IC Markets vs AvaTrade for Vietnam Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Vietnam traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Vietnam, choosing between IC Markets and AvaTrade is a critical decision. IC Markets, with a score of 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads, fast execution, and extensive platform support. AvaTrade, scoring 4.6/5, offers a more beginner-friendly experience with fixed spreads and integrated educational tools. Both brokers accept Vietnam clients and support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. The local financial regulator does not directly oversee these brokers, but both hold reputable international licenses. This comparison focuses on what matters most to Vietnam traders: trading costs, platform usability, regulation, deposit/withdrawal convenience, and account types. Whether you are a scalper, day trader, or long-term investor, understanding these differences will help you choose the right broker for your trading style.
| 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 Vietnam traders, trading costs are a primary concern. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on major forex pairs, with a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn. This makes it ideal for high-frequency and volume traders who need minimal cost per trade. AvaTrade, in contrast, uses fixed spreads starting from 0.9 pips on EUR/USD, with no commission. While AvaTrade’s fixed spreads provide predictability, they are higher on average. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets can save a Vietnam trader $50–$100 in spread costs. For scalpers and day traders, IC Markets is clearly more cost-effective.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform choice is crucial for Vietnam traders. IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and WebTrader, giving advanced traders full control over charting, indicators, and automated trading. AvaTrade provides MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader and AvaTradeGO app, which are more user-friendly. For Vietnam traders who prefer mobile trading or are new to forex, AvaTrade’s simplified interface is appealing. However, for algorithmic traders or those using Expert Advisors, IC Markets’ cTrader and MT5 support is superior.
| 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 offers true ECN/STP execution with average order execution speed below 40 milliseconds. This is ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Vietnam who need minimal slippage. AvaTrade uses market maker execution, which can result in slightly slower speeds and occasional requotes. For Vietnam traders who prioritize fast, reliable execution, IC Markets is the clear winner.
| 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 regulated internationally, but not by the local financial regulator in Vietnam. IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). AvaTrade is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland, ASIC, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the British Virgin Islands. For Vietnam traders, this means client funds are segregated and negative balance protection applies. While no local oversight exists, both brokers follow strict international standards, providing a safe trading environment.
| 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 |
Vietnam traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both IC Markets and AvaTrade. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while AvaTrade requires $100. Both brokers process deposits instantly for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers take 1–3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, and 2–5 days for bank transfers. IC Markets does not charge withdrawal fees, but AvaTrade may charge a small fee for bank transfers. Using Skrill or Neteller is the fastest and cheapest option for Vietnam traders.
| 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 Vietnam Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard. AvaTrade offers Islamic accounts on its standard accounts only. No swap or interest is charged on overnight positions. Documentation such as proof of religion may be required. Both brokers ensure that Islamic accounts function similarly to regular accounts, with no hidden fees. This makes both brokers suitable for Vietnam’s Muslim community.
| 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 is available 24/5 for both brokers. IC Markets offers live chat, email, and phone support in English and some Asian languages. AvaTrade provides multilingual support including Vietnamese, which is a significant advantage for local traders. Response times are under 5 minutes for live chat. For Vietnam traders, AvaTrade’s Vietnamese support is more accessible, but IC Markets’ support is still reliable for English-speaking users.
| 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 day trader needing ultra-low spreads (from 0.0 pips)
- Use Expert Advisors or automated trading strategies on MT5 or cTrader
- Trade high volumes and want low commission costs ($3.50 per lot)
- Prefer fast ECN execution with minimal slippage
Choose AvaTrade if you...
- Are a beginner trader looking for a simple, fixed-spread experience
- Need Vietnamese language customer support
- Want a lower minimum deposit ($100) and easy mobile trading
- Prefer fixed spreads for predictable trading costs
For Vietnam traders, IC Markets (4.8/5) is the better choice for cost-conscious scalpers and algorithmic traders due to its ultra-low spreads, fast ECN execution, and wide platform support. AvaTrade (4.6/5) is a strong alternative for beginners and those who value fixed spreads and Vietnamese-language support. Both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, both maintain high international standards. If trading costs and speed are your priority, choose IC Markets. If ease of use and local support matter more, AvaTrade is a solid option.