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ICMarkets vs NordFX Comparison – 2026

Detailed side-by-side analysis of ICMarkets vs NordFX

General Information

Feature ICMarkets NordFX
Headquarters Sydney, Australia. Netherlands.
Type of Broker ECN Forex
Founded 2007 Older 2008
Regulated By CySEC, FSA, ASIC FSA, FSC
Offices Level 4, 50 Carrington Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, NSW 2000, Australia Spoorstraat 17P, Amersfoort, 3811MN, Netherlands.
Supported Languages ENGLISH, 简体中文, ไทย, INDONESIA, 한국어, DEUTSCH, FRANÇAIS, PORTUGUES, ESPAÑOL, TIẾNG VIỆT, РУССКИЙ, ITALIANO, БЪЛГАРСКИ, HRVATSKI, 繁體中文, فارس English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese & more.

IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips, advanced platforms like cTrader, and tier-1 regulation. On the other hand, NordFX allows trading from as low as $10, offers leverage up to 1:1000, and supports more local payment methods.

IC Markets is better for active and professional traders who want tight spreads, fast execution, and strong regulation.NordFX is better for beginners and small accounts that need low minimum deposits and higher leverage.

IC Markets vs NordFX: Which Broker Fits Your Trading Style?

IC Markets raw accounts start from 0.0 pips spreads plus $3.50 commission per lot. Whereas NordFX spreads typically range from 0 to 2.0 pips with little or no commission, meaning IC Markets is cheaper for high-volume traders.

Feature ICMarkets NordFX
Founded 2007 2008
Regulation ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Seychelles), CMA FSC and FSA (Seychelles)
Minimum Deposit $200 From $10
Maximum Leverage Up to 1:500 Up to 1:1000
Spreads From 0.0 pips (Raw accounts) 0.0-1.5 pips
Commission Yes (Raw accounts) Mostly no commission
Platforms MT4, MT5, cTrader MT4, MT5
Best For Scalpers, active traders, EAs Beginners, small accounts

Account Details

Feature ICMarkets NordFX
Account Currencies (60+) USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, AUD, NZD and more.
Minimum Deposit $0 $10
Maximum Leverage 1:1000 1:1000
Minimum Contract Size 0.01 lots 0.01 lots
ECN/STP Accounts Offered
Demo Account Expiry N/A N/A
Islamic Accounts
Traders from USA

IC Markets focuses on fast execution and lower trading costs. It offers Raw Spread and Standard accounts on MT4, MT5, and cTrader. The Raw account starts from 0.0 pips, with a commission of $7 per lot round turn on MT4/MT5 or $3 per $100k on cTrader, while the Standard account has no commission and spreads from 0.8 pips.

NordFX offers more variety for traders with smaller starting capital. Its Pro account starts with a minimum deposit as low as $10, has no commission, and suits beginners.

The Zero account is designed for active traders, with spreads from 0.0 pips, a higher deposit requirement, and a small 0.0035% commission per side. NordFX also supports USD, BTC, and ETH account currencies, plus Islamic accounts for swap-free trading.

Feature IC Markets NordFX
Minimum Deposit $200 $10
Spread 0.0 pips 0.0 pips
Commission-Free Option Yes Yes
Islamic Account Yes Yes


If you want professional-style trading with advanced platforms and fast execution, IC Markets feels stronger. Or, if you prefer low starting deposits and crypto-based account options, NordFX can feel more accessible for smaller traders.

Trading Conditions

Feature ICMarkets NordFX
Typical Spread on Majors 0.0 pips 0.0
Interest on Margin
Commission on STP or ECN/STP $3.50 Yes
EUR/USD Yes Yes
GBP/USD Yes Yes
USD/JPY Yes Yes
Hedging
Scalping

Trading cost is where the real difference between ICMarkets and NordFX becomes clear.

ICMarkets structures its pricing around tight spreads and transparent commissions. On Raw Spread accounts (MT4/MT5), spreads start from 0.0 pips with a $3.50 per side commission ($7 per standard lot round turn).

