Which broker is better for Brazil traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Brazil’s retail trading community is expanding rapidly, and choosing the right broker can make a significant difference in your profitability and overall experience. Forex.com and IC Markets are two global brokers that serve Brazilian clients, but they cater to different needs. Forex.com, with a Trustpilot score of 3.4/5, is a well-established broker with direct CVM authorization, offering a sense of regulatory security. However, its spreads and fees are higher than the industry average. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a top-tier choice for cost-conscious traders, delivering razor‑thin spreads, ultra‑fast execution, and a wider range of tradable assets. Both brokers support BRL deposits via PIX, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, making them accessible to local traders. This comparison breaks down every critical factor—trading costs, platforms, regulation, payments, and Islamic accounts—so you can decide which broker aligns best with your trading style and goals in 2025.
| Instrument | Forex.com | 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 | $100 | $200 | Forex.com |
For Brazil traders, trading costs are often the deciding factor. IC Markets offers a clear advantage with its Raw Spread account, where spreads start at 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, plus a $3.50 commission per lot. This results in an all‑in cost of roughly 0.35 pips per trade. Forex.com’s standard account has spreads averaging 1.2–1.5 pips with no commission, translating to a higher total cost, especially for frequent traders. On a volume of 10 lots per month, IC Markets can save you the equivalent of R$500–R$1,000 in spread costs alone. If you trade larger volumes or hold positions for shorter periods, IC Markets is far more cost‑effective. Forex.com may be acceptable for occasional traders who prefer a simpler cost structure.
| Account Type | Forex.com | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $100 | $200 |
| Entity / Asset | Forex.com | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil (offshore) | Up to 1:50 | Up to 1:5000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:50 | 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 | Forex.com | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | Forex.com |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | Forex.com |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | Forex.com |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | Forex.com | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers provide access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the benchmarks for retail forex trading. IC Markets also offers cTrader, a powerful platform favoured by scalpers and algorithmic traders for its advanced charting and order management. Forex.com’s proprietary Web Trader platform is intuitive but lacks the flexibility of MT5 or cTrader. For Brazil traders who rely on automated strategies or need fast order execution, IC Markets supports VPS hosting and EA backtesting more robustly. Forex.com’s platform is adequate for beginners and those who prefer a simple interface. Mobile trading on both brokers is solid, but IC Markets provides more customization and faster execution on mobile devices.
| Factor | Forex.com | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IC Markets |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | Forex.com |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is renowned for its execution speed, with an average of under 40 milliseconds on MT4 and cTrader, using Equinix NY4 servers near liquidity providers. Forex.com’s execution is slightly slower at around 100–150 milliseconds, which can affect scalpers and high‑frequency traders. IC Markets also offers no requote guarantees and deep liquidity from 25+ banks. For Brazil traders with fast internet connections, IC Markets delivers a more responsive trading environment. Forex.com’s execution is still reliable but not as competitive for active trading.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is a crucial consideration for Brazil traders. Forex.com is authorized by the CVM (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários) as a foreign broker operating under local norms, offering a layer of domestic protection. IC Markets is regulated by top‑tier authorities like ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSA (Seychelles), but it does not hold a specific CVM license. However, IC Markets accepts Brazilian clients through its international entities, and many traders find its oversight adequate due to investor protection schemes (e.g., up to €20,000 for EU clients). If you prioritise direct CVM regulation, Forex.com may give you greater peace of mind. For those more concerned with trading conditions, IC Markets’ regulatory framework is widely respected in the industry.
| Payment Method | Forex.com | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✗ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✗ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | 1 to 3 business days | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days |
Brazil traders can fund their accounts easily at both brokers using local methods. PIX is the fastest option at both, with instant deposits and no fees. Bank Transfer (TED/DOC) is accepted but may take 1–2 business days. Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard) are processed immediately, though some banks may charge foreign transaction fees. Forex.com also accepts Boleto Bancário, a popular local payment slip. Minimum deposits: Forex.com starts at R$200, while IC Markets requires around R$100. Withdrawals are also straightforward: PIX withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at IC Markets, while Forex.com may take 1–2 business days. Both brokers aim to process withdrawals within 24–48 hours, but bank transfers can take longer. No deposit or withdrawal fees are charged by either broker, but your bank may impose charges.
| Islamic Account Feature | Forex.com | 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 |
Muslim traders in Brazil seeking Sharia‑compliant accounts can use both brokers. IC Markets offers swap‑free accounts on request for all account types, with no additional fees or holding period restrictions. Forex.com also provides Islamic accounts, but conditions vary: they may charge an administrative fee if positions are held beyond a certain period (e.g., 7 days), and not all instruments are eligible. Always contact support before opening an Islamic account to confirm the current terms. Both brokers’ Islamic accounts function on the standard platforms (MT4/MT5) and do not restrict trading strategies. For Brazilian Muslim traders who hold positions for longer than a week, IC Markets’ terms are generally more favorable.
| Support Feature | Forex.com | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | Forex.com |
Customer support for Brazil traders is solid at both brokers. Forex.com offers 24/7 phone support in English and Portuguese, plus live chat and email. IC Markets provides 24/7 live chat and email support, with Portuguese available during Brazilian business hours. Their FAQ sections cover topics like PIX deposits and local bank transfers. Response times are quick—usually under 5 minutes for live chat. IC Markets has a slight edge for after‑hours support, while Forex.com offers direct Portuguese‑speaking agents around the clock. Both brokers are responsive and helpful for Brazilian clients.
| Mobile Feature | Forex.com | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | Forex.com |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | Forex.com |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | Forex.com | IC Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | ✗ | Forex.com |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | Forex.com |
Choose Forex.com if you...
Choose IC Markets if you...
For the majority of Brazil traders, IC Markets is the superior choice in 2025, offering significantly lower trading costs, faster execution, and a higher overall trust score. It also supports PIX, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card deposits just like Forex.com, with a lower minimum deposit. The lack of direct CVM regulation is a minor drawback, but IC Markets’ oversight from ASIC and CySEC is widely respected. Forex.com remains a solid option for traders who value CVM authorization and a simpler, commission‑free cost structure, especially if you are just starting out. Evaluate your trading volume, strategy, and need for local regulation before deciding. For most active Brazilian traders, IC Markets delivers better value and performance.