Exness vs IC Markets Comparison
Choosing the right forex broker is a critical decision that can significantly impact your trading success. In the fast-paced world of online trading, two brokers consistently rise to the top: Exness vs IC Markets. Both are renowned for their competitive spreads, advanced trading platforms, and extensive range of tradable instruments. However, each broker has unique strengths and weaknesses, making the choice dependent on your trading style, goals, and preferences. This comprehensive comparison of Exness vs IC Markets in 2025 will explore their features, including regulation, trading costs, platforms, account types, and more, to help you decide which broker is better suited to your needs.
Overview of Exness vs IC Markets
Exness: A Global Leader in Forex Trading
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, Exness has grown into a trusted name in the forex industry. With a focus on transparency, low spreads, and fast execution, Exness caters to both novice and experienced traders. It is regulated by multiple authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), ensuring a high level of trustworthiness. Exness offers over 220 tradable instruments, including forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and indices, and is known for its user-friendly proprietary platforms and high leverage options.
IC Markets: The Choice for Professional Traders
Established in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, IC Markets is a leading forex and CFD broker, particularly favored by scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic traders. Regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and CySEC, IC Markets is celebrated for its low-latency execution, tight spreads, and access to deep liquidity pools. With over 3,500 tradable instruments, including forex, stocks, cryptocurrencies, and bonds, IC Markets is a go-to choice for traders seeking variety and competitive pricing.
Regulation and Trustworthiness
Exness Regulation
Exness operates under a robust regulatory framework, holding licenses from multiple authorities, including:
FCA (UK): Ensures compliance with stringent EU regulations.
CySEC (Cyprus): Provides oversight for European operations.
FSA (Seychelles) and other Tier-2 and Tier-3 regulators for global operations.
This multi-jurisdictional regulation enhances Exness’s credibility, with client funds held in segregated accounts and protected by negative balance protection. Exness has a trust
score of 97%, reflecting its 17-year history and commitment to transparency. However, South African traders should note that Exness onboard clients via its Seychelles entity, which offers less regulatory protection compared to local FSCA standards.
IC Markets Regulation
IC Markets is regulated by:
ASIC (Australia): Known for its rigorous oversight.
CySEC (Cyprus): Ensures compliance with EU standards.
FSA (Seychelles) and FSC (Mauritius) for international clients.
With a trust score of 86%, IC Markets is considered safe, with client funds segregated and negative balance protection in place. Like Exness, its Seychelles entity serves South African traders, which may limit local regulatory benefits.
Verdict: Both brokers are well-regulated by top-tier authorities, but Exness has a slight edge due to its higher trust score and broader regulatory coverage. However, for South African traders, both brokers’ reliance on offshore entities slightly reduces local protections.
Trading Platforms
Exness Platforms
Exness supports the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, known for their user-friendly interfaces, advanced charting tools, and support for Expert Advisors (EAs). Additionally, Exness offers its proprietary Exness Terminal and Trade App, which provide seamless trading across web and mobile devices. These platforms are particularly beginner-friendly, with intuitive designs and comprehensive educational resources.
IC Markets Platforms
IC Markets also supports MT4 and MT5, but it stands out by offering cTrader, a sophisticated platform favored by advanced traders for its fast execution and advanced charting capabilities. IC Markets also provides webIRESS, ProDeal, and social trading platforms like ZuluTrade, offering greater flexibility for diverse trading styles.
Verdict: IC Markets offers more platform options, making it ideal for traders seeking advanced tools like cTrader. Exness’s proprietary platforms are more beginner-friendly but less versatile for professional traders.
Trading Instruments
Exness Instruments
Exness provides over 220 tradable instruments, including:
Forex: 96 currency pairs, above the industry average.
Cryptocurrencies: 34 crypto CFDs.
Commodities, Indices, and Stocks: A focused but sufficient range for diversification.
This range is ideal for beginners and intermediate traders but may feel limited for those seeking extensive market coverage.
IC Markets Instruments
IC Markets offers a significantly broader range, with over 3,500 instruments, including:
Forex: 61 currency pairs.
Stocks: Over 1,600 share CFDs.
Cryptocurrencies: 25 crypto CFDs.
Bonds, Commodities, and Indices: Extensive options for multi-asset trading.
IC Markets is a clear winner for traders prioritizing variety and depth.
Verdict: IC Markets is superior for traders seeking a wide range of instruments, while Exness is sufficient for those focused on forex and a smaller, curated selection.
