Which broker is better for Greece traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Greece traders looking for a reliable forex broker in 2026 often compare IC Markets and Exness, two of the most popular choices globally. Both brokers score 4.8/5 and offer strong features for retail traders in Greece. IC Markets is known for its ultra-low spreads and advanced MetaTrader platforms, while Exness provides flexible leverage up to 1:2000 and instant withdrawals. For Greece traders, local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT are supported by both, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. The local financial regulator (HCMC) oversees trading activities in Greece, but both brokers operate under international licenses. This comparison will help you decide which broker suits your trading style, whether you prioritize low costs, fast execution, or flexible account options.
| 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 |
When it comes to trading costs, IC Markets typically offers tighter spreads, especially on its Raw Spread account where spreads start from 0.0 pips with a $7 round-turn commission per lot. Exness also offers competitive spreads, starting from 0.1 pips on its Zero account with a similar commission structure. For Greece traders trading high volumes, IC Markets' lower spreads can lead to significant savings over time. However, Exness may be more cost-effective for smaller accounts due to its flexible leverage and lower minimum deposit. Consider your trading frequency and volume when choosing between the two.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greece (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 offer the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely used by Greece traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored by ECN traders for its advanced order management and transparency. Exness offers its own WebTerminal and mobile apps, but lacks cTrader. For Greece traders who value advanced charting and automated trading, IC Markets' cTrader support is a key advantage. Both brokers also offer copy trading platforms like ZuluTrade and Myfxbook.
| 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 |
IC Markets is known for its low-latency execution, with servers located in the NY4 data center for fast trade processing. Exness also offers high-speed execution with a focus on no requotes and minimal slippage. For Greece traders, execution speed is critical for scalping and day trading. IC Markets' ECN model provides direct market access, while Exness uses a hybrid model. Both brokers have excellent execution quality, but IC Markets may be slightly better for high-frequency traders.
| 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 |
IC Markets is regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring compliance with EU financial laws. Exness is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and CySEC, among others. While neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in Greece (HCMC), their CySEC licenses allow them to operate across the EU, including Greece. This means Greece traders benefit from investor protection schemes like the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) for CySEC-regulated entities. Always check the specific entity you are trading with to ensure it offers the required protections.
| 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 |
Greece traders have several convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both IC Markets and Exness. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT (cryptocurrency). IC Markets processes deposits instantly and withdrawals within 1-2 business days for bank transfers, while Exness offers instant withdrawals for most e-wallets and USDT. Minimum deposits start at $200 for IC Markets and $10 for Exness, making Exness more accessible for smaller accounts. Fees are generally low or zero for these methods, but always check for any bank charges on international transfers. For Greece traders using USDT, both brokers support TRC-20 and ERC-20 networks.
| 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 |
Both IC Markets and Exness offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Greece who wish to trade without earning or paying interest. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types, while Exness offers them on Standard and Raw Spread accounts. To open an Islamic account, you need to request it during registration or contact support. Note that some brokers may charge a fee for holding positions overnight on swap-free accounts, so check the terms. For Greece traders, both brokers comply with Sharia law requirements, making them suitable choices.
| 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 |
Both IC Markets and Exness offer 24/7 customer support in English and other languages. IC Markets provides live chat, email, and phone support, while Exness offers live chat, email, and a comprehensive FAQ section. For Greece traders, response times are generally fast, but language support may be limited to English. Exness has a slight edge with its multilingual support team, which may include Greek language assistance. Both brokers also offer educational resources and webinars.
| 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 Greece traders in 2026, both IC Markets and Exness are outstanding brokers with a 4.8/5 score. IC Markets is the better choice if you prioritize tight spreads, advanced platforms like cTrader, and direct market access for scalping. Exness wins if you need flexible leverage, instant withdrawals via Skrill, Neteller, or USDT, and a lower minimum deposit. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer and are regulated by CySEC, offering EU-level investor protection. Consider your trading style and account size: IC Markets for cost efficiency, Exness for flexibility and convenience. Ultimately, opening demo accounts with both can help you decide which broker fits your Greece trading needs.