IC Markets Review 2026: Ultra-Fast ECN Broker, Spreads from 0.0 Pips
IC Markets is an ECN broker founded in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, regulated by ASIC, CySEC and the FSA Seychelles. It offers 2,250+ instruments with raw spreads from 0.0 pips, sub-40ms execution via Equinix servers, and three platforms: MT4, MT5 and cTrader. Scalping, expert advisors and hedging are all permitted without restriction, making it the go-to broker for active traders and professional scalpers seeking institutional-grade execution conditions.
What is IC Markets?
IC Markets (International Capital Markets) is an Australian ECN broker founded in 2007, headquartered in Sydney. With nearly two decades of operation, it has established itself as one of the world's leading brokers for low-cost, high-speed trading — attracting scalpers, algorithmic traders and professionals worldwide.
The ECN (Electronic Communication Network) model means orders are routed directly to liquidity providers — banks, hedge funds and other institutions — without dealing desk intervention. This transparency translates into raw spreads from 0.0 pips on the Raw Spread account, with a competitive commission of $3.50 per side per lot on MT4/MT5 and just $3.00 per side on cTrader.
IC Markets' technical infrastructure is institutional-grade. Its servers are hosted in Equinix NY4 (New York) and LD5 (London) data centres, the same facilities used by major banks and hedge funds. The result: average execution under 40 milliseconds, with no requotes or order rejections under normal market conditions.
The broker also stands out for its complete strategy freedom. Scalping, hedging, news trading, Expert Advisors — everything is permitted without restriction. Combined with ultra-fast execution and tight spreads, this makes IC Markets the natural choice for technical and algorithmic traders.
Trading Conditions in Detail
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulation | ASIC (AFSL 335692), CySEC (362/18), FSA Seychelles (SD018) |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia |
| Founded | 2007 (nearly 20 years) |
| Type | ECN / True Raw Pricing |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader |
| Instruments | 2,250+ |
| Max leverage | 1:30 (EU/AU retail) · 1:500 (offshore) |
| Minimum deposit | $200 |
| EUR/USD spread | From 0.0 pips (Raw) · 0.8 pips (Standard) |
| Commission (Raw MT4/MT5) | $3.50 / side / lot |
| Commission (cTrader) | $3.00 / side / lot |
| Commission (Standard) | $0 (spread-only) |
| Execution | Under 40ms · Equinix servers |
| Scalping | Allowed ✓ |
| Expert Advisors | Allowed ✓ |
| Hedging | Allowed ✓ |
Available Instruments
Trading Platforms
IC Markets offers three trading platforms, each tailored to a different trader profile. The common thread: all benefit from Equinix infrastructure and ECN execution.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) — The industry-standard forex platform, with thousands of indicators and Expert Advisors available via the MQL4 Marketplace. IC Markets offers MT4 with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and a $3.50/side/lot commission on the Raw account. Free VPS hosting is available for high-volume traders.
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) — The advanced MetaTrader version with more timeframes, Depth of Market (DOM), a multi-threaded strategy tester and the more powerful MQL5 language. Same Raw account conditions as MT4, with expanded access to share CFDs and indices.
cTrader — The preferred platform for scalpers and demanding algorithmic traders. Modern interface, even faster execution, reduced commission at $3.00/side/lot, advanced charting and cAlgo for automated trading in C#. cTrader Copy also enables copy trading functionality.
Pros and Cons
- Raw spreads from 0.0 pips — among the lowest in the market (true ECN)
- Ultra-fast execution under 40ms via Equinix NY4 and LD5 servers
- 2,250+ instruments: forex, share CFDs, indices, crypto, commodities
- Three platforms: MT4, MT5 and cTrader (the complete trio)
- Scalping, hedging, news trading and EAs allowed without restriction
- ASIC + CySEC regulation: dual tier-1 regulatory protection
- Competitive cTrader commission at $3.00/side/lot
- Leverage up to 1:500 via the offshore entity (FSA Seychelles)
- $200 minimum deposit — higher than some competitors (XM: $5)
- No proprietary platform or dedicated mobile app
- Customer support can be slow outside main trading hours
- No vanilla options or built-in hedging tools (like AvaProtect)
- Limited educational content compared to beginner-focused brokers
Our Scores by Criterion
IC Markets vs the Competition
| Criterion | IC Markets | Pepperstone | XM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulation | ASIC, CySEC, FSA | ASIC, FCA, CySEC | CySEC, ASIC, IFSC |
| Instruments | 2,250+ | 1,200+ | 1,000+ |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.0 pips (Raw) | 0.0 pips (Razor) | 0.6 pips (Ultra Low) |
| Raw commission | $3.50/side (MT4/MT5) | $3.50/side | N/A |
| Execution | Under 40ms (Equinix) | Under 30ms (Equinix) | Under 1s |
| cTrader | Available ✓ | Available ✓ | No |
Who is IC Markets For?
IC Markets is a broker primarily aimed at traders who prioritise execution conditions and trading costs.
Scalpers and active day traders. With raw spreads from 0.0 pips, sub-40ms execution and a fully permissive scalping policy, IC Markets is the ideal playground for high-frequency traders. No minimum holding time and no minimum stop-loss distance restrictions.
Algorithmic traders and EA users. MT4, MT5 and cTrader all fully support trading robots. Equinix infrastructure ensures minimal latency for automated execution, and free VPS hosting is available for active traders. cTrader adds cAlgo (C#) for even more advanced development.
Intermediate/advanced cost-conscious traders. The total cost of trading at IC Markets (spread + commission) is among the lowest in the market. On EUR/USD, the all-in cost averages around 0.7 pips on the Raw account, compared to 0.9–1.0 pips at most spread-only competitors.
Final Verdict
The benchmark ECN broker for active traders and scalpers in 2026
IC Markets stands out as one of the world's best ECN brokers thanks to its raw spreads from 0.0 pips, sub-40ms Equinix-powered execution, and complete freedom over trading strategies. With 2,250+ instruments, three platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader) and ASIC/CySEC regulation, it offers a professional trading environment accessible from just $200. It's not the most suitable broker for absolute beginners (limited educational content, no proprietary app), but for traders who know what they need and want the best possible execution conditions, IC Markets remains the market benchmark.
Visit IC Markets →Sources & Methodology
This review is based on real testing by our analyst team, official website consultation, terms and conditions analysis, regulatory status verification with relevant authorities, and user reviews from Trustpilot and specialized forums. Our complete methodology is detailed on our methodology page. Last verified: May 2026.