IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers
Can't decide between IC Markets and Interactive Brokers? We've put both brokers head-to-head. Compare their spreads, regulation, platforms, and fees below.
Last updated: May 27, 2026
Executive Summary
IC Markets and Interactive Brokers are both well-established forex brokers, but they serve different types of traders. IC Markets scores 97/100 in our TrustMetrics™ system, while Interactive Brokers leads with 98/100.
On pricing, IC Markets offers tighter EUR/USD spreads (0.02 pips vs 0.1 pips). IC Markets supports MT4, MT5, cTrader while Interactive Brokers offers TWS, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR APIs, giving Interactive Brokers more platform options.
For regulation, IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC, FSA while Interactive Brokers is regulated by SEC, FCA, SFC, MAS, CIRO, CBI. Both brokers offer segregated client funds and are considered safe for retail trading.
The Verdicts
Most Trusted
Interactive Brokers scores higher in our TrustMetrics system (98/100) compared to IC Markets (97/100), making it the safer choice.
Lowest Spreads
IC Markets offers better pricing with an average EUR/USD spread of 0.02 pips, beating the 0.1 pip average of its competitor.
Best for Beginners
With a lower minimum deposit requirement of $0, Interactive Brokers is the more accessible option for new traders.
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | IC Markets | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Trust Score Our proprietary safety rating based on regulation and track record. | 97/100 | 98/100 ✓ |
Spreads From The lowest possible spread available on their premium accounts. | 0.0 pips | $0 commission (IBKR Lite) |
Avg EUR/USD Spread The typical spread experienced during normal market hours. | 0.02 pips ✓ | 0.1 pips |
| Commission | $7.00/lot | $0.20 min/order |
Execution Speed The average time it takes for an order to be filled. | 18ms | < 10ms |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:50 |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $0 ✓ |
| Instruments | 2,250+ | 10,000+ |
| Account Types | Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader Raw | IBKR Lite, IBKR Pro |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader | TWS, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR APIs |
| Top Regulators | ASIC, CySEC, FSA | SEC, FCA, SFC, MAS, CIRO, CBI |
Withdrawal Speed The average processing time before funds hit your account. | 1-2 business days | 1-3 business days |
Inactivity Fee Fees charged if you do not place any trades for a specific period. | $0 (No inactivity fee) | $0 (Eliminated in 2021) |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone | 24/6 Live Chat, Email, Phone, Ticket System |
Which Broker Should You Choose?
Choose IC Markets if...
- ✓You need the tightest possible spreads for scalping
- ✓You prefer cTrader's advanced order management
- ✓You are a scalper or algorithmic trader
Choose Interactive Brokers if...
- ✓You want to start with a very low minimum deposit
- ✓You need the tightest possible spreads for scalping
- ✓You need access to a massive range of instruments
- ✓Maximum regulatory protection is your top priority
IC Markets Overview
Advantages
- ✓ True 0.0 pip spreads during London and NY sessions
- ✓ Industry-leading 18ms execution speed
- ✓ Free Equinix NY4 VPS for active traders
- ✓ No trading restrictions (perfect for EAs)
- ✓ Transparent $6/lot commission on cTrader
Drawbacks
- × No proprietary trading platform or TradingView integration
- × Education section is basic compared to competitors
- × No deposit bonus or welcome offers
Interactive Brokers Overview
Advantages
- ✓ Access to 150+ markets in 34 countries — unmatched global reach
- ✓ Publicly traded on NASDAQ (IBKR) with $15B+ market cap — ultimate transparency
- ✓ Industry-lowest margin rates starting at 5.83% (Benchmark + 1.5%)
- ✓ Fractional shares, options, futures, bonds, and forex all in one account
- ✓ Advanced order types and algos via Trader Workstation (TWS)
- ✓ IBKR Lite offers $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs
Drawbacks
- × TWS has a steep learning curve — intimidating for complete beginners
- × No MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 support
- × Customer support can have long wait times during peak hours
- × Limited deposit methods — no e-wallet support (Skrill, Neteller, PayPal)
- × Currency conversion fee of 0.002% (min $2) for non-base currency trades
Deep Dive Analysis: IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers
1. Trust, Regulation, and Safety Audit
When comparing IC Markets and Interactive Brokers, regulatory safety is paramount. IC Markets is governed by 3 regulatory bodies, including ASIC, CySEC, FSA. In contrast, Interactive Brokers operates under 6 licenses, notably SEC, FCA, SFC, MAS, CIRO, CBI.
