Which broker is better for Greece traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Greek retail traders looking to trade forex and CFDs, choosing between Forex.com and IC Markets can be challenging. Both brokers are well-regulated and offer access to global markets, but they cater to different trading styles. Forex.com, with a rating of 3.4/5, is a trusted name with strong educational tools and a user-friendly platform, making it suitable for beginners in Greece. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a top pick for cost-conscious and active traders, offering ultra-low spreads, ECN execution, and high leverage (up to 30:1 for retail under ESMA). Greek traders must consider local regulation: both brokers operate under CySEC and are overseen by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC). Deposits and withdrawals are seamless via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (IC Markets only). This comparison breaks down key factors like trading costs, platforms, and support to help you decide which broker fits your needs 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 Greek traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially when trading EUR/USD or indices. IC Markets dominates here with its Raw Spread account offering spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.5 per lot round turn, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. On the Standard account, spreads average 0.6 pips with no commission. Forex.com's spreads are wider: EUR/USD averages 1.1 pips on its Standard account and 0.8 pips on the commission-based account ($5 per lot). Over 100 lots, IC Markets can save Greek traders over $500 in costs. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but IC Markets has an overall lower cost structure, especially for frequent traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greece (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Greek traders can choose between MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader on IC Markets, offering advanced charting, automated trading, and customizable indicators. Forex.com provides proprietary platforms (Web, Mobile, Desktop) plus MT4, but lacks cTrader. For Greek traders who value algorithmic trading or third-party tools, IC Markets is more flexible. Forex.com's own platform is beginner-friendly with integrated news and analysis, which can benefit newcomers. Both brokers offer mobile apps with full functionality, suitable for trading on the go in Greece.
| 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 |
Execution quality directly impacts trading results. IC Markets uses No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with low latency, achieving average execution speeds under 40ms and minimal requotes. This is ideal for Greek scalpers and algorithmic traders. Forex.com operates as a market maker with some DMA options, but execution can be slower (around 100ms) and slippage more common during news events. For active Greek traders, IC Markets offers superior execution with tighter spreads and faster fills.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both Forex.com and IC Markets are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under MiFID II, allowing them to serve Greek residents through passporting rights. The Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) ensures compliance with local investor protection rules, including negative balance protection and segregated client funds. Forex.com also operates under FCA regulation (UK), while IC Markets is additionally regulated by ASIC (Australia) and FSA (Seychelles). For Greek traders, the EU-level protections are identical, but Forex.com's FCA regulation adds an extra layer of security. Always check that your account is under the CySEC entity for maximum protection.
| 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 |
Greek traders have convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. Bank Transfer (SEPA) is reliable but can take 1-2 business days. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are instant and free for deposits (withdrawal fees may apply). IC Markets also accepts USDT TRC20 deposits, a fast and low-cost crypto option popular among Greek traders, while Forex.com does not support USDT. Minimum deposits: $100 at Forex.com, $200 at IC Markets. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at IC Markets (e-wallets) and 1-2 days at Forex.com. Both brokers charge no internal fees for withdrawals, but third-party fees may apply for bank transfers. For Greek traders, e-wallets and USDT provide the fastest access to funds.
| 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 |
Both brokers offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Greek Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying interest overnight. Forex.com provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, though it restricts certain instruments to comply with Sharia law. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts on its Standard and Raw Spread accounts with no expiry date, but the broker may deduct a replacement fee for positions held beyond a certain period. Greek traders should confirm the specific terms for their preferred account type. Overall, both are accessible, but IC Markets offers more flexibility with its raw spread account.
| 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 |
Greek traders need reliable customer support. Forex.com offers 24/5 support via phone, live chat, and email, with local phone numbers for Europe. However, Greek language support is not guaranteed; English is primary. IC Markets provides 24/7 live chat and faster response times (under 1 minute on average), plus email support in English. Neither broker has dedicated Greek-speaking support, but IC Markets’ 24/7 availability is advantageous for traders in different time zones. Both have extensive FAQ sections and knowledge bases.
| 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 Greek retail traders in 2025, IC Markets (4.8/5) is the clear winner over Forex.com (3.4/5) due to its superior trading costs, execution speeds, and platform variety. It is especially suitable for cost-conscious and active traders, with tight spreads on EUR/USD starting from 0.0 pips and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Forex.com remains a strong choice for beginners who value educational resources and strong regulation (FCA + CySEC) under the Hellenic Capital Market Commission oversight. However, for traders seeking optimal value and performance, IC Markets is the recommended broker for Greece.