Broker Overview
IC Markets
IC Markets is built around an execution-first model. The real appeal is not simply that it is “for professional traders,” but that its account structure, pricing, and platform lineup all point in the same direction: raw spreads, faster execution, and better compatibility with scalping, expert advisors, and chart-driven trading workflows. For traders who already know that cost structure and execution quality matter more than simplified onboarding, IC Markets is the more purpose-built environment.
FXTM
FXTM takes a more product-led retail approach. Instead of splitting the lineup mainly by execution model, it separates accounts by how people actually want to trade: tighter spreads with commission, wider spreads with zero commission, or stock-focused trading. That makes FXTM easier to understand for mainstream traders who want a cleaner path into live trading without having to choose between several specialist platform ecosystems.
Regulation Comparison
IC Markets Regulation
- IC Markets Global is regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Seychelles (FSA)
- Raw Trading Ltd holds Securities Dealer Licence SD018
FXTM Regulation
- Exinity Limited is regulated by the Financial Services Commission of Mauritius
- Investment Dealer Licence C113012295
- Also licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority of South Africa (FSP No. 50320)
What actually matters here: this is less about counting how many logos each broker can show, and more about which public entity is clearly presented on the current onboarding path. On that basis, IC Markets Global is cleaner in structure, while FXTM’s current public setup is centered on Mauritius and South Africa.
Account Types Comparison
IC Markets Account Types
- Standard Account
- Raw Spread Account (MetaTrader)
- cTrader Raw Account
- TradingView access via cTrader Raw only
Min Deposit: No minimum deposit requirement stated by IC Markets Global Help Centre
FXTM Account Types
- Advantage
- Advantage Plus
- Advantage Stocks
Min Deposit: $200 on the current main FXTM account pages
Verdict: These two brokers are not organizing accounts on the same logic. IC Markets splits the choice mainly by execution and platform path, while FXTM splits it more by cost preference and product focus. If the trader already knows they want raw spreads and platform flexibility, IC Markets is easier to justify. If the trader wants a simpler choice between commission-based, commission-free, or stock-focused trading, FXTM is easier to understand at first glance.
Spreads & Execution
IC Markets
- Standard Account: No commission, spread-markup model
- Raw Spread Account: Spreads from 0.0 pips
- Average EUR/USD: 0.1 pips on Raw Spread
- Commission: $3.50 per side per lot on MetaTrader Raw; $3 per USD 100k on cTrader / TradingView
- Execution Angle: Built specifically for day traders, scalpers, and expert advisors
FXTM
- Advantage: Spreads from 0.0 with commission
- Advantage Plus: Spreads from 1.5 with zero commission
- Advantage Stocks: From 2 cents with zero commission
- Execution Angle: Market execution across the main live accounts
- Cost Structure: Easier to choose if the trader prefers a simple commission vs no-commission decision rather than a specialist raw-execution setup
Winner: IC Markets wins if the comparison is about serious trading conditions rather than simple product packaging. Its raw account is clearer, more execution-led, and more naturally aligned with traders who measure cost in terms of raw spread plus commission instead of “which account feels easier to pick.”
Trading Platforms
IC Markets Platforms
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- cTrader
- TradingView
FXTM Platforms
- FXTM App
- MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
- MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
Advantage IC Markets: This is one of the clearest separation points in the whole comparison. IC Markets gives serious traders more room to choose how they want to trade, while FXTM gives mainstream traders a cleaner, more linear platform path. If TradingView or cTrader matters, this comparison stops being close.