The cTrader Raw account also starts from 0.0 pips with a $3.00 commission per 100,000 USD traded. Its Standard account is commission-free, with spreads starting from 0.6–0.8 pips.

The average EUR/USD spread on Raw accounts typically sits around 0.1 pips, making it attractive to scalpers and high-volume traders.

NordFX takes a simpler two-account approach. The Pro account is commission-free, with spreads from 1.0 to 2.0 pips and a minimum deposit of $10–$50, making it accessible for beginners.

The Zero account offers spreads of 0.0 pips with a commission of 0.0035% per side (roughly $7 per standard lot round turn) and requires a minimum deposit of $100–$200.

Feature ICMarkets NordFX
Raw/ECN Spreads From 0.0 pips From 0.0 pips (Zero account)
Average EUR/USD Spread ~0.1 pips (Raw) Typically higher than ICMarkets
Commission (Raw/Zero) $7 per lot round turn (MT4/MT5) ~$7 per lot round turn (Zero)
Standard/Pro Account Spread 0.6–0.8 pips (no commission) 1.0–2.0 pips (no commission)
Minimum Deposit Recommended $200 $10–$50 (Pro), $100–$200 (Zero)
Deposit Fees None (bank fees may apply) None (bank fees may apply)
Withdrawal Fees None (bank fees may apply) None (bank fees may apply)
Swap Fees Yes (overnight positions) Yes (overnight positions)
Islamic Account Available Available
Max Leverage Up to 1:500 (varies by entity) Up to 1:1000


ICMarkets generally delivers lower effective trading costs for active traders due to tighter average spreads and deep liquidity. NordFX remains competitive for small accounts, especially on its Pro account, but wider spreads can increase long-term trading costs.

For precision trading and volume strategies, ICMarkets has the edge. For low entry capital and high leverage flexibility, NordFX is more accessible.

Platforms & Tools

Feature ICMarkets NordFX
Platforms Offered MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView Copy Trading, MT4, MT5
One-Click-Execution
Mobile Alerts
Email Alerts
VPS Offered
MetaTrader Server Time (winter) N/A N/A

IC Markets delivers four major platforms: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView integration. It supports advanced infrastructure, including VPS hosting in London (LD5), Depth of Market (DOM), algorithmic trading, and over 400+ indicators, 110+ drawing tools, and 15+ chart types via TradingView.

NordFX, in contrast, focuses on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 only, available on desktop, web, and mobile. It supports forex, crypto, stocks, and commodities trading. 

Traders can access Expert Advisors (EAs), built-in economic calendars (MT5), and technical tools such as Fibonacci, channels, and geometric charting tools.

IC Markets wins for advanced traders, scalpers, and algorithmic users who need platform variety, institutional-grade infrastructure, and deep analytical tools.

NordFX is suitable for traders who prefer the simplicity of MetaTrader platforms and want higher leverage with lower entry requirements.

Tradable Assets

Feature ICMarkets NordFX
Number of Pairs 61+ 33
CFD's
Metals
Oil
Indices
Stocks
Futures
Binary Options

IC Markets offers over 2,100 tradable instruments across seven asset classes. Its offering includes 60+ forex pairs, 25+ global indices, 22+ commodities, 2,100+ global shares, 20+ cryptocurrencies, 9 government bonds, and 4+ futures CFDs. Stock CFDs span major exchanges like NYSE, NASDAQ, and ASX, while crypto markets trade 24/7.

In contrast, NordFX provides a smaller but focused multi-asset lineup, including 30+ forex pairs, 11+ cryptocurrency pairs, 20–70 global stock CFDs, major global indices, and key commodities like gold and oil.

