IC Markets vs Exness: In-Depth Comparison for Taiwan Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Taiwan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Taiwan traders in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and Exness is a common dilemma as both are top-tier brokers with 4.8/5 ratings. IC Markets is renowned for its institutional-grade trading environment, offering raw spreads from 0.0 pips and fast execution via MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader. Exness, on the other hand, is celebrated for its flexible leverage up to 1:2000, instant withdrawals, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Taiwan traders often prioritize low costs, reliable funding, and regulatory safety. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, whether you are a scalper, swing trader, or long-term investor. Both brokers accept Taiwan clients and provide robust platforms, but their strengths differ. IC Markets excels in transparency and pricing, while Exness shines in user experience and accessibility. Understanding these nuances is key to optimizing your forex trading journey from Taiwan.
| 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 Taiwan traders, IC Markets has a clear edge for high-volume traders. Its Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot, resulting in an effective cost of about $7 per round turn. Exness Zero account spreads start from 0.1 pips with a $3.50 commission per lot, making it slightly more expensive. For low-volume traders, Exness Standard account (no commission, spreads from 0.3 pips) can be more cost-effective. In Taiwan, where trading volumes can vary, scalpers will prefer IC Markets for tighter spreads, while occasional traders may favor Exness for simplicity. Both brokers have no hidden fees for deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan (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, which are widely used by Taiwan traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a favorite for ECN trading with superior order execution and depth of market. Exness offers its proprietary WebTerminal and mobile apps, but lacks cTrader. For Taiwan traders who prefer algorithmic trading or copy trading, IC Markets supports a wider range of Expert Advisors (EAs) and has a larger community. Exness platforms are user-friendly and optimized for quick deposits and withdrawals, including USDT. Overall, IC Markets is better for tech-savvy traders, while Exness suits those who value simplicity and mobile trading.
| 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 no dealing desk intervention, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Taiwan. It uses Equinix NY4 data centers for low latency. Exness also offers fast execution with a 99.9% order fill rate, but its spreads can widen during volatile sessions. For Taiwan traders, IC Markets provides a more consistent execution environment, especially for ECN trading, while Exness is sufficient for most retail strategies. Both brokers have no requotes, but IC Markets is superior for time-sensitive 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities including 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 Taiwan traders, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, but both adhere to international standards, offering negative balance protection and segregated client funds. This means your funds are safe, but you should be aware that deposit insurance may not apply. Always verify the specific entity you are trading with to ensure compliance with your local laws.
| 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 |
Taiwan traders have convenient deposit and withdrawal options at both brokers. IC Markets supports Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, with no deposit fees and withdrawals processed within 1-2 business days for bank transfers. Exness offers the same methods but with faster processing—USDT and e-wallet withdrawals are often instant. For Taiwan traders, USDT is particularly appealing due to its speed and low cost, especially for those dealing with cryptocurrency. Exness has a minimum deposit of $10 via USDT, while IC Markets requires $200 for bank transfers. Both brokers do not charge internal fees, but third-party bank fees may apply. Overall, Exness is more flexible for smaller deposits and faster withdrawals, while IC Markets is reliable for larger sums.
| 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 Taiwan Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying interest. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard, with no swap charges on overnight positions for major forex pairs and commodities. Exness also offers swap-free accounts, but they are subject to eligibility verification and may have restrictions on certain instruments. For Taiwan traders, both brokers ensure compliance with Sharia law, but IC Markets is more straightforward with automatic swap-free status upon request. Exness may require additional documentation. If you are a Muslim trader in Taiwan, both brokers are suitable, but IC Markets offers a simpler process.
| 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 dedicated support for Asia-Pacific clients including Taiwan. Exness also offers 24/7 multilingual support with a focus on fast response times. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources. For Taiwan traders, Exness has a slight edge with Chinese language support and local payment method expertise, while IC Markets is known for technical support for platform issues. Overall, both are reliable, but Exness may be more accessible for Mandarin-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 algorithmic trader needing ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips.
- Prefer cTrader platform for advanced order types and depth of market.
- Trade high volumes and want low-cost per lot with commission-based pricing.
- Need a broker with strong regulation and a long history of reliability.
Choose Exness if you...
- Want instant deposits and withdrawals via USDT, Skrill, or Neteller.
- Prefer flexible leverage up to 1:2000 for smaller accounts.
- Are a low-volume trader who benefits from commission-free standard accounts.
- Value Chinese language support and a user-friendly mobile platform.
For Taiwan traders in 2026, both IC Markets and Exness are outstanding brokers with 4.8/5 ratings, but the best choice depends on your priorities. IC Markets wins on trading costs and execution, making it ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders who can leverage Bank Transfer or USDT for larger deposits. Exness excels in flexibility with instant withdrawals, low minimum deposits, and support for local payment methods like Skrill and Neteller, appealing to retail traders with smaller capital. If you prioritize ultra-low spreads and advanced platforms, IC Markets is your pick. If you value fast funding and ease of use, Exness is better. Both are regulated and safe, but always check the local financial regulator guidelines. Ultimately, your trading style and funding preferences will guide your decision.