Comparison of IC Markets and OctaFX
| Feature | IC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2011 |
| Broker Type | ECN, DMA | ECN |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | FSC, MISA, CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), OctaTrader |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $25 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Tether (USDT) |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| 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 |
| Review | IC Markets Review | OctaFX 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 OctaFX
OctaFX is a prominent forex broker established in 2011, renowned for its user-friendly trading platforms, competitive spreads, and a diverse range of account types tailored to both novice and seasoned traders. The broker offers access to an extensive selection of financial instruments, including major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, ensuring ample trading opportunities. Regulated by reputable authorities, OctaFX emphasizes security and reliability, providing a safe trading environment. Additionally, the broker supports multiple deposit and withdrawal methods, offers robust customer support around the clock, and supplies comprehensive educational resources and market analysis tools to help traders make informed decisions.
Pros
- Competitive spreads and low trading costs
- User-friendly platforms including MetaTrader 4 and 5
- Regulated by reputable authorities ensuring security
- Excellent customer support available 24/7
- Fast and diverse payment methods for deposits and withdrawals
- Comprehensive educational resources and market analysis tools
Cons
- Limited product offerings compared to some larger brokers
- Lack of variety in account types
IC Markets & OctaFX Regulation
| Feature | IC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited | Uni Fin Invest, Octa Markets LTD |
Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Mauritius, Comoros, Cyprus |
Regulators | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | FSC, MISA, CySEC |
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 | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | ECN |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $25 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 15% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 25% |
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 | IC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), Tether (USDT) |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | IC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), OctaTrader |
Execution Speed | 40 ms | 100 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | IC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 61 | 35 |
Indices | 25 | 10 |
Stocks | 2175 | 150 |
Cryptocurrencies | 21 | 34 |
Bonds | 10 | 0 |
Metals | 7 | 2 |
Energies | 5 | 4 |
Soft Commodities | 8 | 0 |
ETFs | 38 | 0 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | IC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | IC Markets | OctaFX |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@icmarkets.com | support@octacs.one |
Phone | +2484671976 | — |
Telegram | — | Telegram |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | — | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing IC Markets and OctaFX, 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.