Exness vs IC Markets 2026 – Which Broker Has Lower Spreads?
The Exness vs IC Markets 2026 comparison is crucial for traders seeking the lowest possible spreads. Both Exness and IC Markets are renowned for their tight pricing, deep liquidity, and fast execution. But which broker actually delivers lower spreads in real trading conditions? In this detailed comparison, we examine the spreads, commissions, platforms, regulation, and overall trading costs of both brokers to help you choose the most cost-effective option for your trading strategy. We also compare both brokers with XM, another popular alternative.
Broker Profiles
Exness Overview
Exness was founded in 2008 and has become one of the world’s largest forex brokers by trading volume, processing over $4 trillion monthly. The broker is regulated by FCA, CySEC, FSA, and FSCA. Exness is known for its transparent pricing, instant withdrawals, and unlimited leverage. The broker offers five account types including the Zero Account with guaranteed zero spreads on top instruments.
IC Markets Overview
IC Markets was founded in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, and is one of the most popular brokers among professional and algorithmic traders. Regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and FSA, IC Markets is known for its raw spreads, deep liquidity from multiple tier-1 providers, and support for the cTrader platform. The broker offers over 2,250 trading instruments across forex, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
Spread Comparison – Standard Accounts
Let us start with standard account spreads, which are the most commonly used account types. These spreads include no commissions.
| Currency Pair | Exness Standard | IC Markets Standard |
|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 1.0 pip | 0.8 pips |
| GBP/USD | 1.5 pips | 1.0 pip |
| USD/JPY | 1.1 pips | 0.9 pips |
| AUD/USD | 1.4 pips | 1.0 pip |
| USD/CHF | 1.5 pips | 1.0 pip |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 2.0 pips | 1.5 pips |
| USD/CAD | 2.2 pips | 1.3 pips |
On standard accounts, IC Markets consistently offers tighter spreads than Exness across all major currency pairs and gold. The difference ranges from 0.2 to 0.9 pips, which can add up significantly over time for active traders.
Spread Comparison – Raw/Zero Accounts
For professional traders, raw spread accounts are where the real value lies. Let us compare the raw spread offerings of both brokers.
| Feature | Exness Raw Spread | Exness Zero | IC Markets Raw Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spreads From | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips |
| EUR/USD Commission | Up to $3.50/lot/side | $0.05/lot/side | $3.50/lot/side |
| GBP/USD Commission | Up to $3.50/lot/side | $0.50/lot/side | $3.50/lot/side |
| Min Deposit | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Avg EUR/USD Spread | 0.0 pips | 0.0 pips | 0.1 pips |
This is where the comparison gets interesting. IC Markets’ Raw Spread account averages around 0.1 pips on EUR/USD with a $3.50 per lot per side commission. Exness’s Zero Account offers guaranteed 0.0 pip spreads on EUR/USD with a commission of just $0.05 per lot per side. For EUR/USD traders, the Exness Zero Account is dramatically cheaper. The total cost per lot on EUR/USD is $0.10 round trip on Exness Zero versus approximately $8.00 on IC Markets (0.1 pip spread + $7.00 commission).
Total Trading Cost Comparison
To give a complete picture, let us calculate the total cost per standard lot for EUR/USD across different account types.
| Account | Spread Cost | Commission | Total Cost per Lot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exness Standard | $10.00 (1.0 pip) | $0 | $10.00 |
| IC Markets Standard | $8.00 (0.8 pips) | $0 | $8.00 |
| Exness Raw Spread | $0 (0.0 pips) | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| IC Markets Raw Spread | $1.00 (0.1 pips) | $7.00 | $8.00 |
| Exness Zero | $0 (0.0 pips) | $0.10 | $0.10 |
The Exness Zero Account is the clear winner for EUR/USD trading costs at just $0.10 per lot. However, commissions on other pairs are higher, so the advantage narrows for traders who focus on multiple instruments.
Regulation Comparison
| Regulator | Exness | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| FCA (UK) | ✅ | ❌ |
| CySEC (Cyprus) | ✅ | ✅ |
| ASIC (Australia) | ❌ | ✅ |
| FSA (Seychelles) | ✅ | ✅ |
| FSCA (South Africa) | ✅ | ❌ |
Both brokers are well-regulated. Exness holds an FCA licence (the most prestigious), while IC Markets holds an ASIC licence (also highly respected). Both maintain CySEC licences and offshore FSA licences for international clients. In terms of regulatory prestige, both brokers are on par, with Exness having a slight edge due to FCA oversight.
