IC Markets vs Exness: Netherlands Trader Comparison 2026
Which broker is better for Netherlands traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Netherlands traders navigating the forex market in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and Exness is a critical decision. Both brokers score an impressive 4.8/5 and offer robust services tailored to Dutch retail traders. IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-low spreads, deep liquidity, and advanced trading platforms like MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader, making it a top choice for scalpers and algorithmic traders. Exness, on the other hand, stands out with flexible leverage up to 1:2000, instant withdrawals, and a wide range of deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. For Netherlands traders, both brokers accept local payment methods and support USD as the base currency. While neither is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, they operate under respected international licenses, ensuring a secure trading environment. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading style and local 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 |
When comparing trading costs for Netherlands traders, IC Markets offers tighter spreads on its Raw Spread account, starting from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Exness provides spreads from 0.1 pips on its Zero account, with a commission of $3.00 per lot. For Dutch traders trading high volumes, IC Markets is more cost-effective due to lower raw spreads, though Exness offers a slight commission advantage. Swap rates are competitive at both brokers, but Exness offers better overnight rates for certain currency pairs. Overall, IC Markets edges ahead for spread-sensitive traders, while Exness offers a balanced cost structure with lower commissions.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands (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 popular among Netherlands traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets additionally provides cTrader, a platform favored by ECN traders for its transparency and fast execution. Exness offers its own WebTerminal for quick browser-based trading. For Dutch traders who value algorithmic trading, IC Markets supports more expert advisors (EAs) and has lower latency on its servers. Exness provides a user-friendly mobile app with one-click trading. Both platforms are available in Dutch language, ensuring ease of use for local traders.
| 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 offers ECN execution with low latency and no requotes, making it ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Exness provides instant execution with no requotes on most account types, but its execution speed is slightly slower than IC Markets due to market maker model on Standard accounts. For Netherlands traders who prioritize fast execution, IC Markets is the better choice, while Exness offers more flexible execution options for different trading styles.
| 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) in Seychelles. Exness is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, CySEC, and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles. For Netherlands traders, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, but both adhere to EU client fund protection standards under CySEC. This means Dutch traders benefit from negative balance protection and segregated accounts. However, leverage restrictions under CySEC may apply, so traders should check the entity they open accounts with. Overall, both brokers offer a secure regulatory framework for Netherlands clients.
| 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 |
Netherlands traders can deposit and withdraw funds using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both IC Markets and Exness. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 via bank transfer, while e-wallets and USDT have no minimum. Deposits are processed instantly for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 1 business day for e-wallets. Exness offers instant deposits for all methods, including USDT, with no minimum deposit for e-wallets and USDT. Withdrawals at Exness are also instant for e-wallets and USDT, making it ideal for Dutch traders who need fast access to funds. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but bank transfers may incur intermediary bank charges. USDT deposits are particularly convenient for crypto-savvy Dutch 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 Netherlands Muslim traders who wish to trade in accordance with Sharia law. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Exness offers swap-free accounts automatically for clients from Muslim-majority regions, including Netherlands. Dutch traders should note that both brokers may charge an administrative fee after a holding period (e.g., 30 days) to prevent abuse. Exness has a more straightforward application process, while IC Markets requires a formal request. Overall, both brokers cater well to the needs of Muslim traders in Netherlands.
| 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 offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual support including Dutch. Exness also provides 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated Dutch-speaking team. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections on their websites. Exness is known for faster response times on live chat, while IC Markets excels in technical support for platform issues. For Netherlands traders, both brokers provide reliable and accessible support.
| 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...
- Prefer ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips for cost-effective trading.
- Use algorithmic trading or Expert Advisors (EAs) on MetaTrader or cTrader.
- Trade high volumes and need deep liquidity with fast execution.
- Want a broker with a strong reputation among professional traders.
Choose Exness if you...
- Need flexible leverage up to 1:2000 for capital efficiency.
- Value instant deposits and withdrawals, especially via USDT and e-wallets.
- Prefer a user-friendly platform with a low minimum deposit.
- Want a broker with a dedicated Dutch-speaking support team.
For Netherlands traders in 2026, both IC Markets and Exness are excellent choices, each excelling in different areas. IC Markets is the top pick for traders who prioritize ultra-low spreads, fast execution, and advanced platforms like cTrader, making it ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. Exness is better suited for traders who value flexible leverage, instant withdrawals, and a wide range of deposit options including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. While neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, both provide secure trading environments under international licenses. Ultimately, your choice depends on your trading style: choose IC Markets for cost efficiency and speed, or Exness for flexibility and convenience. Both brokers support Dutch traders with local payment methods and responsive customer service.