FBS vs IC Markets 2025: Which Broker is Better for Finland Traders?
Which broker is better for Finland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Finnish retail traders looking to trade forex and CFDs, choosing the right broker is crucial. FBS and IC Markets are two popular international brokers that accept clients from Finland, but they cater to different trader profiles. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, is known for its low minimum deposit and user-friendly platforms, making it suitable for beginners. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is renowned for its tight spreads, fast execution, and institutional-grade trading conditions, appealing to experienced and high-volume traders. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, which are convenient for Finnish traders. However, Finnish traders must consider local regulations, as neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals in the Finnish market.
| Instrument | FBS | 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 | $1 | $200 | FBS |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Finland traders, IC Markets clearly outperforms FBS. IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.5 per lot per side, while FBS ECN account spreads start from 0.5 pips with a lower commission. For a Finland trader executing 10 standard lots per month, IC Markets can save approximately $200 in spreads compared to FBS. FBS may appeal to traders who prefer no-commission accounts, but the wider spreads often offset the savings. Overall, IC Markets provides more cost-effective trading for active Finnish traders.
| Account Type | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Finland (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | FBS | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✓ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are widely used by Finland traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform known for its advanced charting and fast execution, which is popular among Finnish scalpers and day traders. FBS additionally offers its proprietary FBS Trader app, which is user-friendly for mobile traders. For Finland traders who value platform variety and advanced tools, IC Markets has a slight edge with cTrader.
| Factor | FBS | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IC Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is known for its ultra-fast execution, with average speeds under 40ms, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. FBS execution is slightly slower, averaging around 100ms. For Finland traders using scalping or high-frequency strategies, IC Markets' execution quality is superior, reducing slippage and ensuring better trade fills.
| Safety Factor | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Reg number | #IFSC/60/230/TS/19 | #335692 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FBS nor IC Markets is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in Finland. FBS is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) of Belize, while IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). For Finland traders, this means less protection under local investor compensation schemes. However, IC Markets' ASIC regulation is considered more stringent, offering a higher level of security. Finnish traders should weigh the lack of local regulation against the broker's reputation and client fund segregation policies.
| Payment Method | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | 15-20 minutes for most methods; up to 48 hours for bank transfer | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Finland traders can fund their accounts at both FBS and IC Markets using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. FBS has a lower minimum deposit of $10, making it accessible for beginners. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, which may be a barrier for some. Deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT are typically instant, while bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and USDT, and 2-5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but IC Markets charges a small withdrawal fee for certain methods. For Finland traders, USDT TRC20 is a fast and low-cost option.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both FBS and IC Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Finland. These accounts eliminate overnight interest charges, complying with Sharia law. FBS provides Islamic accounts upon request, with no additional fees. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts automatically for clients in certain regions, including Finland, but charges a small administration fee after a holding period. For Finland Muslim traders, FBS may be more straightforward, but IC Markets' conditions are also competitive.
| Support Feature | FBS | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual agents including Finnish. FBS provides 24/5 support with similar channels but limited Finnish language support. For Finland traders, IC Markets' round-the-clock support and Finnish language availability give it an advantage, especially for urgent trading issues.
| Mobile Feature | FBS | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | FBS |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | FBS |
Choose FBS if you...
- Are a beginner trader with a small account (minimum deposit $10).
- Prefer a user-friendly mobile app (FBS Trader).
- Want an Islamic account without extra fees.
- Trade occasionally and don't need ultra-low spreads.
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are an experienced or high-volume trader seeking low spreads.
- Need fast execution for scalping or day trading.
- Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader.
- Want 24/7 customer support with Finnish language options.
For Finland traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 score, offering lower spreads, faster execution, and better platform variety. FBS is a decent alternative for beginners or those with small accounts, but its higher costs and slower execution make it less suitable for active traders. Both brokers support local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, which is convenient for Finnish clients. However, neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, so traders should proceed with caution. For most retail traders in Finland, IC Markets provides a more professional and cost-effective trading experience.