Trading Platforms
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. IC Markets additionally supports cTrader, a professional-grade platform favoured by algorithmic traders for its advanced features including depth of market, level II pricing, and sophisticated order types. Exness offers its proprietary Exness Terminal, a modern web-based platform with clean charting and one-click trading. For platform variety, IC Markets has a slight edge with cTrader support.
Leverage and Account Features
| Feature | Exness | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Leverage | Unlimited | 1:500 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 (Standard) | $200 |
| Instruments | 200+ | 2,250+ |
| Instant Withdrawals | Yes | No |
| Swap-Free | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
Exness offers unlimited leverage and instant withdrawals, which are major advantages. IC Markets offers significantly more trading instruments (2,250+ vs 200+), giving traders access to a broader range of markets. The minimum deposit is also very different: $1 for Exness Standard vs $200 for IC Markets.
Execution Quality
Both brokers are known for fast execution. IC Markets sources liquidity from over 25 tier-1 banks and dark liquidity pools, resulting in deep liquidity and minimal slippage. Average execution speed is around 40 milliseconds. Exness also provides fast execution with market-leading transparency — the broker publishes its execution statistics including slippage data publicly. Both brokers offer no requotes under normal conditions. For execution quality, both brokers are excellent and the difference is negligible for most traders.
Deposits and Withdrawals
Exness has a clear advantage in withdrawals with instant processing 24/7 for most payment methods. IC Markets processes withdrawals within 1-3 business days for most methods. Both brokers offer zero-fee deposits and withdrawals. For traders who need fast access to their profits, Exness is the better choice by a significant margin.
How Does XM Compare?
For traders also considering XM, it is worth noting that XM offers a different value proposition. While XM’s spreads are wider than both Exness and IC Markets on standard accounts, XM excels in education, bonuses, and instrument variety (1,000+). XM’s Zero Account offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3.50 per lot per side commission, comparable to IC Markets. For beginners, XM remains the strongest choice among all three brokers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which broker has lower spreads, Exness or IC Markets?
On standard accounts, IC Markets has slightly lower spreads. However, on raw spread accounts, Exness’s Zero Account offers guaranteed zero spreads with significantly lower commissions on EUR/USD ($0.05 vs $3.50 per lot per side). For EUR/USD specialists, Exness is cheaper. For overall spread tightness across all instruments, IC Markets has a slight edge.
Is Exness or IC Markets better regulated?
Both are well-regulated. Exness holds an FCA licence (UK), while IC Markets holds an ASIC licence (Australia). Both are considered top-tier regulators. Both brokers also hold CySEC licences. In terms of regulatory standing, they are on par.
Which broker has more trading instruments?
IC Markets offers significantly more instruments with 2,250+ assets compared to Exness’s 200+. IC Markets covers forex, stocks, indices, commodities, bonds, and cryptocurrencies more extensively.
Does Exness or IC Markets offer higher leverage?
Exness offers unlimited leverage for qualifying accounts, while IC Markets offers a maximum of 1:500. For traders who want maximum leverage, Exness is the clear choice.
Which broker is better for scalping?
Both brokers are excellent for scalping. Exness’s Zero Account offers the lowest trading costs for EUR/USD scalping. IC Markets’s cTrader platform provides advanced features that many scalpers prefer. The best choice depends on which instruments you scalp and your platform preferences.
Final Verdict – Exness vs IC Markets 2026
Both Exness and IC Markets are top-tier brokers offering competitive spreads and professional trading conditions. For EUR/USD traders seeking the absolute lowest costs, the Exness Zero Account is unbeatable at $0.10 per lot round trip. For traders who want the broadest instrument selection, cTrader access, and consistently tight spreads across all markets, IC Markets is the better choice. Both brokers are well-regulated, offer fast execution, and provide a professional trading environment. Consider opening accounts with both to take advantage of their respective strengths. And if you are a beginner looking for education and bonuses, do not overlook XM as a solid third option.