IC Markets vs. XTB

Comparison: IC Markets vs. XTB – Which broker is better? A quick comparison based on the trading platform, fees, deposit or withdrawal options, and regulation in 2026.

Tie: both brokers achieved the same rating of 60%

IC Markets vs. XTB
IC Markets
XTB

Basic information

Deposit
200 EUR/USD
1 EUR/USD
Spreads
0.5 EUR/USD
0.9 EUR/USD
Established
2007
2002
Currency Pairs (Total Forex pairs)
90
71
Country
UK
Poland, Cyprus, UK
Regulation
FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), Cysec
FCA (UK), Authorised in the European Union (EU), Cysec
Trading app
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), cTrader, MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
Desktop Platform (Windows), Web Platform
Number of CFD asset classes
6
6
Broker type
MM
MM
Support
Phone, Mail, Chat
Phone, Mail, Chat
Funding methods
* Some of the payment methods may not be available in your country. Skrill, Qiwi, FasaPay, PayPal, Poli, Visa/Mastercard, Bank Wire
* Some of the payment methods may not be available in your country. Skrill, PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, Bank Wire
Real Stocks and ETFs
Yes
Yes

*The value is indicative from the broker's website. The spread amount is variable.

XTB · www.xtb.com

71% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Comparison Result

In terms of overall rating, both brokers are equal – both have 60%. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of 200 EUR/USD, while XTB sets it at 1 EUR/USD. Conversely, XTB scores with a lower minimum deposit. For IC Markets, the spread is 0.5 EUR/USD, while for XTB it is 0.9 EUR/USD. Tighter spreads make IC Markets a more advantageous choice. IC Markets offers 90 forex pairs, while XTB provides 71. A wider selection gives IC Markets the advantage. IC Markets was founded in 2007, while XTB has been operating since 2002. The older XTB has the upper hand in this regard. This advantage goes to XTB, while IC Markets lacks it. IC Markets is overseen by 3 regulatory bodies, while XTB has 3. In terms of regulation, both are equal. IC Markets supports 3 platforms, while XTB offers 2. A greater choice of platforms gives IC Markets the lead.
60%
IC Markets
60%
XTB

Key Strengths

IC Markets
  • Competitive spreads and low commissions: Low variable spreads, from 0 pips.
  • Wide range of trading instruments: Trading with over 2250 instruments.
  • Support for all trading methods: Scalping, HFT, and automated trading.
XTB
  • Offers real stocks and ETFs
  • Automatic investing
  • Pays interest on uninvested funds
  • Regulated by FCA (UK) and Cysec and under supervision
  • Video content and webinars for clients
  • XTB is a trustworthy brand established in 2002

Comparison by Categories

  1. Investments 75 75
  2. Cost 80 40
  3. Trading app 43 29
  4. Trading Tools 100 100
  5. Research 100 100
  6. Education 100 100
  7. Forex 100 100
  8. Commodities 91 82
  9. Indicies 100 100
  10. Cryptocurrencies 50 60
  11. Regulations 50 50
  12. Support 100 100
  13. Overall 60 60

Comprehensive Comparison: IC Markets vs XTB

IC Markets
XTB

Investments

75 % 75 %
Currency Pairs (Total Forex pairs)
90
71
CFDs – Total Offered
300+
8600+
Options CFD
No
No
Share CFDs
Yes
Yes
Forex CFD
Yes
Yes
Commodities CFD
Yes
Yes
ETF CFD
Yes
Yes
Indicies CFD
Yes
Yes
Cryptocurrency traded as actual
No
No
Cryptocurrency traded as CFD
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Cost

80 % 40 %
Average Spread EUR/USD *The value is indicative from the broker's website. The spread amount is variable.
0.5
0.9
Deposit from
200
1
Account fee
No
No
Inactivity fee
Yes
Yes
Active Trader or VIP Discounts
No
No
Withdrawal fees
No
Yes
Deposit fees
No
Yes
Winner
No
No

Trading app

43 % 29 %
Desktop Platform (Windows)
No
Yes
Web Platform
No
Yes
Social Trading / Copy-Trading
No
No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
Yes
No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
Yes
No
Currenex
No
No
cTrader
Yes
No
Winner
No
No

Trading Tools

100 % 100 %
Financial leverage
Yes
Yes
Virtual Trading (Demo)
Yes
Yes
Alerts – Basic Fields
Yes
Yes
Charting – Indicators / Studies (Total)
Yes
Yes
Charting – Drawing Tools (Total)
Yes
Yes
Charting – Trade From Chart
Yes
Yes
Stop-Loss
Yes
Yes
Finacial Calendar
Yes
Yes
Daily financial news
Yes
Yes
Order Type – Trailing Stop
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Research

100 % 100 %
Daily Market Commentary
Yes
Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources)
Yes
Yes
Weekly Webinars
Yes
Yes
Social Sentiment – Currency Pairs
Yes
Yes
Economic Calendar
Yes
Yes
Research
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Education

100 % 100 %
Has Education – Forex
Yes
Yes
Has Education – CFDs
Yes
Yes
Client Webinars
Yes
Yes
Videos – Advanced Trading Videos
Yes
Yes
Investor Dictionary (Glossary)
Yes
Yes
Education
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Forex

100 % 100 %
GBP/USD
Yes
Yes
USD/JPY
Yes
Yes
EUR/USD
Yes
Yes
USD/CHF
Yes
Yes
USD/CAD
Yes
Yes
NZD/USD
Yes
Yes
AUD/USD
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Commodities

91 % 82 %
Gold
No
Yes
Silver
Yes
Yes
WIT Oil
Yes
Yes
Brent Oil
Yes
Yes
Coffee
Yes
Yes
Cocoa
Yes
Yes
Soybeans
Yes
Yes
Rice
Yes
No
Corn
Yes
No
Platinum
Yes
Yes
Palladium
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Indicies

100 % 100 %
DAX 40
Yes
Yes
S&P 500
Yes
Yes
Nasdaq
Yes
Yes
Dow Jones
Yes
Yes
Nikkei
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Cryptocurrencies

50 % 60 %
Bitcoin
Yes
Yes
Litecoin
Yes
Yes
Ethereum
Yes
Yes
Ripple
Yes
Yes
Neo
No
No
Stellar
No
Yes
Cardano
No
No
Tron
No
No
Monero
No
No
EOS
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Regulations

50 % 50 %
Cysec
Yes
Yes
ASIC (Australia)
Yes
No
FCA (UK)
Yes
Yes
Authorised in the European Union (EU)
No
Yes
CFTC Registered (USA)
No
No
FINMA (Switzerland)
No
No
Winner
No
No

Support

100 % 100 %
Chat
Yes
Yes
Phone
Yes
Yes
Mail
Yes
Yes
Winner
No
No

Overall

60 % 60 %
Winner
No
No

Our Recommendations

Best for XTB

Thanks to comprehensive educational materials and a user-friendly platform, XTB is an ideal choice for new traders.

Best Platform IC Markets

The trading platform of broker IC Markets offers an intuitive interface and advanced features for efficient trading.

Lowest Costs IC Markets

offers competitive spreads and lower fees, making it ideal for active traders.

IC Markets XTB