IC Markets vs Vantage Markets 2026
IC Markets and Vantage Markets both provide forex and CFD trading with Standard and Raw-style accounts, MetaTrader platforms and access to a range of markets. Their differences become clearer when you compare the actual account choices, starting costs, platform tools and regulatory entities.
IC Markets is particularly appealing if you want a low entry requirement and the choice of MetaTrader, cTrader and TradingView. Vantage is an alternative for traders interested in RAW ECN pricing, its own web and mobile trading platforms, copy trading and a higher-deposit PRO ECN account.
This comparison covers the international account offerings, not one universal set of conditions for every country. We have used both brokers, but the figures below reflect their current published account terms rather than a controlled, simultaneous test of live execution. Actual spreads and fees vary.
IC Markets
Vantage Markets
IC Markets vs Vantage: At a Glance
| Feature |  IC Markets Global |  Vantage Markets (international) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular accounts | Standard; Raw Spread (MetaTrader); cTrader Raw | Standard STP; RAW ECN |
| Standard spreads from | 0.8 pips | 1.1 pips |
| Raw spreads from | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Raw MetaTrader / RAW ECN forex commission | $3.50 per standard lot per side | From $3 per standard lot per side |
| Regular account minimum deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Higher-priced tiers | Raw Pro; Raw Pro+ (early access indicated) | PRO ECN (from $10,000 minimum deposit) |
| MetaTrader 4 and 5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Check entity and current account access |
| TradingView | Yes, eligible cTrader setup | Yes, subject to account and region |
| Proprietary trading app/web platform | IC mobile and social tools | Vantage App and Web Trading |
| Demo accounts | Yes | Yes |
| Swap-free accounts | Available, subject to terms | Available to eligible clients; administration fees may apply |
These are starting prices for the stated account schedules, not average live trading costs. Commission units, currency conversions, funding options and products vary by account and entity.
Our Verdict: Which Broker Should You Choose?
IC Markets is our preference for traders who prioritise platform choice and a low initial funding requirement. Its Standard and Raw account structures are straightforward, and traders can work with MetaTrader, cTrader and eligible TradingView setups. The Raw Spread MetaTrader commission is higher than Vantage’s published RAW ECN starting rate, so IC Markets is not automatically the cheaper choice for active forex traders.
Vantage is a strong alternative if you want its own trading app, web terminal or copy-trading features, or if its RAW ECN and PRO ECN account options fit your trading volume. The $50 regular account minimum is modest, but higher than the $0 shown on IC Markets Global’s regular account schedule.
Neither broker wins every category. A trader making frequent, short-duration EUR/USD trades should compare the live spread and round-turn commission on the exact platform they will use. Someone who trades less frequently may value ease of use and account support more than a small difference in the headline commission.
Who should consider IC Markets?
IC Markets makes sense for traders who want MetaTrader and cTrader options, use Expert Advisors, or value access to the eligible TradingView integration. The $0 regular-account minimum gives more flexibility when funding an account, although margin requirements still apply before a position can be opened.
Read our IC Markets Review 2026.
Who should consider Vantage?
Vantage may suit traders who want the Vantage App or Web Trading platform, prefer its account dashboard, or use copy-trading tools. Its RAW ECN headline commission starts below the rate published for IC Markets’ regular MetaTrader Raw Spread account. The actual saving depends on spreads, instrument, currency and trade execution.
Regulation and Safety
Both broker brands operate through more than one legal company. Your account agreement, not the brand name alone, determines the regulator and the protections that apply to you.
| Detail | IC Markets Global example | Vantage international examples |
|---|---|---|
| Legal entity | Raw Trading Ltd | Vantage Global Limited or another applicable international Vantage entity; VIG Group is separately disclosed |
| Regulator | Seychelles Financial Services Authority (FSA) | Vanuatu Financial Services Commission (VFSC) for Vantage Global Limited; Mauritius FSC for VIG Group |
| Published licence | SD018 | Confirm the licence of the company named in your agreement; VIG Group publishes GB20026165 |
| Jurisdiction | Seychelles | Depends on the legal entity |
| Client-fund treatment | Consult Raw Trading Ltd’s applicable client agreement | Consult the actual Vantage entity’s client agreement |
| Investor compensation and negative-balance protections | Depend on applicable legal terms | Depend on entity, client classification and terms |
IC Markets Global identifies Raw Trading Ltd as a Seychelles FSA-regulated securities dealer. Vantage’s international site states that clients of its international entities do not receive the UK FCA protections simply because the wider Vantage group has a UK-regulated company.
