FBS vs IC Markets for Norway Traders: 2026 Comparison
Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Norway Traders
For Norway traders seeking a reliable forex broker, comparing FBS and IC Markets is essential. FBS, with a score of 3.7/5, offers high leverage up to 1:3000 and is popular among beginners. IC Markets, rated 4.8/5, is known for its low-cost trading, fast execution, and institutional-grade liquidity. Both brokers accept Norwegian clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. However, they are not regulated by the local financial regulator in Norway, so traders must verify compliance with Norwegian tax laws. This comparison focuses on spreads, platforms, regulation, and deposit options to help you choose the best broker for your trading style in Norway.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| 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 | $5 | $200 | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs than FBS for Norway traders. On IC Markets' Raw Spread account, spreads start from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot. FBS spreads start from 0.7 pips on its ECN account with no commission. For a Norway trader trading 10 lots of EUR/USD per month, IC Markets costs around $70 in commissions, while FBS costs approximately $140 in spreads. IC Markets is more cost-effective for high-volume traders, while FBS suits those who prefer fixed spreads and no commission.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $5 | $200 |
Leverage Comparison - Norway Traders
| Entity / Asset | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (offshore) | Up to 1:3000 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:3000 | 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 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| 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 |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Norway traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform with advanced order management and faster execution, ideal for scalpers. FBS offers a proprietary web platform and mobile app with copy trading features. For Norway traders who value speed and customization, IC Markets' cTrader is a strong advantage.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| 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 |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets offers faster execution with an average speed of 40 milliseconds and no requotes, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. FBS execution speed is around 100 milliseconds, which may cause slippage during high volatility. For Norway traders trading major pairs like EUR/USD or GBP/USD, IC Markets provides superior execution quality, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders.
Regulation & Safety for Norway Traders
| Safety Factor | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither FBS nor IC Markets is regulated by the local financial regulator in Norway (Finanstilsynet). FBS is regulated by the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize, while IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). IC Markets' regulation under ASIC provides stronger investor protection and negative balance protection, which is important for Norway traders. FBS offers less oversight, so Norway traders should exercise caution and consider using segregated accounts.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Norway
| Payment Method | FBS | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Electronic Wallets / Systems: Credited immediately to 30 minutes (processed 24/7 by the financial department).Cryptocurrency: Instant, though subject to blockchain network confirmations.Credit / Debit Cards: Average of 3 to 4 business days (internal processing takes 15–20 minutes, plus bank clearance).Bank Transfers: Usually processed within 7 to 10 business days. | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
Norway traders can deposit and withdraw funds using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. FBS supports local Norwegian bank transfers with no fees, while IC Markets charges a small fee for international wire transfers. Skrill and Neteller deposits are instant and free at both brokers, but withdrawals to these e-wallets may incur a 1-2% fee. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes and are ideal for crypto-savvy traders. Minimum deposits are $10 for FBS and $200 for IC Markets. Withdrawal processing times are 1-3 business days for bank transfers and 24 hours for e-wallets.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Norway Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS | 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 |
Both FBS and IC Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Norway Muslim traders. FBS provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Standard, Cent, and ECN, with no swap fees on overnight positions. IC Markets offers Islamic accounts on request, available on Standard and Raw Spread accounts only. IC Markets' Islamic accounts have no additional fees, while FBS may charge a small administrative fee for long-term positions. For Norway traders seeking flexibility, FBS offers more account options for Islamic trading.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | FBS | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Norwegian clients. FBS provides 24/7 support via live chat and email, but phone support is limited. IC Markets' support is generally more responsive and knowledgeable, which is crucial for Norway traders who need quick assistance with platform or account issues.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | FBS | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | FBS | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | FBS |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
FBS
IC Markets
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Norway Guide
Choose FBS if you...
- Are a beginner trader looking for high leverage up to 1:3000
- Prefer low minimum deposits starting at $10
- Want Islamic accounts on all account types
- Favor fixed spreads and no commission trading
Choose IC Markets if you...
FAQ - FBS vs IC Markets in Norway
Final Verdict - Norway 2026
For Norway traders, IC Markets is the better choice overall due to its higher score of 4.8/5, lower trading costs, faster execution, and stronger regulation. It suits active traders who prioritize cost-efficiency and platform quality. FBS, with its 3.7/5 score, is more suitable for beginners or those seeking high leverage and low minimum deposits. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, but IC Markets offers better value for serious traders. Ensure you comply with the local financial regulator's guidelines in Norway and report your trading income accordingly.