IC Markets vs Admirals for Philippines Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Philippines traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — Philippines Traders
When choosing between IC Markets and Admirals for forex trading in the Philippines, local traders need to consider spreads, payment methods, and regulation. IC Markets holds a strong 4.8/5 rating, while Admirals scores 4.1/5. Both brokers accept Philippines residents and support popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. The local financial regulator oversees forex activity, so traders must ensure compliance. IC Markets is known for raw spreads from 0.0 pips and fast execution, ideal for scalpers and day traders. Admirals offers a more educational approach with fixed spreads on some accounts. For retail traders in the Philippines, the choice often comes down to cost versus support. This comparison breaks down every key factor—from deposit methods to regulation—so you can decide which broker fits your trading style.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $1 | Admirals |
IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs for Philippines traders. On its Raw Spread account, spreads start from 0.0 pips with a $7 commission per lot round turn. Admirals offers spreads from 0.5 pips on its Zero account with a $6 commission. For a Philippines trader trading 5 lots per day, IC Markets can save approximately $25–$30 daily in spread costs. Swap rates are competitive for both, but IC Markets has a slight edge on major pairs. The lower costs make IC Markets better for high-volume traders.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $1 |
Leverage Comparison - Philippines Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular among Philippines traders for their reliability and custom indicators. IC Markets also provides cTrader, which offers advanced charting and faster execution for scalpers. Admirals offers its own web platform plus MT4/MT5, but lacks cTrader. For Philippines traders who need mobile trading, both have strong apps. IC Markets' cTrader is a standout for those who trade actively.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centers for ultra-low latency execution, with average speeds of 40ms. Admirals also has good execution but averages around 60–80ms. For Philippines traders, IC Markets' faster execution reduces slippage during volatile news events. Both brokers offer no dealing desk (NDD) execution, but IC Markets' raw spreads and speed make it the better choice for scalping.
Regulation & Safety for Philippines Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), offering strong client fund protection. Admirals is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and CySEC. For Philippines traders, both brokers are considered safe. However, IC Markets' ASIC regulation provides a higher tier of oversight. The local financial regulator does not directly supervise these brokers, but traders should verify their license status.
Deposits & Withdrawals for Philippines
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
Philippines traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. IC Markets processes e-wallet and USDT deposits instantly, while bank transfers take 1–3 business days. Admirals has similar processing times. Minimum deposit is $200 for IC Markets and $100 for Admirals. Withdrawals are free at IC Markets, while Admirals charges a small fee for bank transfers. USDT deposits are especially useful for Philippines traders who want to avoid bank delays. Both brokers support PHP conversion via bank transfer, but exchange rates may apply.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Philippines Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|---|---|
| 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 IC Markets and Admirals offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in the Philippines. IC Markets provides swap-free status on all account types upon request, with no additional fees. Admirals offers it only on Standard accounts, and traders must contact support to activate it. For Philippines Muslim traders who need to comply with Sharia law, IC Markets is more flexible. Both brokers maintain zero swap charges on overnight positions for these accounts.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat and email support, with quick response times (under 30 seconds for chat). Admirals provides 24/5 support via phone, email, and live chat, but response times can be slower during weekends. For Philippines traders, IC Markets' 24/7 availability is a clear advantage, especially for those trading Asian sessions. Both brokers have English-speaking support, which is sufficient for most local traders.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
Admirals
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Philippines Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Want the lowest spreads starting from 0.0 pips for active trading
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and fast execution
- Trade high volume and need minimal costs
- Value 24/7 customer support for Asian session trading
Choose Admirals if you...
- Are a beginner needing educational resources and webinars
- Prefer a lower minimum deposit of $100
- Want fixed spreads on certain account types
- Need FCA regulation for extra peace of mind
FAQ - IC Markets vs Admirals in Philippines
Final Verdict - Philippines 2026
For retail traders in the Philippines, IC Markets is the stronger choice due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and higher trust score. The ability to deposit via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT makes it convenient for local users. While Admirals offers better educational tools and a lower minimum deposit, its higher spreads and slower execution make it less competitive for active traders. Both brokers comply with local financial regulator guidelines, but IC Markets' ASIC regulation adds an extra layer of security. If you trade frequently and want to maximize profits, IC Markets is the better option. For beginners who prioritize learning, Admirals may be a good starting point.