Comparison of IC Markets and Tickmill
| Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2014 |
| Broker Type | ECN, DMA | STP, ECN |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SFSA, LFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | €20 000 | £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, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities, Cryptocurrencies |
| Review | IC Markets Review | Tickmill 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 Tickmill
Tickmill is a highly reputable Forex and CFD broker known for its competitive pricing and robust trading infrastructure. Established in 2014, Tickmill is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, including the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). The broker offers a variety of account types tailored to different trading needs, ranging from beginner-friendly accounts with low minimum deposits to advanced accounts with tighter spreads and lower commissions. Tickmill supports popular trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), providing traders with advanced charting tools and automated trading capabilities. Additionally, Tickmill is praised for its fast order execution, extensive range of over 60 currency pairs, and strong customer support, making it a preferred choice for both novice and experienced traders.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities like FCA and CySEC, ensuring a secure trading environment
- Offers some of the lowest spreads in the industry, especially on ECN accounts, with transparent commission structures
- Supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, providing robust charting tools and automated trading capabilities
- Provides a range of educational materials, including webinars, tutorials, and market analysis to help traders enhance their skills
- Access to over 60 currency pairs, as well as CFDs on indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
- Offers efficient and knowledgeable customer service through multiple channels, including live chat and email
Cons
- Relies solely on MetaTrader platforms, which might not appeal to traders seeking proprietary or alternative platforms
- Primarily focuses on Forex and CFDs, lacking a broader range of financial instruments such as bonds or ETFs
- Not available in all countries, which limits access for some potential traders
IC Markets & Tickmill Regulation
| Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited | Tickmill UK Ltd, Tickmill Europe Ltd, Tickmill South Africa (PTY) LTD, Tickmill Ltd, Procard Global Ltd, Tickmill Asia Ltd |
Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | United Kingdom, Cyprus, South Africa, Seychelles, Malaysia |
Regulators | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | FCA, CySEC, FSCA, SFSA, LFSA |
Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | €20 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Classic |
| Min Deposit | — | $100 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.6 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | — | 30% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | Raw |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.6 | 0 |
| Fee | No | $7 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 30% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 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 | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, ZAR |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), TradingView |
Execution Speed | 40 ms | 150 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 61 | 62 |
Indices | 25 | 23 |
Stocks | 2175 | 489 |
Cryptocurrencies | 21 | 9 |
Bonds | 10 | 4 |
Metals | 7 | 4 |
Energies | 5 | 2 |
Soft Commodities | 8 | 2 |
ETFs | 38 | 23 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Bonuses
| Bonus | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| No Deposit Bonus | ||
| Is available | ||
| Size | — | $30 |
| Details | — | Learn More |
Customer Support
| Contact | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@icmarkets.com | support@tickmill.com |
Phone | +2484671976 | +85258087849 |
Telegram | — | Telegram |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | — | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing IC Markets and Tickmill, 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.