Automated traders (EAs), scalpers, and high-volume traders who need the lowest possible entry and exit costs.
Instead of adding a markup to the spread, IC Markets charges a flat commission.
There is $0 commission charged on trades.
Discretionary traders, beginners, or swing traders who hold positions for longer periods and are less affected by small spread fluctuations.
To help you decide, here is a quick breakdown of how these accounts compare side-by-side in the current 2026 market:
| Feature | Raw Spread Account | Standard Account |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Spread | From 0.0 pips | From 0.6 pips |
| Commission | $3.50 / lot (per side) | $0.00 |
| Execution Type | ECN / STP | ECN / STP |
| Ideal For | Scalpers & EAs | Long-term & Manual Traders |
In 2026, the Raw Spread Account remains the most cost-effective option for active traders. While paying a commission might seem like an extra step, the savings you gain from 0.0 pip spreads often far outweigh the commission costs compared to the Standard account's markup. However, if you prefer a clean "zero-commission" interface and don't trade frequently, the Standard Account provides a hassle-free experience.
For traders who follow the Islamic faith, IC Markets offers a specialized Islamic (Swap-Free) Account. This option is designed to ensure compliance with Sharia law, which prohibits the earning or paying of interest (Riba). Below are the key features and operational details of this account type as of 2026.
You will neither pay nor earn interest on any currency, metal, or index positions held overnight.
This allows Muslim traders to engage in long-term trading strategies without violating religious principles.
Benefit from 0.0 pip spreads while remaining swap-free.
Enjoy commission-free trading with the same swap-free benefits.
Available across MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader.
On certain instruments (specifically exotic currency pairs), a small fixed administration fee may be charged if a position is held for more than a specific number of days (usually a 5-day grace period for majors).
The standard commissions ($3.50 per side on Raw Spread) and spreads still apply, ensuring that the trading environment remains institutional-grade.
Over 60+ currency pairs.
Gold, Silver, and Crude Oil.
Global markets like the S&P 500 and FTSE 100.
To activate the swap-free option, you must first register for a live account. Once your identity is verified, you can submit a request to the support team to convert your account to "Islamic" status. IC Markets may require a brief justification or documentation to confirm the necessity of the swap-free status.
IC Markets is built around its True ECN Raw Spread account, with costs in the commission rather than the spread.
| Account | Spread | Commission | Min deposit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw (MT4/MT5) ★ | from 0.0 | $7 round turn | $200 | Open Account |
| Raw (cTrader) | from 0.0 | $6 round turn | $200 | Open Account |
| Standard | from 0.6–0.8 | None | $200 | Open Account |
The cTrader Raw account’s $6 round-turn commission is among the lowest anywhere — ideal for high-volume scalpers.
How does IC Markets compare with two other top ECN brokers?
| Feature | IC Markets | Pepperstone | BlackBull |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw EURUSD spread | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Commission | $6–7 | $7 | $6 |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 | $0 |
| Regulation | ASIC·CySEC·FSA | ASIC·FCA·CySEC·DFSA | FMA NZ |
| Platforms | MT4·MT5·cTrader·TV | MT4·MT5·cTrader | MT4·MT5·cTrader·TV |
| Trustpilot | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Verdict: IC Markets leads on Trustpilot volume and execution tech, with the cheapest cTrader commission. Pepperstone and BlackBull match it closely and offer a $0 minimum — all three are excellent ECN choices.
IC Markets is one of the world’s largest True ECN forex and CFD brokers, founded in Sydney in 2007 and regulated by ASIC, CySEC (with ICF cover) and the Seychelles FSA. It’s the benchmark for low-cost, high-speed trading, with raw spreads from 0.0 pips and institutional-grade execution on Equinix servers.
What stands out: raw spreads from 0.0 with a ~$7 (MT4/MT5) or $6 (cTrader) round-turn commission, four platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView), 2,250+ instruments, no restrictions on scalping, hedging or EAs, and an exceptional 4.8/5 Trustpilot score across 52,000+ reviews.
What to weigh: the $200 minimum is a touch higher than some rivals, the headline 1:500 leverage applies only to the offshore entity (ASIC/CySEC clients get 1:30), and there’s no proprietary platform. US clients aren’t accepted.
Bottom line: IC Markets is a top-tier, well-regulated ECN broker and an outstanding choice for active traders, scalpers and algo traders who want the tightest pricing and fastest execution.
Key questions about IC Markets — regulation, raw-spread pricing, platforms, leverage and instruments.