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Trusted by traders•30 brokers compared•Independent since 2024•Last reviewed September 2026

AvaTrade vs IC Markets

Head-to-head comparison of fees, platforms, regulation, and trading conditions to help you choose the right EU broker in 2026.

Last updated: 29 May 2026

Tier-1 regulated only. We only list brokers regulated by FCA, CySEC, BaFin, ASIC, or equivalent tier-1 regulators.

A
AvaTrade
Est. 2006 · Dublin, Ireland
8.7
VS
IM
IC Markets
Est. 2007 · Sydney, Australia
9.1

CFD risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A high percentage of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

Quick Verdict

AvaTrade
3 categories won
Tied
1 categories
IC Markets
3 categories won

IC Markets scores higher overall at 9.1/10 vs 8.7/10.

Score Comparison

OverallIC Markets wins
AvaTrade8.7
IC Markets9.1
Fees & CostsIC Markets wins
AvaTrade8.3
IC Markets9.3
PlatformsIC Markets wins
AvaTrade8.6
IC Markets9.4
RegulationAvaTrade wins
AvaTrade9.2
IC Markets8.8
ExecutionIC Markets wins
AvaTrade8.4
IC Markets9.4
SupportTie
AvaTrade8.8
IC Markets8.8
EducationAvaTrade wins
AvaTrade8.9
IC Markets8.0
InstrumentsAvaTrade wins
AvaTrade8.7
IC Markets8.6

Trading Conditions

ConditionAvaTradeIC Markets
Min Deposit€100$200
EUR/USD Spread0.9 pips typical0.0 pips (Raw Spread), 0.6 pips (Standard)
CommissionNone (spread-only)$3.50 per lot per side (Raw Spread), None (Standard)
Leverage (Retail)Up to 1:30Up to 1:30
Leverage (Pro)400:1500:1
Swap-FreeYesYes
Withdrawal FeeFreeFree (broker absorbs international wire fees up to certain volumes)

Platform Comparison

AvaTrade Platforms

  • MetaTrader 4
  • MetaTrader 5
  • AvaTradeGO
  • WebTrader
  • AvaOptions
  • AvaSocial
Account Types:

Retail, Professional, Islamic, Options

IC Markets Platforms

  • MetaTrader 4
  • MetaTrader 5
  • cTrader
  • TradingView
Account Types:

Standard, Raw Spread (MT4/MT5), Raw Spread (cTrader)

Regulation & Safety

AvaTrade Regulation

Central Bank of IrelandIrelandCySECCyprus
ESMA CompliantYes
Neg. Balance ProtectionYes
Segregated FundsYes
Compensation Scheme

Irish Investor Compensation Scheme up to EUR 20,000 / ICF up to EUR 20,000 (CySEC)

IC Markets Regulation

CySECCyprus
ESMA CompliantYes
Neg. Balance ProtectionYes
Segregated FundsYes
Compensation Scheme

ICF up to EUR 20,000 (via CySEC entity)

Overall Verdict

WinnerIC Markets9.1

IC Markets takes the overall win with a score of 9.1 vs 8.7, winning 3 out of 7 individual categories compared to AvaTrade's 3.

In terms of costs, IC Markets also leads on fees. On the regulatory front, IC Markets though AvaTrade has a regulatory edge.

Choose IC Markets if you prioritise its strengths in the categories where it leads. Choose AvaTrade if you value the specific areas where it scores higher, such as regulation, education, and more.

This broker does not accept new clients from your region
AvaTrade Full ReviewIC Markets Full Review

CFD Risk Warning

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. A high percentage 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.