Tickmill vs IC Markets — a comprehensive comparison of two leading forex brokers. This review covers trading conditions, regulation, account types, fees, platforms, and the risks of leveraged trading to help you choose the right broker for your needs.
Updated 2026 This review compares Tickmill and IC Markets based on official disclosures, regulatory records (FCA, ASIC, CySEC), and industry-standard trading conditions. All information is subject to change; always verify current details on the official Tickmill and IC Markets websites, and relevant regulator registers.
Tickmill and IC Markets are two of the most prominent forex and CFD brokers in the industry. Both are known for tight spreads, fast execution, and strong regulatory oversight. However, they cater to slightly different audiences and have distinct fee structures, platform offerings, and account features.
📌 Key takeaway: Both Tickmill and IC Markets are well-regulated, competitive brokers. Tickmill offers a lower commission on its Pro account ($2/lot vs. $3.50/lot for IC Markets Raw), which can be significant for high-volume traders. IC Markets offers the additional cTrader platform, which is a major draw for many traders.
Regulation is a key factor in choosing a broker. Both Tickmill and IC Markets are regulated by multiple tier-1 authorities, providing strong client protection.
| Regulatory Aspect | Tickmill | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| FCA (UK) | Yes — FRN 921296 | Yes — FRN 735653 |
| ASIC (Australia) | Yes — AFSL 391441 | Yes — AFSL 335692 |
| CySEC (Cyprus) | Yes — Licence 246/14 | Yes — Licence 362/18 |
| FSA (Seychelles) | Yes | Yes |
| Investor compensation | FSCS (UK) up to £85,000; ICF (CySEC) up to €20,000 | FSCS (UK) up to £85,000; ICF (CySEC) up to €20,000 |
| Negative balance protection | Yes (retail clients) | Yes (retail clients) |
| Client fund segregation | Yes | Yes |
🔍 Verification tip: Always check the regulator's official register to confirm the current licence status of the entity that will hold your funds. For the FCA, use the Financial Services Register. For ASIC, use the Professional Registers. For CySEC, use the public register. Regulation can change, so verify before depositing.
Understanding the fee structure is critical when comparing brokers. Below is a detailed breakdown of the account types and trading costs for both brokers.
| Feature | Tickmill Classic | Tickmill Pro | IC Markets Standard | IC Markets Raw |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission | $0 | $2/lot per side | $0 | $3.50/lot per side |
| EUR/USD spread | From 1.0 pip | From 0.0 pips | From 0.8 pips | From 0.0 pips |
| Minimum deposit | $100 | $100 | $100 | $100 |
| Leverage (retail) | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:30 | Up to 1:30 |
| Execution type | Market execution | Market execution | Market execution | Market execution |
| Best for | Beginners, casual traders | Active traders, scalpers | Beginners, casual traders | Active traders, scalpers, high volume |
💡 Cost comparison example: Trading 1 lot of EUR/USD on Tickmill Pro costs approximately $4 in commission (round trip) + spread cost. On IC Markets Raw, the same trade costs approximately $7 in commission (round trip) + spread cost. For high-volume traders, Tickmill's lower commission can result in significant savings.
Both brokers offer a range of platforms. The main difference is that IC Markets offers cTrader, which is a major draw for many advanced traders.
📌 Key takeaway: If you value the cTrader platform for its advanced charting and depth of market, IC Markets is the clear choice. If you are comfortable with MT4/MT5 and prefer lower commissions, Tickmill is highly competitive. Both brokers offer excellent execution and reliability.
Both brokers offer a range of payment methods with competitive processing times.
| Payment Method | Tickmill (Deposit / Withdrawal) | IC Markets (Deposit / Withdrawal) |
|---|---|---|
| Credit / Debit Card | Instant / 2–5 days | Instant / 2–5 days |
| Bank Wire Transfer | 1–3 days / 3–7 days | 1–3 days / 3–7 days |
| E‑wallets (Skrill, Neteller) | Instant / 1–2 days | Instant / 1–2 days |
| Cryptocurrencies | Instant / 1–2 days | Instant / 1–2 days |
| Internal fees | $0 | $0 |
📢 Important: Both brokers do not charge internal deposit or withdrawal fees. However, third-party payment providers (your bank, card issuer, or e-wallet) may apply transaction, currency conversion, or international processing fees. Withdrawals are processed within 1–2 business days after internal approval.
David, a day trader from the UK, traded with Tickmill for two years using MT4. He appreciated the low commissions and fast execution. However, he wanted to explore algorithmic trading with more advanced charting and depth of market. He opened a second account with IC Markets to use cTrader, and now uses both brokers — Tickmill for his manual trading and IC Markets for his automated strategies.
This scenario shows that you don't always have to choose one or the other — you can use multiple brokers for different trading styles.
CFDs and forex trading are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Both Tickmill and IC Markets report that a significant proportion of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Depending on the entity and jurisdiction, the loss rate can range from 60% to 80%.
Key risks to understand before you trade with either broker:
Regulatory references: The FCA, ASIC, CySEC, and other regulators publish investor warnings on the risks of leveraged trading. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) also provide global guidance on foreign‑exchange and derivatives risk. Always consider your own financial situation, trading experience, and risk tolerance before trading with real money.
Both brokers are highly reputable and offer competitive trading conditions. Tickmill is often preferred for its simple pricing structure and strong regulatory oversight, while IC Markets is known for its low spreads and deep liquidity. The better choice depends on your trading style, instrument preferences, and account type.
Yes, Tickmill is regulated by multiple tier-1 authorities including the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), ASIC (Australia), and FSA (Seychelles). Always verify the current status of the entity serving you on the official regulator register.
Yes, IC Markets is regulated by multiple authorities including ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and FSA (Seychelles). The broker also holds an FCA licence for certain activities. Always verify the current regulatory status on the official registers.
IC Markets generally offers slightly lower spreads on its Raw account, with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips plus a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Tickmill offers from 0.0 pips on its Pro account with a commission of $2 per lot per side, making Tickmill more cost-effective for high-volume traders.
Both brokers require a minimum deposit of $100 to open a live trading account. Some account types or promotions may have different requirements, so check the current terms on the official websites.
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and WebTrader. Tickmill also offers a proprietary mobile app. IC Markets offers cTrader in addition to MT4 and MT5, which is a popular choice for traders who prefer advanced charting and depth of market.
Leveraged trading carries a high risk of loss. A significant proportion of retail traders lose money trading CFDs. Leverage amplifies losses, and market volatility can lead to margin calls. Both brokers are regulated, which provides a safety net, but trading risk remains high.
Both brokers are scalper-friendly. Tickmill offers low latency execution and tight spreads on its Pro account. IC Markets is known for its deep liquidity and fast execution, making it a popular choice for scalpers. The choice often comes down to platform preference (cTrader vs. MT4/MT5) and account fees.