IC Markets vs Exness: Which Broker is Best for Ukraine Traders in 2026?
Which broker is better for Ukraine traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For traders in Ukraine, choosing between IC Markets and Exness is a decision that hinges on trading style, cost sensitivity, and local payment convenience. Both brokers boast a stellar 4.8/5 rating and cater to retail traders with robust platforms, but they differ in key areas like spreads, leverage, and withdrawal speed. IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-tight spreads and deep liquidity, ideal for scalpers and EA traders in Ukraine who need low-cost execution. Exness, on the other hand, offers flexible leverage up to 1:2000 and instant withdrawals, which appeals to retail traders who prioritize fast access to profits and simpler trading conditions. With both brokers supporting local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, Ukraine traders can fund accounts in USD without hassle. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your goals—whether you prioritize cost efficiency or flexibility in the Ukrainian trading landscape.
| 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, IC Markets has a clear edge for high-volume Ukraine traders. Its Raw Spread account offers spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Exness’s Standard account has spreads starting from 0.3 pips with no commission, but for traders executing 10+ lots per month, IC Markets becomes significantly cheaper. For example, on 50 lots, IC Markets saves roughly $150 in spread costs compared to Exness. However, Exness’s Zero account (from 0.0 pips + commission) is competitive for smaller volumes. Ukraine traders should consider their average trade size and frequency to choose the most cost-effective option.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine (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 MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the most popular platforms among Ukraine traders for forex and CFDs. IC Markets also provides cTrader, which offers advanced charting and direct market access, appealing to scalpers and algorithmic traders. Exness focuses on MT4/MT5 with a user-friendly interface and mobile apps optimized for on-the-go trading. For Ukraine traders who need fast execution and custom indicators, IC Markets’ cTrader is a standout. Exness’s web trader platform is simpler and great for beginners. Both brokers support VPS hosting for automated strategies, a key feature for Ukraine traders using EAs.
| 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 speeds, averaging under 40 milliseconds on MetaTrader platforms, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. This is ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Ukraine. Exness also offers fast execution (under 100 milliseconds) but with less consistency during high volatility. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with no requotes. For Ukraine traders who prioritize speed for short-term strategies, 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while Exness holds licenses from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator in Ukraine, but both comply with international standards that ensure client fund segregation and negative balance protection. For Ukraine traders, this means a high level of security, though you should be aware that deposit insurance schemes (e.g., FSCS) may not apply to non-UK clients. Always verify the broker’s license and your eligibility before trading.
| 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 |
Ukraine traders can deposit and withdraw funds using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT (Tether) at both IC Markets and Exness. IC Markets processes deposits in USD with no fees, but bank transfers can take 1-3 business days, while e-wallets and USDT are instant. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 days for bank transfers. Exness offers faster withdrawals, often within minutes for e-wallets and USDT, and same-day for bank transfers in many cases. Both brokers have no withdrawal fees, but your bank may charge. For Ukraine traders who value speed, Exness’s instant withdrawal system is a major advantage, while IC Markets’ reliability for larger sums is equally strong.
| 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 Ukraine, in compliance with Sharia law that prohibits interest. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts upon request, with no swap charges on overnight positions, though some instruments may incur administrative fees after a holding period. Exness automatically applies swap-free conditions for clients from Islamic regions, including Ukraine, with no time limits or extra costs. This makes Exness slightly more convenient for Ukraine Muslim traders who want a hassle-free swap-free experience. Both brokers require a declaration of faith for eligibility.
| 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 agents including Russian and Ukrainian languages. Exness also provides 24/7 support in multiple languages, including Ukrainian, through live chat and email. Response times are similar—under 2 minutes for live chat. For Ukraine traders, Exness’s dedicated local language support and extensive FAQ in Ukrainian give it a slight edge in accessibility, though both brokers are responsive and helpful.
| 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 and fast execution.
- Trade high volumes (10+ lots per month) to benefit from low spread costs.
- Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader for direct market access.
- Value regulatory oversight from ASIC/CySEC for added security.
Choose Exness if you...
- Are a beginner or retail trader who wants simple, flexible leverage up to 1:2000.
- Need instant withdrawals via Skrill, Neteller, or USDT for fast access to funds.
- Prefer a swap-free Islamic account with no time limits or extra fees.
- Want local language support in Ukrainian and a user-friendly mobile app.
For Ukraine traders, the choice between IC Markets and Exness depends on your trading style and priorities. IC Markets excels in low-cost, high-speed execution, making it the top pick for scalpers and EA traders who trade large volumes. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT ensures easy funding in USD. Exness, on the other hand, offers unmatched withdrawal speed, flexible leverage, and a beginner-friendly experience, ideal for retail traders who value simplicity and fast access to profits. Both brokers are regulated internationally and not by the local financial regulator in Ukraine, but they provide strong security. If you prioritize cost efficiency and advanced tools, choose IC Markets. If you value flexibility and instant withdrawals, choose Exness. Either way, you’re in safe hands with a 4.8-rated broker.