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 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, IC Markets stands out as a low-cost choice for forex traders. Its commission-based Raw Spread accounts offer very small effective spreads, and its commission-free Standard account also keeps pricing competitive. On EUR/USD, IC Markets reported an average spread of 0.02 pips on its Raw Spread pricing, and after commissions the all-in cost can be about 0.62 pips on cTrader or 0.72 pips on MetaTrader. IC Markets also offers lower pricing for active traders who trade more than 100 standard lots per month. It earns a 5-star rating and ranks #5 out of 36 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category.
Spreadex is also fairly competitive, but its pricing is not as low as IC Markets overall. In January 2024, Spreadex showed an average EUR/USD spread of 0.81 pips, with a minimum spread of 0.6 pips available 60% of the time during the month. This makes it a solid option for traders who want simple spread-based pricing, but it does not match the lower all-in trading costs offered by IC Markets. Spreadex has a 4-star rating and is ranked #26 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees.
In short, IC Markets is the better pick for lower commissions and fees, especially for frequent forex traders and those using commission-based accounts. Spreadex is still a reasonable choice, but IC Markets offers tighter pricing and a stronger overall value in this category.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.62 | 0.81 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | 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 free demo account, web-based trading, and the ability to trade straight from a chart. They are also rated 4 out of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, so each offers a solid experience for everyday trading needs. Where IC Markets stands out is choice: it offers a Windows desktop platform, copy trading, and access to both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which may suit traders who want more platform options and familiar tools.
Spreadex takes a different route with its own in-house trading platform, something IC Markets does not provide. That can appeal to traders who prefer a custom-built system instead of MetaTrader. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools ranking, IC Markets is placed much higher at #17 out of 36 brokers, while Spreadex is ranked #35, suggesting IC Markets has the edge overall for platform variety and 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 make it easy to trade on the go, with iPhone and Android apps available for each broker. They also both support stock or forex price alerts and let users draw trendlines on charts. Neither broker offers watchlist symbol syncing, so watchlists in the mobile app do not automatically match the online account. Both apps are rated 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps, but IC Markets is ranked higher overall by ForexBrokers.com at #22 out of 36 brokers, compared with Spreadex at #34.
Where IC Markets pulls ahead is in charting tools and saving chart work. Its mobile app includes 32 technical studies and automatically saves drawings, which can make analysis more convenient for active traders. Spreadex does not list a number of technical studies for its app, and it does not auto save drawings. For traders who want more built-in chart features and easier chart management on mobile, IC Markets has the edge, while Spreadex still covers the core basics well.
| 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 a solid set of market research features. Each offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, a sentiment tool showing long and short positioning, and an economic calendar for tracking global events. Both brokers also earn 4 out of 5 stars for Research, though IC Markets is ranked higher by ForexBrokers.com at #21 out of 36, compared with Spreadex at #28.
The main differences come down to the extra tools each broker includes. IC Markets stands out with Trading Central research and TipRanks market insights, while Spreadex offers Autochartist instead. In simple terms, IC Markets may appeal more to traders who want more third-party analysis, while Spreadex may suit those looking for Autochartist-based signals alongside its core research coverage.
| 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.
For beginners looking for trading education, IC Markets comes out ahead of Spreadex in a few key areas. IC Markets offers forex and CFD education, monthly online client webinars, and both beginner and advanced video libraries, giving new traders more ways to learn at their own pace. Spreadex also has at least 10 beginner videos, but it does not appear to offer monthly webinars or a comparable set of advanced videos, and it does not meet the standard for forex or CFD education content in the same way IC Markets does.
Both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for Education, but the wider picture shows IC Markets performing better for learning support. On ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets ranks #16 out of 36 brokers for Education, while Spreadex ranks #34, which suggests IC Markets offers a stronger overall learning experience for beginners and more experienced traders alike.
| 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
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Spreadex
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 70 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Spreadex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Spreadex | |
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| 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) - Standard account | 0.62 | 0.81 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 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 | 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 70 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Spreadex Review |
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