Which broker is better for Austria traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Austria traders navigating the forex market in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and Exness is a critical decision. Both brokers boast a 4.8/5 rating and are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment under EU MiFID II standards. IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-low spreads and fast execution, ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders in Vienna or Salzburg. Exness, on the other hand, offers flexible leverage up to 1:2000 and instant withdrawals, appealing to traders who value liquidity and account flexibility. With local payment options like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, Austria traders can fund accounts in EUR without conversion fees. Whether you trade indices, forex, or commodities, this comparison dives into spreads, regulation, and deposit methods tailored to Austria's retail trading community. Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and 5, cTrader, and WebTrader, ensuring compatibility with local trading styles. As the Austrian Schilling is long replaced by the Euro, these brokers provide EUR-denominated accounts to avoid currency risk. Read on to see which broker aligns with your trading goals in Austria's regulated forex landscape.
| Instrument | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Exness |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Exness |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Exness |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Exness |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | Exness |
| Inactivity fee | โ | โ | Tie |
For Austria traders, trading costs are a major factor, especially for high-volume strategies. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a $3.5 commission per lot, making it cheaper for scalpers trading major pairs like EUR/USD. Exness has slightly higher spreads on standard accounts (0.3 pips on EUR/USD) but offers zero-spread accounts on specific pairs with a commission. For Austria traders executing 10+ lots daily, IC Markets can save up to 30% in costs compared to Exness. However, Exness's lower minimum deposit ($10 vs $200) makes it more accessible for beginners. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but IC Markets has a small withdrawal fee for bank transfers, while Exness offers free withdrawals. Consider your trading volume and frequency to decide which cost structure suits your Austrian trading account.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | โ | โ |
| ECN / Raw spread | โ | โ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | โ | โ |
| Demo account | โ | โ |
| PAMM / MAM account | โ | โ |
| Zero spread account | โ | โ |
| Copy trading | โ | โ |
| VPS trading | โ | โ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Neg. balance protection | โ | โ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 1:2000 |
| 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 | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | โ | โ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | โ | โ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | โ | โ | Exness |
| ETFs | โ | โ | Tie |
| Options | โ | โ | Tie |
| Futures | โ | โ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | โ | โ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | โ | โ |
| cTrader | โ | โ |
| TradingView | โ | โ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | โ | โ |
| Scalping allowed | โ | โ |
| Hedging allowed | โ | โ |
| Fixed spreads | โ | โ |
| Variable spreads | โ | โ |
Both IC Markets and Exness support MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader, which are popular among Austria traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also offers WebTrader and mobile apps with one-click trading, ideal for Vienna-based traders needing fast execution. Exness provides its proprietary Exness Terminal and TradingView integration, giving Austria traders access to social trading and advanced indicators. For algorithmic traders, both brokers support Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5, but IC Markets has lower latency with servers in London and New York, reducing slippage for Austrian traders. Exness's platform is more user-friendly for beginners, with built-in risk management tools like stop-loss and take-profit. Choose IC Markets for raw execution speed or Exness for a feature-rich, beginner-friendly interface.
