InstaForex vs IC Markets

InstaForex or IC Markets – which is better for UK traders 2025? Compare InstaForex and IC Markets in this detailed breakdown of their platforms, features and fees.

InstaForex vs IC Markets Comparison Table 2025
InstaForex IC Markets
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3.2
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4.8
InstaForex is ranked #40 among CFD brokers. IC Markets is ranked #5 among CFD brokers.
InstaForex, established in 2007, is a forex and CFD brokerage. It provides extensive market access to millions of traders, featuring traditional assets such as currencies and shares. The broker also offers intriguing options like IPO investments. IC Markets is an internationally acclaimed forex and CFD broker, admired for its competitive pricing, diverse trading instruments, and superior technology. Established in 2007 and based in Australia, the firm is under the regulation of ASIC, CySEC, and FSA. It has successfully drawn over 180,000 clients from more than 200 nations.
All investments involve a degree of risk of some kind. Trading financial derivative products comes with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should not engage in trading these instruments unless you fully understand the nature of the transactions you are entering into, and the true extent of your exposure. These types of investments may be suitable for some investors, but they are not for everyone.
Pros
  • InstaForex provides an excellent trading environment, utilising the robust MT4 and MT5 platforms. These platforms come equipped with numerous technical analysis tools, automation features, and various order types.
  • The broker is an excellent choice for dedicated forex traders, offering over 100 currency pairs and competitive spreads starting at 0.0 pips. Additionally, it provides a top-tier collection of forex market resources.
  • The broker is beginner-friendly, offering low minimum deposits and commission-free trading.
  • IC Markets provides some of the industry's narrowest spreads, offering 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs. This makes it an extremely cost-effective choice for traders.
  • As a well-regulated and reputable broker, IC Markets focuses on client safety and transparency to provide a dependable global trading experience.
  • In 2025, IC Markets earned DayTrading.com's accolade for 'Best MT4/MT5 Broker' due to its top-tier MetaTrader integration. This achievement highlights the broker's continuous refinement over the years to enhance the platform experience.
  • IC Markets provides reliable 24/5 support, especially for account and funding queries, drawing from direct experience.
  • Access over 2,250 CFDs across diverse markets like forex, commodities, indices, shares, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. This variety enables traders to employ diversified strategies.
Cons
  • Customer support is offered exclusively in English, Czech, Polish, and Slovak.
  • The broker exclusively offers trading instruments as CFDs.
  • The broker's website and client portal seem outdated, making navigation challenging for beginners.
  • IC Markets provides metals and cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, though the selection is narrower compared to brokers such as eToro. This limits opportunities for traders focused on these asset classes.
  • The tutorials, webinars, and educational resources require enhancement, lagging behind competitors such as CMC Markets, which diminishes their appeal to novice traders.
  • Certain withdrawal methods incur fees, including a $20 charge for wire transfers. These costs can reduce profits, particularly with frequent withdrawals.
  • Although there are four top-tier third-party platforms available, the absence of in-house software or a trading app tailored for novice traders is notable.
  • Interest is not paid on idle cash, a feature gaining popularity with alternatives such as Interactive Brokers.
Awards
  • Best MT4/MT5 Broker 2025 - DayTrading.com
  • Best MT4/MT5 Broker 2023 - DayTrading.com
  • Best Forex Broker 2022 - DayTrading.com
  • Best Overall Broker 2020 - DayTrading.com
  • Best Trading App 2020 - DayTrading.com
FCA Regulated
No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

No

List of FCA Regulated Brokers

Instruments
Currencies, Cryptocurrencies, Stocks, Indices, Metals, Oil and Gas, Commodity Futures and InstaFutures CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
Bonus
Choose between: Club Bonus, 30 %, 55 % and 100 % bonuses
Demo Account
Yes Yes
Minimum Deposit
$1 $200
Payment Methods
Minimum Trade
0.10 of the lot (0.0001 of market lot for Cent.Standard and Cent.Eurica) 0.01 Lots
Regulator
BVI FSC ASIC, CySEC, FSA, CMA
Mobile Apps
iOS and Android + browser based platform iOS & Android
Trading App

IC Markets deliver mobile apps for their cTrader, MT4, MT5 and TradingView  platforms. They have been developed on Android and iOS separately, taking full advantage of the functionality available on each. With raw pricing, and spreads from 0.0, the apps deliver an excellent trading tool for all levels of trader. Yet what really stands out is how they’ve managed to maintain the lightning-fast execution speed IC Markets is known for, right within the apps. It’s a seamless trading experience that feels both professional and highly responsive.