Both brands also have other regulated operations, but a licence held by one entity cannot be assumed to cover clients of another. Client money segregation is important, but it does not guarantee that every deposited amount will be recovered if a broker or a third-party bank fails.
Safety verdict: We would not rank either broker as safer for every international reader. Check your contracting entity, current register entry, negative-balance terms and any compensation arrangement before depositing.
Trading Costs: Spreads and Commissions
Standard accounts
Standard accounts simplify the forex cost structure because the charge is primarily built into the spread, rather than billed as a separate forex commission. IC Markets Global lists Standard spreads from 0.8 pips; Vantage’s international Standard STP account lists spreads from 1.1 pips. These are minimum starting figures, not observed averages.
A lower minimum does not guarantee a lower spread at the time you trade. Liquidity, market hours, volatility and the instrument all matter.
Raw accounts
| Cost | IC Markets Raw Spread (MetaTrader) | Vantage RAW ECN |
|---|---|---|
| Spread from | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Forex commission per standard lot, per side | $3.50 | From $3 |
| Forex round-turn commission at the published base rate | $7 | From $6 |
| Stated regular minimum deposit | $0 | $50 |
On the published base commission alone, Vantage starts $1 lower per standard lot for a completed forex trade. That is not proof of a $1 saving on every trade. The executed spread, relevant account currency and exact product may outweigh that difference.
For example, if a standard-lot EUR/USD trade incurs a 0.2-pip spread and one pip is worth $10 in the account’s relevant quotation, the spread component would be $2. Add $7 commission for IC Markets’ cited MetaTrader Raw Spread rate, or $6 at Vantage’s cited RAW ECN starting rate. The illustrative totals would be $9 and $8 respectively, before slippage, overnight charges and conversion. This is a calculation, not a measured comparison of live prices.
Overnight and other fees
Both brokers may charge overnight financing on leveraged CFD positions. Swap-free accounts can substitute administration charges, so they should not automatically be treated as cost-free. Banking, intermediary and currency conversion charges can also apply. Share and ETF CFDs may have separate product-specific charges even on a Standard account.
Trading cost verdict: IC Markets has the lower published Standard starting spread; Vantage has the lower published regular Raw forex commission starting rate. For a fair decision, compare the total cost of the same market, size, trade time and holding period.
Account Types and Minimum Deposits
| Account | IC Markets | Vantage Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard-style | Standard, $0 minimum | Standard STP, $50 minimum |
| Regular Raw-style | Raw Spread MetaTrader and cTrader, $0 minimum | RAW ECN, $50 minimum |
| Higher-tier account | Raw Pro, $5,000; Raw Pro+, $100,000, shown with early-access options | PRO ECN, $10,000 minimum |
| Demo | Yes | Yes |
| Islamic / swap-free | Available subject to eligibility and terms | Available subject to eligibility and possible administration charges |
IC Markets’ regular choice is mainly between spread-inclusive Standard pricing and Raw pricing with commission. Its site now also displays Raw Pro and Raw Pro+ tiers, but these should not be confused with the normal Raw Spread account or assumed to be generally available before early access is confirmed.
Vantage offers a similar Standard-versus-Raw decision, plus a PRO ECN tier for eligible higher-funded accounts. PRO ECN is an account-pricing tier, not automatically the same thing as a regulated professional-client classification. Changing regulatory client status can affect protections and must be considered separately.
