Comparison of IC Markets and Ultima Markets
Feature | IC Markets | Ultima Markets |
---|---|---|
Broker | ||
Year Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
Broker Type | ECN, DMA | MM, STP, ECN |
Dealing | A-book | A-book, B-book |
Execution | Market | Market |
Regulation | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | FSC, CySEC |
Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
Minimum Deposit | $200 | $20 |
Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD, HKD, JPY |
Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Alipay, Bitcoin (BTC), 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, ETFs, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities, Cryptocurrencies |
Review | IC Markets Review | Ultima Markets 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 Ultima Markets
Ultima Markets is a reputable Forex broker established with a commitment to providing a comprehensive trading environment for both novice and seasoned traders. Offering a wide range of financial instruments, including major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies, Ultima Markets ensures diverse trading opportunities. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options up to 1:2000, and a low minimum deposit requirement, Ultima Markets appeals to a broad spectrum of traders. Additionally, the broker emphasizes security and transparency by being regulated by reputable financial authorities, ensuring that clients' funds are safeguarded. Responsive customer support available 24/5, and advanced trading tools further enhance the trading experience, making Ultima Markets a compelling choice for individuals seeking a reliable and feature-rich Forex brokerage.
Pros
- Offers multiple account options
- Provides access to a variety of financial instruments
- Features competitive spreads and leverage options
- Regulated by reputable financial authorities
- Requires a low minimum deposit
- Compatible with automated trading systems and Expert Advisors (EAs), facilitating algorithmic and high-frequency trading strategies
Cons
- Absence of fixed spread account options could be a drawback for traders who prefer consistent spreads irrespective of market volatility
- Limiting options for traders who prefer other trading platforms like MetaTrader 5 or proprietary alternatives
- Lacks comprehensive educational resources, such as webinars, tutorials, and e-books, which can hinder the learning and development of new traders
IC Markets & Ultima Markets Regulation
Feature | IC Markets | Ultima Markets |
---|---|---|
Companies | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited | Ultima Markets Ltd, Ultima Markets Cyprus Ltd |
Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Mauritius, Cyprus |
Regulators | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | FSC, 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 | Ultima Markets |
---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
Account Name | — | Standard |
Min Deposit | — | $50 |
Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
Spread Type | — | Floating |
Execution | — | Market |
Min Spread | — | 1 |
Fee | — | No |
Max Leverage | — | 1:2000 |
Stop Out | — | 20% |
Margin Call | — | 50% |
ECN Account | ||
Account Name | Standard | ECN |
Min Deposit | $200 | $50 |
Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
Execution | Market | Market |
Min Spread | 0.6 | 0.1 |
Fee | No | $5 per 1 lot |
Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
Stop Out | 50% | 20% |
Margin Call | 100% | 50% |
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% | — |
Cent Account | ||
Account Name | — | Cent Account |
Min Deposit | — | $20 |
Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
Spread Type | — | Floating |
Execution | — | Market |
Min Spread | — | 1 |
Fee | — | No |
Max Leverage | — | 1:2000 |
Stop Out | — | 50% |
Margin Call | — | 80% |
Additional Features | ||
Demo Account | ||
VIP Account | ||
Swap-Free Account | ||
Copy Trading | ||
VPS | ||
PAMM/MAM Accounts |
Funding and Fees
Feature | IC Markets | Ultima Markets |
---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, SGD, HKD, JPY |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Alipay, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT) |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
Feature | IC Markets | Ultima Markets |
---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
Execution Speed | 40 ms | - |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
Asset | IC Markets | Ultima Markets |
---|---|---|
Currencies | 61 | 60 |
Indices | 25 | 28 |
Stocks | 2175 | 86 |
Cryptocurrencies | 21 | 47 |
Bonds | 10 | 7 |
Metals | 7 | 9 |
Energies | 5 | 7 |
Soft Commodities | 8 | 7 |
ETFs | 38 | 6 |
Education and Analytics
Feature | IC Markets | Ultima Markets |
---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
Contact | IC Markets | Ultima Markets |
---|---|---|
Email | support@icmarkets.com | info@ultimamarkets.com |
Phone | +2484671976 | — |
Telegram | — | Telegram |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing IC Markets and Ultima 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.