Asset Class IC Markets NordFX
Total Instruments 2,100+ Limited (Forex, Crypto, Stocks, Indices, Commodities)
Forex Pairs 60+ (majors, minors, exotics) 30+ (majors, minors, exotics)
Indices 25+ global indices (NASDAQ, FTSE, DAX) Major indices (S&P 500, NASDAQ, Dow Jones, DAX 40)
Commodities 22+ (Gold, Silver, Oil, Gas) Gold, Silver, Brent, WTI
Stocks (CFDs) 2,100+ shares (NYSE, NASDAQ, ASX) 20–70 global stocks
Cryptocurrencies 20+ digital assets (24/7 trading) 11+ major crypto pairs (24/7 trading)


For traders seeking an institutional-grade product depth, IC Markets offers significantly wider market coverage. NordFX suits traders who focus mainly on forex and major crypto pairs with higher leverage flexibility.

Payment Methods

IC Markets offers multiple deposit and withdrawal methods with no internal fees. Withdrawal requests submitted before 12:00 AEST/AEDT are processed the same business day.

E-wallet withdrawals are typically completed within an instant to 24 hours, while bank transfers usually take 3–5 business days.

NordFX, on the other hand, focuses heavily on automation and crypto flexibility. The broker states that 84% of withdrawals are processed automatically, often instantly or within 1 hour.

Standard processing runs daily from 09:00 to 18:00 CET, while non-automated requests may take 1–6 business days.

Feature IC Markets NordFX
Internal Deposit Fees No No
Internal Withdrawal Fees No (bank intermediaries may charge) No (third-party fees may apply)
Credit/Debit Cards Visa, Mastercard Visa, Mastercard
Bank Transfers Local & International Wire Bank Wire
E-Wallets PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, UnionPay, FasaPay, RapidPay, Klarna, Poli Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, SticPay, FasaPay
Cryptocurrencies Not a primary method USDT (TRC20/ERC20/BEP20), BTC, ETH
Processing Speed Same-day if before 12:00 AEST/AEDT 84% automated, instant–1 hour
Bank Withdrawal Time 3–5 business days 1–6 business days
Processing Hours Business days (AEST/AEDT) 09:00–18:00 CET daily
Regional Payment Systems Limited Binance Pay, Dragonpay, Ngan Luong, PayToday, African mobile money


IC Markets offers structured, reliable withdrawals with strong global e-wallet support and same-day processing if submitted before the cut-off time. It is ideal for traders who prioritize regulated, predictable banking channels.

NordFX provides faster automation, crypto flexibility, and broader regional payment systems, making it attractive for small accounts and traders who prefer instant or crypto-based withdrawals.

Regulation & Trust: Which Broker Is Safer?

IC Markets operates under ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Europe), CMA (Kenya), and the FSA of Seychelles, giving it one of the strongest regulatory footprints among retail forex brokers.

But IC Markets does restrict clients from certain regions, including the United States, Canada, Israel, New Zealand, Iran, and North Korea, in line with regulatory obligations.

On the other hand, NordFX is licensed primarily by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius and the FSA of Seychelles.

While it does not hold top-tier licenses such as ASIC or FCA, it still applies core safety measures. However, NordFX is unavailable to residents of the USA, Canada, and the EU, reflecting its offshore regulatory scope rather than higher-tier compliance.

Safety Factor ICMarkets NordFX
Top-Tier Regulation Yes (ASIC, CySEC) No
Client Fund Segregation Yes Yes
AML & KYC Compliance Yes Yes
Negative Balance Protection Yes Yes
Regular Regulatory Audits Yes Limited


IC Markets is the safer choice for regulation-conscious traders, backed by multiple regulators, including top-tier authorities, and stricter compliance standards.

NordFX offers acceptable baseline safety. But its offshore regulatory structure makes it better suited for smaller accounts.

Final Thought

For disciplined, high-volume trading, ICMarkets is the smarter choice. For low-entry, flexible trading, NordFX works best. Your selection should depend on experience, risk appetite, and account size.

Frequently Asked Questions

NordFX is offshore-regulated, which offers flexibility but less protection than ICMarkets’ tier-1 regulation.

NordFX is more beginner-friendly due to low minimum deposits and simple account setup. ICMarkets is better suited for experienced traders who need professional platforms and tighter trading conditions.

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