Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs Exness, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 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.
IC Markets and Exness are two well-regarded online brokers, each offering unique regulatory standings that influence their trust and reliability. Founded in 2007, IC Markets holds a Trust Score of 84 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the "trusted" category. This broker possesses 2 highly trusted Tier-1 licenses, underscoring its commitment to stringent regulatory standards, although it holds no Tier-2 licenses. Meanwhile, Exness, established a year later in 2008, scores 81, also within the "trusted" range. Exness similarly holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and additionally maintains 3 Tier-2 licenses, offering a slightly broader regulatory backing.
Both brokers are privately held, meaning they are not listed on any stock exchange, and neither operates as a bank. These attributes provide an insight into their operational frameworks, offering confidence in their financial dealings without the complexity of public ownership or banking activities. Choosing between IC Markets and Exness largely depends on individual preferences for regulatory depth and trust score, as both offer solid trust credentials and regulatory adherence in the trading industry.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
IC Markets and Exness are both popular online brokers, each with unique offerings in terms of commissions and fees. IC Markets, renowned for its low trading costs, ranks #5 among 62 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com. This broker provides three account types: a commission-free Standard account and two commission-based accounts, Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread. IC Markets is known for its competitive average spread on the EUR/USD at about 0.62 pips with the cTrader account. They also offer discounts for traders exceeding 100 standard lots per month. IC Markets has received a five-star rating for its commissions and fees.
On the other hand, Exness offers a five-account selection including two standard and three professional accounts, complemented by two social copy trading accounts. While Exness ranks #35 in the same category, it still provides competitive options. The Zero Spread account stands out with a minimal per-trade commission of $0.05, while their Raw account offers low spreads with a commission up to $7 per round turn. With this diverse array of accounts, Exness supports flexible trading, with all but the Pro account utilizing market execution. Exness has been awarded a four-star rating in the Commissions and Fees category.
Ultimately, the choice between IC Markets and Exness comes down to your trading style and preferences, whether you prioritize ultra-low spreads or diverse account types catering to specific trading strategies. Both brokers are committed to offering attractive trading conditions, each with its own strengths, such as IC Markets' comprehensive fee structure and Exness’ varied account options for different levels of traders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing IC Markets and Exness for their range of investments, both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. IC Markets impressively provides a vast selection of 3,583 tradeable symbols, including 61 forex pairs, while Exness provides 227 tradeable symbols with a broader offering of 96 forex pairs. However, when it comes to exchange-traded securities, IC Markets stands out by offering international options, such as shares from the London Stock Exchange, whereas Exness does not offer exchange-traded securities on any exchange.
Both IC Markets and Exness offer copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing investors to diversify their portfolios further. However, neither broker provides the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, IC Markets is rated 4.5 stars for its range of investments and is ranked #25 by ForexBrokers.com, significantly ahead of Exness, which received a 3.5-star rating and a #55 rank. This distinction highlights IC Markets' wider array of investment opportunities compared to Exness.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 227 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 96 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
IC Markets and Exness both provide traders with access to a wide range of trading platforms and tools, making them attractive choices for various trading styles. Both brokers offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice without risking real money. While IC Markets uses established platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), Exness provides a unique offering with its proprietary platform developed in-house. Furthermore, both brokers support web-based and Windows-based desktop trading, which caters to different user preferences. Traders interested in copy trading will find options with both brokers, but IC Markets offers an additional feature with ZuluTrade integration.
When it comes to charting capabilities, IC Markets provides a decent selection of 15 drawing tools, while Exness impresses with an extensive range of 87 drawing tools. Both brokers allow traders to make trades directly from stock charts and offer seven columns for watchlists. Despite both receiving a solid rating of four stars for their trading platforms and tools, IC Markets edges ahead in rankings, sitting at #16 compared to Exness at #26 out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. This comparison highlights the strengths and features of each broker, helping potential traders make an informed decision based on their individual needs and trading preferences.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 87 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IC Markets and Exness, both brokers offer dedicated apps for iPhone and Android users. They both support price alerts for stocks or forex, and allow users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, making them suitable choices for traders on the go. However, a notable difference lies in their charting tools; IC Markets provides 30 technical studies, whereas Exness offers 35, giving a slightly broader range of analytical options for technical traders.
Despite these similarities and differences, both apps have room for improvement. Neither offers watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online account, which might be a downside for those who trade using multiple platforms. Moreover, IC Markets has an edge in saving drawn chart annotations automatically, a feature Exness lacks. In terms of user ratings, both apps score 4 out of 5 stars and are solidly ranked by ForexBrokers.com with IC Markets at #22 and Exness at #26 out of 62 brokers. While both brokers present reliable mobile trading options, these nuances could guide your preference depending on specific trading needs.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When considering market research offerings between IC Markets and Exness, both brokers provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also feature sentiment-based trading tools that reveal the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. However, only IC Markets includes technical analysis tools from Autochartist, giving it an edge in this area, as Exness does not offer these tools. Both brokers are equipped with Trading Central services, ensuring that traders have access to essential technical analytics features.
Moreover, both IC Markets and Exness present comprehensive economic calendars that track global news events, aiding traders in staying informed. Despite similarities, IC Markets scores higher with a 4-star rating for research, compared to Exness's 3.5 stars. Additionally, IC Markets is ranked #23 for Research out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas Exness holds the #41 position. This suggests that IC Markets is considered a more reliable choice for traders who prioritize comprehensive market research tools.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners between IC Markets and Exness, IC Markets stands out with a more comprehensive approach. Both brokers provide more than ten educational pieces, such as articles and videos focusing on forex and CFDs. However, IC Markets offers the added benefit of online educational webinars, held at least once a month, which Exness does not provide. Additionally, both brokers maintain searchable archives of prior webinars, which can be a valuable resource for beginners who want to learn at their own pace.
In terms of video resources, IC Markets excels by offering a wide range of beginner-focused and advanced educational videos, while Exness focuses mainly on beginner-level content. Both platforms provide an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms to aid newcomers in understanding complex jargon. When rated for education, IC Markets scores 4 out of 5 stars, ranking 16th among 62 brokers, whereas Exness receives a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 47th. This indicates that IC Markets may be a more favorable choice for beginners seeking thorough educational support.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IC Markets is better than Exness. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while Exness finished with an overall rank of #43.
IC Markets’ competitive pricing and scalable execution make it an excellent option for algorithmic traders. Though it supports an impressive range of third-party tools and plugins, IC Markets’ research and education offerings are not as impressive as those offered by industry leaders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 |
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Both IC Markets and Exness provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows for the purchase of actual, delivered cryptocurrency.
While both IC Markets and Exness offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, only IC Markets provides the additional option of PayPal, whereas neither platform supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IC Markets | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Exness Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | Exness | |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | Yes |
| Investments | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3583 | 227 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 96 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.62 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $10 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 107 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 87 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC Markets | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | IC Markets Review | Exness Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | Exness | |
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| Trust Score | 84 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review | Exness Review |
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