Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FP Markets 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.
FP Markets and IC Markets stand out in the online trading world with their solid regulatory credentials and trust ratings. Founded in 2005, FP Markets has established itself with two top-level Tier-1 licenses and a Tier-2 license, leading to a notable trust score of 89. Although it isn't publicly traded or a bank, its licensing and trust score put it in the "trusted" category, making it a reliable choice for traders.
Meanwhile, IC Markets, founded in 2007, holds two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting its strong regulatory standing. With a ForexBrokers.com trust score of 84, it remains a trusted platform, although slightly behind FP Markets in terms of score. Like its competitor, IC Markets is not publicly traded nor operates as a bank, but it maintains confidence among traders through its regulatory compliance. Both brokers offer a trusted environment, but FP Markets holds a slight edge in trust score and licensing diversity.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2005 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
FP Markets and IC Markets are both top picks for low trading costs, each earning 5 stars for Commissions & Fees in 2024. In our rankings, FP Markets is #11 out of 63 brokers, while IC Markets ranks higher at #5. Both support commission-free and commission-based pricing across MetaTrader and cTrader, and both are widely used by cost-conscious forex traders.
On commission-based “Raw” accounts, FP Markets’ Raw ECN averages 0.1 pips on EUR/USD (October 2023) and charges $6 per round turn (RT) per standard lot, for an all-in cost around 0.8 pips. IC Markets lists an average 0.02-pip spread on EUR/USD (August 2022); after adding commission, the all-in comes to about 0.62 pips on cTrader ($6 RT) or 0.72 pips on MetaTrader ($7 RT). That means IC Markets edges FP Markets on all-in EUR/USD costs with its cTrader Raw account, while FP Markets remains very competitive for active traders.
For spread-only accounts, FP Markets’ Standard averages about 1.1 pips on EUR/USD, whereas IC Markets’ Standard averages about 0.62 pips and is commission-free. Beyond forex, FP Markets’ Iress suite offers DMA share CFDs with full market depth, but ViewPoint tiers carry monthly platform/data fees unless you meet higher deposit levels or spend at least AUD 150 in monthly commissions; the lower-cost Iress Investor plan has limited charts and no default streaming data. IC Markets provides volume-based discounts for traders exceeding 100 lots per month, and pricing can vary slightly by entity (EU, Australia, Seychelles) and platform choice.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 AUD | $200 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 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.
FP Markets and IC Markets both let you trade forex as either CFDs or spot, and both support copy trading. FP Markets lists about 10,000 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, giving it a wider overall selection than IC Markets, which offers 3,583 symbols and 61 forex pairs. For crypto, both brokers provide cryptocurrency CFDs but do not offer direct, delivered crypto. If you want to buy exchange-traded shares, neither broker provides access to U.S.-listed stocks; however, IC Markets does offer exchange-traded shares on certain international markets, while FP Markets does not.
Both brokers earn 4.5 stars for Range of Investments. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, FP Markets places #16 out of 63 for this category, while IC Markets ranks #22. Choose FP Markets if a larger symbol count and more forex pairs matter most. Pick IC Markets if you want the added ability to buy international exchange-traded shares alongside CFD trading.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10000 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| 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.
FP Markets and IC Markets both check the key boxes for trading platforms and tools. Each broker offers a free demo account for practice, Windows desktop and web-based platforms, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. One clear difference: FP Markets provides its own proprietary platform in addition to MetaTrader, while IC Markets sticks to third‑party platforms without an in‑house option. Details on the number of built-in technical indicators and watch list columns are not specified for either broker.
When it comes to quality scores, both FP Markets and IC Markets earn 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings of 63 brokers, IC Markets places higher at #17, while FP Markets comes in at #22. If you want access to a proprietary platform alongside MT4 and MT5, FP Markets may appeal; if you’re comfortable staying within the MetaTrader ecosystem and want a slightly higher-ranked option, IC Markets is a strong alternative.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
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) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FP Markets and IC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each includes stock or forex price alerts. Charting tools are comparable: you can draw trendlines in both apps, and your drawings auto-save. For indicators, FP Markets uses the standard MetaTrader selection of studies, while the IC Markets mobile app lists 30 technical studies. One downside for both: watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and your online account is not available.
In terms of recognition, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for Mobile Trading Apps. According to ForexBrokers.com, FP Markets ranks #20 out of 63 brokers in this category, while IC Markets ranks #22. In short, FP Markets edges ahead slightly in the rankings, and IC Markets makes its indicator count clear at 30; otherwise, their mobile features are very similar.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | MetaTrader (Default) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Looking at FP Markets vs IC Markets for market research, both brokers deliver daily market commentary and real-time forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Each one also includes Autochartist and Trading Central for technical and fundamental ideas, a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long and short positions, and an economic calendar to track major events. Neither broker offers research from TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading (including Signal Centre).
In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, FP Markets and IC Markets both earned 4 stars for Research, with IC Markets ranked #21 out of 63 brokers and FP Markets ranked #22. That slight edge suggests IC Markets may have a small advantage, but in practice their research suites are very similar—so your choice may come down to platform experience, pricing, or other features.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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 FP Markets and IC Markets provide beginner-friendly forex and CFD education. Each broker runs ongoing client webinars (at least monthly) and offers a large catalog of beginner videos to help you learn trading basics step by step. As you progress, both also include advanced video lessons, so you can keep building skills without switching platforms.
When it comes to quality scores, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for Education from ForexBrokers.com. IC Markets is ranked higher overall for Education (#16 out of 63 brokers) compared to FP Markets (#22 out of 63). In short: beginners will find strong learning support at either broker, with IC Markets holding a slight edge in the rankings, while FP Markets remains a solid alternative with comparable videos and regular webinars.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
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 FP Markets is better than IC Markets. FP Markets finished with an overall rank of #19, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #21.
FP Markets shines as a low-cost broker for trading forex and CFDs – as long as you use the MetaTrader platform. The Iress platform suite offers well over 9,000 tradeable symbols, but it’s mostly a share trading platform – and is generally a much pricier option.
| Feature |
FP Markets
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IC Markets
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 89 | 84 |
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Comparing online brokers FP Markets vs IC Markets: neither allows buying actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but both provide cryptocurrency CFD trading.
FP Markets vs IC Markets: both brokers do not offer ACH or SEPA transfers, both support PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire for 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 | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 89 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
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| Regulation | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 89 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 2005 | 2007 | |
| 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 | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | 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) | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10000 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.62 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 AUD | $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 | FP Markets | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Tools | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | MetaTrader (Default) | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FP Markets | 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 | FP Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | FP Markets | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 89 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
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