Deposits & Withdrawals
IC Markets
- Deposit Requirement: No minimum deposit requirement according to Help Centre
- Withdrawal Fees: No additional withdrawal fees from IC Markets Global
- Bank Wire Note: International wire fees charged by the bank may still apply
- Overall Experience: Cleaner funding terms with fewer small-print complications
FXTM
- Initial Deposit Rule: Minimum initial deposit is $200
- Small Transfer Fee: Deposits and withdrawals below $30 incur a $3 fee
- Inactivity-on-Deposit Rule: A 3% withdrawal fee applies if no trade was placed since the last deposit
- Overall Experience: Still workable, but more conditional than a quick comparison page might imply
Winner: IC Markets is easier to defend here. FXTM’s rules are not outrageous, but they are more conditional, and that matters because funding rules affect real user experience more than comparison pages often admit.
Customer Support & Education
IC Markets Support
IC Markets Global presents 24-hour support Monday to Sunday. That matches the broker’s overall positioning: less “education-first,” more “trading conditions first.” The support structure is strong, but the brand still speaks more naturally to traders who already know what they want from a broker.
- • 24-hour support, Monday to Sunday
- • Better fit for active-trader support needs
- • Less beginner-coaching tone than FXTM
FXTM Support
FXTM presents a more guided retail environment, with 24/5 support, free resources, and a stronger emphasis on helping users get comfortable with trading and platform use. The tone is more approachable, which makes it easier to position for mainstream retail traffic.
- • 24/5 customer support
- • Stronger learning and onboarding angle
- • Better retail-facing support presentation
Detailed Pros & Cons
IC Markets
Pros
- Stronger raw-spread structure for serious traders
- cTrader and TradingView materially expand platform choice
- Better fit for scalping, EAs, and cost-sensitive trading styles
- Cleaner funding terms
- No minimum deposit requirement stated by Help Centre
Cons
- Less beginner-friendly in how the product is presented
- More execution-led than retail-comfort-led
- Not the easiest broker for users who want the simplest account story
FXTM
Pros
- Cleaner mainstream account packaging
- Easy-to-explain split between commission and no-commission models
- App + MetaTrader path is simpler for retail users
- Stronger education and onboarding angle
- Dedicated stock account adds a clearer product-use case
Cons
- No cTrader or TradingView path
- Funding rules require more small-print reading
- Less convincing than IC Markets for traders who compare brokers mainly on execution terms
Trading Costs Breakdown
| Account | Spread | Commission | What it really means |
|---|---|---|---|
| IC Markets Standard | Spread-markup model | $0 | Simple MetaTrader pricing for users who do not want separate commissions |
| IC Markets Raw Spread | From 0.0 pips | $3.50 / side / lot | More natural fit for cost-sensitive active traders |
| IC Markets cTrader / TradingView Raw | From 0.0 pips | $3 / USD 100k | Best option if charting workflow matters as much as cost |
| FXTM Advantage | From 0.0 | $3.5 per lot traded on FX | Best FXTM choice for tighter pricing |
| FXTM Advantage Plus | From 1.5 | $0 | Simpler commission-free structure for traders who prefer all-in costs |
| FXTM Advantage Stocks | From 2 cents | $0 | Separate stock-trading proposition rather than a broad CFD all-rounder account |
Note: The real comparison is not “who has lower spreads” in the abstract. It is whether the trader wants a specialist raw-pricing environment with broader platform freedom, or a simpler retail account lineup where commission and product choice are easier to understand.
Final Verdict & Recommendations
For Complete Beginners
FXTM - simpler account logic and easier retail-facing platform path
For Professional Traders
IC Markets - stronger execution logic, raw pricing, and platform depth
For Low-Cost Trading
IC Markets - clearer raw-cost structure for active traders
For Scalping / EA Trading
IC Markets - better aligned with scalping, automation, and chart-driven execution
For Retail Simplicity
FXTM - cleaner account segmentation and more guided onboarding feel
For Platform Freedom
IC Markets - cTrader and TradingView make the difference
Overall Recommendation:
IC Markets wins for: traders who compare brokers through the lens of execution quality, raw pricing, scalping suitability, and platform choice.
FXTM wins for: traders who want a more mainstream retail setup, a clearer account story, and an easier transition from app-led usage into MetaTrader trading.