IC Markets Overview: IC Markets has cemented its position as the world's leading true ECN broker since its founding in 2007. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the broker processes enormous daily volumes thanks to its institutional-grade infrastructure hosted in Equinix NY4 data centers. Our testing over 30 days with a live Raw Spread account confirmed that IC Markets consistently delivers on its promise of 0.0 pip spreads during peak London and New York sessions, with execution speeds averaging just 18 milliseconds.
Interactive Brokers Overview: Interactive Brokers stands in a league of its own. Founded in 1978 by Thomas Peterffy — a pioneer of electronic trading — IBKR has grown into a publicly traded powerhouse with a $15B+ market cap on NASDAQ. During our extensive testing, we traded US equities, forex, European options, and futures all from a single account, seamlessly accessing exchanges from New York to Hong Kong. No other retail broker comes close to this level of global market access.
Both brokers enforce strict client fund segregation in Tier-1 banking institutions, ensuring that retail capital remains shielded from corporate balance sheets. However, with a Trust Score of 97, IC Markets trails behind Interactive Brokers's score of 98.
2. Trading Costs, Spreads, and Fees Analysis
For active day traders, the spread economics between IC Markets and Interactive Brokers dictate long-term profitability. IC Markets advertises spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission structure of $7.00/lot. Interactive Brokers counters with spreads starting at $0 commission (IBKR Lite) and $0.20 min/order commission.
| Asset | IC Markets (Avg) | Interactive Brokers (Avg) | IC Markets (London) | Interactive Brokers (London) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.02 | 0.1 | 0 | 0.08 |
| GBP/USD | 0.23 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | 5.8 | 8 | 4 | 5.5 |
Beyond spreads, traders must consider non-trading fees. IC Markets applies an inactivity fee of $0 (No inactivity fee), while Interactive Brokers charges $0 (Eliminated in 2021). Furthermore, IC Markets's overnight financing (swap) rates for EUR/USD long positions sit at -6.2, compared to -5.8 for Interactive Brokers.
3. Platforms and Execution Technology
The terminal execution environment separates retail outfits from institutional gateways. IC Markets delivers access to MT4, MT5, cTrader, boasting an average execution speed of 18ms. Meanwhile, Interactive Brokers provides TWS, IBKR Desktop, IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR APIs with a speed latency rounding to < 10ms.
Platform Experience with IC Markets: IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader. During our testing, the cTrader platform stood out for its clean interface, advanced order types, and full Depth of Market visibility. The MT5 offering is equally robust, with seamless EA integration and no restrictions on trading strategies. We experienced zero platform downtime during our entire testing period.
Platform Experience with Interactive Brokers: IBKR offers four platforms: the legendary Trader Workstation (TWS), the newer IBKR Desktop, the mobile app, and the web-based Client Portal. TWS remains the most powerful retail trading platform ever built — featuring 100+ order types, advanced algorithmic execution, real-time risk analytics, and options strategy builders. IBKR Desktop is a more modern, streamlined alternative that's easier to learn. Both performed flawlessly during our testing with sub-10ms execution speeds.
