IC Markets vs Exness 2026: In-Depth Comparison for Japan Traders
Which broker is better for Japan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Japan traders comparing IC Markets vs Exness in 2026, both brokers score an impressive 4.8/5 and are top choices for retail forex trading. IC Markets is renowned for its raw spreads (from 0.0 pips) and institutional-grade execution via MetaTrader 4 and 5, making it ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. Exness, on the other hand, offers flexible leverage up to 1:2000, unlimited volume, and a user-friendly platform, appealing to both beginners and high-volume traders. Both brokers accept Japanese residents and support popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. However, neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, so traders must rely on international licenses (e.g., FSA, CySEC). This comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, deposits, and more to help you choose the best broker for your trading style in Japan.
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Japan traders, IC Markets offers lower spreads on its Raw Spread account (from 0.0 pips) with a $3.50 commission per lot round turn. Exness' Zero account starts from 0.1 pips with a $3.50 commission, making IC Markets slightly cheaper for high-volume scalpers. On standard accounts, Exness spreads average 0.3 pips (no commission), while IC Markets' Standard account has spreads from 0.6 pips (no commission). For Japan traders trading 10+ lots daily, IC Markets' raw spreads save more; for smaller volumes, Exness' commission-free standard account may be more cost-effective. Both brokers offer competitive costs in USD-denominated accounts.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Japan (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) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | Exness |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and Exness offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are widely used by Japan traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and fast execution. IC Markets also provides cTrader for ECN trading with Level II pricing, ideal for scalpers. Exness offers a proprietary web platform and mobile app with social trading features, but lacks cTrader. For Japan traders who prioritize algorithmic trading and raw spreads, IC Markets' cTrader is a plus. Exness' platforms are more beginner-friendly with integrated risk management tools. Both support Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT4/MT5.
| 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| News trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is known for its ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms and no requotes, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. Exness offers execution speeds under 100ms with 99.9% order execution without requotes. For Japan traders using scalping or EAs, IC Markets' faster execution is a clear advantage. Exness still provides reliable execution, but IC Markets is the better choice for latency-sensitive strategies. Both brokers have 0% requotes on market orders.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #730729 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Neither IC Markets nor Exness is regulated by the local financial regulator (JFSA), but both hold licenses from reputable authorities. IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). Exness is regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles and CySEC. For Japan traders, this means no local investor protection (e.g., compensation fund), so due diligence is essential. Both brokers segregate client funds and offer negative balance protection. IC Markets' ASIC regulation is stronger, while Exness' FSA license allows higher leverage. Always check the broker's terms for Japanese residents before opening an account.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24/7 automated; 98% instant to 24hrs; mobile money often instant; bank transfer 1-3 days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Japan traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both IC Markets and Exness. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 via bank transfer (free) and $50 for e-wallets/USDT; withdrawals are free and processed within 24 hours. Exness has a lower minimum deposit of $10 via all methods, with instant processing for e-wallets and USDT. Both brokers support USD accounts, and deposits are fee-free. For Japan traders, Skrill and Neteller are popular for quick funding, while USDT offers crypto convenience. Bank transfers may take 1-3 business days. Exness' lower minimum makes it more accessible for beginners, while IC Markets' higher threshold suits serious traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Exness offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Japan traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader) with no swap charges, but they are not available for certain commodities or indices. Exness offers Islamic accounts on all forex pairs with no swap fees, and they can be activated instantly via a support request. For Japan Muslim traders, Exness' policy is more flexible, while IC Markets' Islamic accounts are still competitive. Both brokers require that Islamic accounts are not used for hedging or arbitrage to maintain compliance.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✓ | Exness |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
Both brokers offer 24/7 customer support in English, but neither provides dedicated Japanese-language support. IC Markets offers live chat, email, and phone support with fast response times (under 1 minute on chat). Exness also has 24/7 live chat and email support, with phone support in multiple languages. For Japan traders, language may be a barrier; however, both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and video tutorials. IC Markets' support is slightly more responsive, while Exness offers more self-service tools.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Exness | 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 | Exness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | 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 algorithmic trader needing raw spreads from 0.0 pips
- Prefer cTrader for ECN trading with Level II pricing
- Trade high volumes (10+ lots daily) to maximize spread savings
- Value ASIC regulation for stronger oversight
Choose Exness if you...
- Are a beginner or retail trader wanting a low minimum deposit ($10)
- Need flexible leverage up to 1:2000 for smaller accounts
- Prefer instant deposits via Skrill, Neteller, or USDT with no minimum
- Want unlimited trading volume and easy Islamic account activation
For Japan traders in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and Exness depends on your trading style. IC Markets wins on raw spreads, execution speed, and regulation (ASIC), making it ideal for scalpers and professionals trading high volumes. Exness excels with lower minimum deposits, flexible leverage, and instant deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, perfect for beginners or those with smaller capital. Neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, so always verify licensing. If you prioritize low costs and speed, go with IC Markets. If you want accessibility and flexibility, Exness is the better choice. Both are top-tier brokers with 4.8/5 ratings.