Broker to Trading

In terms of similarities, FOREX.com and IC Markets have a range of platforms, including MT4. Both support automated trading, including trading robots via a VPS. However they diverge in platform offering, in that FOREX.com's other platforms are for traders execute their own trades. It is more than possible to use IC Markets's other platforms for non-automated as well, but they are also optimised for automated trading, and in fact IC Markets is a no dealing desk intervention broker.

IC Markets can offer low spreads (plus a commission charge), provides high speed order execution, via Equinix infrastructure (in New York and London) and does not restrict trading styles. However while not a no dealing desk intervention broker, FOREX.com can also offer low latency execution on MT4. On MT4 they have a similar number of markets, FOREX.com has more overall on its other platforms.

Quick comparison

IC Markets is a broker offering infrastructure to support styles such as automated trading. FOREX.com is a major MT4 broker, additionally offering a user friendly Web Trader.

Minimum deposit and account types

The minimum deposit for FOREX.com is $/€/£100. The minimum deposit for IC Markets is $200.

• FOREX.com offers Forex and CFD trading. The minimum trade size is 0.01 lots. It has an Economic Calendar, Market Research and a news feed on its platforms, offers Autochartist and Trading Central and has a Trader Education course on its website.
• IC Markets offers the Standard, Raw Spread, Islamic (Swap Free) and cTrader Raw accounts. IC Markets provides market analysis, Web TV (market commentary and trade ideas in a video), educational articles and video tutorials and an economic calendar on its website. IC Markets provides ZuluTrade and Myfxbook for social and copy trading. IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 and London LD5 Servers to deliver low latency trading conditions and has micro (0.01) lot trading.
• IC Markets's Standard account does not charge a commission, but the Raw Spread and cTrader Raw accounts charge a commission. Scalping, hedging and automated trading are allowed. IC Markets supports social and copy trading with ZuluTrade and Myfxbook.

Markets

• FOREX.com offers Forex, Indices, Energy, Cryptocurrencies, Soft Commodities, Stocks and Metals, with 300+ available.
• IC Markets offers Forex, Indices, Energy, Cryptocurrencies, Soft Commodities, Stocks, Metals, ETFs and Bonds, with 2500+ available.

Cryptocurrency CFDs

• FOREX.com offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash and Ripple.
• IC Markets offers Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ripple, Dogecoin, Tezos, Uniswap, Cardano, Binance Coin, Polkadot, Dash, Stellar, Chainlink, Emercoin, Namecoin, Peercoin and EOS.

Spreads

FOREX.com offers Forex spreads from 0.8 without a commission charge. IC Markets offers Forex spreads from 0 plus a commission charge and 0.6 without a commission charge.

Commissions

• FOREX.com does not charge commissions, except for Shares CFDs.
• IC Markets charges a commission of $3.50 per lot per side for the MT4 and MT5 Raw Spread accounts while the cTrader Raw Spread account charges a commission of $3 per 100,000 USD traded per side.

Online trading platforms

FOREX.com offers the Advanced Platform, a Web Trader, MT4 and apps. IC Markets provides MT4, MT5, cTrader and apps.

Why FOREX.com or IC Markets ?

Traders who want to trade on MT4 may do so at either broker. Traders who want to trade with an ECN broker may do so at IC Markets, which additionally offers MT5 and cTrader. Those who wish to trade on a user friendly web trader may find such a platform at FOREX.com. Additionally FOREX.com offers its Advanced Trading Platform, which lets the trader use and build charting signals.

Comparison summary

• Both brokers provide CFD trading
• Each offers MT4
• IC Markets additionally provides MT5 and cTrader
• Both brokers allow automated trading
• IC Markets additionally supports copy trading
• FOREX.com additionally provides its Web Trader and Advanced Trading Platform