iOS App Rating
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3.6
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3.1
Android App Rating
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3.6
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4.2
Margin Trading
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4
Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5
Yes Yes
cTrader
No Yes
AlgoTrader
No No
OmniTrader
No No
TradingView
No Yes
Autochartist
No No
eSignal
No No
Trading Central
No Yes
STP Account
No No
ECN Account
Yes Yes
DMA Account
No Yes
MAM Account
No Yes
PAMM Account
Yes Yes
LAMM Account
No No
Demat Account
No No
AI / Machine Learning
No No
Robo Advisor
No No
Negative Balance Protection
Yes Yes
Market Maker
No No
P2P Trading
No No
Spot Trading
No Yes
Auto Trading
Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader, cBots on cTrader, Myfxbook AutoTrade
Copy Trading
No Yes
Copy Trading Platform
The Copy Trading feature at Instaforex is gaining popularity thanks to its user-friendly design and expanding roster of expert traders and markets. Introduced in February 2023, the IC Social app provides an easy platform for learning, sharing, and replicating the trades of other traders with minimal effort. The app also includes risk management features and supports specialised trading groups. Alternatively, IC Markets offers access to Signal Start and popular third-party copy trading platforms like ZuluTrade and cTrader Copy.
Social Trading
Yes Yes
Trade Signals
Signal Start
VPS Hosting
Yes Yes
Tournaments
No No
Demo Competitions
No No
Ethical Investing
No No
Custodial Account
No No
Guaranteed Stop Loss
No No
Inactivity Fee
€5 $0
Islamic Account
Yes Yes
Account Currencies
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • PLN
  • CZK
  • USD
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • CAD
  • AUD
  • NZD
  • JPY
  • CHF
  • HKD
  • SGD
Commodities
  • Oil
  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Palladium
  • Natural Gas
  • Copper
  • Gasoline
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Cotton
  • Soybeans
  • Livestock
  • Wheat
  • Orange Juice
  • Platinum
  • Sugar
  • Gold
  • Oil
  • Silver
  • Orange Juice
  • Cocoa
  • Coffee
  • Corn
  • Soybeans
  • Sugar
  • Wheat
  • Natural Gas
CFD
Trade CFDs across diverse markets with flexible accounts and up to 1:1000 leverage. Access MT4 and MT5 platforms for executing a variety of short-term trading strategies. Utilise numerous pre-integrated technical indicators and graphical tools to enhance your trading. Trade over 2,250 CFDs anytime from Monday to Friday across key markets, including forex, commodities, indices, stocks, and bonds. IC Markets leverages deep liquidity and cutting-edge bridge technology to offer ideal trading conditions for scalpers, hedgers, and algorithmic traders.
Leverage
1:30 for retail clients, 1:500 for professional 1:30 (ASIC & CySEC), 1:500 (FSA), 1:1000 (Global)
FTSE Spread
Fixed 1.0
GBPUSD Spread<
Av. Floating 0.6 pips 0.23
Oil Spread
Fixed 0.03
Stocks Spread
0.1% 0.02
Forex
InstaForex offers an extensive selection of over 100 currency pairs, a notable range in the industry. Enjoy ECN spreads starting at 0.0 pips with no commission fees. With a minimum deposit of just $1, the broker is ideal for novices. Traders also benefit from top-tier forex analysis and insights. IC Markets remains dedicated to offering tight 0.0-pip spreads on major currency pairs like EUR/USD, ensuring outstanding execution with an average speed of 35 milliseconds. Ideal for traders seeking high performance, those dealing in large volumes can also enjoy rebates of up to $2.50 per forex lot.
Assets
1000+ 75
GBPUSD Spread
0.6 0.23
EURUSD Spread
0.2 0.02
EURGBP Spread
0.5 0.27
Currency Indices
  • USD
Cryptocurrency
A variety of over 10 crypto tokens can be traded against USD, with fees of 0.1% and leverage up to 1:5. Bitcoin trading is available with spreads near 25, comparable to other brokers. IC Markets provides a range of over 20 cryptocurrencies for trading through CFDs, featuring less common tokens like Avalanche, Kusama, and Uniswap. Traders can enjoy commission-free transactions and experienced individuals can utilise high leverage up to 1:200 via the MetaTrader platforms.
Spread
0.1% BTC 42.036
Coins
  • BCH
  • BTC
  • ETH
  • LTC
  • XRP
  • and50+more
  • BTC
  • BCH
  • DOT
  • DSH
  • EMC
  • EOS
  • ETH
  • LNK
  • LTC
  • NMC
  • PPC
  • XLM
  • XRP
  • ADA
  • BNB
  • DOG
  • UNI
  • XTZ
Crypto Lending
No No
Crypto Mining
No No
Crypto Staking
No No
Auto Market Maker
No No
InstaForex IC Markets
All investments involve a degree of risk of some kind. Trading financial derivative products comes with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should not engage in trading these instruments unless you fully understand the nature of the transactions you are entering into, and the true extent of your exposure. These types of investments may be suitable for some investors, but they are not for everyone.
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