ALMA Europe

ALMA Europe

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
5.7
/ 10
vs
IC Markets

IC Markets

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.8
/ 10

ALMA Europe vs IC Markets

A detailed side-by-side comparison based on our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories.

ALMA Europe and IC Markets are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. ALMA Europe, founded in 2022 and headquartered in Larnaca, Cyprus, is regulated by CySEC and offers spreads starting from Variable with a minimum deposit of $10000. IC Markets, established in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC, FSA with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $200 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, IC Markets scored 8.8/10 overall compared to ALMA Europe's 5.7/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, ALMA Europe holds its own with overall value, so your ideal broker depends on what you prioritize in a trading partner.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • 📊

    IC Markets scores 8.8/10 overall vs 5.7/10 for ALMA Europe — a 3.1-point difference.

  • 💵

    IC Markets requires just $200 to start, while ALMA Europe needs $10000 — IC Markets is 50x more accessible.

  • 📈

    IC Markets offers 2,200+ instruments vs 100+ at ALMA Europe — a massive gap in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

    ALMA Europe runs on Advisory Service, Order Execution, while IC Markets uses MT4, MT5, cTrader — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

  • The biggest gap is in Platforms & Tools: IC Markets scores 9.0 vs 4.5 for ALMA Europe — a 4.5-point difference.

Our Verdict

ALMA Europe

ALMA Europe

Score: 5.7/10 · Wins 0 categories
  • You prefer ALMA Europe's trading environment overall
🏆 WINNER
IC Markets

IC Markets

Score: 8.8/10 · Wins 8 categories
  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority

IC Markets takes the lead with an overall score of 8.8/10 compared to 5.7/10, winning in 8 out of 8 scoring categories. IC Markets stands out for lower trading costs and better trading platforms, while ALMA Europe remains a solid alternative.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, IC Markets comes out ahead with a 8.8/10 overall rating, winning 8 out of 8 categories. Its strongest area is Trading Costs where it scores 9.5/10. IC Markets holds Tier 1 regulation, meaning your funds benefit from top-level investor protection including segregated accounts and compensation schemes. ALMA Europe is not without merit — it scores 5.7/10 overall and excels in Regulation & Trust (6.5/10). For a complete breakdown, read our full IC Markets review and ALMA Europe review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

ALMA Europe
IC Markets
Trading Costs
5.5 9.5

IC Markets wins by 4.0 points

Platforms & Tools
4.5 9.0

IC Markets wins by 4.5 points

Regulation & Trust
6.5 9.0

IC Markets wins by 2.5 points

Education
5.5 7.0

IC Markets wins by 1.5 points

Customer Service
6.5 8.0

IC Markets wins by 1.5 points

Research & Analysis
6.0 7.5

IC Markets wins by 1.5 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
5.5 8.5

IC Markets wins by 3.0 points

Product Range
6.0 8.5

IC Markets wins by 2.5 points

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
5.7/10
8.8/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$10000
$200
Max Leverage
1:5
1:500
Spreads From
Variable
0.0 pips
Platforms
Advisory Service, Order Execution
MT4, MT5, cTrader
Regulation
CySEC
ASIC, CySEC, FSA
Founded
Older track record highlighted
2022
2007
Markets
100+
2,200+
ALMA Europe: 0 IC Markets: 1
💰

Fees & Costs

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (5.5 vs 9.5)

When it comes to trading costs, IC Markets has the edge with a score of 9.5/10 versus 5.5/10 for ALMA Europe. ALMA Europe offers spreads starting from Variable, while IC Markets starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at ALMA Europe is $10000, compared to $200 at IC Markets. Both brokers operate primarily on a spread-based pricing model, though actual costs vary by account type and instrument. For high-volume traders, even small spread differences add up significantly over time, making this an important category to weigh carefully.

ALMA Europe
5.5
IC Markets
9.5
ALMA Europe: 0 IC Markets: 2
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (4.5 vs 9.0)

IC Markets scores 9/10 for platforms compared to 4.5/10 for ALMA Europe. ALMA Europe provides Advisory Service, Order Execution, while IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader. The choice of platform affects your charting, order execution speed, and available technical indicators. Traders who rely on MetaTrader's algorithmic trading capabilities should check which MT4/MT5 features each broker supports, including custom indicators and expert advisors.

ALMA Europe
4.5
IC Markets
9.0
ALMA Europe: 0 IC Markets: 3
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (6.5 vs 9.0)

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. ALMA Europe is regulated by CySEC (Tier 1), while IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Tier 1). ALMA Europe scores 6.5/10 and IC Markets scores 9/10 in this category. Tier 1 regulators like FCA, ASIC, and CySEC offer the strongest investor protection, including segregated client funds and compensation schemes. Always verify your broker's specific license for your jurisdiction before opening an account.

ALMA Europe
6.5
IC Markets
9.0
ALMA Europe: 0 IC Markets: 4
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (5.5 vs 7.0)

For learning resources, IC Markets leads with 7/10 compared to 5.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. ALMA Europe and IC Markets both provide demo accounts for risk-free practice, but the depth of educational content varies. Beginners should prioritize this category when choosing between the two.

ALMA Europe
5.5
IC Markets
7.0
ALMA Europe: 0 IC Markets: 5
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (6.5 vs 8.0)

ALMA Europe offers Email, Phone, In-person and scores 6.5/10, while IC Markets provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 8/10. Reliable support becomes critical during market volatility or when you encounter account issues. Look for brokers with 24/5 or 24/7 availability, multiple contact channels, and support in your preferred language.

ALMA Europe
6.5
IC Markets
8.0
ALMA Europe: 0 IC Markets: 6
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (5.5 vs 8.5)

ALMA Europe scores 5.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while IC Markets scores 8.5/10. ALMA Europe accepts Bank Transfer, and IC Markets supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, UnionPay. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. ALMA Europe requires a minimum deposit of $10000 versus $200 for IC Markets. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

ALMA Europe
5.5
IC Markets
8.5

Which Broker Is Right for You?

ALMA Europe

Choose ALMA Europe if you...

  • You prefer ALMA Europe's trading environment overall
Visit ALMA Europe
IC Markets

Choose IC Markets if you...

  • You want lower spreads and trading fees
  • You're a beginner who values learning resources
  • You need advanced trading platforms and tools
  • Top-tier regulation and fund safety are your priority
Visit IC Markets

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ALMA Europe better than IC Markets?

IC Markets scores higher overall (8.8/10 vs 5.7/10), winning 8 of 8 categories. However, ALMA Europe remains competitive. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, ALMA Europe or IC Markets?

IC Markets scores higher for trading costs. ALMA Europe offers spreads from Variable with a $10000 minimum deposit, while IC Markets starts from 0.0 pips with $200 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.

Is ALMA Europe safe to trade with?

ALMA Europe is regulated by CySEC and scores 6.5/10 for regulation. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, FSA with a score of 9/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, ALMA Europe or IC Markets?

IC Markets scores 9/10 for platforms. ALMA Europe offers Advisory Service, Order Execution, while IC Markets provides MT4, MT5, cTrader. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for ALMA Europe vs IC Markets?

ALMA Europe requires a minimum deposit of $10000, while IC Markets requires $200. IC Markets has the lower entry barrier, making it more accessible for beginners or those testing with smaller amounts.

Ready to Start Trading?

Open a free account with either broker and start trading today.

← Back to Compare Tool