Admiral Markets vs IC Markets 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
Admiral Markets suits traders who value lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $200), real stock ownership, more instruments (8,000 vs 2,250). IC Markets suits traders who prioritise tighter spreads, no inactivity fee.
Head to head
| Admiral Markets | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA 595450 | ASIC 335692 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| EUR/USD spread | 0.1 pips | From 0.0 pips (ECN) |
| Instruments | 8,000+ | 2,250+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | No | No |
| Real stocks | Yes | No — CFDs only |
| Inactivity fee | $10/mo after 24mo | None |
| Founded | 2001 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Tallinn, Estonia | Sydney, Australia |
Regulation: Admiral Markets vs IC Markets
Admiral Markets is regulated by FCA under licence 595450 (Admirals UK Ltd). The FCA is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC under licence 335692 (International Capital Markets Pty Ltd). The ASIC is a tier-1 regulator. Client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection applies.
Both brokers are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Neither has a significant regulatory advantage over the other.
Spreads and fees
Admiral Markets's EUR/USD spread is 0.1 pips. IC Markets's EUR/USD spread is From 0.0 pips (ECN). IC Markets offers tighter spreads on this pair.
Admiral Markets charges an inactivity fee of $10/month after 24 months without trading. IC Markets does not charge an inactivity fee.
Platforms and tools
Both Admiral Markets and IC Markets support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
Neither broker offers copy trading.
Minimum deposit
Admiral Markets requires a minimum deposit of $100. IC Markets requires $200. Admiral Markets has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider Admiral Markets.
Note that minimum deposits can vary by account type and by which regulatory entity serves your country. Some offshore entities allow lower deposits than the tier-1 entity.
Which is better for beginners?
Admiral Markets also has the lower minimum deposit of $100, making it easier to start with a small amount. Both platforms are accessible to new traders, though neither is specifically designed as a beginner-only broker.
Which is better for experienced traders?
Both Admiral Markets and IC Markets support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. IC Markets's tighter spreads (From 0.0 pips (ECN)) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. Admiral Markets offers more instruments (8,000) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: Admiral Markets vs IC Markets
Choose Admiral Markets if you want lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $200), real stock ownership, more instruments (8,000 vs 2,250). The FCA licence (595450) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose IC Markets if you want tighter spreads, no inactivity fee. The ASIC licence (335692) means strong tier-1 regulatory protection.
Both brokers are legitimate and regulated. The choice comes down to your specific trading requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Admiral Markets vs IC Markets: which is better?
Admiral Markets is better for lower minimum deposit ($100 vs $200), real stock ownership, more instruments (8,000 vs 2,250). IC Markets is better for tighter spreads, no inactivity fee. If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is Admiral Markets or IC Markets safer?
Both Admiral Markets (FCA 595450) and IC Markets (ASIC 335692) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for Admiral Markets and IC Markets?
Admiral Markets minimum deposit: $100. IC Markets minimum deposit: $200. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do Admiral Markets and IC Markets have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.