Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Spreadex, 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 vs Spreadex: IC Markets launched in 2007, while Spreadex dates back to 1999. Neither broker is publicly traded or operates as a bank.
Regulation and trust: IC Markets holds two Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) and no Tier-2 licenses; Spreadex holds one Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. On ForexBrokers.com’s 99-point Trust Score—90–99 highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, below 59 do not trust—IC Markets scores 83 (trusted) and Spreadex scores 70 (average risk).
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1999 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
IC Markets stands out for low trading costs, especially on its commission-based accounts. Its Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread options keep costs tight, with the cTrader account charging about $3.00 per side per 100,000 units and the MetaTrader Raw Spread account charging $3.50 per side. With very small average EUR/USD spreads, IC Markets can be a good fit for traders who want low all-in pricing, and it also offers a free Standard account for those who prefer spread-only pricing. IC Markets is rated 5 stars and ranked #4 out of 36 for Commissions and Fees.
Spreadex is also competitive, but its pricing is a bit higher than IC Markets on average. In January 2024, its average EUR/USD spread was 0.81 pips, with a minimum spread of 0.6 pips available much of the time. For traders looking mainly at cost, Spreadex is still decent, but it does not match the low-fee setup offered by IC Markets. Spreadex is rated 4 stars and ranked #27 out of 36 for Commissions and Fees.
Overall, IC Markets is the stronger choice for commissions and fees, especially for active or frequent forex traders. Spreadex may still appeal to some users, but IC Markets offers lower typical trading costs and a better overall score in this category.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 0.8 | 0.81 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.72 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IC Markets and Spreadex both give traders access to forex as CFDs or spot contracts, and both also offer cryptocurrency CFDs rather than actual crypto. However, neither broker lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on U.S. or international stock exchanges. IC Markets stands out for copy trading, which Spreadex does not offer, and it provides 7,435 tradeable symbols, including 61 forex pairs.
Spreadex has the edge on overall market choice, with 10,000 tradeable symbols, even though it offers fewer forex pairs than IC Markets at 52. This wider selection helps explain why Spreadex is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranked #13 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared with IC Markets’ 4.5-star rating and #22 ranking.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7435 | 10000 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 52 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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.
IC Markets and Spreadex both give traders a choice of web-based platforms and free demo accounts, so you can test the experience before risking real money. Both also let you trade straight from charts, which is useful if you like placing orders while watching price moves in real time. On top of that, both brokers score 4 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, showing a solid overall offering for everyday traders.
The main difference is in platform range and extras. IC Markets supports downloadable Windows software, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and copy trading, while Spreadex does not offer these options. Spreadex stands out in a different way by offering its own in-house platform, which IC Markets does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, IC Markets ranks #17 out of 36 brokers, ahead of Spreadex at #37, giving IC Markets the edge for traders who want more platform choice and built-in trading tools.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 32 | 58 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IC Markets and Spreadex both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. Each broker is also rated 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps, so both should work well for traders who want to manage positions on the go. One key limitation for both is that watchlists do not sync between the mobile app and the online account, so updates made in one place will not carry over to the other.
Where IC Markets pulls ahead is in charting. Its mobile app includes 32 technical studies and it auto saves chart drawings, which can make it easier to keep track of your analysis. Spreadex does not list a technical studies count for its app and does not auto save drawings, which may be less convenient for active chart users. In ForexBrokers.com’s mobile trading apps ranking, IC Markets placed #22 out of 36 brokers, while Spreadex came in at #36, giving IC Markets the edge overall for mobile trading.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 32 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IC Markets and Spreadex both give traders daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar with current and upcoming global events. Both brokers also earn a 4-star research rating from ForexBrokers.com, but IC Markets is ranked higher overall for research, coming in at #21 out of 36 brokers, while Spreadex is ranked #29.
Where they differ is in the research tools they provide. IC Markets includes Trading Central and TipRanks, which can help traders with chart-based ideas and stock research, but it does not offer Autochartist. Spreadex takes the opposite approach in this area, offering Autochartist but not Trading Central or TipRanks. For traders who want more third-party research options, IC Markets has the edge, while Spreadex still covers the basics well.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to beginner education, IC Markets and Spreadex both give new traders access to at least 10 beginner-focused videos, and both earn 4 out of 5 stars for Education. But IC Markets has the edge overall because it also offers forex and CFDs learning material, runs online educational webinars at least once a month, and provides at least 10 advanced videos for more experienced traders. It is also ranked #16 out of 36 brokers for Education by ForexBrokers.com, which shows a stronger learning setup for users who want to keep building their skills.
Spreadex is a decent option for beginners thanks to its set of beginner trading videos, but it falls behind IC Markets in the broader range of learning tools. It does not appear to offer forex or CFDs education at the same level, and it does not host monthly educational webinars. It also lacks at least 10 advanced educational videos, and its Education ranking of #36 out of 36 suggests fewer learning resources overall for traders who want more than the basics.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
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 Spreadex. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #21, while Spreadex finished with an overall rank of #33.
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
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 83 | 70 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
IC Markets vs Spreadex: neither broker allows purchases of actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
IC Markets vs Spreadex: both brokers do not support ACH or SEPA transfers and both accept bank wire transfers; IC Markets additionally supports PayPal and Skrill while Spreadex does not, and support for Visa or Mastercard is not specified for either.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 83 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Spreadex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 83 | 70 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 1999 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7435 | 10000 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 52 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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 | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 0.8 | 0.81 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 0.72 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 32 | 58 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 32 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Spreadex Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 83 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Spreadex Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
Capital.com
AvaTrade
XM
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill
HFM Markets