| Factor | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Exness |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | โ | โ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | โ | โ | Tie |
| News trading | โ | โ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | โ | โ | Tie |
Execution quality is vital for Austria traders, especially scalpers and day traders. IC Markets boasts an average execution speed of 40ms on MetaTrader servers, with no requotes and deep liquidity from 25+ banks. Exness offers execution speeds of around 100ms, with a focus on stability and minimal slippage. For high-frequency traders in Austria, IC Markets's lower latency and direct market access (DMA) on cTrader provide a competitive edge. Exness's execution is reliable but slightly slower, though its high leverage options compensate for some traders. Both brokers use straight-through processing (STP) without a dealing desk, ensuring fair order execution. For Austria traders trading during European sessions, IC Markets's London servers reduce latency significantly.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #730729 |
| Verify registration | Verify โ | Verify โ |
| Top-tier regulated | โ | โ |
| Investor protection | โ | โ |
| Segregated funds | โ | โ |
| Neg. balance protection | โ | โ |
Both IC Markets and Exness are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring compliance with EU financial directives like MiFID II. This means Austria traders benefit from negative balance protection, segregated client funds, and access to the Financial Ombudsman for dispute resolution. IC Markets is also regulated by CySEC and ASIC, while Exness holds licenses from the FCA and FSCA, adding an extra layer of oversight. For Austria traders, this regulatory framework ensures that funds are held in separate accounts and that brokers adhere to strict capital adequacy requirements. Both brokers offer EUR-denominated accounts, avoiding currency conversion risks. The local financial regulator's supervision means that Austria traders can trade with confidence, knowing their investments are protected under EU law. Always verify the broker's license number on the regulator's website for peace of mind.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | โ | โ |
| Visa / Mastercard | โ | โ |
| Skrill | โ | โ |
| Neteller | โ | โ |
| USDT / Crypto | โ | โ |
| 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 | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
For Austria traders, depositing and withdrawing funds is seamless with both IC Markets and Exness. Both brokers accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, with EUR accounts available to avoid conversion fees. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 (or EUR equivalent), while Exness has a lower threshold of $10. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days, while e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are instant. USDT deposits are processed within minutes, ideal for crypto-savvy Austrian traders. Withdrawals are hassle-free: IC Markets processes within 1-2 days for bank transfers and instantly for e-wallets, while Exness offers instant withdrawals for all methods, including bank transfers (under $10,000). Austria traders should note that IC Markets charges a small fee for bank withdrawals, while Exness is free. Both brokers support multi-currency accounts, but using EUR minimizes costs. For frequent traders, Exness's instant withdrawal feature is a standout advantage.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | โ | โ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | โ | โ |
| Gold swap-free | โ | โ |
| Crypto swap-free | โ | โ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Austria Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant trading, both IC Markets and Exness offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types, including Standard and Raw Spread, with no interest charged on overnight positions. Exness offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Raw Spread accounts, but not on Zero accounts. Both brokers require a verification process to confirm eligibility, usually within 24 hours. For Austria traders, these accounts are available in EUR, and both brokers ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles by waiving swap fees. However, IC Markets may charge an administrative fee after a holding period (usually 7 days), while Exness has no such fee. Exness also allows unlimited swap-free trading, making it more suitable for long-term position traders. Always confirm the terms with the broker's support team before opening an Islamic account.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | โ | โ | Tie |
| Phone support | โ | โ | Tie |
| Email support | โ | โ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | โ | โ | Exness |
| 24/5 support | โ | โ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
Customer support is crucial for Austria traders, and both brokers offer 24/7 multilingual support. IC Markets provides live chat, email, and phone support in German, English, and other languages, with response times under 30 seconds on live chat. Exness also offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, with German-speaking agents available. For Austria traders, Exness has a slight edge with a dedicated German-language support team and a comprehensive FAQ section in German. IC Markets's support is faster for technical issues, while Exness excels in account-related queries. Both brokers offer educational resources in German, including webinars and tutorials, supporting Austrian traders at all levels.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5โ | 4.3โ | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3โ | 4.2โ | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | โ | โ | Tie |
| Push notifications | โ | โ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | โ | โ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | โ | โ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | โ | โ | Tie |
| Dark mode | โ | โ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | โ | โ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | โ | โ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose Exness if you...
For Austria traders in 2026, the choice between IC Markets and Exness depends on your trading style and priorities. IC Markets excels in low-cost trading with spreads from 0.0 pips and faster execution, making it ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders in Austria's competitive forex scene. Exness stands out with its instant withdrawals, low minimum deposit, and high leverage, appealing to beginners and flexible traders. Both brokers are regulated by the local financial regulator, ensuring safety for Austrian clients. With local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, funding accounts in EUR is straightforward. If you prioritize cost efficiency and speed, choose IC Markets. If you value accessibility, instant payouts, and leverage, Exness is the better fit. Ultimately, both brokers offer excellent conditions for Austria traders, but your specific needs will guide the final decision.