Comparison of HYCM and IC Markets
| Feature | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2007 |
| Broker Type | STP | ECN, DMA |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | FCA, CySEC, CIMA, SVGFSA, DFSA | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
| Spread | ⮕ Average | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AED | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, BTC (Bitcoin) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay |
| Inactivity Fee | ✔ | ✖ |
| 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, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | HYCM Review | IC Markets Review |
About HYCM
HYCM (formerly Henyep Capital Markets) is a multi-asset forex and CFD broker with more than four decades in the industry and a trio of top-tier licences from the FCA (UK), CySEC (EU) and DFSA (UAE). Traders can choose between fixed- or variable-spread accounts on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, accessing 1 ,300+ instruments that cover currencies, stocks, indices, commodities and cryptocurrencies. With minimum deposits from just 100 USD, leverage up to 1 : 500 (region-dependent) and a rich catalogue of webinars, e-books and market reports, HYCM appeals to both first-time traders and seasoned professionals looking for tight pricing under a strong regulatory umbrella.
Pros
- Strong regulation from FCA, CySEC and DFSA with segregated client funds
- Choice of Fixed, Classic or Raw accounts-spreads from 0.0 pips on Raw or zero-commission Fixed pricing
- Full support for MT4 and MT5 on desktop, web and mobile
- 1 ,300+ tradeable instruments spanning forex, stocks, indices, commodities and crypto
- Extensive educational suite: weekly webinars, video tutorials and downloadable e-books
- Fast funding and withdrawals via cards, e-wallets and local bank transfers
Cons
- No proprietary platform or integrated copy-trading/social-trading tools
- Raw account carries a commission of 4 USD per lot per side, which may deter micro-lot traders
- High-tier research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist) gated behind larger deposits or higher trading volume
- Cryptocurrency deposits not supported, limiting funding flexibility for some clients
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
HYCM & IC Markets Regulation
| Feature | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Companies | HYCM Capital Markets (UK), HYCM (Europe) Ltd, HYCM Ltd, HYCM Capital Markets (DIFC) Limited | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited |
Countries | United Kingdom, Cyprus, Cayman Islands, United Arab Emirates | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
Regulators | FCA, CySEC, CIMA, SVGFSA, DFSA | 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 | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | Classic | — |
| Min Deposit | $100 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 1.2 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | — |
| 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 | Raw Spread |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $200 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.1 | 0 |
| Fee | $8 per 1 lot | $7 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:500 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 100% |
Fix Spread Account | ||
| Account Name | Fixed | — |
| Min Deposit | $100 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Fixed | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 1.5 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:5000 | — |
| 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 | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AED | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, BTC (Bitcoin) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 12 ms | 40 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | average | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 72 | 61 |
Indices | 27 | 25 |
Stocks | 1080 | 2175 |
Cryptocurrencies | 28 | 21 |
Bonds | 0 | 10 |
Metals | 5 | 7 |
Energies | 3 | 5 |
Soft Commodities | 4 | 8 |
ETFs | 0 | 38 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | HYCM | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@hycm.com | support@icmarkets.com |
Phone | +442088167812 | +2484671976 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | — |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing HYCM 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.