Spreads and Fees
Exness Spreads and Fees
Exness is renowned for its low spreads, starting from 0.0 pips on its Zero and Raw Spread accounts, with commissions ranging from $0.05 to $3.50 per lot per side. Its Standard account is commission-free, with spreads starting at 0.2 pips. Exness does not charge deposit or withdrawal fees, making it cost-effective for frequent traders.
IC Markets Spreads and Fees
IC Markets is celebrated for its ultra-tight spreads, starting at 0.0 pips on Raw Spread accounts, with commissions of $3 to $3.50 per lot. The Standard account has slightly higher spreads (from 0.8 pips) but is commission-free. IC Markets also supports multiple base currencies and offers no deposit or withdrawal fees, though its minimum deposit of $200 is higher than Exness’s $1 for standard accounts.
Verdict: Exness has a slight edge for cost-conscious traders due to its lower minimum deposit and zero-fee policy. IC Markets, however, offers marginally tighter spreads, appealing to high-frequency traders.
Account
Types
Exness Account Types
Exness offers five account types:
Standard: No minimum deposit, commission-free.
Standard Cent: Ideal for beginners with micro-lot trading.
Pro, Raw Spread, Zero: Designed for professionals with low spreads and varying commission structures.
These accounts cater to a wide range of traders, with leverage up to 1:2000 (or unlimited in some jurisdictions).
IC Markets Account Types
IC Markets provides:
Standard: Commission-free, higher spreads.
Raw Spread (MT4/MT5 and cTrader): Low spreads with commissions.
Micro: For smaller trade sizes.
IC Markets offers leverage up to 1:500, which is lower than Exness but sufficient for most traders.
Verdict: Exness offers more account variety and higher leverage, making it more flexible for beginners and high-risk traders. IC Markets’ accounts are streamlined but cater well to professional traders.
Deposit
and Withdrawal Options
Exness Funding Options
Exness provides a wide range of payment methods, including:
Credit/debit cards
E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller)
Cryptocurrencies
Bank transfers
With no deposit or withdrawal fees and a minimum deposit as low as $1, Exness is highly accessible.
IC Markets Funding Options
IC Markets supports:
Bank/wire transfers
Credit cards
E-wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, FasaPay)
Cryptocurrencies (via BitPay)
The minimum deposit of $200 may be a barrier for some, but the variety of base currencies (USD, EUR, AUD, etc.) adds flexibility.
Verdict: Exness is more beginner-friendly with its low minimum deposit and broader payment options. IC Markets offers similar flexibility but with a higher entry point.
Customer Support and Education
Exness Support and Education
Exness provides 24/7 customer support in eight languages via live chat, phone, and email, with live chat being the fastest option. Its educational resources include webinars, articles, and video tutorials, though they are less comprehensive than some competitors.
IC Markets Support and Education
IC Markets offers 24/5 support via live chat, email, and phone, with a strong reputation for responsiveness. Its educational offerings, including video tutorials and market analysis, are more robust, making it a better choice for traders seeking to enhance their skills.
Verdict: IC Markets leads in educational resources, while Exness excels in multilingual support and 24/7 availability.
Trading Features and Tools
Both brokers support scalping, hedging, copy trading, and EA trading, making them versatile for various strategies. Exness offers robust copy trading and zero-spread accounts, while IC Markets emphasizes low-latency execution and cTrader’s advanced tools. Exness provides free VPS hosting for traders meeting specific criteria, enhancing automated trading capabilities. IC Markets is known for its high-frequency trading infrastructure, ideal for algorithmic traders.
Verdict: IC Markets is better for high-frequency and algorithmic traders, while Exness’s VPS and copy trading appeal to a broader audience.
Conclusion:Which Broker Is Better in 2025?
The choice between Exness vs IC Markets depends on your trading needs:
Choose Exness if: You’re a beginner or intermediate trader seeking low spreads, high leverage, a low minimum deposit, and user-friendly platforms. Its multilingual support and zero-fee policy make it highly accessible.
Choose IC Markets if: You’re a professional trader prioritizing a wide range of instruments, ultra-tight spreads, and advanced platforms like cTrader. Its extensive market coverage and low-latency execution are ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders.
Both brokers are reputable, well-regulated, and offer competitive trading transparent pricing models. Ultimately, Exness is better for cost-conscious beginners, while IC Markets is the go-to choice for variety and advanced trading tools. Try a demo account with both to test their platforms and find the best fit for your trading style.
