IC Markets vs Exness: Complete Comparison for Nepal Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Nepal traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Nepal traders looking to enter the global forex market, choosing between IC Markets and Exness is a critical decision. Both brokers are highly rated with a score of 4.8/5 and cater specifically to retail traders in Nepal. They support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. IC Markets is known for its ultra-tight spreads and advanced platforms like MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader, ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. Exness, on the other hand, offers unlimited leverage and instant withdrawals, which appeals to Nepali traders who want flexibility and fast access to funds. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier authorities, ensuring a safe trading environment. However, Nepal does not have a dedicated local forex regulator, so traders must rely on the brokers' international licenses. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, risk tolerance, and local payment preferences.
| 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 Nepal traders, trading costs are a key factor, especially for those trading high volumes. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, making it one of the cheapest for major pairs like EUR/USD. Exness provides spreads from 0.1 pips on its Zero account with a commission of $3.00 per lot per side. For standard accounts, Exness has spreads from 0.3 pips with no commission, while IC Markets' standard account has spreads from 0.6 pips. If you trade 10 lots daily, IC Markets can save you up to $10 per day in spread costs compared to Exness. However, Exness offers lower swap rates for overnight positions, which benefits swing traders in Nepal. Overall, IC Markets is better for high-frequency traders, while Exness suits those who hold positions longer.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal (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 brokers offer industry-leading platforms, but IC Markets has a slight edge for Nepal traders who need advanced tools. IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all with full EA compatibility and custom indicators. Exness offers MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTerminal, which is user-friendly but less customizable. For Nepal traders who rely on automated trading strategies, IC Markets' cTrader offers superior backtesting and order execution. Exness' platforms are more accessible for beginners with built-in risk management tools. Both brokers have mobile apps for Android and iOS, essential for traders in Nepal who trade on the go. If you prefer algorithmic trading, choose IC Markets; if you want simplicity, Exness is a solid choice.
| 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 |
Execution quality is critical for Nepal traders, especially scalpers. IC Markets offers execution speeds below 40ms using Equinix NY4 servers, ensuring minimal slippage. Exness has execution speeds around 50ms with its own infrastructure. Both brokers offer no dealing desk (NDD) execution, but IC Markets' cTrader platform provides more transparency with order book visibility. For high-frequency traders in Nepal, IC Markets is superior, while Exness is reliable for standard trading.
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is crucial for Nepal traders since there is no local financial regulator overseeing forex brokers. 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 is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, CySEC, and the FSA. Both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregated client funds, which is vital for Nepali traders. However, IC Markets' ASIC regulation provides the highest tier of protection, while Exness' FCA license offers similar safeguards. For Nepal traders, this means your deposits are safe, and you can trade with confidence. Always check the specific entity you open an account with to ensure it 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 |
Nepal traders benefit from multiple deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. IC Markets accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT (Tether) with no deposit fees. Minimum deposit is $200 for bank transfers and $50 for e-wallets and USDT. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for bank transfers and instantly for Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Exness also supports all four methods with a lower minimum deposit of $10 for e-wallets and USDT, and $200 for bank transfers. Exness offers instant withdrawals for e-wallets and USDT, often processed within seconds. Both brokers do not charge withdrawal fees, but bank transfers may incur intermediary bank charges. For Nepal traders, USDT is particularly convenient as it avoids currency conversion fees and offers faster processing. Skrill and Neteller are also popular for their speed and low costs.
| 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 Muslim traders in Nepal who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on request for all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Exness automatically offers Islamic accounts for clients from Islamic countries, including Nepal, with zero swap fees. Both brokers require that the account is not used for hedging or arbitrage strategies to maintain the swap-free status. IC Markets' Islamic accounts are available for both standard and raw spread accounts, while Exness offers them on all account types, including Standard and Zero. For Nepal traders, this ensures you can trade without interest charges, aligning with Islamic finance principles.
| 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 |
Customer support is essential for Nepal traders, and both brokers perform well. IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support in English. Exness provides 24/7 multilingual support, including English, with live chat and phone. IC Markets has a slight edge with faster response times (under 30 seconds on live chat). Exness offers a comprehensive FAQ and educational resources, which is helpful for beginners in Nepal. Both brokers have local support for Asia-Pacific time zones, ensuring you get help during Nepal's trading hours.
| 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 high-frequency trader needing ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips
- Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader with full EA support and backtesting
- Trade large volumes (10+ lots daily) to benefit from lower commission costs
- Value top-tier ASIC regulation for maximum fund security
Choose Exness if you...
- Need unlimited leverage for smaller account sizes to maximize returns
- Want instant withdrawals via Skrill, Neteller, or USDT with no delays
- Prefer a lower minimum deposit of $10 for e-wallets and USDT
- Are a beginner looking for user-friendly platforms and educational resources
For Nepal traders, both IC Markets and Exness are excellent choices, but the best broker depends on your trading style. IC Markets is ideal for high-volume scalpers and algorithmic traders who need low spreads and advanced platforms. Exness is better for beginners and traders who prioritize flexible leverage, instant withdrawals, and low minimum deposits. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits easy. Since Nepal does not have a local financial regulator, you should rely on the brokers' international licenses (ASIC for IC Markets, FCA for Exness) for safety. If you trade frequently and cost is your main concern, choose IC Markets. If you want flexibility and fast access to funds, go with Exness. Ultimately, both brokers offer a secure and efficient trading experience for Nepal traders in 2026.