Which broker is better for Romania traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Romanian traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2025, the choice between Forex.com and IC Markets is a critical one. Both brokers accept clients from Romania and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill. However, their offerings differ significantly. Forex.com, with a score of 3.4/5, is a well-established broker under FCA regulation, known for its strong safety and proprietary platform. But it comes with higher spreads and limited platform choices. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is a favorite among active traders worldwide, offering ultra-low spreads, ECN execution, and multiple platforms including MT4, MT5, and cTrader. Romania's growing retail trading community is increasingly drawn to IC Markets for its cost efficiency and speed. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns better with your trading style, risk tolerance, and local needs.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs, IC Markets clearly outperforms Forex.com for Romanian traders. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips on pairs like EUR/USD and a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn. For a trader executing 10 lots per month, this results in significantly lower costs compared to Forex.com's standard account where spreads average 0.8 pips on the same pair with no commission. Forex.com's tighter STP account still has spreads around 0.2 pips but with a higher commission. For volume traders in Romania who often trade EUR/USD or GBP/USD, the difference in monthly costs can be hundreds of RON, making IC Markets the more economical choice.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Romania (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice is another key differentiator for Romanian traders. IC Markets provides the full suite: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all popular among local traders for their advanced charting, EA support, and customizable interfaces. cTrader is especially favored for its fast execution and depth of market. Forex.com offers its own web-based proprietary platform plus MT4, but its proprietary platform, while user-friendly, lacks the advanced features that many Romanian scalpers and algorithmic traders require. For a growing community that values flexibility and automation, IC Markets' broader platform selection is a clear advantage.
| 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 is where IC Markets excels, especially for Romanian scalpers and day traders. IC Markets utilizes ECN/STP technology with servers located in the NY4 data center, providing ultra-low latency and fast order execution with no requotes. Forex.com operates as a market maker for its standard accounts, though it offers STP/ECN execution on its STP account. However, spread widening during news events can be more noticeable. For traders who prioritize speed and transparency, IC Markets' execution is superior.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is crucial for Romanian traders, who rely on the Autoritatea de Supraveghere Financiară (ASF) as their local watchdog. Neither Forex.com nor IC Markets is directly regulated by ASF, but both operate under top-tier international regulators. Forex.com is regulated by the FCA (UK) and CFTC (US), while IC Markets holds licenses from ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus). Under EU passporting rules, both can offer services in Romania via their CySEC entities. This provides a solid safety net, including negative balance protection and client fund segregation. Romanian traders should verify the legal entity they are opening an account with and ensure they meet the broker's eligibility criteria.
| 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 |
For Romanian traders, depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward with both brokers. IC Markets supports local payment methods including Bank Transfer (SEPA in EUR), Credit Card (Visa/Mastercard), and Skrill, plus many more like Neteller and PayPal. Forex.com also accepts Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill, though Skrill deposits are not available for all account types. Minimum deposits are $50 at both brokers for standard accounts. Withdrawals are processed quickly: Skrill and Credit Card withdrawals are usually processed within 24 hours, while Bank Transfer may take 1-3 business days. Note that deposits in RON may incur conversion fees, so it's wise to use EUR-denominated accounts or e-wallets to minimize costs. Both brokers offer free deposits and withdrawals for most methods, but bank transfer fees may apply.
| 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 |
For Romanian Muslim traders requiring Sharia-compliant trading, IC Markets provides Islamic (swap-free) accounts on request. These accounts avoid overnight interest charges, aligning with Islamic finance principles. IC Markets offers this option for both standard and raw spread accounts, with no additional fees. Forex.com, on the other hand, does not offer Islamic accounts for Romanian clients. It only provides swap-free accounts in certain jurisdictions and for specific client categories. Therefore, Romanian traders seeking an Islamic account should choose IC Markets, which has a clear policy and straightforward request process.
| 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 is available 24/5 from both brokers. IC Markets offers live chat, email, and phone support in English, with relatively fast response times. Forex.com also provides 24/5 support via live chat and phone, with a focus on European hours. Neither broker offers dedicated Romanian language support, but the support teams are well-trained and can assist in English. For Romanian traders who may need assistance during local office hours, both brokers are responsive, though IC Markets' larger team often results in quicker resolutions.
| 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...
After comparing Forex.com vs IC Markets for Romanian traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 score versus Forex.com's 3.4/5. IC Markets offers lower spreads, faster execution, a wider platform selection, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Credit Card, and Skrill – all crucial for Romania's growing retail trading community. While Forex.com provides strong regulatory oversight and a user-friendly proprietary platform, its higher trading costs and lack of an Islamic account limit its appeal. The final decision depends on your trading style: if you are a casual trader who values simplicity and safety, Forex.com is acceptable. But for most Romanian traders – especially those active, volume, or algorithmic traders – IC Markets delivers better value and performance. Always remember to verify account eligibility with ASF Romania and choose the broker that fits your specific needs.