IC Markets

IC Markets

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.8
/ 10
vs
Exness

Exness

🟢 Tier 1 Regulated
8.0
/ 10

IC Markets vs Exness

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

IC Markets and Exness are both popular choices for forex and CFD traders, but they cater to different needs and experience levels. IC Markets, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Sydney, Australia, is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, FSA and offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips with a minimum deposit of $200. Exness, established in 2008 in Limassol, Cyprus, holds licenses from FCA, CySEC, FSCA with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $1 minimum deposit. In our hands-on testing across 8 scoring categories, IC Markets scored 8.8/10 overall compared to Exness's 8/10, making it the stronger pick for most traders. That said, Exness holds its own with smoother deposits & withdrawals, 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 8/10 for Exness — a 0.8-point difference.

  • 💵

    Exness requires just $1 to start, while IC Markets needs $200 — Exness is 200x more accessible.

  • 📈

    IC Markets offers 2,200+ instruments vs 300+ at Exness — a massive gap in market coverage.

  • 🖥️

    IC Markets runs on MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Exness uses MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App — different ecosystems for different trading styles.

  • The biggest gap is in Trading Costs: IC Markets scores 9.5 vs 8.5 for Exness — a 1.0-point difference.

Our Verdict

🏆 WINNER
IC Markets

IC Markets

Score: 8.8/10 · Wins 7 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
Exness

Exness

Score: 8.0/10 · Wins 1 categories
  • Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
  • You prefer a low minimum deposit ($1)
  • You prefer Exness's trading environment overall

IC Markets takes the lead with an overall score of 8.8/10 compared to 8/10, winning in 7 out of 8 scoring categories. IC Markets stands out for lower trading costs and better trading platforms, while Exness fights back with smoother deposits & withdrawals.

Detailed Verdict

After testing both brokers with real accounts, IC Markets comes out ahead with a 8.8/10 overall rating, winning 7 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. Exness is not without merit — it scores 8/10 overall and excels in Deposit & Withdrawal (9.5/10), winning 1 category. Traders who value smoother deposits & withdrawals may find Exness the better fit. For a complete breakdown, read our full IC Markets review and Exness review — both include account opening walkthroughs, platform screenshots, and withdrawal test results.

Score Breakdown

IC Markets
Exness
Trading Costs
9.5 8.5

IC Markets wins by 1.0 points

Platforms & Tools
9.0 8.0

IC Markets wins by 1.0 points

Regulation & Trust
9.0 8.5

IC Markets wins by 0.5 points

Education
7.0 6.5

IC Markets wins by 0.5 points

Customer Service
8.0 7.5

IC Markets wins by 0.5 points

Research & Analysis
7.5 7.0

IC Markets wins by 0.5 points

Deposit & Withdrawal
8.5 9.5

Exness wins by 1.0 points

Product Range
8.5 7.5

IC Markets wins by 1.0 points

Full Feature Comparison

Structured broker facts pulled from the shared broker dataset.
Feature
Overall Score
8.8/10
8.0/10
Min Deposit
Lower is better
$200
$1
Max Leverage
1:500
Unlimited
Spreads From
0.0 pips
0.0 pips
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader
MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App
Regulation
ASIC, CySEC, FSA
FCA, CySEC, FSCA
Founded
Older track record highlighted
2007
2008
Markets
2,200+
300+
IC Markets: 1 Exness: 0
💰

Fees & Costs

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (9.5 vs 8.5)

When it comes to trading costs, IC Markets has the edge with a score of 9.5/10 versus 8.5/10 for Exness. IC Markets offers spreads starting from 0.0 pips, while Exness starts from 0.0 pips. The minimum deposit at IC Markets is $200, compared to $1 at Exness. 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.

IC Markets
9.5
Exness
8.5
IC Markets: 2 Exness: 0
🖥️

Trading Platforms

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (9.0 vs 8.0)

IC Markets scores 9/10 for platforms compared to 8/10 for Exness. IC Markets provides MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Exness offers MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App. 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.

IC Markets
9.0
Exness
8.0
IC Markets: 3 Exness: 0
🛡️

Regulation & Safety

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (9.0 vs 8.5)

Regulation is crucial for fund safety. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Tier 1), while Exness holds licenses from FCA, CySEC, FSCA (Tier 1). IC Markets scores 9/10 and Exness scores 8.5/10 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.

IC Markets
9.0
Exness
8.5
IC Markets: 4 Exness: 0
📚

Education & Research

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (7.0 vs 6.5)

For learning resources, IC Markets leads with 7/10 compared to 6.5/10. Quality education materials can shorten your learning curve significantly. Look for brokers offering structured courses, live webinars, and practice demo accounts. IC Markets and Exness 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.

IC Markets
7.0
Exness
6.5
IC Markets: 5 Exness: 0
🎧

Customer Support

🏅 Section Winner: IC Markets (8.0 vs 7.5)

IC Markets offers 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone and scores 8/10, while Exness provides 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Phone with a score of 7.5/10. 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.

IC Markets
8.0
Exness
7.5
IC Markets: 5 Exness: 1
💳

Deposit & Withdrawal

🏅 Section Winner: Exness (8.5 vs 9.5)

IC Markets scores 8.5/10 for deposits and withdrawals, while Exness scores 9.5/10. IC Markets accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, UnionPay, and Exness supports Bank Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin, Perfect Money. Processing times, fees, and available currencies vary. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 versus $1 for Exness. Always check withdrawal conditions and any potential fees before funding your account.

IC Markets
8.5
Exness
9.5

Which Broker Is Right for You?

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
Exness

Choose Exness if you...

  • Fast and flexible deposits & withdrawals are important
  • You prefer a low minimum deposit ($1)
  • You prefer Exness's trading environment overall
Visit Exness

🗳️ Which Broker Do You Prefer?

Cast your vote — see what other traders think

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IC Markets better than Exness?

IC Markets scores higher overall (8.8/10 vs 8/10), winning 7 of 8 categories. However, Exness is stronger in smoother deposits & withdrawals. The best choice depends on what matters most to your trading style.

Which has lower fees, IC Markets or Exness?

IC Markets scores higher for trading costs. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $200 minimum deposit, while Exness starts from 0.0 pips with $1 minimum. Actual trading costs depend on your instrument, volume, and account type.

Is IC Markets safe to trade with?

IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, FSA and scores 9/10 for regulation. Exness is regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSCA with a score of 8.5/10. Both hold recognized licenses, but verify the specific entity covering your region.

Which has better trading platforms, IC Markets or Exness?

IC Markets scores 9/10 for platforms. IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while Exness provides MT4, MT5, Exness Terminal, Exness Trade App. Your ideal platform depends on whether you prefer proprietary tools, MetaTrader, or third-party solutions.

What's the minimum deposit for IC Markets vs Exness?

IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while Exness requires $1. Exness 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.

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