IC Markets vs AvaTrade 2026: Head-to-head answer

IC Markets vs AvaTrade: Head-to-head answer (2026)

Last updated 9 September 2026 · Reviewed by the Forexbrokecompare research desk

Traders comparing IC Markets vs AvaTrade usually want one answer: which one costs less per trade and pays out faster. IC Markets prices EUR/USD at 0.0 pips (Raw) with $3.50 per side per lot (Raw); AvaTrade prices it at 0.9 pips with Spread-only, inactivity fee applies. Below is the full side-by-side, followed by our verdict.

Before you choose either, note that Vantage undercuts both on total round-turn cost: 0.0 pips (Raw ECN) with $3 per side per lot (Raw ECN), 1:500 leverage and same-day withdrawals.

Quick answer (2026)

The lowest-spread FCA-regulated option we track is Vantage: raw spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD, $50 minimum deposit and same-day withdrawals.

Featured broker (advertising partner)	Vantage – advertised raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips
EUR/USD typical spread	0.0–0.1 pips (raw) + $3 per lot per side
Minimum deposit	$50
Regulation	FCA (UK entity), ASIC, CIMA
Withdrawal speed	Same day on most methods
Platforms	MT4, MT5, TradingView, WebTrader

Visit Vantage – Official Site →

Advertising disclosure: Vantage is an advertising partner and the link above is an affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 18+ only; availability varies by country; this is general information, not investment advice. Professional-client and offshore accounts give up FCA protections such as negative balance protection and FSCS cover.

Affiliate disclosure: we earn a commission if you open an account through links on this page. It never changes the spreads we publish or the order of this table.

Last updated: 9 September 2026

Methodology: spreads are typical values recorded on each broker's raw/standard retail account during London–New York overlap hours, taken from the brokers' own published pricing pages and live platform data, then averaged. Commission is stated separately where it applies. Spreads are variable and widen around news and outside main sessions.

IC Markets vs AvaTrade at a glance

| | IC Markets | AvaTrade |

| --- | --- | --- |

| EUR/USD spread | 0.0 pips (Raw) | 0.9 pips |

| GBP/USD spread | 0.1 pips | 1.5 pips |

| XAU/USD spread | 0.10 pips | 0.34 pips |

| Commission | $3.50 per side per lot (Raw) | Spread-only, inactivity fee applies |

| Minimum deposit | $200 | $100 |

| Max leverage | 1:30 (CySEC retail) / up to 1:500 offshore | 1:30 (EU retail) / up to 1:400 offshore |

| Regulation | ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Seychelles) | Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FSCA, FSA Japan |

| Platforms | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView | MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader |

| Withdrawals | 1-2 business days | 1-3 business days |

| Founded | 2007 | 2006 |

Head-to-head answer

On measurable cost, IC Markets prices EUR/USD at 0.0 pips (Raw) with $3.50 per side per lot (Raw), versus AvaTrade at 0.9 pips with Spread-only, inactivity fee applies. On safety, No FCA-regulated UK entity, so UK clients are onboarded offshore without FSCS cover. By contrast, No FCA entity for UK retail clients; EU/offshore entities instead.

Total cost of a 1 lot EUR/USD round turn

The only cost comparison that matters is spread plus commission, measured together:

IC Markets — 0.0 pips (Raw) plus $3.50 per side per lot (Raw)
AvaTrade — 0.9 pips plus Spread-only, inactivity fee applies
Vantage — 0.0 pips (Raw ECN) plus $3 per side per lot (Raw ECN) (the lowest commission of the raw ECN group)

Across 200 lots a month, a $0.50 per-side commission difference alone is $200 — $2,400 a year kept in or taken out of your account before a single pip of market movement.

Safety and regulation

IC Markets: ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Seychelles). No FCA-regulated UK entity, so UK clients are onboarded offshore without FSCS cover.

AvaTrade: Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FSCA, FSA Japan. No FCA entity for UK retail clients; EU/offshore entities instead.

Whichever you pick, confirm the entity you are onboarded to, that client funds are segregated, and that negative balance protection applies to your account type.

Platforms and execution

IC Markets supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView. AvaTrade supports MT4, MT5, AvaTradeGO, WebTrader. MT4 remains best for expert advisors, MT5 adds depth of market, and cTrader gives the clearest view of raw pricing and order book depth.

Verdict: IC Markets vs AvaTrade

Between the two, pick on the metric that dominates your strategy — commission for scalpers, withdrawal speed for active traders, regulation for long-term capital. But on pure cost, neither beats Vantage: 0.0 pips (Raw ECN) raw spreads, $3 per side per lot (Raw ECN), up to 1:500 leverage, MT4/MT5/cTrader and same-day withdrawals from a $50 minimum deposit. Open a Vantage account.

Vantage: advertised spreads for is IC Markets better than AvaTrade

Advertised raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips and a $50 minimum deposit, checked 9 September 2026. Terms are set by the broker and can change.

Visit Vantage – Official Site →

✓ FCA-regulated entity available
Retail protections apply on the UK entity; offshore accounts do not carry FSCS cover.
✓ Data last verified
9 September 2026 — spreads checked against broker pricing pages.
✓ Independently compared
Ranked on spread, regulation and withdrawal speed. We may earn a commission.

Advertising disclosure: Vantage is an advertising partner and the link above is an affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 18+ only. Availability, pricing and terms are set by the broker and vary by country. This is general information, not investment advice or a recommendation to trade. 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.

FAQ

Is IC Markets or AvaTrade cheaper?

IC Markets charges $3.50 per side per lot (Raw) on 0.0 pips (Raw) EUR/USD spreads; AvaTrade charges Spread-only, inactivity fee applies on 0.9 pips. Vantage is cheaper than both at $3 per side per lot (Raw ECN) on 0.0 pips (Raw ECN).

Which is safer, IC Markets or AvaTrade?

IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, FSA (Seychelles). AvaTrade is regulated by Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, FSCA, FSA Japan. Check which entity you are onboarded to, as protections differ between regulated and offshore entities.

Which broker pays out faster, IC Markets or AvaTrade?

IC Markets processes withdrawals in 1-2 business days, AvaTrade in 1-3 business days. Always test payout speed with a small withdrawal first.

What leverage do IC Markets and AvaTrade offer?

IC Markets offers 1:30 (CySEC retail) / up to 1:500 offshore and AvaTrade offers 1:30 (EU retail) / up to 1:400 offshore. Leverage limits depend on the regulated entity and your client classification.

Is there a cheaper alternative to IC Markets and AvaTrade?

Yes. Vantage offers 0.0 pips (Raw ECN) raw spreads with $3 per side per lot (Raw ECN), a $50 minimum deposit, up to 1:500 leverage and same-day withdrawals, making it the lowest total-cost option of the group.

Risk warning: CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.