Minimum deposit verdict: IC Markets Global has the lower published starting requirement. Vantage’s $50 regular minimum is still relatively accessible, but neither figure tells you how much capital you need to manage margin and risk responsibly.
Trading Platforms and Tools
| Platform or feature | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Check the actual account/entity offering |
| TradingView | Eligible cTrader connection | Available on eligible Vantage setups |
| Browser trading | Available | Vantage Web Trading and supported web platforms |
| Mobile trading | MT and eligible cTrader/mobile options; IC app | MT and Vantage App |
| Expert Advisors | On supported MetaTrader accounts | On supported MetaTrader accounts |
| Copy/social trading | Selected tools and integrations | Copy-trading tools, subject to availability |
For traders who already rely on cTrader or TradingView, the exact integration path matters. IC Markets is particularly clear about its cTrader Raw Spread and eligible TradingView connection. Vantage provides its own app and web terminal alongside MetaTrader, and its international website lists TradingView access in supported configurations.
If you depend on a robot, indicator, API or custom strategy, check that the same feature works on your chosen live account. Platform branding alone does not establish feature parity across brokers.
Platform verdict: We would lean toward IC Markets for established third-party platform choice, and toward Vantage if its proprietary app and web interface are important to you.
Tradable Markets
Both brokers offer forex and CFD exposure across several asset classes. CFDs let traders speculate on price movement; they generally do not provide ownership of underlying shares, ETFs or cryptocurrency.
| Market | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
| Forex CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Commodity CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Index CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Share CFDs | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency CFDs | Yes, where permitted | Yes, where permitted |
| ETF CFDs | Check entity and current symbol list | Yes, where offered |
| Bond / futures-related CFDs | Listed among IC Global’s product categories | Check Vantage’s current symbol list |
The more useful comparison is the specific instrument you intend to trade. Two brokers may both list gold or Bitcoin CFDs while offering different symbol names, trading hours, margin requirements or financing costs.
ForexArc has firsthand experience using both brokers, including Vantage cryptocurrency markets, but that does not establish that every market is available to every international client.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Both brokers offer account funding through a secure client area. The available options depend on the legal entity, residence, account currency and payment provider.
| Feature | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
| Card deposits | Available on supported accounts | Available on supported accounts |
| Bank transfer | Available | Available where offered |
| E-wallets / local methods | Selected methods | Selected methods |
| Cryptocurrency payment routes | Check client-area options | USDT and USDC routes were visible in our reviewed client account |
| Withdrawal requests | Through client area | Through client area |
| Withdrawal timing | Depends on method and verification | Depends on method and verification |
In the Vantage client area we reviewed, funding methods included cards, USDT-BEP20, USDT-TRC20 and USDC-ERC20. Those observations show what was available to that account, not a promise that everyone can use the same network or provider.
We have used both brokers, and the individual broker reviews contain the relevant firsthand observations. Neither broker’s published processing estimate should be read as a guarantee that money will arrive in the recipient account within that period. Verification, banks and payment networks can cause delays.
Funding verdict: There is no clear universal winner. Check your preferred payment method, currency, provider charges and withdrawal requirements before opening an account.
Account Opening
The main steps are similar at both brokers. The differences usually appear in entity eligibility, account selection and the funding methods offered to your country.
| Step | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register | Create a secure application | Create a secure application |
| 2. Choose account | Standard or appropriate Raw option | Standard STP, RAW ECN or eligible alternative |
| 3. Verify identity | Submit required identification and address information | Submit required identification and address information |
| 4. Fund account | Choose available payment route | Choose available payment route |
| 5. Start trading | Access the supported platform | Access the supported platform |
Approval is subject to the broker’s checks and local eligibility rules. A demo account can help you evaluate the interface without committing live trading capital, although demo fills and live execution can differ.
