Comparison of Admirals and IC Markets
| Feature | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2007 |
| Broker Type | STP | ECN, DMA |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | CySEC, JSC, FCA, EFSA, ASIC, FSCA, CMA, SFSA | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Minimum Deposit | $25 | $200 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, BRL, MXN, CLP, SGD, THB, VND | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 24 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 / €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, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities, Cryptocurrencies | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | Admirals Review | IC Markets Review |
About Admirals
Admirals is a reputable forex broker renowned for its robust trading platforms, competitive pricing, and comprehensive range of financial instruments. Catering to both beginner and experienced traders, Admirals offers access to a diverse selection of currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, ensuring a high level of security and transparency for its clients. Admirals also provides extensive educational resources, including webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, which help traders enhance their skills and make informed decisions. Additionally, their customer support is highly responsive and available through multiple channels, making Admirals a reliable choice for traders seeking a balanced and user-friendly trading experience.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple reputable financial authorities
- Access to numerous currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more
- Offers tight spreads and low trading fees
- Supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5
- Comprehensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis
- Responsive and available through various channels
Cons
- Services may not be available in all countries, limiting accessibility for some traders
- Certain regions may incur fees for withdrawals, which can affect overall profitability
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
Admirals & IC Markets Regulation
| Feature | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Admiral Markets Cyprus Ltd, Admiral Markets AS Jordan Ltd, Admiral Markets UK Ltd, Admiral Markets Group, Admirals AU Pty Ltd, Admirals SA (Pty) Ltd, Admirals KE Ltd, Admirals SC Ltd | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited |
Countries | Cyprus, Jordan, United Kingdom, Estonia, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Seychelles | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
Regulators | CySEC, JSC, FCA, EFSA, ASIC, FSCA, CMA, SFSA | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 / €20 000 | €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | Trade | — |
| Min Deposit | $25 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | — |
| Stop Out | 30% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
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 | Zero | Raw Spread |
| Min Deposit | $25 | $200 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0 | 0 |
| Fee | $6 per 1 lot | $7 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Stop Out | 30% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, BRL, MXN, CLP, SGD, THB, VND | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 24 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 150 ms | 40 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 82 | 61 |
Indices | 43 | 25 |
Stocks | 3428 | 2175 |
Cryptocurrencies | 21 | 21 |
Bonds | 2 | 10 |
Metals | 7 | 7 |
Energies | 3 | 5 |
Soft Commodities | 7 | 8 |
ETFs | 362 | 38 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Bonuses
| Bonus | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | ||
| Is available | ||
| Size | 100%, up to $5000 | — |
| Details | Learn More | — |
Customer Support
| Contact | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Email | global@admiralmarkets.com | support@icmarkets.com |
Phone | +442081577344 | +2484671976 |
Telegram | Telegram | — |
Facebook | — | |
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | — |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing Admirals and IC Markets, IC Markets 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.