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 evaluating forex brokers, both IC Markets and Tickmill are standout choices for traders prioritizing low commissions and fees. IC Markets is praised for its competitive trading costs, rivaling top-tier low-cost brokers. It offers three account types: the commission-free Standard account and the commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts. Notably, IC Markets has varied spreads based on the platform and account type, with cTrader offering a slightly lower commission at $3 per side for every 100,000 units. With average spreads on EUR/USD starting at 0.02 pips, the all-in cost is quite attractive at 0.62 pips for cTrader accounts. This efficiency has helped IC Markets earn a 5-star rating, ranking 5th out of 63 brokers in the Commissions & Fees category.
Tickmill also holds its own with a solid 5-star rating and an impressive 4th place ranking among 63 brokers. It provides two main accounts: the commission-free Classic and the newly structured Raw account. The Raw account, previously named Pro, now features a commission of $3 per side, totaling $6 per round turn, while still maintaining low spreads. Traders benefit from a typical spread of 0.11 pips on EUR/USD, though the all-in cost is now 0.71 pips. Despite the increased per-trade commission, Tickmill's low minimum deposit of $100 and tight spreads make it particularly appealing for active traders and those employing algo trading strategies.
Both brokers excel in offering low-cost trading, but their account structures cater to different trading styles. IC Markets combines its varied account offerings with tight spreads and competitive commissions, appealing to a broad range of traders. Meanwhile, Tickmill's focus on its Raw account makes it a compelling option for traders seeking low entry costs and versatile execution. With each broker achieving a 5-star rating for commissions and fees, they both serve as excellent options for cost-conscious traders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | 1.70 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.70 |
| 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.
When comparing IC Markets and Tickmill, the range of investments available to traders marks a significant difference between these two online brokers. IC Markets offers an impressive array of 3,583 tradeable symbols, which includes 61 forex pairs, compared to Tickmill's 637 tradeable symbols and slightly higher 63 forex pairs. Both brokers provide access to forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts and include options for copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives. However, neither IC Markets nor Tickmill offers actual cryptocurrencies nor exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges. A notable distinction is IC Markets' offering of exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, which Tickmill doesn't provide.
IC Markets shines in terms of its investment options with a rating of 4.5 stars, securing the #25 spot among 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com. Tickmill, while still competitive, holds a lower rating of 3.5 stars and ranks #42 in the same category. This contrast underscores IC Markets' appeal to traders seeking diverse investment opportunities across a broad spectrum of markets, highlighting its greater versatility compared to Tickmill. Nevertheless, both brokers offer opportunities for forex and cryptocurrency derivative trading, catering to traders whose focus is on these asset classes.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Tickmill
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 637 |
| 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 IC Markets and Tickmill, both brokers provide a user-friendly experience with their trading platforms and tools. Both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, enabling traders to hone their skills without financial risk. Neither broker has developed a proprietary platform, but both support popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Traders with either broker can access trading via Windows desktop downloads and web-based platforms. Additionally, both brokers facilitate copy trading, but while IC Markets includes ZuluTrade in their offering, Tickmill does not. IC Markets also stands out with 15 drawing tools compared to Tickmill's 9, allowing for more detailed chart analysis. Both brokers permit trading directly from stock charts and offer seven columns for watchlist customization, providing a well-rounded trading experience.
On the user review front, both IC Markets and Tickmill receive a four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, IC Markets ranks higher at #16 compared to Tickmill's #29 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Both platforms are solid choices for traders looking for comprehensive tools and simulated trading opportunities, along with support for popular platforms and helpful charting features.
| 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 | 91 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 9 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IC Markets and Tickmill both provide comprehensive mobile trading experiences with their apps available for iPhone and Android devices. Both brokers offer essential features such as price alerts, the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, and the capability to draw trendlines on charts. Their mobile apps also allow traders to view charts across various time frames, like daily, weekly, and intraday, and both provide 30 technical studies for in-depth chart analysis. Additionally, any drawings made on stock or forex charts are conveniently auto-saved, helping traders keep track of their analysis.
Despite these similarities, differences arise in the user ratings and rankings. Both IC Markets and Tickmill have earned a 4-star rating for their mobile trading apps; however, they differ slightly in their industry rankings. IC Markets secures the #22 spot out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category according to ForexBrokers.com, while Tickmill comes in at #29. A notable limitation for both platforms is the lack of watchlist symbol syncing, meaning any changes made on the app do not sync with the online account. This may be a consideration for traders who want seamless integration across devices.
| 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.
IC Markets and Tickmill both offer traders comprehensive market research tools. They each provide daily market commentary and high-quality forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, ensuring traders are well-informed with the latest insights. While both brokers have sentiment-based trading tools and display economic calendars for global news events, IC Markets additionally equips traders with advanced technical analysis tools from Autochartist and Trading Central. Tickmill, on the other hand, incorporates unique research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, offering a different angle of market analysis.
Both IC Markets and Tickmill earn a commendable four-star rating for research from industry experts. However, IC Markets ranks slightly lower at #23 out of 63 brokers compared to Tickmill's #21, according to ForexBrokers.com. This ranking reflects their varied strengths and unique offerings in market research, giving traders multiple options based on their personal preferences and trading strategies.
| 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, both IC Markets and Tickmill deliver an extensive array of content to help traders start their journey. Each broker offers a minimum of 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, all focused on forex and CFDs. For those who prefer interactive learning, both platforms host online webinars every month and provide a searchable archive of past sessions, enabling clients to learn at their own pace and revisit important concepts anytime.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, IC Markets and Tickmill have you covered with at least 10 beginner-focused and 10 advanced educational videos. Both brokers also feature an investor dictionary that explains over 50 investing terms, ensuring traders can easily understand the language of the markets. While IC Markets is rated 4 stars for education and ranks #16 in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill mirrors this with a 4-star rating but goes one step further, ranking at #15. These rankings highlight the brokers' commitment to educating their clients, helping traders build a solid foundation for success.
| 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 63 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 |
|
|
| Trust Score | 84 | 86 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 84 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| 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) | |||
| 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) | |||
| 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) |
| Investments | IC Markets | Tickmill | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 637 | |
| 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 | 1.70 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 0.70 | |
| 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 | 91 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 9 | |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 84 | 86 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Tickmill Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill