Exness vs IC Markets 2026
Both are regulated. The right choice depends on your trading style.
Exness suits traders who value tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($3 vs $200), copy trading. IC Markets suits traders who prioritise more instruments (2,250 vs 200).
Head to head
| Exness | IC Markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC 178/12 | ASIC 335692 |
| Regulation tier | tier-1 | tier-1 |
| Min deposit | $3 | $200 |
| EUR/USD spread | From 0.0 pips (ECN) | From 0.0 pips (ECN) |
| Instruments | 200+ | 2,250+ |
| MetaTrader | Yes (MT4+MT5) | Yes (MT4+MT5) |
| Copy trading | Yes | No |
| Real stocks | No — CFDs only | No — CFDs only |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Founded | 2008 | 2007 |
| Headquarters | Limassol, Cyprus | Sydney, Australia |
Regulation: Exness vs IC Markets
Exness is regulated by CySEC under licence 178/12 (Exness (Cy) Ltd). The CySEC 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
Exness's EUR/USD spread is From 0.0 pips (ECN). IC Markets's EUR/USD spread is From 0.0 pips (ECN). Exness offers tighter spreads on this pair.
Exness does not charge an inactivity fee. IC Markets does not charge an inactivity fee.
Platforms and tools
Both Exness and IC Markets support MetaTrader 4 and 5, so algorithmic traders and EA users can use either.
Exness offers copy trading, IC Markets does not.
Minimum deposit
Exness requires a minimum deposit of $3. IC Markets requires $200. Exness has the lower barrier to entry. Traders who want to start with less capital should consider Exness.
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?
Exness is generally better for beginners because it offers copy trading, allowing new traders to replicate experienced traders automatically while learning. Exness also has the lower minimum deposit of $3, 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 Exness and IC Markets support MetaTrader, so experienced traders can use either without restriction. Exness's tighter spreads (From 0.0 pips (ECN)) make it better for high-frequency and scalping strategies. IC Markets offers more instruments (2,250) for portfolio diversification.
Verdict: Exness vs IC Markets
Choose Exness if you want tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($3 vs $200), copy trading. The CySEC licence (178/12) gives it strong tier-1 regulatory backing.
Choose IC Markets if you want more instruments (2,250 vs 200). 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
Exness vs IC Markets: which is better?
Exness is better for tighter spreads, lower minimum deposit ($3 vs $200), copy trading. IC Markets is better for more instruments (2,250 vs 200). If regulation quality is your priority, both have comparable regulation.
Is Exness or IC Markets safer?
Both Exness (CySEC 178/12) and IC Markets (ASIC 335692) are regulated by tier-1 authorities. Both segregate client funds.
What is the minimum deposit for Exness and IC Markets?
Exness minimum deposit: $3. IC Markets minimum deposit: $200. Minimums vary by entity and account type.
Do Exness and IC Markets have MetaTrader?
Yes, both support MetaTrader 4 and MT5.