IC Markets vs Tickmill (2026) — Which Is Better?
Compare IC Markets and Tickmill — features, pricing, pros and cons.
Quick Verdict
Higher Rated
IC Markets (4.5)
More Affordable
IC Markets (Free)
IC Markets
True ECN forex broker with the lowest average spreads in the industry, deep liquidity, and support for MT4/MT5/cTrader.
Tickmill
Tickmill is a regulated ECN/STP forex and CFD broker offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips, fast execution, and MT4/MT5 platforms across 80+ instruments.
Our Analysis
IC Markets and Tickmill both operate as ECN/STP brokers with sub-millisecond execution, but they target different trader segments. IC Markets emphasizes raw speed and universally low spreads across all account types, while Tickmill prioritizes regulatory credentials across multiple jurisdictions (FCA, CySEC, DFSA, FSA) but gates its tightest spreads behind a $50,000 minimum deposit requirement.
The critical differentiator lies in spread accessibility. IC Markets delivers the industry's lowest average spreads to every trader regardless of account size, with 40ms execution guaranteed. Tickmill matches this pricing only at VIP level—standard accounts see higher spreads, making it costlier for retail traders. Tickmill's strength is regulatory assurance; if multi-jurisdiction oversight matters, it's the safer choice.
Choose IC Markets if you're trading with modest capital and want the lowest cost structure immediately—especially valuable for high-frequency scalpers where basis points accumulate. Pick Tickmill if you have $50,000+ to deploy, prioritize regulatory redundancy across multiple territories, and want institutional-grade credentials backing your broker. Both platforms offer identical feature sets (AI analysis, backtesting, alerts, mobile apps), so the decision hinges on capital availability and geographic regulatory preferences.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.5 | ★ 4.2 |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Markets | bonds, forex, crypto, stocks, indices, commodities, futures | forex, indices, commodities, bonds, crypto |
| AI Analysis | ✗ | ✗ |
| Backtesting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paper Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price Alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Social Features | ✗ | ✗ |
| Broker Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automated Trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Trade Journaling | ✗ | ✗ |
| Performance Analytics | ✗ | ✗ |
| Risk Management | ✓ | ✓ |
| News Feed | ✗ | ✓ |
| Education Content | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Lowest average spreads in the industry
- + True ECN execution with no dealing desk
- + Sub-40ms execution speeds
- + Supports all trading styles including scalping
Cons
- - Not available to US residents
- - Customer support can be slow during peak times
- - Limited research and analysis tools
Tickmill: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Raw spreads from 0.0 pips on Pro and VIP accounts with transparent commissions
- + Regulated by FCA, CySEC, DFSA, and FSA across multiple global jurisdictions
- + Fast order execution averaging under 0.20 seconds with no dealing desk
- + Supports Expert Advisors and algorithmic trading with FIX API for VIP clients
- + Low $100 minimum deposit for both Classic and Pro accounts
Cons
- - VIP account requires a steep $50,000 minimum deposit
- - Limited to MT4/MT5 platforms with no proprietary charting or analysis tools
- - No social or copy trading features
- - Educational content is adequate but less comprehensive than broker-school-focused competitors