IC Markets vs Exness: Complete Comparison for Kazakhstan Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Kazakhstan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Kazakhstan traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2026, IC Markets and Exness stand out as top contenders, both earning a 4.8/5 rating. As retail traders in Kazakhstan, you need a broker that accepts local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and both brokers excel here. Kazakhstan's growing trading community values low costs, fast execution, and regulatory safety—areas where IC Markets and Exness compete fiercely. IC Markets is known for its institutional-grade spreads and MetaTrader platforms, while Exness offers flexible leverage and instant withdrawals. This comparison dives into trading costs, platforms, regulation, deposit methods, and Islamic accounts, all tailored for Kazakhstan traders. Whether you trade from Almaty or Nur-Sultan, understanding these differences helps you choose the right broker for your strategy. Let’s explore how IC Markets and Exness stack up for your needs.
| 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 |
For Kazakhstan traders, trading costs directly impact profitability, especially for high-volume scalpers. IC Markets offers tighter spreads on its Raw Spread account, starting from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD with a $7 round-turn commission per lot. Exness’s Zero account has spreads from 0.1 pips with a $3.5 commission per side, making IC Markets cheaper for frequent traders. On standard accounts, IC Markets has spreads from 0.6 pips (no commission), while Exness’s Standard account spreads start at 0.3 pips (no commission). For a Kazakhstan trader executing 50 lots per month, IC Markets saves approximately $100 in spread costs compared to Exness. However, Exness offers lower swap rates, benefiting long-term position traders. Consider your trading volume—IC Markets wins on raw spreads, Exness on flexibility.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan (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 the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, essential for Kazakhstan traders who rely on automated trading and custom indicators. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored for its advanced charting and fast execution, ideal for scalpers. Exness supports WebTerminal and mobile apps with a user-friendly interface, but lacks cTrader. For Kazakhstan traders, platform stability and local server access matter—IC Markets has servers in London and New York, while Exness offers servers in London and Frankfurt, both providing low latency for Kazakh connections. IC Markets edges ahead with cTrader for algorithmic traders, while Exness’s mobile app is slightly more intuitive for beginners.
| 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 renowned for its ultra-fast execution, with an average speed of 40 milliseconds on its Raw Spread account, using Equinix NY4 servers. Exness offers execution speeds of around 100 milliseconds, still competitive but slower. For Kazakhstan traders, latency to European servers is similar, but IC Markets’ lower slippage and requote rates make it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Exness uses a market maker model for some accounts, which can lead to slightly wider spreads during news events. IC Markets’ ECN model provides direct market access, ensuring tighter spreads and faster fills. For execution quality, IC Markets is the clear winner.
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. Exness holds licenses from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), CySEC, and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa. Neither broker is directly regulated by Kazakhstan’s local financial regulator, but they comply with international standards. For Kazakhstan traders, this means funds are segregated and negative balance protection applies under CySEC or FCA entities. Exness offers a slight edge with FCA regulation, providing stronger investor protection. Always verify the entity you open an account with—choose the one regulated in a jurisdiction that aligns with your risk appetite.
| 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 |
Kazakhstan traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. IC Markets supports these methods with a minimum deposit of $200 for bank transfers and $10 for e-wallets, and withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days. Exness offers a lower minimum deposit of $10 for all methods, including USDT, and withdrawals are instant (under 1 minute) for most e-wallets and USDT. For Bank Transfer, both brokers accept USD transfers from Kazakh banks, but Exness has faster processing (24 hours vs 2-3 days). Skrill and Neteller deposits are free at both, but Exness has no withdrawal fees, while IC Markets charges a small fee for certain methods. USDT deposits are seamless with both—Exness supports TRC20 and ERC20, while IC Markets uses ERC20. For convenience, Exness wins on speed and lower minimums.
| 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 |
For Muslim traders in Kazakhstan, swap-free Islamic accounts are available at both brokers. IC Markets offers Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw, and cTrader) upon request, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Exness provides Islamic accounts for Standard and Raw Spread accounts, but not for Zero or Pro accounts, and requires a minimum deposit of $500. IC Markets has no minimum deposit for Islamic accounts, making it more accessible. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying interest. For Kazakhstan traders who hold positions overnight, IC Markets offers greater flexibility and lower barriers to entry for Islamic trading.
| 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 |
IC Markets provides 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English as the primary language. Exness also offers 24/7 support in multiple languages, including Russian, which is widely spoken in Kazakhstan. For Kazakhstan traders, Exness’s Russian-language support is a significant advantage, as it reduces communication barriers. IC Markets has a knowledge base and FAQ section, but lacks local language options. Exness also offers a local phone number for Kazakhstan, while IC Markets relies on international lines. Overall, Exness provides more accessible support for Kazakh-speaking traders.
| 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 day trader needing ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and algorithmic trading.
- Trade high volumes (50+ lots per month) and want to minimize costs.
- Need a reliable Islamic account with no minimum deposit.
Choose Exness if you...
- Want instant withdrawals via USDT, Skrill, or Neteller with no fees.
- Prefer Russian-language customer support for easier communication.
- Require flexible leverage up to unlimited on small accounts.
- Are a beginner looking for a low minimum deposit ($10) and simple platforms.
For Kazakhstan traders in 2026, both IC Markets and Exness are top-tier brokers, but your choice depends on priorities. IC Markets excels in trading costs and execution speed, making it ideal for active traders who value raw spreads and cTrader. Exness offers unmatched convenience with instant withdrawals, lower minimum deposits, and local language support, appealing to beginners and those using USDT. Both accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and offer Islamic accounts. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, Exness’s FCA license provides extra security. If you trade frequently and prioritize cost, choose IC Markets. For flexibility and ease of use, Exness is better. Test both with demo accounts to see which fits your Kazakhstan trading style.