn) on MT4/MT5 Raw. IC Markets lists an average EUR/USD spread of 0.02 pips on raw quotes; with commission, the all-in cost is about 0.62 pips on cTrader (about 0.72 on MetaTrader). The Standard account averages about 0.62 pips with no commission. Spreads can vary by platform, account type, and the IC Markets entity (EU, Australia, Seychelles). Active traders who clear 100+ standard lots per month can get discounts, and the low deposit for commission accounts helps keep entry costs down.
Exness offers five main account types: Standard Cent and Standard (both spread-only), Pro (lower spreads; instant or market execution), and two commission accounts—Zero Spread and Raw. Zero Spread uses market execution and charges a per-trade commission of $0.05. The Raw account charges up to $7 per round turn per lot ($3.5 per side) with lower spreads and market execution. Zero and Raw have no leverage or stop-out restrictions, with margin calls at 30%. While Exness can be competitive on its Raw and Zero Spread accounts, its Standard and Standard Cent accounts carry higher spreads, which is reflected in its lower 4-star rating and #36 ranking for Commissions & Fees.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IC Markets vs Exness for range of investments: IC Markets lists 3,583 tradable symbols across asset classes, while Exness offers 227. If your focus is currency trading, Exness leads with 96 forex pairs versus IC Markets’ 61. For exchange-listed shares, neither broker lets you buy U.S. stocks outright, but IC Markets does provide access to international exchange-traded securities (for example, London-listed names), which Exness does not.
Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, offer crypto through derivatives rather than actual coins, and include copy trading. According to ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets scores 4.5/5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 26th out of 63 brokers, while Exness scores 3.5/5 stars and ranks 56th. In short, IC Markets suits traders seeking the widest overall selection, and Exness suits traders who want more forex pairs.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 227 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 96 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
Both IC Markets and Exness offer users a variety of trading platforms and tools that cater to various preferences and trading styles. While neither broker provides the DupliTrade option, they both support popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with offering simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts. IC Markets does not have a proprietary platform, whereas Exness provides one developed in-house to cater to its customers' unique needs. On the other hand, IC Markets takes the lead with ZuluTrade support, a feature not provided by Exness. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts and provide a similar experience with web-based and desktop platforms for Windows users.
In terms of charting tools, Exness outshines IC Markets with a significantly higher number of drawing tools—87 compared to IC Markets' 15—but IC Markets and Exness both offer the same number of fields for watch lists, at seven columns each. Although both vendors receive a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, IC Markets ranks higher at 16th among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to Exness, which stands at 26th. Overall, both brokers offer strong platform features, but the choice between them may depend on specific tools, such as ZuluTrade or the comprehensiveness of drawing tools provided.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| 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 | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 87 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IC Markets and Exness, both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android devices, offering price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Both apps support viewing various time frames, making them versatile for traders on the go. On the other hand, neither platform currently supports syncing watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account.
IC Markets offers 30 technical studies for charting, whereas Exness provides a slightly larger selection with 35. Although both apps allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, IC Markets stands out with its feature to auto-save drawings on charts, a function lacking in the Exness app. Both apps earn a commendable 4-star rating for mobile trading, with IC Markets ranked slightly higher at #22 compared to Exness's #26 in the ForexBrokers.com ranking out of 63 brokers. This makes both options competitive and reliable for traders looking for a comprehensive mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IC Markets and Exness both cover the basics traders look for in market research: daily market commentary, forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, Trading Central analytics, a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. Neither broker integrates TipRanks or Acuity Trading. The main difference is Autochartist—IC Markets offers these pattern and setup scanners, while Exness does not.
For overall research quality, ForexBrokers.com rates IC Markets at 4 stars and ranks it 23rd out of 63 brokers, while Exness earns 3.5 stars and ranks 42nd. Put simply, IC Markets edges ahead thanks to its wider toolset that includes Autochartist, while Exness still delivers the core news, analysis, and sentiment features many traders use day to day.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing IC Markets and Exness for their educational offerings to beginner traders, both platforms excel by providing a minimum of ten educational resources focusing on forex and CFDs. IC Markets enhances the learning experience further by hosting monthly webinars, allowing beginners to receive real-time insights. While Exness does provide an array of educational materials, it does not include live monthly webinars, which might appeal to those seeking interactive learning experiences. Traders using either platform will find a searchable archive of past webinars, which is a plus for revisiting previously covered material.
IC Markets stands out with a wider range of advanced educational videos, catering to both beginners and those more experienced. Though both brokers offer investor dictionaries that cover over 50 terms, IC Markets pulls ahead with its more comprehensive approach to trader education. Rated at 4 stars for education, IC Markets outshines Exness, which holds a 3.5-star rating. IC Markets secures the 16th spot out of 63 brokers in the education category according to ForexBrokers.com, while Exness is positioned at 47th, making IC Markets a more preferred choice for a thorough educational experience.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IC Markets is better than Exness. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while Exness finished with an overall rank of #43.
IC Markets’ competitive pricing and scalable execution make it an excellent option for algorithmic traders. Though it supports an impressive range of third-party tools and plugins, IC Markets’ research and education offerings are not as impressive as those offered by industry leaders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 |
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Both IC Markets and Exness provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows for the purchase of actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
While both IC Markets and Exness offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, only IC Markets provides the additional option of PayPal, whereas neither platform supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | IC Markets | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Exness Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Exness | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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) | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | Yes |
| Investments | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 227 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 96 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 107 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 87 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IC Markets Review | Exness Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Exness Review |
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