Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB, established in 2002, stands out with a Trust Score of 96, placing it in the highly trusted category according to ForexBrokers.com. Unique among many brokers, XTB is publicly traded, providing an extra layer of transparency for its clients. The broker holds two Tier-1 and two Tier-2 licenses, reinforcing its strong regulatory standing across different regions. Despite not being a bank, XTB's regulatory setup supports its reputation as a highly trusted broker in the online trading space.
In comparison, IC Markets, which began operations in 2007, holds a Trust Score of 84. While this positions it as a trusted broker, it operates without being publicly listed. IC Markets matches XTB with two Tier-1 licenses but does not hold any Tier-2 licenses, which may affect the perception of its regulatory coverage. Like XTB, IC Markets is not a bank, yet it successfully maintains a trustworthy profile among its users.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2007 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
Comparing commissions and fees, IC Markets generally comes out cheaper than XTB for most forex traders. IC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers for Commissions & Fees, reflecting its low all-in costs and “Best in Class” standing. XTB earns 4.5 stars and ranks #12 out of 63; its pricing is close to the industry average but not among the very lowest. On EUR/USD, IC Markets’ cTrader Raw account typically delivers about 0.62 pips all-in (0.72 on MetaTrader), while XTB’s Standard account averaged about 1.0 pip in Q4 2023.
XTB offers a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account (the latter is being phased out and limited to eligible professionals in the U.K. and EU). Minimum deposits start at 250 in your base currency. For smaller trade sizes, the Standard account tends to be the better deal, and it’s the practical choice for most retail traders. Active traders can join XTB’s Lower Spread Group to receive spread rebates of 5% to 30% once monthly volumes surpass 20 lots, scaling up to 1,000 lots.
IC Markets provides three account types: a commission-free Standard account (about 0.62 pips average on EUR/USD) and two commission-based Raw Spread options—cTrader ($3.00 per side per standard lot) and MetaTrader ($3.50 per side). IC Markets lists an average raw spread of 0.02 pips on EUR/USD; once commission is added, that’s roughly 0.62 pips all-in on cTrader (0.72 on MetaTrader), which is highly competitive. Pricing can vary by platform and by the IC Markets entity (EU, Australia, or Seychelles). High-volume traders who exceed 100 lots per month may qualify for additional discounts.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $200 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 0.62 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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.
XTB and IC Markets both support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, and both offer cryptocurrency CFDs (neither supports buying actual crypto). XTB lists 7,184 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, while IC Markets provides 3,583 symbols and 61 forex pairs. For exchange-traded shares (not CFDs), XTB gives access to both U.S. and international markets, whereas IC Markets offers international shares but not U.S.-listed stocks.
If you want the widest selection and access to U.S. shares, XTB stands out. If copy trading matters, IC Markets has that option while still covering a broad set of markets. For Range of Investments, XTB is rated 5 stars and ranked #15 out of 63 brokers, and IC Markets is rated 4.5 stars and ranked #26, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 3583 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 61 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
Both XTB and IC Markets offer free demo (paper) accounts and let you place trades directly from charts on their Windows desktop and web platforms. XTB also provides a proprietary, in-house platform, while IC Markets focuses on third‑party options. If you want MetaTrader, IC Markets supports both MT4 and MT5 and also offers copy trading; XTB does not support MT4, MT5, or copy trading.
For trading platforms and tools, ForexBrokers.com rates XTB at 4.5/5 stars and ranks it #9 out of 63 brokers, while IC Markets holds 4/5 stars and ranks #16. In short: pick IC Markets if MetaTrader or copy trading is essential, or choose XTB if you prefer a broker-built platform experience on desktop and web—with a risk-free demo account available at both brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both XTB and IC Markets offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, so you can trade and monitor markets on the go. Each app supports price alerts for stocks and forex, helping you stay on top of moves without staring at charts all day. One thing to note: neither broker syncs watchlist symbols between the mobile app and your online account, so changes made on one won’t carry over to the other.
For charting, XTB provides 39 technical studies compared with 30 on IC Markets. Both apps let you draw trendlines and will automatically save your chart drawings, which is handy when you switch between screens. In our ratings, XTB’s mobile app earns 4.5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets scores 4 stars and ranks #22. If you want more built-in indicators and a higher-rated mobile experience, XTB has the edge; if you already trade with IC Markets, its app still covers the essentials well.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and IC Markets both provide traders with daily market commentary, keeping them informed about current trends and potential market shifts. Both platforms also bring in top-tier forex news from reputable sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have access to high-quality information. However, when it comes to technical analysis tools, IC Markets holds an advantage by offering resources like Autochartist and Trading Central, which are not available with XTB. Despite this, XTB still fits in valuable sentiment-based trading tools and maintains an accessible economic calendar.
In terms of market research, neither XTB nor IC Markets have integrated services from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. Yet, XTB shines brighter in the research category, earning a rating of 5 stars compared to IC Markets' 4-star rating. As reflected in these evaluations, XTB is ranked 7th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets comes in at the 23rd position. Despite IC Markets' access to more technical tools, XTB's high-quality resources and intuitive offerings contribute to its superior research reputation in the trading community.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
XTB and IC Markets both make it easier for beginners to learn forex and CFD trading. Each broker runs ongoing client webinars at least once a month and offers video lessons for every stage of the journey—new traders get at least 10 beginner-focused videos, and there are at least 10 advanced videos for when you’re ready to level up.
For pure education quality, XTB has the edge: it earns 5 stars and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers for Education on ForexBrokers.com, while IC Markets holds 4 stars and ranks #16. If you want the strongest beginner-friendly guidance with frequent webinars and sizable video libraries, XTB is slightly ahead, though IC Markets remains a solid choice with plenty of learning content for both newcomers and experienced traders.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB is better than IC Markets. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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IC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 84 |
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Comparing XTB vs IC Markets for cryptocurrency trading: neither broker offers the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but both allow trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
XTB vs IC Markets: both brokers support PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, do not offer ACH or SEPA, and their 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 | XTB | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | IC Markets | |
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| Regulation | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 84 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2007 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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) | Yes | 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) | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 3583 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 0.62 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 0.62 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | 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 | 39 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | XTB | IC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 84 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review | IC Markets Review |
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