Market sessions
Sydney
Tokyo
London
New York
Market status
Verified 2026 data

AvaTrade vs IC Markets

An in-depth comparison to help you choose the right broker for your trading journey.

1:1Head to Head
RealTesting
2026Updated
CATEGORY WINS

Who Wins Each Category?

Our scores for AvaTrade and IC Markets, side by side, across the categories that decide your costs and safety.

FeesAvaTrade: 3.8/5vsIC Markets: 4.9/5IC Markets wins
SafetyAvaTrade: 4.8/5vsIC Markets: 4.5/5AvaTrade wins
PlatformsAvaTrade: 4.5/5vsIC Markets: 4.7/5IC Markets wins
EducationAvaTrade: 4.5/5vsIC Markets: 3.5/5AvaTrade wins
Customer SupportAvaTrade: 4/5vsIC Markets: 4.2/5IC Markets wins
QUICK VERDICT

Who Wins?

IC Markets wins on overall score (4.6/5 vs 4.2/5). AvaTrade is the pick if you value beginners seeking education; choose IC Markets if you value high-volume traders. The tables below show where each actually wins.

Who this is for: AvaTrade suits traders who prioritise beginners seeking education; IC Markets suits traders who prioritise high-volume traders.

4.2/5
Best for: Beginners seeking education
Visit AvaTradeRead the AvaTrade Review
VS
4.6/5
Best for: High-volume traders
Visit IC MarketsRead the IC Markets Review
HEAD-TO-HEAD

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature
Overall Rating
4.2/5
4.6/5
Minimum Deposit
$100
$200
Spreads From
0.9 pips
0.0 pips
Max Leverage
Up to 400:1
Up to 500:1
Instruments
1,250+
2,250+
Fees Score
3.8/5
4.9/5
Platforms Score
4.5/5
4.7/5
Education Score
4.5/5
3.5/5
Safety Score
4.8/5
4.5/5
Platforms
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader, DupliTrade, ZuluTrade
MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradingView
Founded
2006
2007
Headquarters
Dublin, Ireland
Sydney, Australia
KEY DIFFERENCES

What Actually Differs

The numbers that matter when choosing between AvaTrade and IC Markets.

Minimum depositAvaTrade: $100IC Markets: $200AvaTrade needs less to start.
RegulatorsAvaTrade: 6 (Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC)...IC Markets: 3 (ASIC, CySEC)...AvaTrade is licensed in more jurisdictions.
InstrumentsAvaTrade: 1,250+IC Markets: 2,250+IC Markets offers more markets.
PlatformsAvaTrade: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, AvaTradeGOIC Markets: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTraderBoth support MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5.
Best forAvaTrade: Beginners seeking educationIC Markets: High-volume tradersDifferent fits. Read the verdict below.
ANALYSIS

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • + Multi-regulated by 6+ tier-1 authorities
  • + Excellent educational resources
  • + Multiple trading platforms including MT4/MT5
  • + No commission on standard accounts
  • + AvaProtect risk management feature

Cons

  • - Spreads higher than ECN brokers
  • - Inactivity fee after 3 months
  • - Limited stock CFD selection compared to specialists
Open AvaTrade Account

Pros

  • + Industry-leading raw spreads from 0.0 pips
  • + True ECN execution with no dealing desk
  • + $1 trillion+ monthly trading volume
  • + Multiple platforms including TradingView
  • + Excellent for high-frequency and algo trading
  • + Deep institutional liquidity

Cons

  • - $200 minimum deposit
  • - Limited educational content
  • - No proprietary platform
  • - Basic research tools
Open IC Markets Account
RECOMMENDATION

Which Broker Should You Choose?

Choose

If you:

  • Beginners seeking education
  • Copy trading enthusiasts
  • Risk-conscious traders
Visit AvaTrade →
Choose

If you:

  • High-volume traders
  • Scalpers
  • Algorithmic traders
  • Professional traders
Visit IC Markets →
FAQ

AvaTrade vs IC Markets: FAQ

Which is better, AvaTrade or IC Markets?

Overall, AvaTrade scores 4.2/5 and IC Markets scores 4.6/5. The right pick depends on what you value: AvaTrade for beginners seeking education, IC Markets for high-volume traders.

Which is cheaper, AvaTrade or IC Markets?

On our fees score, AvaTrade is 3.8/5 and IC Markets is 4.9/5. AvaTrade advertises spreads from 0.9 pips, IC Markets from 0.0 pips. Check the fee rows above for the full picture, because headline spreads are not the bill.

Which is safer, AvaTrade or IC Markets?

AvaTrade holds 6 licence(s), including Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FCA, JFSA, CySEC, FSCA. IC Markets holds 3 licence(s), including ASIC, CySEC, FSA. More Tier 1 regulators means more client protection schemes. Verify any licence at the regulator register before depositing.

Which has more markets, AvaTrade or IC Markets?

AvaTrade offers 1,250+, IC Markets offers 2,250+. Choose the range that covers what you actually trade.

FREE TOOLS

Calculate Your Trading Costs

Use our free tools to compare broker costs and calculate position sizes before you trade.

Broker Cost CalculatorCompare total trading costsPosition Size CalculatorCalculate proper lot sizesProfit/Loss CalculatorKnow your P&L in advance
MORE COMPARISONS

Other Broker Matchups

IC MarketsvsAdmiral MarketsIC MarketsvsCity IndexIC MarketsvsVantageIC MarketsvsEightcapIC MarketsvsPlus500IC MarketsvsXM
KEY TERMS

Trading Terms Explained

New to some of the jargon in this comparison? These explainers cover the concepts that decide your costs and risk.

SpreadThe gap between buy and sell price. The headline number, not the bill.LeverageBorrowed exposure. Amplifies wins and losses.MarginThe collateral held to keep a position open.Margin CallWhat happens when the collateral runs out.PipThe smallest price move most forex pairs make.LotThe standard position size in forex trading.PointA unit of price movement. In forex, often a pip.Short PositionSelling first, hoping to buy back cheaper.

Compared byTradeTheDay Editorial TeamUpdated

How we rate

Recommended alternative

We review this broker - here's who we recommend instead

We can only take you directly to brokers we're partnered with. This is the closest vetted alternative we've reviewed and can stand behind.

Compare every broker we rate