For high-frequency algorithmic traders, server colocation is critical. IC Markets dominates the scalping category due to its Equinix NY4 server collocation, delivering sub-20ms execution speeds and genuine 0.0 pip spreads during peak market hours. Scalpers will experience virtually zero requotes. Interactive Brokers offers excellent execution speeds under 10ms with true DMA to interbank liquidity. However, the lack of MetaTrader support and cTrader means scalpers who rely on these platforms will need to adapt to TWS or IBKR Desktop. The tiered commission structure can also be complex to calculate for high-frequency strategies.
4. Account Types and Minimum Deposits
Structuring your portfolio requires selecting the correct account tier. Below is the breakdown of the proprietary account matrices for both brokers.
IC Markets Accounts
Raw Spread (cTrader)
- Min Deposit: $200
- Target: Professional Day Traders & ECN Purists
- Spreads: 0.0 pips ($6.00/lot RT)
Raw Spread (MT4/MT5)
- Min Deposit: $200
- Target: Algorithmic Traders (EA users)
- Spreads: 0.0 pips ($7.00/lot RT)
Standard Account
- Min Deposit: $200
- Target: Discretionary Swing Traders
- Spreads: 1.0 pips ($0)
Interactive Brokers Accounts
IBKR Pro
- Min Deposit: $0
- Target: Active Traders, Professionals & Institutions
- Spreads: Interbank spreads (Tiered: $2.00/100K min)
IBKR Lite
- Min Deposit: $0
- Target: Casual Investors & Long-Term Portfolio Holders
- Spreads: Marked-up spreads ($0 on US stocks/ETFs)
5. Funding, Deposits, and Withdrawals
Capital fluidity is essential. IC Markets processes withdrawals in approximately 1-2 business days, offering 5 main withdrawal avenues. Interactive Brokers processes requests within 1-3 business days using 3 methods.
IC Markets Logistics: Deposits are processed instantly for card and e-wallet payments. Bank transfers took 1-2 business days in our testing. Withdrawals were consistently processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-2 business days for bank transfers. IC Markets charges zero fees on all deposits and withdrawals, though intermediary bank fees may apply for international wire transfers.
Interactive Brokers Logistics: IBKR's deposit/withdrawal options are limited compared to retail brokers — they accept only bank/wire transfers and ACH (in the US). No PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller. However, processing is reliable: ACH deposits clear in 1-4 days, wires in 1-2 days. One free withdrawal per month is included; subsequent withdrawals cost $10 per wire. Currency conversion is available at a competitive 0.002% fee.
6. Customer Support and Education
Navigating market volatility requires robust infrastructure support. IC Markets provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone, with our tests indicating: "IC Markets provides 24/7 live chat support. In our tests, average response time was under 2 minutes. Email queries were answered within 4-6 hours. Phone support is available during business hours. Agents were knowledgeable about platform-specific questions and account configurations.".
In parallel, Interactive Brokers delivers 24/6 Live Chat, Email, Phone, Ticket System, where our assessment found: "IBKR offers 24/6 support via live chat, phone, email, and a ticket system. During our testing, live chat wait times averaged 5-10 minutes — longer than retail brokers. However, support agents were highly knowledgeable and could handle complex questions about margin, options, and multi-currency accounts that would stump agents at most brokers.".
For novice traders, IC Markets is an advanced broker. While beginners can open an account, the $200 minimum deposit and lack of comprehensive education mean complete novices might struggle compared to a broker like XM. Conversely, Interactive Brokers is a challenging broker for complete beginners. TWS is complex and the lack of a comprehensive education academy puts it behind XM and eToro. However, IBKR Lite with $0 commissions and no minimums makes it viable for beginners who are willing to invest time in learning the platform.
7. Extended Comparative FAQ
Is IC Markets a true ECN broker?
Yes. IC Markets uses an ECN pricing model aggregating liquidity from 25+ Tier-1 banks, offering 0.0 pip spreads with market execution and no dealing desk intervention.
Does IC Markets allow scalping?
Absolutely. IC Markets places zero restrictions on trading styles, making it one of the best brokers globally for scalping and high-frequency trading.
What is the best IC Markets account type?
