Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com, established in 1999, and IC Markets, founded in 2007, are two prominent online brokers catering to traders worldwide. When examining trustworthiness, FOREX.com shines with a perfect Trust Score of 99 out of 99 by ForexBrokers.com, indicating it's highly reliable. In comparison, IC Markets holds a commendable Trust Score of 84, marking it as a trusted broker as well. Notably, FOREX.com is publicly traded, while IC Markets remains privately owned, and neither operates as a bank.
In terms of regulatory credibility, FOREX.com possesses an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, which underscores its reliable standing in the financial market. Meanwhile, IC Markets holds two Tier-1 licenses but lacks Tier-2 licensing, reflecting a solid yet less comprehensive regulatory standing compared to FOREX.com. These distinctions highlight key differences in regulatory oversight and trust factor between the two brokers.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
Comparing commissions and fees, IC Markets generally comes in cheaper than FOREX.com on like-for-like, commission-based accounts. IC Markets’ Raw and cTrader Raw accounts deliver very low all-in costs on EUR/USD (about 0.62 pips on cTrader or 0.72 on MetaTrader), while FOREX.com’s Raw account typically works out closer to 0.83 pips once commissions are included. Standard, spread-only pricing is also sharper at IC Markets in most cases. Ratings and rankings reflect this: FOREX.com scores 4.5/5 stars and ranks #14 of 63 for Commissions & Fees, while IC Markets earns 5/5 stars and ranks #5 of 63.
FOREX.com offers spread-only Standard pricing and a commission-based RAW Spread account with volume rebates. In the U.S., the Standard account averaged about 1.4 pips on EUR/USD (July 2023), though outside the U.S. it averaged 0.74 pips in that period. The RAW account posted typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.13 pips (Feb 2024) plus a $7 per standard lot round turn commission (about 0.7 pips), putting the all-in cost near 0.83 pips before any rebates. There are six rebate tiers ($2–$9 per million), but unless you trade more than $50 million per month, the all-in cost for the RAW account is often similar to the Standard account for U.S. residents. Ultra–high-volume traders (over $2 billion per month) can approach pricing seen at peers like IC Markets.
IC Markets supports three account types: a commission-free Standard account, and two commission-based options (Raw Spread on MT4/MT5 and cTrader Raw). The cTrader Raw account charges $3.00 per side ($6 RT) with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.02 pips, for an all-in cost near 0.62 pips; the MetaTrader Raw account is $3.50 per side ($7 RT) and comes in around 0.72 pips all-in. The Standard account averages about 0.62 pips on EUR/USD with no commission. Active traders who clear 100+ standard lots per month can qualify for additional discounts.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.62 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing the range of investments, FOREX.com lists 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, while IC Markets offers 3,583 symbols and 61 forex pairs. Both support forex trading as CFDs or spot (availability can vary by region) and both provide cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto. Neither broker offers exchange-traded U.S. shares; however, IC Markets does provide access to exchange-traded international shares, which FOREX.com does not. IC Markets also supports copy trading, whereas FOREX.com does not.
For overall market variety, FOREX.com takes the edge with a 5-star Range of Investments rating and a #7 ranking out of 63 brokers. IC Markets earns 4.5 stars and ranks #26. Choose FOREX.com if you want the widest selection of instruments and more forex pairs; pick IC Markets if copy trading and access to exchange-traded international shares are priorities.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
FOREX.com and IC Markets both offer free demo (paper) trading, plus Windows desktop and web-based platforms where you can place trades directly from charts. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). A key difference is that FOREX.com provides an in-house proprietary platform, while IC Markets relies on third-party platforms. If copy trading is important, IC Markets includes it; FOREX.com does not.
For trading platforms and tools, ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com at 5 stars and ranks it #7 out of 63 brokers, while IC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #16. Choose FOREX.com if you want an in-house platform alongside MT4/MT5 and chart-based trading on both web and desktop. Pick IC Markets if you want MT4/MT5 with the added option of copy trading.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both FOREX.com and IC Markets offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, complete with price alerts, trendline drawing tools, and auto‑saving for chart annotations. The key differences show up in charting and convenience: FOREX.com packs in 88 technical studies versus 30 at IC Markets, and it syncs watchlists with your online account, while IC Markets does not. If you value deeper chart analysis and the ability to keep watchlists aligned across devices, FOREX.com has the edge.
Independent ratings reflect this gap. FOREX.com earns 5 stars and ranks #3 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets holds 4 stars and ranks #22. Traders looking for a feature‑rich mobile experience may prefer FOREX.com, whereas IC Markets can suit those who want a solid app with core tools and alerts.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 | 88 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research amenities of FOREX.com and IC Markets, both platforms provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from reputable sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. While both brokers offer technical research tools from Trading Central, IC Markets additionally provides tools from Autochartist, which FOREX.com does not. Both platforms include sentiment-based trading tools and comprehensive economic calendars to stay updated on global economic events. However, neither broker offers research tools from Acuity Trading or market insights from TipRanks.
In terms of research quality, FOREX.com slightly surpasses IC Markets with a rating of 4.5 stars compared to IC Markets' 4 stars. FOREX.com is ranked 9th out of 63 brokers in the research category according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas IC Markets stands at 23rd. This indicates that while both brokers offer valuable research tools, FOREX.com demonstrates a slight edge in the breadth and quality of its research offerings.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both FOREX.com and IC Markets provide forex and CFD education that meets the benchmark of at least 10 educational pieces. Each broker offers ongoing client webinars (at least once per month) and more than 10 beginner-friendly videos to help new traders understand the basics. They also supply 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go beyond the fundamentals, making both platforms suitable for a learning path that grows with you.
For overall education quality, FOREX.com earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets scores 4 stars and ranks #16. In practice, that means beginners who want a slightly stronger, more structured learning experience may prefer FOREX.com, while IC Markets remains a solid choice with plentiful webinars and videos for both new and experienced traders.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than IC Markets. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
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IC Markets
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 |
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FOREX.com vs IC Markets: Neither online broker offers actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide access to cryptocurrency CFDs (not the underlying asset).
FOREX.com vs IC Markets: for account deposits and withdrawals, FOREX.com supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires, while IC Markets offers PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA.
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 | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | 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) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.4 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.62 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | 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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 88 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | IC Markets Review |
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