IC Markets vs AvaTrade: A Detailed Comparison for United Kingdom Traders
Which broker is better for United Kingdom traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For United Kingdom traders seeking a reliable forex broker, IC Markets and AvaTrade stand out as two heavily regulated options under the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Both brokers accept GBP deposits and support popular local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, PayPal, and Skrill, making them accessible to UK residents. IC Markets is known for its ultra-low spreads and high-speed execution, appealing to active traders and scalpers. AvaTrade, on the other hand, offers a more beginner-friendly experience with fixed spreads, comprehensive educational resources, and a wide range of trading platforms including MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader. In this UK-specific comparison, we examine key factors like regulatory protection, trading costs, platform features, and deposit/withdrawal options to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in 2026.
| 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 |
When comparing trading costs for United Kingdom traders, IC Markets generally offers lower spreads, starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. This structure is ideal for high-volume scalpers and day traders. AvaTrade operates on a fixed spread model, averaging around 1.0 pips on EUR/USD with no commission, which can be more predictable for beginners but more expensive over many trades. For UK traders executing frequent positions, IC Markets provides significant cost savings, while AvaTrade suits those who prefer simplicity and avoid variable spreads.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (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 offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the industry standards for UK traders. IC Markets also supports cTrader, a platform favoured for its advanced charting and fast execution. AvaTrade includes its proprietary WebTrader and AvaTradeGO app, which are user-friendly and integrate educational tools. For UK traders, the choice depends on preference: IC Markets excels for technical analysis and algorithmic trading, while AvaTrade offers a more guided experience with built-in risk management features.
| 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 is renowned for its ultra-fast execution speeds, averaging under 40 milliseconds on its No Dealing Desk (NDD) model, making it ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. AvaTrade uses a market maker model with execution speeds around 200-300 milliseconds, which is still reliable for most retail traders. For UK traders prioritising speed and slippage reduction, IC Markets has a clear advantage.
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and AvaTrade are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, providing a high level of client protection. FCA regulation means UK traders benefit from segregated client accounts, negative balance protection, and access to the Financial Ombudsman Service and Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) up to £85,000. This regulatory oversight ensures both brokers adhere to strict capital adequacy and reporting standards, making them safe choices for UK residents.
| 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 |
United Kingdom traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and AvaTrade using Bank Transfer, PayPal, and Skrill, all in GBP. IC Markets also accepts credit/debit cards and Neteller, while AvaTrade adds Apple Pay and Google Pay. Deposits are typically free and processed instantly for e-wallets, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals are usually free at both brokers, though IC Markets processes them within 24 hours for e-wallets, while AvaTrade may take 1-3 business days. Minimum deposits are low: IC Markets starts at £200, AvaTrade at £100.
| 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 UK Muslim traders who wish to trade in accordance with Sharia law. These accounts do not charge or pay overnight swap fees on positions held open beyond 24 hours. To open an Islamic account, UK traders must request it during registration and provide a declaration of faith. Conditions vary slightly: IC Markets applies a small administrative fee after a holding period, while AvaTrade offers completely swap-free without additional charges. Always check the latest terms as they may be updated.
| 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 |
Customer support for UK traders is available 24/5 from both brokers via live chat, email, and phone. IC Markets offers support in English with fast response times, while AvaTrade provides multilingual support including Arabic and Spanish. AvaTrade also includes a comprehensive FAQ and educational centre. UK traders can expect professional assistance from both, though IC Markets' support is more geared towards experienced traders.
| 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-frequency trader needing ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader or MT4/MT5 with algorithmic trading support.
- Trade high volumes and want cost savings through raw spreads and low commissions.
- Value a broker with a strong reputation among active and professional traders.
Choose AvaTrade if you...
- Are a beginner or casual trader seeking fixed spreads and predictable costs.
- Appreciate a wide range of educational resources and a user-friendly platform.
- Want access to proprietary tools like WebTrader and AvaTradeGO for mobile trading.
- Prefer a broker with a long-established brand and comprehensive customer support.
For United Kingdom traders, both IC Markets and AvaTrade are excellent choices regulated by the FCA, offering local payment methods like Bank Transfer, PayPal, and Skrill. IC Markets is the superior pick for cost-conscious active traders who need low spreads and lightning-fast execution. AvaTrade better suits beginners and those who value fixed spreads, educational content, and a simpler trading experience. Ultimately, your decision should align with your trading style: choose IC Markets for performance and low costs, or AvaTrade for ease of use and support. Both provide strong FCA protection, so you can trade confidently in the UK market.