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Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

IC Markets vs Capital.com: Australia Trader Comparison 2026

Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

IC
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA · Founded 2007
Open Account
VS
Capital.com logo
Capital.com
FCA · ASIC · CySEC · Founded 2016
Open Account
Winner: IC Markets
Categories: 12 compared
For: Australia traders
Updated: July 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — Australia Traders

Best Overall
IC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Capital.com
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
IC Markets
Swap-free for Australia Muslims
Best for Beginners
IC Markets
Better education & support
$200 vs $20
Min deposit
1:5000 vs 1:200
Max leverage
ASIC vs FCA
Top regulator
3.6 vs 3.3
Our scores
Table of Contents

For Australia traders seeking an ASIC-regulated broker, the choice between IC Markets and Capital.com is a common dilemma. IC Markets, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is a powerhouse for experienced traders who demand tight spreads, fast execution, and deep liquidity. Capital.com, scoring 3.8/5, offers a more user-friendly platform and educational tools, but its spreads and execution lag behind. Both brokers accept Australian clients and support local payment methods like BPAY, POLi, and Bank Transfer. However, the differences in trading costs, platform features, and overall suitability for active traders are significant. This comparison dives into the specifics to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals in the Australian market.

🏆

Overall Scores Comparison

IC
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
Capital.com
Capital.com
FCA · ASIC · CySEC
3.3
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
3.7
WIN
3.4
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
3.8
WIN
3.0
Regulation
Safety, oversight
3.9
WIN
3.6
Deposits
Local payments
3.7
WIN
3.3
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
3.4
WIN
3.1
Education
Webinars, guides
3.3
WIN
3.0
Execution
Speed, slippage
3.7
WIN
3.1
Mobile App
iOS, Android
3.6
WIN
3.3
💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

InstrumentIC MarketsCapital.comWinner
EUR/USD avg spread0.09 pips + $3.5/lot0.0 pips + $3.5/lotCapital.com
XAU/USD (Gold)$0.14 typical$0.12 typicalCapital.com
GBP/USD avg spread0.29 pips0.23 pipsCapital.com
Standard acc spreadfrom 1.0 pipsfrom 0.8 pipsCapital.com
ECN commission$3.5/lot/side$3.5/lot/sideTie
Min deposit$200$20Capital.com

When comparing trading costs for Australia traders, IC Markets has a clear advantage. Its Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $7 AUD commission per lot, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. Capital.com's standard account spreads start from 0.8 pips with no commission, which is more expensive for frequent traders. For a typical Australia trader executing 10 lots per day, IC Markets can save hundreds of dollars monthly in spreads. Also, IC Markets does not charge deposit fees, while Capital.com may have fees for certain withdrawal methods. Overall, IC Markets is the cost-effective choice.

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account TypeIC MarketsCapital.com
Standard account
ECN / Raw spread
Islamic (swap-free)
Demo account
PAMM / MAM account
Zero spread account
Copy trading
Min deposit$200$20
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - Australia Traders

Entity / AssetIC MarketsCapital.com
Australia (offshore)Up to 1:5000Up to 1:200
Forex major pairs1:50001:200
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 to 1:10
Leverage Warning for Australia Traders
Traders in Australia typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassIC MarketsCapital.comWinner
Forex pairs90+65+IC Markets
Gold (XAU/USD)Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesIC Markets
Crypto CFDs30+20+IC Markets
Stocks / Share CFDs1,700+Capital.com
ETFsTie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformIC MarketsCapital.com
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 essential for Australia traders who rely on Expert Advisors and advanced charting. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored by algorithmic traders for its low latency and advanced features. Capital.com focuses on its proprietary web and mobile platform, which is intuitive but less customizable. For Australia traders who need fast execution and third-party tools, IC Markets' cTrader and MT4/5 support is superior. Capital.com's platform is better for beginners who prefer a simple, educational experience.

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorIC MarketsCapital.comWinner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNCapital.com
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msIC Markets
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
Scalping allowedTie
EA / Bot tradingTie

Execution quality is where IC Markets excels. With ultra-low latency servers in the Equinix NY4 data center and a No Dealing Desk (NDD) model, IC Markets offers average execution speeds under 40ms. Capital.com uses a market maker model, which can result in slightly slower execution and potential requotes during high volatility. For Australia traders who trade news events or use scalping strategies, IC Markets' execution is far superior. Capital.com is adequate for longer-term traders who do not require lightning-fast fills.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for Australia Traders

Safety FactorIC MarketsCapital.com
Primary regulatorASICFCA
Top-tier regulated
Investor protection
Segregated funds
Neg. balance protection

Both IC Markets and Capital.com are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring strict client fund segregation and compliance with Australian financial laws. This means Australia traders are protected by the same regulatory framework regardless of which broker they choose. IC Markets also holds licenses from CySEC and FCA, while Capital.com is regulated by the FCA and CySEC as well. For Australia traders, ASIC regulation provides peace of mind that funds are safe and disputes can be handled locally. Both brokers maintain negative balance protection, a key feature for retail traders.

Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Australia traders may differ by entity.
💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for Australia

Payment MethodIC MarketsCapital.com
Bank Wire Transfer
Visa / Mastercard
Skrill
Neteller
USDT / Crypto
Withdrawal timeE-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days24 hours

Australia traders have several convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. IC Markets supports BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, with no fees for deposits. Withdrawals are free via Bank Transfer and POLi, though credit card withdrawals may incur a small fee. Capital.com also offers BPAY, POLi, Bank Transfer, and Credit Card, plus e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill. Both brokers process withdrawals within 1-2 business days, but IC Markets is slightly faster for bank transfers. For Australia traders, BPAY and POLi are the most popular methods due to instant processing and no additional charges. Always check the broker's minimum deposit requirements: IC Markets requires $200 AUD, while Capital.com has no minimum deposit.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Australia Muslims

Islamic Account FeatureIC MarketsCapital.com
Swap-free available
Admin fee instead of swapOn some instrumentsOn some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported
How to applyContact supportContact support

Both IC Markets and Capital.com offer Islamic swap-free accounts for Australia Muslim traders. IC Markets provides these accounts on request, with no swap fees on overnight positions, but may charge an administrative fee if positions are held for more than a specified period. Capital.com offers swap-free accounts automatically for eligible clients, with similar conditions. It's important to note that both brokers require clients to confirm their Muslim faith and may limit the number of days a position can be held without incurring a fee. Australia traders should contact support to confirm eligibility and terms before opening an Islamic account.

Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬

Customer Support Comparison

Support FeatureIC MarketsCapital.comWinner
Live chatTie
Phone supportTie
Email supportTie
24/7 supportTie
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesIC Markets

IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated Australia phone lines. Capital.com also provides 24/7 support but relies more on live chat and email, with phone support limited to business hours. For Australia traders, IC Markets' round-the-clock phone support is a significant advantage, especially during volatile market hours. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections, but IC Markets' support team is generally more responsive and knowledgeable about technical issues.

📱

Mobile App Comparison

Mobile FeatureIC MarketsCapital.comWinner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsIC Markets
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsIC Markets
Biometric loginTie
Push notificationsTie
Full charting on mobileTie
TradingView mobileTie
📚

Education & Research Tools

ResourceIC MarketsCapital.comWinner
Video tutorials100+ videos50+ videosTie
Webinars (live)Tie
Economic calendarTie
Market analysisDailyBasicIC Markets

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
IC Markets
★★★★★
54.4K
54,430 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
Capital.com
★★★★★
14.4K
14,400 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

Pros & Cons of Each Broker

IC Markets

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-$200 min deposit
-No 24/7 support

Capital.com

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤

Who Should Use Which Broker? - Australia Guide

Choose IC Markets if you...

  • Are an experienced trader seeking ultra-tight spreads and low commissions.
  • Use automated trading strategies or Expert Advisors on MT4/MT5.
  • Need fast execution for scalping or high-frequency trading.
  • Prefer cTrader for its advanced features and low latency.

Choose Capital.com if you...

  • Are a beginner or intermediate trader who values educational resources.
  • Prefer a simple, intuitive platform with built-in analysis tools.
  • Trade less frequently and are okay with wider spreads.
  • Want a broker with no minimum deposit and easy account setup.

FAQ - IC Markets vs Capital.com in Australia

Is IC Markets or Capital.com better for Australia? +
Can Australia traders use both brokers legally? +
Which broker has lower spreads for Australia traders? +
How do Australia traders deposit at IC Markets and Capital.com? +
Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Australia? +

Final Verdict - Australia 2026

IC Markets wins overall

For Australia traders, particularly experienced ones, IC Markets is the clear winner. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects its superior trading conditions, including raw spreads from 0.0 pips, fast execution, and support for local payment methods like BPAY and POLi. Capital.com, with a 3.8/5 rating, is a solid choice for beginners but falls short for active traders due to wider spreads and slower execution. Both brokers are ASIC-regulated, so safety is not a concern. However, if you prioritize cost, speed, and advanced tools, IC Markets is the better fit. For those just starting out, Capital.com's educational resources and user-friendly platform may be more appealing. Ultimately, your choice should align with your trading style and experience level.

Open IC MarketsOpen Capital.com
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of July 2026.
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Score Summary
IC Markets Winner3.6/5
Capital.com 3.3/5
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Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money.