IC Markets vs AvaTrade for Japan Traders (2026): Detailed Comparison
Which broker is better for Japan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Japan traders seeking a reliable forex broker often compare IC Markets and AvaTrade, two globally recognized platforms. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 rating, is renowned for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, making it a favorite among scalpers and algorithmic traders in Japan. AvaTrade, scoring 4.6/5, offers a more beginner-friendly experience with intuitive platforms like MT4, MT5, and AvaTradeGO, plus extensive educational content. Both brokers accept Japan clients and support local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Whether you trade USD/JPY or other pairs, understanding the nuances of each broker—especially regarding spreads, regulation, and customer support—is crucial for success in Japan's competitive forex market. This comparison highlights key differences to help you decide.
| Instrument | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | AvaTrade |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | AvaTrade |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | AvaTrade |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | AvaTrade |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | AvaTrade |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
For Japan traders, trading costs are a critical factor. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like USD/JPY, with a commission of $3.50 per lot round-turn. This makes it highly cost-effective for high-volume traders. AvaTrade, in contrast, provides commission-free trading but wider spreads—typically 0.9 pips on USD/JPY. Over 100 lots, IC Markets saves approximately $90 in spread costs alone. Japan traders who frequently trade should prioritize IC Markets for lower overall costs, while occasional traders may prefer AvaTrade's simplicity.
| Account Type | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✓ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:400 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:400 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | AvaTrade | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | AvaTrade |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✓ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, essential for Japan traders who rely on advanced charting and automated strategies. IC Markets additionally offers cTrader, a platform popular for its depth of market and fast execution. AvaTrade provides its proprietary AvaTradeGO app, which is user-friendly and includes social trading features. For Japan traders who trade on mobile or prefer a streamlined interface, AvaTrade's platform is more intuitive. IC Markets excels for those needing advanced tools and ECN access.
| Factor | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | AvaTrade |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets boasts ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40 milliseconds, ideal for Japan scalpers and high-frequency traders. AvaTrade's execution is slightly slower but still reliable, averaging around 100 milliseconds. Both brokers offer no dealing desk (NDD) execution, ensuring transparency. For Japan traders who prioritize speed, IC Markets is the clear winner; for standard trading, AvaTrade's execution is sufficient.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CBI |
| Reg number | #335692 | #C53877 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia) and CySEC (Cyprus), while AvaTrade holds licenses from multiple authorities including the Central Bank of Ireland and ASIC. Neither broker is directly regulated by Japan's FSA, but both comply with international standards and accept Japan clients. Japan traders should be aware that deposits are not covered by Japan's investor protection fund. However, both brokers maintain segregated client accounts and negative balance protection, providing a safe trading environment. Always check the latest regulatory status on their websites.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Deposit fee | None | None |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Card/e-wallet 24-48hrs after approval; Wire Transfer up to 7-10 business days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Japan traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both IC Markets and AvaTrade. IC Markets processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. AvaTrade offers similar timelines. USDT deposits are available at both brokers, providing a fast, low-cost alternative via cryptocurrency. Minimum deposits are $200 for IC Markets and $100 for AvaTrade. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers charge no internal fees, but bank intermediaries may apply charges. For Japan traders, using Skrill or Neteller ensures quicker access to funds.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | AvaTrade |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| Gold swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Crypto swap-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and AvaTrade offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Japan Muslim traders who wish to avoid interest charges on overnight positions. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader) upon request. AvaTrade also offers Islamic accounts with no swap fees, applicable to all instruments. Activation is straightforward—contact customer support to enable the feature. Japan traders should note that swap-free accounts may have limited holding periods for certain instruments, so review the terms carefully.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat and email, with fast response times. AvaTrade provides multilingual support including Japanese language assistance during business hours. For Japan traders, AvaTrade's local language support is a plus, but IC Markets' round-the-clock availability suits those trading during Asian sessions. Phone support is available at both brokers, though AvaTrade's Japanese phone line is more accessible.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5★ | 4.3★ | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3★ | 4.2★ | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Dark mode | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | AvaTrade | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or high-volume trader needing ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Prefer advanced trading platforms like cTrader for in-depth analysis.
- Trade frequently and want to minimize costs with raw spreads and low commissions.
- Use automated trading strategies (EAs) requiring reliable VPS and low latency.
Choose AvaTrade if you...
- Are a beginner or casual trader seeking a user-friendly platform and educational resources.
- Prefer commission-free trading with a fixed spread structure.
- Need Japanese language support and local phone assistance.
- Want access to a wide range of instruments including CFDs on stocks and ETFs.
For Japan traders, the choice between IC Markets and AvaTrade hinges on trading style. IC Markets (4.8/5) excels in cost efficiency, execution speed, and advanced tools, making it ideal for active traders who demand low spreads on pairs like USD/JPY. AvaTrade (4.6/5) offers a more accessible experience with strong educational content and Japanese support, perfect for beginners. Both brokers accept deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and comply with local financial regulator expectations. If you prioritize performance and cost, choose IC Markets; if simplicity and support matter more, AvaTrade is a solid alternative. Review your trading goals and test both with a demo account before committing.