Customer Support
IC Markets and Vantage both publish online support options. Their international sites offer live chat and email channels, with different regional arrangements.
| Channel | IC Markets | Vantage |
|---|---|---|
| Live chat | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Online Help Centre | Yes | Yes |
| Published international 24/7 support | Yes | Listed for selected global channels; regional hours differ |
Availability is not the same as quality. Without a comparable test of the same issue and time period, it would be misleading to declare one broker’s support faster or more helpful.
If support hours matter to you, confirm the schedule for your contracting entity, especially for weekends and bank holidays.
Research, Education and Extra Features
Both brokers provide educational content and market information. IC Markets offers platform tutorials, analysis and tools suited to MetaTrader and cTrader users. Vantage offers an academy, research content and features around its own app and copy-trading ecosystem.
A useful distinction is how you prefer to trade, not how many educational articles appear on the broker website. An automated trader may care more about platform integrations and server stability. A trader following markets on a phone may prefer Vantage’s app workflow. A beginner may benefit from a demo account, risk-management education and clear funding terms at either broker.
Copy trading does not remove market risk. A strategy provider’s past returns may not be reproduced in your account because of execution differences, allocation settings or changing market conditions.
Final Thoughts
IC Markets and Vantage are both credible options to research for forex and CFD trading, but they serve slightly different preferences. IC Markets combines a $0 regular-account minimum with a broad selection of third-party platforms. Vantage brings competitive starting RAW ECN commissions, a proprietary app/web interface and additional account choices.
For active forex traders, compare the all-in cost, not just the spread minimum or the number beside the commission. For traders selecting a long-term broker, the contracting entity, funding methods and preferred trading platform can matter just as much.
Our general preference is IC Markets for traders who prioritise MetaTrader, cTrader and TradingView flexibility. Vantage is particularly worth considering for traders who like its own platform experience or prefer its RAW ECN account structure. The better choice depends on your circumstances, and neither broker is guaranteed to be cheaper or safer.
Forex and CFD trading involves significant risk. Leverage can cause losses quickly, and investor protections differ by legal entity and client classification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IC Markets better than Vantage?
IC Markets may be better suited to traders who value cTrader and TradingView flexibility or the $0 regular-account minimum. Vantage may suit traders who want its own app, RAW ECN pricing or additional account options. The better broker depends on your trading requirements.
Which broker has lower spreads?
IC Markets Global lists Standard spreads from 0.8 pips, while Vantage’s international Standard STP account lists spreads from 1.1 pips. Both list Raw spreads from 0.0 pips. These are minimums, not guaranteed or average spreads.
Which broker charges less commission on Raw accounts?
For the cited international USD forex schedules, IC Markets Raw Spread MetaTrader charges $3.50 per standard lot per side, while Vantage RAW ECN starts from $3. Account currency, platform and other product charges can change the total.
Which has the lower minimum deposit?
IC Markets Global lists $0 for regular Standard and Raw accounts, compared with $50 for Vantage’s international Standard STP and RAW ECN accounts. Payment-method rules and margin requirements still apply.
Do both brokers support TradingView?
Yes, where supported by the relevant account. IC Markets lists a TradingView connection through eligible cTrader accounts. Vantage also lists TradingView on supported setups. Verify the specific integration during account selection.
Are IC Markets and Vantage regulated?
Yes, companies within both groups hold licences. IC Markets Global operates through Raw Trading Ltd under the Seychelles FSA, while Vantage has separate international entities, including Vantage Global Limited and VIG Group. Check the entity named in your account agreement rather than assuming all group licences apply to you.
Can I trade cryptocurrency CFDs with both brokers?
Both offer cryptocurrency CFD products in supported jurisdictions. Available symbols, margin limits and trading hours vary. A cryptocurrency deposit option is not proof that the same asset is available as a tradable CFD.
Is a Standard or Raw account better for beginners?
Standard pricing is easier to understand because eligible forex costs are generally included in the spread. Raw pricing shows a separate commission and can suit active traders, but neither account type reduces the underlying risk of leveraged trading.
Related comparisons
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Consider whether you can afford to take that risk. This comparison is general information, not personal financial advice.