Which broker is better for Italy traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Italy traders navigating the forex market, IC Markets and Exness stand out as two of the most reliable offshore brokers, each offering unique advantages. IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-low spreads and professional-grade trading platforms, making it a top choice for active traders who prioritize cost efficiency. Exness, on the other hand, attracts a broader audience with flexible leverage, low minimum deposits, and instant withdrawal processing. Both brokers support popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring seamless deposits and withdrawals for Italian clients. While IC Markets is stronger for scalpers and algorithmic traders, Exness appeals to beginners and those seeking high leverage. This comparison examines their regulation, costs, platforms, and services specifically for Italy traders in 2026, helping you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals.
| 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 Italy traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for those trading EUR/USD or other major pairs. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, resulting in a total cost of about $7 per lot round-turn. Exness Standard account has variable spreads from 0.3 pips with no commission, while its Zero account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3.5 per lot commission. For high-volume traders, IC Markets' lower spreads can save hundreds of dollars monthly, while Exness may be more cost-effective for low-volume traders due to its no-commission Standard account. Both brokers offer competitive costs, but IC Markets edges ahead for active Italy traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Italy (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 |
IC Markets and Exness both support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the most popular platforms among Italy traders. IC Markets also offers cTrader, a platform preferred for its advanced charting and order execution, which is ideal for scalpers. Exness provides its proprietary WebTerminal and mobile apps, but lacks cTrader. For Italy traders who value flexibility, IC Markets' cTrader is a strong advantage, while Exness' platforms are user-friendly for beginners. Both brokers ensure stable connections with servers in London and New York, minimizing latency for Italian clients.
| 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 ultra-fast execution, with average speeds of 40ms, using Equinix NY4 and LD4 servers. Exness also offers fast execution, averaging 50ms, with servers in London, New York, and Singapore. For Italy traders, both brokers provide reliable order execution, but IC Markets' lower latency and no requotes make it ideal for scalping and high-frequency strategies. Exness execution is still strong but slightly slower under high volatility.
| 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), while Exness holds licenses from CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles. For Italy traders, these international licenses provide a level of security, but they are not under the direct oversight of CONSOB, Italy's local financial regulator. This means Italy traders benefit from strong investor protection schemes (e.g., ICF up to โฌ20,000 for CySEC) but should be aware that offshore regulation may limit some local protections. Both brokers comply with ESMA leverage rules for EU clients, including Italy traders.
| 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 |
Both IC Markets and Exness offer convenient deposit and withdrawal methods for Italy traders, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 for most methods, while Exness allows deposits from $10, making it more accessible for beginners. Processing times are instant for Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, while Bank Transfer may take 1-3 business days. Exness is known for its instant withdrawal processing, often completed within seconds, whereas IC Markets processes withdrawals within 1-2 business days. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but Exness covers withdrawal fees for most methods, while IC Markets may pass on third-party charges. Italy traders should consider their preferred payment method and withdrawal speed when choosing between the two.
| 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 Italy Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard, with no swap fees on overnight positions. Exness offers Islamic accounts on Standard and Cent accounts only, and traders must request activation via customer support. Both brokers require clients to confirm their Muslim faith and that the account is not used for speculative purposes. For Italy traders seeking flexibility, IC Markets' broader availability of Islamic accounts is an advantage, while Exness' simpler process may suffice for those on Standard accounts.
| 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 |
IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with dedicated Italian-speaking agents available during business hours. Exness also provides 24/7 support with live chat and email, and has a comprehensive Italian FAQ section. Both brokers respond quickly, but IC Markets is slightly faster for complex queries. Italy traders can expect professional assistance from both, though Exness' phone support is limited to certain regions.
| 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 Italy traders, the choice between IC Markets and Exness depends on trading style and priorities. IC Markets excels with tighter spreads, cTrader, and professional-grade execution, making it ideal for active and high-volume traders. Exness stands out with low minimum deposits, instant withdrawals, and flexible leverage, catering to beginners and those seeking convenience. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and operate under reputable international regulators. Considering local factors, IC Markets is better for cost-focused traders, while Exness is more accessible for those starting or trading smaller amounts. Ultimately, your decision should align with your trading frequency, capital, and platform preferences.