For 90% of active traders, the Raw Spread account on cTrader is the best option because it features the lowest commission ($6.00 per lot round-turn).
What is Interactive Brokers (IBKR)?
Interactive Brokers is a publicly traded (NASDAQ: IBKR) electronic brokerage firm founded in 1978 by Thomas Peterffy. It provides direct access to over 150 markets in 34 countries, offering stocks, options, futures, forex, bonds, funds, and crypto trading. IBKR is regulated by the SEC, FCA, MAS, CIRO, and other top-tier authorities worldwide.
What is the difference between IBKR Pro and IBKR Lite?
IBKR Pro offers direct market access with tiered or fixed commissions and the lowest margin rates in the industry — ideal for active traders. IBKR Lite offers $0 commissions on US stocks and ETFs using payment for order flow (PFOF) — better for casual, buy-and-hold investors. Both accounts have no minimum deposit requirement.
Is Interactive Brokers available in my country?
Interactive Brokers operates in 200+ countries through its regulated entities: Interactive Brokers LLC (US/SEC), Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Limited (UK/FCA), Interactive Brokers Ireland Limited (EU/CBI), Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Limited (HK/SFC), Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd. (SG/MAS), and Interactive Brokers Canada Inc. (CA/CIRO).
What is IBKR TWS (Trader Workstation)?
TWS is Interactive Brokers' flagship desktop trading platform. It offers advanced order types, algorithmic trading tools, real-time risk management, options strategy builders, and direct market access. While powerful, it has a steep learning curve. IBKR also offers the newer IBKR Desktop platform with a more modern, simplified interface.
What are IBKR margin rates?
Interactive Brokers offers the lowest margin rates in the industry. Current rates start at Benchmark + 1.5% for balances over $100K (approximately 5.83% as of May 2026). This is significantly lower than most retail brokers, which typically charge 8-13% on margin loans.
Does Interactive Brokers offer the IBKR Client Portal?
Yes, the IBKR Client Portal is a web-based account management interface where you can manage your account, view statements, transfer funds, and perform basic trading. For advanced trading, IBKR recommends using TWS or the newer IBKR Desktop application.
Is Interactive Brokers safe and regulated?
Yes. Interactive Brokers is one of the safest brokers in the world. It is publicly traded on NASDAQ with a market capitalization exceeding $15 billion. It is regulated by 6+ Tier-1 authorities including the SEC, FCA, MAS, CIRO, CBI, and SFC. Client securities are protected by SIPC (up to $500K in the US) and additional Lloyd's of London excess coverage.
The Bottom Line: IC Markets vs Interactive Brokers
- ✓ Scalping
- ✓ Algorithmic Trading
- ✓ Low Spreads
- ✓ ECN Trading
- ✓ Tighter EUR/USD spreads (0.02 pips)
- ✓ Global Market Access
- ✓ Low Margin Rates
- ✓ Professional Trading
- ✓ Multi-Asset Investing
- ✓ Institutional-Grade Execution
- ✓ No minimum deposit
Both brokers are featured in our top broker rankings. Your choice should depend on your specific trading style, preferred platform, and geographical location.
Related Articles
IC Markets vs Pepperstone: The Ultimate Comparison 2026
Choosing between the two biggest brokers? We compare IC Markets and Pepperstone across spreads, execution speed, platforms, and regulation.
IC Markets Review 2026 — The World's Largest ECN Broker Tested
We tested IC Markets for 30 days with a live Raw Spread account. Full analysis of 0.0 pip spreads, 18ms execution, cTrader vs MT4, and server infrastructure.
Funded Engineer Shut Down: What Happened and Best Alternatives
A complete breakdown of why Funded Engineer shut down its operations, what happened to payouts, and the most reliable alternative prop firms for traders.
How to Pass the FTMO Challenge: A Math-Backed Trader Blueprint
Passing the FTMO challenge is not about luck; it is about risk management and math. We detail the exact capital sizing, drawdown buffers, and daily reset rules.