Comparison of IC Markets and Vantage
| Feature | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
| Broker Type | ECN, DMA | STP, ECN |
| Dealing | A-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | VFSC, CIMA, ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Premium Trader, TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $50 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, NZD, SGD, CAD, HKD, PLN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Bpay, AstroPay, FasaPay, POLi, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USD Coin (USDC), 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, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | IC Markets Review | Vantage 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 Vantage
Vantage is a well-established forex and CFD broker that has been catering to traders since 2009. Known for its commitment to providing competitive trading conditions, Vantage offers access to a wide range of markets, including forex, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies. The broker supports leading trading platforms such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and its own proprietary app, ensuring flexibility for traders of all levels. Vantage operates under strict regulatory oversight from entities like ASIC, FCA, and CIMA, ensuring a secure and transparent trading environment.
Pros
- Regulated by reputable authorities (ASIC, FCA, CIMA)
- Supports multiple platforms, including MT4, MT5, and a proprietary app
- Tight spreads and competitive pricing
- Offers social trading and copy trading features
- Wide range of tradable instruments, including forex, commodities, indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies
- High leverage options available for eligible clients
- Comprehensive educational resources and market analysis tools
Cons
- Restricted access for traders in certain countries
- Customer support availability varies by region and time zone
- Limited account type customization compared to some competitors
IC Markets & Vantage Regulation
| Feature | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
Companies | Raw Trading Ltd, International Capital Markets Pty Ltd, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, IC Markets (KE) Limited | Vantage Global Limited, Vantage International Group Limited, Vantage Global Prime Pty Ltd, Vantage Global Prime LLP, Vantage Markets (PTY) Limited |
Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Vanuatu, Cayman Islands, Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa |
Regulators | SFSA, ASIC, CySEC, CMA | VFSC, CIMA, ASIC, CySEC, FCA, FSCA |
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 | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard |
| Min Deposit | — | $50 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | — | 50% |
| Margin Call | — | 80% |
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | Raw |
| 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 | $6 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 80% |
Zero Account | ||
| Account Name | Raw Spread | Pro |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $10 000 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0 | 0 |
| Fee | $7 per 1 lot | $3 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | 50% | 50% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 80% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, HKD | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, JPY, NZD, SGD, CAD, HKD, PLN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, PayPal, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, POLi, Rapidpay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Bpay, AstroPay, FasaPay, POLi, Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USD Coin (USDC), Tether (USDT) |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), cTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Premium Trader, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 40 ms | 250 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Assets
| Asset | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 61 | 35 |
Indices | 25 | 8 |
Stocks | 2175 | 51 |
Cryptocurrencies | 21 | 0 |
Bonds | 10 | 0 |
Metals | 7 | 3 |
Energies | 5 | 2 |
Soft Commodities | 8 | 3 |
ETFs | 38 | 5 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@icmarkets.com | support@vantagefx.com |
Phone | +2484671976 | +13457691640 |
Telegram | — | Telegram |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | — | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing IC Markets and Vantage, 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.