Comparison of Axi and IC Markets
| Feature | Axi | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2007 |
| Broker Type | STP | ECN, DMA |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SVGFSA, ASIC, NZ FMA, DFSA, FCA | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Axi Trading Platform | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Base Currencies | AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit/Debit Cards (Visa/Mastercard), Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Bpay, FasaPay, Alipay, Sofort, POLi, Bitcoin (BTC) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay |
| Inactivity Fee | $10/month after 12 months of no trading activity | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | FSCS | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | €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, Shares (CFDs), Commodities, Cryptocurrencies | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | Axi Review | IC Markets Review |
About Axi
Axi is a multi-regulated broker founded in 2007 with a straightforward account setup: commission-free Standard or raw-spread Pro, and a VIP Elite tier. Traders can use MT4, MT5 (in selected regions), or the Axi Trading Platform, plus a dedicated Copy Trading app. The product list spans Forex, indices, commodities, 100+ share CFDs, ~30 crypto CFDs, and ETF CFDs. Add-ons include Autochartist, Trading Central, VPS, and the Axi Select funding program.
Pros
- Multi-entity regulation
- Elite VIP with ~$25k balance and $3.5 commission per lot
- Solid toolkit: Autochartist, Trading Central, VPS options
- Flexible funding incl. cards, e-wallets, and crypto; broad base currencies
Cons
- Inactivity fee after 12 months of no trading
- Share CFD universe is modest (~100 names) vs. largest competitors
- Elite requires high balance; not suitable for small accounts
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
Axi & IC Markets Regulation
| Feature | Axi | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Companies | AxiTrader Limited (AxiTrader), AxiCorp Financial Services Pty Ltd (AFSPL), AxiCorp Financial Services Pty Ltd (DIFC Branch), Axi Financial Services (UK) | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited |
Countries | St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Australia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
Regulators | SVGFSA, ASIC, NZ FMA, DFSA, FCA | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA |
Investor Protection | FSCS | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | Axi | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | — |
| Min Deposit | $1 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.9 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | — |
| Stop Out | 20% | — |
| 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 | Pro | Raw Spread |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.0 | 0 |
| Fee | $7 per 1 lot | $7 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Stop Out | 20% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | Axi | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | AUD, CAD, CHF, EUR, GBP, HKD, JPY, NZD, SGD, USD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit/Debit Cards (Visa/Mastercard), Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, Bpay, FasaPay, Alipay, Sofort, POLi, Bitcoin (BTC) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay |
Inactivity fee | $10/month after 12 months of no trading activity | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | Axi | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Axi Trading Platform | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
Execution Speed | - | 40 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | Axi | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 69 | 61 |
Indices | 31 | 25 |
Stocks | 144 | 2175 |
Cryptocurrencies | 35 | 21 |
Bonds | 0 | 10 |
Metals | 8 | 7 |
Energies | 5 | 5 |
Soft Commodities | 3 | 8 |
ETFs | 0 | 38 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | Axi | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | Axi | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Email | service@axi.com | support@icmarkets.com |
Phone | +61 2 9965 5830 | +2484671976 |
Telegram | Telegram | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | — |
Instagram | ||
Twitter | ||
TikTok | TikTok | — |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing Axi 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.
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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.