Which broker is better for Hungary traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Hungarian retail traders comparing FBS Max and IC Markets in 2026 are looking at two very different brokers. FBS Max, with a score of 3.7/5, is the more accessible option, with a user-friendly interface, a low minimum deposit and a wide range of deposit methods that Hungary traders already use, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20. IC Markets, rated 4.8/5, is an institutional-grade broker popular among active retail traders who need ultra-low spreads, fast execution and deep liquidity. For traders in Hungary, the choice matters because the forint is not used as a base settlement at most international brokers, so costs in USD and conversion-related fees need close attention. Additionally, neither broker is licensed by the Hungarian financial regulator, which means you should treat regulation as a decision factor, not a guarantee. This comparison breaks down what each broker offers specifically for Hungary-based retail traders, from trading costs and platforms to deposits and local support.
| Instrument | FBS Max | 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 | FBS Max |
When it comes to trading costs, IC Markets is generally the cheaper broker for Hungary traders who trade in USD and hold positions for short periods. On the Raw Spread account, EUR/USD spreads can be as low as 0.0 pips, but a commission of around USD 7 per lot is charged. FBS Max offers floating spreads that start from around 0.7 pips with no commission, which can be more convenient for smaller accounts. However, for Hungarian traders who trade several lots per day, IC Markets' tighter raw spreads produce material savings. Keep in mind that swap rates and overnight fees apply at both brokers, and Hungarian traders should also check the USD/HUF conversion costs applied by their chosen payment provider, since brokerage fees are usually determined in USD.
| Account Type | FBS Max | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $0 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | FBS Max | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Hungary (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 |
| Asset Class | FBS Max | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | FBS Max |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | FBS Max |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | FBS Max |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | FBS Max | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers give Hungary traders access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, so there is no need to worry about platform familiarity. FBS Max additionally offers the FBS Trader app, which is useful for Hungary traders who prefer mobile trading and quick deposits from their smartphone. IC Markets also supports cTrader, a platform that is highly regarded for its advanced charting, DOM and raw spread trading, which may appeal to Hungarian scalpers and professional retail traders. For Hungarian users, a reliable platform connection matters, so check each broker's server stability and whether you can run the platform with low latency from Hungary. FBS Max has a slightly simpler onboarding experience, while IC Markets offers more tools for sophisticated traders.
| Factor | FBS Max | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IC Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | FBS Max |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is known for its true ECN execution, with low-latency connections and a choice of server locations that helps Hungary traders reduce execution delays. FBS Max offers market execution on most accounts, which is suitable for casual retail traders but can result in slippage during volatile news events. For Hungary-based scalpers and day traders, IC Markets' raw structure and fast order execution are clearly superior. However, FBS Max remains reliable for regular position trading, and its execution is acceptable for beginners.
| Safety Factor | FBS Max | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | IFSC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✗ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
FBS Max is operated by FBS Markets Inc., while IC Markets operates through entities in Australia, Cyprus, Seychelles and other jurisdictions. Neither broker is regulated by the Hungarian financial regulator, and Hungary traders who open accounts with the international entities do so on an offshore basis. This means Hungarian investor compensation schemes, such as the Hungarian Investor Protection Fund, do not cover your balances at these brokers. IC Markets does hold CySEC and ASIC licences for certain entities, which gives clients in eligible countries access to additional oversight and negative balance protection. FBS Max also follows international standards and uses segregated accounts, but the level of protection is lower than a locally regulated EU broker. Hungary traders should factor in this regulatory gap before committing large sums.
| Payment Method | FBS Max | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 5 to 7 business days | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
Hungary traders can fund both FBS Max and IC Markets using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller and USDT TRC20, although each broker decides which methods are available for Hungarian clients. FBS Max is known for having fast and flexible deposits, with USDT TRC20 processed almost instantly and no network fee on some transfers. IC Markets also accepts these methods, but bank transfers can take 1-3 business days and may attract intermediary fees depending on your Hungarian bank. When withdrawing, the general rule at both brokers is to use the same deposit method where possible. For example, if you deposit via USDT TRC20, you will often need to withdraw in the same way, which is a low-cost option for Hungary traders. Before signing up, check whether Skrill and Neteller withdrawals are subject to fees or currency conversion into HUF, as this can affect your overall costs.
| Islamic Account Feature | FBS Max | 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 Max and IC Markets offer Islamic or swap-free accounts for Hungary-based Muslim traders, allowing them to hold positions overnight without paying swap or rollover interest. FBS Max provides swap-free conditions on certain account types, but after a longer holding period a management fee may apply, so it is not always completely free. IC Markets offers Islamic accounts on its standard and raw spread accounts, with no swap charges on eligible instruments. Hungary Muslim traders should note that swap-free policy is not available on every trading instrument, and open positions that exceed a set period may be subject to fees. Contacting support before opening an account is the only way to know the exact rules under your account type.
| Support Feature | FBS Max | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | FBS Max |
FBS Max offers customer support in English, Russian and several other languages, with live chat, phone and email. Hungary traders may need to rely on English because Hungarian is not always available. IC Markets also provides 24/7 live chat and a comprehensive support portal, with faster responses during high-volume market events. Neither broker operates a physical Hungary office, so local support hours are not guaranteed. For straightforward questions about payments or account verification, both brokers respond quickly, but IC Markets handles technical questions with greater depth.
| Mobile Feature | FBS Max | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | FBS Max |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | FBS Max |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | FBS Max | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | FBS Max |
Choose FBS Max if you...
Choose IC Markets if you...
For Hungary traders, IC Markets is the stronger choice if you are serious about active trading and want the lowest possible spread costs. Its 4.8/5 score, ECN execution and institutional-grade platforms make it a better fit for retail traders who trade in USD and need reliable order fills. FBS Max, with a 3.7/5 score, remains attractive for beginners and for traders who rely on Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller or USDT TRC20 deposits and want no-commission pricing. The key difference is found in the local context: since the Hungarian financial regulator does not oversee either broker, you should only deposit money you can afford to risk. Keep your payment method both convenient and low-cost, and remember that trading costs in USD matter far more than bonuses or promotions.