Which broker is better for Sweden traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Sweden traders looking for a reliable forex broker in 2025 often compare Forex.com and IC Markets, two global leaders with distinct strengths. Forex.com, regulated locally by Finansinspektionen (the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority), appeals to traders who prioritize strong domestic oversight and a long-established brand. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5 against Forex.com's 3.4/5, is favored for its ultra-low spreads and true ECN execution, making it a top choice for active Swedish retail traders. Both brokers support local payment methods including Bank Transfer (SEPA), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals. Sweden's forex market is sophisticated, with many traders using MetaTrader platforms and demanding tight pricing. This comparison examines spreads, regulation, platforms, and payment options tailored to Swedish users, helping you decide which broker aligns better with your trading style and regulatory preferences.
| 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 Sweden traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. IC Markets offers Raw Spread accounts with spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD plus a $7 round-turn commission per lot, making it highly cost-effective for frequent traders. Forex.com's standard account has spreads around 1.2 pips on EUR/USD without commission, which suits smaller volumes but becomes expensive for larger trades. Volume impact: a Swedish trader executing 5 lots daily could save over $250 per month with IC Markets. Additionally, IC Markets has lower swap rates for overnight positions, beneficial for Sweden traders holding trades longer. Both brokers offer commission-free accounts, but Forex.com's higher spreads make IC Markets the clear winner for active retail 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Sweden traders prefer advanced charting and automated trading, and both brokers deliver. IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, giving traders flexibility and access to ECN pricing via cTrader's Depth of Market. Forex.com provides its proprietary Web Trader alongside MT4 and MT5. For Swedish users who value customization and EA compatibility, IC Markets' cTrader and MT4/5 combination is superior. Forex.com's proprietary platform is user-friendly but lacks the advanced order types and plugin support that active Sweden traders often require. Both platforms are available in English and offer mobile apps for on-the-go trading.
| 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 offers true ECN execution with average execution speeds under 40ms and no requotes, ideal for Sweden traders using scalping or algorithmic strategies. Forex.com executes orders via NDD (No Dealing Desk) technology but uses a market maker model for some accounts, which can lead to slippage during volatile periods. For high-frequency and low-latency trading, IC Markets is the clear winner. Order types are similar, but IC Markets' depth of market on cTrader provides greater transparency.
| Safety Factor | Forex.com | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | FCA | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Forex.com is authorized and regulated by Finansinspektionen (Swedish FSA), providing Swedish traders with local oversight, deposit protection up to SEK 250,000 under the Swedish deposit guarantee scheme, and the ability to file complaints with the Swedish National Board for Consumer Disputes. IC Markets is regulated internationally by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and FCA (UK), but does not hold a Swedish license. While IC Markets is fully legal for Swedish residents, it offers less direct local protection. Traders who prioritize domestic regulation may feel more secure with Forex.com, whereas those comfortable with leading global regulators often prefer IC Markets for its trading conditions.
| 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 |
Both brokers offer Swedish traders convenient deposit methods: Bank Transfer (SEPA), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant and free on both platforms. USDT TRC20 deposits are processed within minutes, ideal for crypto-friendly Sweden traders. Bank Transfers (SEPA) typically take 1-3 business days, free of charge on both sides. Withdrawals: IC Markets processes withdrawal requests within 24 hours (bank transfer may take 1-2 days), while Forex.com typically takes 1-2 business days. IC Markets does not charge withdrawal fees, but Forex.com may impose a small fee on certain methods. For active traders, IC Markets' faster withdrawal handling and crypto deposit option are distinct advantages.
| 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 Forex.com and IC Markets provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Sweden. IC Markets offers swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader) with no expiry or time restrictions, making it a flexible choice. Forex.com also offers Islamic accounts but applies a swap charge if positions are held longer than a specific period (e.g., 7 days) or on certain instruments. Swedish Muslim traders should confirm specific instrument eligibility and any potential fees. IC Markets' unlimited swap-free policy gives it an edge for long-term position holders.
| 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 |
Forex.com provides 24/5 customer support via phone, live chat, and email, with dedicated Swedish-language support agents available during local hours. IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual live chat, phone, and email support, with English as the primary language. For Sweden traders, Forex.com's local language support can be helpful, but IC Markets' around-the-clock availability ensures help is always accessible. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources tailored to retail traders.
| 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 Sweden traders in 2025, IC Markets (4.8/5) is the better overall choice, offering superior trading costs, advanced platforms, and faster execution. Its acceptance of Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 makes deposits seamless for Swedish users. While Forex.com (3.4/5) holds the advantage of local regulation by Finansinspektionen, its higher spreads and less flexible platform options make it less competitive for active retail traders. However, if you prioritize domestic regulatory protection and simpler, commission-free trading, Forex.com remains a solid option. For most Swedish traders seeking value and performance, IC Markets is the recommended broker.