Comparison of IC Markets and XM
| Feature | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
| Broker Type | ECN, DMA | MM |
| Dealing | A-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | BFSC, CySEC, ASIC, DFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $5 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, PLN, ZAR, SGD, HUF |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, FasaPay, Giropay, IDEAL, Jeton, Mobile Money, MuchBetter, Neteller, NganLuong, Paysafecard, Perfect Money, POLi, Przelewy24, Skrill, STICPAY, Trustly, China UnionPay, WebMoney |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | $15 after 12 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | €20 000 | €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✔ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✔ | ✔ |
| VPS | ✔ | ✔ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | IC Markets Review | XM Review |
About IC Markets
IC Markets is a leading forex and CFD broker, well-known for its exceptional trading conditions and advanced technology. Established in 2007 and regulated by multiple top-tier authorities, including ASIC, CySEC, and the FSA Seychelles, IC Markets has earned a solid reputation among retail and institutional traders alike. The broker is particularly favored by scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic traders for its ultra-tight spreads, fast execution speeds, and no-dealing-desk (NDD) model. With access to powerful platforms like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, IC Markets offers a seamless trading experience across various asset classes, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies. Its focus on transparency, competitive pricing, and exceptional liquidity ensures that traders can execute strategies efficiently. However, while IC Markets excels in trading infrastructure, it offers limited educational resources, which may not fully cater to beginners.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities (ASIC, CySEC)
- Tight spreads starting from 0.0 pips on Raw Spread accounts
- No dealing desk (NDD) model ensures transparent and fast execution
- Excellent platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader
- High liquidity and competitive pricing ideal for scalping and algorithmic trading
- Wide range of tradable assets, including cryptocurrencies
- Dedicated 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Restricted availability in some regions due to regulatory constraints
- Withdrawal fees may apply for certain methods
About XM
XM is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker established in 2009. Regulated by reputable financial authorities such as the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), XM provides a secure and transparent trading environment. The broker offers access to over 1000 financial instruments, including forex pairs, commodities, indices, metals, and energies, catering to both novice and experienced traders. One of XM's standout features is its commitment to client education and support. The broker provides extensive educational resources like webinars, tutorials, and market analyses to help traders make informed decisions. With multiple account types, competitive spreads, and support for popular trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, XM aims to deliver a flexible and user-friendly trading experience tailored to individual needs.
Pros
- Regulated by reputable authorities
- Wide range of trading instruments
- Multiple account types
- Competitive spreads and leverage
- Comprehensive educational resources
- Advanced trading platforms
- Multilingual customer support
Cons
- Inactivity fees
- Restricted in certain countries
IC Markets & XM Regulation
| Feature | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited | XM Global Limited, Trading Point Of Financial Instruments Ltd, Trading Point of Financial Instruments Pty Limited, Trading Point MENA Limited |
Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, United Arab Emirates |
Regulators | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | BFSC, CySEC, ASIC, DFSA |
Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | €20 000 | €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard |
| Min Deposit | — | $5 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.6 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 50% |
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | — |
| Min Deposit | $200 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | — |
| Stop Out | 50% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
Zero Account | ||
| Account Name | Raw Spread | — |
| Min Deposit | $200 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0 | — |
| Fee | $7 per 1 lot | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | — |
| Stop Out | 50% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
Cent Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Micro |
| Min Deposit | — | $5 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.6 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 50% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, PLN, ZAR, SGD, HUF |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, FasaPay, Giropay, IDEAL, Jeton, Mobile Money, MuchBetter, Neteller, NganLuong, Paysafecard, Perfect Money, POLi, Przelewy24, Skrill, STICPAY, Trustly, China UnionPay, WebMoney |
Inactivity fee | $15 after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
Execution Speed | 40 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 61 | 55 |
Indices | 25 | 50 |
Stocks | 2175 | 1307 |
Cryptocurrencies | 21 | 58 |
Bonds | 10 | 0 |
Metals | 7 | 3 |
Energies | 5 | 3 |
Soft Commodities | 8 | 8 |
ETFs | 38 | 0 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Bonuses
| Bonus | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | ||
| Is available | ||
| Size | — | 100%, up to $5000 |
| Details | — | Learn More |
Contests
| Feature | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Live Contests | ||
| Is available | ||
| Contests List | — |
|
- StarterStart Balance: $500 · Prize Pool: $15000 · Period: WeeklyLearn More
- ProStart Balance: $1000 · Prize Pool: $30,000 · Period: WeeklyLearn More
Customer Support
| Contact | IC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@icmarkets.com | support@xm.com |
Phone | +2484671976 | +5012236696 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | — | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter | ||
TikTok | — | TikTok |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing IC Markets and XM, XM comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.