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Similar EU Brokers · April 2026

Best Alternatives to IC Markets in 2026

Five EU-regulated forex brokers with overall scores closest to IC Markets. Compare before you commit.

Quick Answer

The top 3 alternatives to IC Markets are Pepperstone, IG, and Interactive Brokers.

All three are EU-regulated brokers with overall scores within 0.5 points of IC Markets. See the full comparison below.

ESMA Risk Warning

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Why people look for IC Markets alternatives

Traders typically evaluate alternatives to IC Markets for one or more of the following reasons:

  • Lower total trading cost — tighter spreads or cheaper commissions, especially for high-volume traders.
  • Stronger regulatory tier — moving to a broker with BaFin or FCA oversight for extra peace of mind.
  • Different platform needs — access to cTrader, TradingView, or a proprietary mobile app that IC Markets doesn't offer.
  • Wider instrument universe — more stocks, indices, commodities, or crypto CFDs.
  • Better educational resources — structured courses, webinars, and beginner-friendly content.
  • Improved customer support — faster response times, multilingual staff, or extended coverage hours.

Top 5 Alternatives to IC Markets

Ranked by similarity to IC Markets's overall score.

  1. 1

    Pepperstone

    9.3/10

    Pepperstone is a BaFin-regulated broker offering razor-sharp spreads, zero minimum deposit, and excellent execution across MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.

    Why consider Pepperstone: stronger regulation, better education, lower minimum deposit

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    0.0 pips
    Regulator
    BaFin
    Platforms
    4
    Read ReviewCompare to IC Markets
  2. 2

    IG

    9.2/10

    IG is the world's oldest and most trusted retail broker, offering 17,000+ instruments, a BaFin-regulated EU entity, and an award-winning proprietary platform.

    Why consider IG: stronger regulation, better education, more instruments

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    0.6 pips average
    Regulator
    BaFin
    Platforms
    5
    Read ReviewCompare to IC Markets
  3. 3

    Interactive Brokers

    9.1/10

    Interactive Brokers is a NASDAQ-listed professional brokerage offering the lowest margin rates, 150+ global markets, and the most comprehensive regulatory coverage in the industry.

    Why consider Interactive Brokers: stronger regulation, better education, more instruments

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    0.1 pips
    Regulator
    SEC
    Platforms
    4
    Read ReviewCompare to IC Markets
  4. 4

    Saxo Bank

    9.0/10

    Saxo Bank is a fully licensed Danish bank offering 72,000+ instruments including real stocks, bonds, and futures via its award-winning SaxoTrader platform.

    Why consider Saxo Bank: stronger regulation, better education, more instruments

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    0.6 pips
    Regulator
    Danish FSA
    Platforms
    3
    Read ReviewCompare to IC Markets
  5. 5

    CMC Markets

    8.9/10

    CMC Markets is a FTSE 250-listed broker with 35+ years of experience, offering 12,000+ instruments and an award-winning proprietary trading platform.

    Why consider CMC Markets: stronger regulation, better education, more instruments

    Min deposit
    None
    EUR/USD
    0.7 pips average
    Regulator
    BaFin
    Platforms
    2
    Read ReviewCompare to IC Markets

Full Comparison Table

IC Markets alongside the top 5 alternatives.

BrokerScoreFeesRegulationMin DepositEUR/USD
IC Markets (current)9.49.69.2$2000.0 pips
Pepperstone9.39.49.5None0.0 pips
IG9.28.89.8None0.6 pips average
Interactive Brokers9.19.09.9None0.1 pips
Saxo Bank9.07.89.7None0.6 pips
CMC Markets8.98.59.5None0.7 pips average

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best alternatives to IC Markets in 2026?
The top 3 alternatives to IC Markets in 2026 are Pepperstone, IG, Interactive Brokers. All are EU-regulated forex brokers with overall scores within 0.5 points of IC Markets across fees, platforms, regulation, and execution.
Why might I look for a IC Markets alternative?
Traders commonly seek alternatives to IC Markets for reasons such as wanting lower spreads, stronger regulation, a wider platform selection (like cTrader or TradingView), better mobile apps, more instruments, or region-specific features. Comparing against 5 similar brokers helps you find the best fit for your personal trading style.
Is IC Markets regulated in the EU?
Yes, IC Markets is regulated by CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), FSA (Seychelles) and is fully ESMA-compliant. All alternatives listed on this page are also EU-regulated and offer negative balance protection for retail clients.
Which IC Markets alternative is cheapest?
Among the top 5 alternatives to IC Markets, the broker with the highest fees score (cheapest) is Pepperstone. Always compare spreads, commissions, swaps, and withdrawal fees together rather than looking at spread alone.
Can I open an account with multiple brokers?
Yes. Many active traders maintain accounts with two or more EU-regulated brokers simultaneously to diversify counterparty risk, access different platforms, or take advantage of different pricing models. There is no regulatory restriction on the number of retail broker accounts you can hold within the EU.
Are the listed alternatives also EU-regulated?
Yes, every alternative listed on this page is regulated by at least one recognised EU authority (CySEC, BaFin, FCA, AMF, CONSOB, CNMV, or KNF). They all comply with ESMA rules on leverage, negative balance protection, and client fund segregation.

Still considering IC Markets?

Read our full IC Markets review or visit the broker to see the latest offer.

Read IC Markets ReviewVisit IC Markets

CFD Risk Warning

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

This website is for informational purposes only. The content does not constitute investment advice. Trading leveraged products carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. EU retail leverage limits apply (ESMA): up to 30:1 on major FX pairs, 20:1 on minor FX, 20:1 on major indices, 10:1 on commodities, 5:1 on equities, 2:1 on crypto.