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 (founded 2005) and IC Markets (founded 2007) are online brokers that are private companies—neither is publicly traded—and neither is a bank. Both hold two Tier-1 licenses, the highest trust category per ForexBrokers.com. FP Markets also holds one Tier-2 license, while IC Markets holds none at the Tier-2 level.
ForexBrokers.com rates FP Markets with a Trust Score of 90 (highly trusted) and IC Markets at 83 (trusted). The scale defines 90–99 as highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted. Based on these ratings and licenses, FP Markets edges ahead on overall regulatory standing.
| 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 |
If you’re choosing based on commissions and fees, both FP Markets and IC Markets are standout low-cost brokers that earned Best in Class honors in 2024. IC Markets has the edge with a 5-star rating and a #5/63 ranking for Commissions & Fees, while FP Markets earns 4.5 stars and ranks #11/63. Both support MetaTrader and cTrader with tight spreads and low commissions; the best value depends on the account type you use.
FP Markets: The commission-based Raw ECN account averaged about 0.1 pips on EUR/USD (October 2023), coming to roughly 0.8 pips all-in after its flat $6 per round turn per standard lot. The Standard account is spread-only and pricier, averaging around 1.1 pips on EUR/USD. FP Markets also offers cTrader with either the spread-only Standard setup or the same $6 RT commission on the Raw account. For share CFDs, the Iress suite delivers DMA pricing with full depth of book, but ViewPoint tiers may add platform/data fees unless you qualify for Premier or generate at least AUD 150 in monthly commissions; the Iress Investor option waives monthly fees but has pared-back features.
IC Markets: The cTrader Raw account charges $3.00 per side ($6.00 RT), while the MetaTrader Raw Spread account is $3.50 per side ($7.00 RT). IC lists an average EUR/USD spread as low as 0.02 pips; all-in costs are around 0.62 pips on cTrader Raw and 0.72 on MetaTrader Raw. Its commission-free Standard account averages about 0.62 pips and suits traders who prefer spread-only pricing. IC Markets also offers volume discounts for trading over 100 standard lots per month, and pricing can vary slightly across its European, Australian, and Seychelles entities.
| 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 offers a wider overall selection, with about 10,000 tradable symbols compared with IC Markets’ 3,583. In forex, FP Markets lists 71 currency pairs while IC Markets has 61. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, support copy trading, and provide access to cryptocurrency via CFDs (not the actual coins).
Neither broker offers real, exchange-traded U.S. stocks, but IC Markets does provide access to some international exchanges for actual shares, while FP Markets does not. Both earn 4.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments; however, FP Markets ranks higher in this category (#17 of 63) than IC Markets (#22 of 63).
| 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 10,000 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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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 90 | 83 |
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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 | 90 | 83 | |
| 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 | 90 | 83 | |
| 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 CMA 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 | 90 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review | IC Markets Review |
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