Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Tickmill, 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.
Founded in 2007, IC Markets and Tickmill, which started in 2014, are prominent online brokers that consistently ensure client safety through solid regulatory credentials. Neither broker is publicly traded or operates as a bank. When comparing their adherence to financial standards, both hold two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a category considered highly trusted and secure. However, Tickmill gains an edge with an additional two Tier-2 licenses, which mark it as more comprehensively regulated in trusted levels compared to IC Markets, which holds none.
Both brokers are assessed by ForexBrokers.com with Trust Scores within the trusted range: IC Markets earns a score of 84, while Tickmill is rated slightly higher at 86. This indicates that both brokers maintain a good level of safety for traders, with Tickmill showing marginally higher reliability within its regulatory framework. While both brokers present strong regulatory backgrounds, Tickmill's additional Tier-2 licenses contribute to its slightly superior trust rating.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2014 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing IC Markets and Tickmill on their commissions and fees, both brokers shine as top performers with each earning a 5-star rating. IC Markets has positioned itself as a leader with its competitive cost structure, offering low spreads and minimal deposit requirements. It provides three account types, including the commission-free Standard account and the commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts. The cTrader account features slightly lower commissions at $3.00 per side per 100,000 units, which contributes to its competitive all-in trading cost. IC Markets displays an average spread of 0.02 pips for EUR/USD, with an all-in cost coming to around 0.62 pips on the cTrader account, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious traders. It ranked #5 out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
Tickmill, on the other hand, ranks slightly higher at #4, thanks to its attractive offerings for active traders. The broker's Classic account is completely commission-free, although it has relatively higher spreads averaging 1.76 pips. Tickmill’s Raw account, which replaced the Pro account, is designed for traders seeking lower spreads, offering a typical spread of 0.11 pips for the EUR/USD. However, the effective all-in cost is now 0.71 pips with the recent increase in per-trade commissions to $3 per side per standard lot. The Raw account is especially attractive due to its accessible entry point requiring a minimum deposit of just $100.
Both IC Markets and Tickmill provide compelling offerings with respective strengths. IC Markets is known for its slim effective spreads and variety of account options, while Tickmill’s Raw account remains a strong contender for low-cost trading. Trading costs depend largely on the account and platform chosen, making both brokers suitable options for traders prioritizing efficiency and budget-friendly trading environments.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 0.51 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.31 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IC Markets and Tickmill both provide opportunities for forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, but differ in the breadth of investment choices they offer. IC Markets stands out with an impressive selection of 3,583 tradeable symbols, vastly surpassing Tickmill's offering of 725 symbols. When it comes to forex pairs, Tickmill offers a slightly higher number of options, providing 63 pairs compared to IC Markets’ 61. However, IC Markets provides an edge by offering exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, a feature absent in Tickmill. For traders interested in cryptocurrency derivatives, both brokers cater to this interest, but neither facilitates purchasing actual cryptocurrencies.
Both brokers support copy trading, allowing clients to replicate successful trading strategies of other investors. Even though neither supports direct investments in U.S. exchange-traded securities like Apple shares, IC Markets’ ability to access international markets may appeal to globally-minded investors. In terms of overall assessment for the range of investments, IC Markets is ranked #25 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, with a 4.5-star rating, indicating a wide array of investment options. Meanwhile, Tickmill is positioned at #42 with a 3.5-star rating, reflecting a more limited range compared to its competitor.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 725 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 63 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of IC Markets and Tickmill, both brokers offer a range of options suitable for traders of various experience levels. IC Markets and Tickmill provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without financial risk. Neither broker has its own proprietary trading platform. Both offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, providing consistency in terms of popular features across both platforms. Desktop and web-based trading functionalities are available with these brokers, and they also support copy trading. While IC Markets supports ZuluTrade, Tickmill does not, which may be a consideration for those interested in this specific social trading platform.
Charting capabilities are quite similar for both IC Markets and Tickmill, as they each offer 15 drawing tools for technical analysis. Traders can execute trades directly from the stock charts with both brokers, streamlining the trading process. For organizing market observations, each broker provides seven columns for watch lists. Despite these similarities, IC Markets holds a slight edge in ranking, coming in at #16 compared to Tickmill's #32 in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, according to ForexBrokers.com. Both brokers are rated four stars out of five for their trading platforms and tools, indicating solid performance but with room for improvement in certain areas.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When evaluating mobile trading apps from IC Markets and Tickmill, both brokers cater to iPhone and Android users equally with apps available for both platforms. Users can receive price alerts for stocks and forex on both platforms, ensuring traders keep up with market shifts. While the absence of watchlist symbol syncing might be a drawback for some, both apps allow watchlist creation with real-time quotes. Charting features are well-equipped with 30 technical studies each, alongside the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames, making them comprehensive tools for conducting in-depth analysis directly from your mobile device.
In terms of user ratings, both IC Markets and Tickmill earn a solid 4 stars for their mobile trading offerings. However, IC Markets takes a slight edge in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, positioned at #22 compared to Tickmill's #32 out of 62 brokers. Both apps auto-save chart drawings, promoting ease of use for traders who need to pick up where they left off without a hitch. Ultimately, both IC Markets and Tickmill provide competitive mobile trading experiences that are well-suited for traders on the go.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both IC Markets and Tickmill offer daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. While they share these features, IC Markets stands out by providing additional tools such as Autochartist and Trading Central for technical and fundamental analysis, which are not available at Tickmill. Both brokers include sentiment-based trading tools and maintain a comprehensive economic calendar to keep traders informed about global economic events. However, Tickmill enhances its offering with research tools from Acuity Trading, specifically Signal Centre, which IC Markets does not provide.
When it comes to overall research ratings, both IC Markets and Tickmill are equally rated at four stars by ForexBrokers.com. In terms of their ranking among 62 brokers, IC Markets is placed at number 23, while Tickmill is slightly ahead at number 22. This illustrates that while they offer comparable research capabilities, some differences in available tools and third-party sources might appeal differently to traders depending on their individual preferences and needs.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners in forex and CFDs trading, both IC Markets and Tickmill provide a solid selection for newcomers aiming to learn the ropes. Each broker offers a minimum of 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also conduct online educational webinars at least once a month, with a searchable archive of previously recorded sessions. For novice traders, both IC Markets and Tickmill provide over 10 beginner-friendly videos covering foundational trading topics, ensuring no newcomer is left without a guide.
For those seeking more advanced knowledge, they can find over 10 advanced educational videos targeting experienced traders on both platforms. Moreover, new and seasoned investors alike can benefit from an investor dictionary featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms. While both brokers score four out of five stars for their educational offerings, Tickmill slightly edges out IC Markets in ranking, securing the 15th spot compared to IC Markets' 16th place among 62 brokers rated by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IC Markets is better than Tickmill. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22.
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
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 86 |
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Both IC Markets and Tickmill do not offer the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both IC Markets and Tickmill provide multiple deposit and withdrawal options including PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 86 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2014 | |
| 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 | 0 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 725 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 63 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 0.51 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.31 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IC Markets Review | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Tickmill Review |
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