Comparison of AvaTrade and IC Markets
| Feature | AvaTrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2007 |
| Broker Type | MM | ECN, DMA |
| Dealing | B-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | Central Bank of Ireland, KNF, FCA, BVIFSC, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA, JFFA, FSRA, ISA, CIRO | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:500 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay |
| Inactivity Fee | $50 per month after 3 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) | 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, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | AvaTrade Review | IC Markets Review |
About AvaTrade
AvaTrade is a well-established Forex and CFD broker recognized for its comprehensive trading platforms, diverse range of financial instruments, and robust regulatory framework. Founded in 2006, AvaTrade serves clients worldwide, offering access to major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker supports multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its proprietary AvaTradeGo app, catering to both desktop and mobile traders. AvaTrade is regulated by several reputable authorities, ensuring a high level of security and trust for its clients. Additionally, the broker provides a variety of account types to suit different trading styles and experience levels, along with extensive educational resources and customer support to assist traders in making informed decisions. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and efficient withdrawal processes, AvaTrade stands out as a reliable choice for both novice and experienced Forex traders.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple top-tier financial authorities
- Offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and AvaTradeGo app
- Provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies
- Extensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis available
- Offers tight spreads across numerous trading instruments
- Free demo accounts available for practice trading
- Multilingual support available through various channels
Cons
- Maximum leverage may be lower than what some traders desire
- AvaTradeGo app offers fewer customization options
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
AvaTrade & IC Markets Regulation
| Feature | AvaTrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Ava Trade EU Ltd, Ava Trade Markets Ltd, Ava Capital Markets Australia Pty Ltd, Ava Capital Markets Pty, Ava Trade Japan K.K., AVA Trade Middle East Ltd, ATrade Ltd, Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd. | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited |
Countries | Ireland, British Virgin Islands, Australia, South Africa, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Canada | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
Regulators | Central Bank of Ireland, KNF, FCA, BVIFSC, ASIC, FSCA, JFSA, JFFA, FSRA, ISA, CIRO | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), The Investor Compensation Company DAC (ICCL) | 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 | AvaTrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | — |
| Min Deposit | $100 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | — |
| Stop Out | 50% | — |
| 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 | — | 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% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | AvaTrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, PayPal | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay |
Inactivity fee | $50 per month after 3 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | AvaTrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), AvaTradeGO | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 0 ms | 40 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | AvaTrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 53 | 61 |
Indices | 46 | 25 |
Stocks | 614 | 2175 |
Cryptocurrencies | 20 | 21 |
Bonds | 2 | 10 |
Metals | 7 | 7 |
Energies | 5 | 5 |
Soft Commodities | 7 | 8 |
ETFs | 61 | 38 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | AvaTrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | AvaTrade | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Email | customer@avatrade.com | support@icmarkets.com |
Phone | +3228080310 | +2484671976 |
Telegram | Telegram | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | — |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing AvaTrade and IC Markets, AvaTrade 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.
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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.