Compare › CMC Markets vs IC Markets — Canada
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026
CMC Markets vs IC Markets: Canada Broker Comparison
Which broker is better for Canada traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS · Founded 1989
VS
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA · Founded 2007
Quick Verdict — Canada Traders
Best Overall
CMC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
IC Markets
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
IC Markets
Swap-free for Canada Muslims
Best for Beginners
CMC Markets
Better education & support
$0 vs $200
Min deposit
1:1 vs 1:5000
Max leverage
FCA vs ASIC
Top regulator
4.2 vs 3.6
Our scores
Table of Contents
Canadian traders seeking a reliable online broker often narrow their options to CMC Markets and IC Markets. Both are globally recognized, but they differ significantly in regulation, trading costs, and platform features. This comparison breaks down the key facts to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style in Canada.
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Overall Scores Comparison
CMC Markets
FCA · ASIC · MAS
4.2
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
4.3
3.7
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
3.9
3.8
Regulation
Safety, oversight
4.5
3.9
Deposits
Local payments
4.3
3.7
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
4.0
3.4
Education
Webinars, guides
4.3
3.3
Execution
Speed, slippage
4.0
3.7
Mobile App
iOS, Android
4.2
3.6
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Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | CMC Markets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IC Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IC Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IC Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IC Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $0 | $200 | CMC Markets |
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | CMC Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $200 |
⚖️
Leverage Comparison - Canada Traders
| Entity / Asset | CMC Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (offshore) | Up to 1:1 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:1 | 1:5000 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for Canada Traders
Traders in Canada typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
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Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | CMC Markets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | CMC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | CMC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | CMC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | 1,000+ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| ETFs | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
🖥️
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | CMC Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | CMC Markets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IC Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | CMC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for Canada Traders
| Safety Factor | CMC Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Canada traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Canada
| Payment Method | CMC Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 business days | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Canada Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | CMC Markets | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✗ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
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Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | CMC Markets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | CMC Markets |
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Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | CMC Markets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | CMC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | CMC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | CMC Markets | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | CMC Markets |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | CMC Markets |
⭐
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
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Pros & Cons of Each Broker
CMC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
IC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-$200 min deposit
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Canada Guide
Choose CMC Markets if you...
Are a beginner trader in Canada
Want TradingView integration
Have less than $200 to start
Want FCA regulation
Choose IC Markets if you...
Are a beginner trader in Canada
Are a scalper or EA trader
Need PAMM/MAM accounts
Want True ECN regulation
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FAQ - CMC Markets vs IC Markets in Canada
Are CMC Markets and IC Markets regulated in Canada? +
Which broker offers lower fees for Canadian traders? +
Can I use MetaTrader 4 with CMC Markets or IC Markets? +
Final Verdict - Canada 2026
CMC Markets wins overall
After comparing 12 categories, CMC Markets comes out ahead for most Canada traders.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of July 2026.
