IC Markets vs Exness: A Complete Comparison for Uzbekistan Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Uzbekistan traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Uzbekistan traders looking to enter the forex market, choosing the right broker is critical. IC Markets and Exness are two of the most popular global brokers, both scoring 4.8/5, but they serve different needs. IC Markets, based in Australia, is known for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, making it ideal for active traders. Exness, headquartered in Cyprus, offers flexible leverage and a wide range of local payment methods, including USDT, which is increasingly popular in Uzbekistan. Both brokers accept clients from Uzbekistan and support deposits via Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. However, local traders must consider factors like spread costs, platform availability, and regulatory protection. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns best with your trading style and local requirements in Tashkent or elsewhere in Uzbekistan.
| 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 Uzbekistan traders, trading costs are a major factor. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Exness standard account starts from 0.1 pips with no commission, but its raw spread account has a commission of $3 per lot. For a trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, IC Markets costs about $70 in commissions plus spreads, while Exness costs around $60 in spreads but no commission. For high-volume traders, IC Markets is more cost-effective due to lower spreads, while Exness suits smaller retail traders who prefer commission-free trading. Both brokers offer competitive costs for Uzbekistan traders, but the choice depends on your trading frequency.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan (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 and MetaTrader 5, which are widely used by Uzbekistan traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform popular for its advanced charting and fast execution. Exness offers its proprietary Exness Terminal, which is web-based and requires no download. For Uzbekistan traders with limited internet bandwidth, Exness Terminal is lighter and more accessible. Mobile trading is robust on both brokers, with apps available for iOS and Android. IC Markets' cTrader is particularly favored by scalpers in Uzbekistan for its depth of market and one-click trading. Overall, IC Markets offers more platform variety, while Exness focuses on simplicity and accessibility.
| 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 an average speed of 40ms, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. Exness offers execution speeds of around 50ms, which is still very competitive. For Uzbekistan traders, execution speed is crucial for scalping and news trading. IC Markets' execution is more consistent during high volatility, while Exness offers partial fill protection. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, ensuring no re-quotes. For traders in Uzbekistan with good internet connections, both brokers provide excellent execution quality.
| 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). Exness is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and CySEC. For Uzbekistan traders, regulation by CySEC is relevant as it offers negative balance protection and access to the Investor Compensation Fund. The local financial regulator in Uzbekistan does not directly oversee forex brokers, so traders rely on international oversight. IC Markets' ASIC regulation provides strong client fund segregation, while Exness's FCA regulation offers compensation up to £85,000. Both brokers are considered safe, but Uzbekistan traders should verify the specific entity they are trading with for maximum protection.
| 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 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is a key concern for Uzbekistan traders. Both IC Markets and Exness support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets processes bank transfers within 1-2 business days, while e-wallet and USDT deposits are instant. Exness offers instant deposits for all methods, including USDT, which is widely used in Uzbekistan due to its low fees and fast processing. For withdrawals, IC Markets charges no fees for e-wallets but may have bank transfer fees. Exness offers free withdrawals for most methods, including USDT. Minimum deposits are low: $200 for IC Markets and $10 for Exness. Uzbekistan traders should note that USDT deposits are particularly convenient for avoiding currency conversion fees from UZS to USD.
| 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 Uzbekistan Muslim traders who follow Sharia law. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no overnight interest charged on positions. Exness automatically offers Islamic accounts to clients from Muslim-majority countries, including Uzbekistan, with no additional documentation required. Exness also allows long-term holding of swap-free positions without restrictions, while IC Markets may limit the number of days a position can be held. For Uzbekistan traders who trade frequently or hold positions overnight, Exness's more flexible Islamic account policy may be preferable. Both brokers ensure that swap-free accounts are available without extra fees.
| 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 available 24/7 for both brokers, but language options differ. IC Markets offers support in English, Russian, and several other languages, but Russian support is limited to certain hours. Exness provides 24/7 support in Russian, which is widely spoken in Uzbekistan, making it easier for local traders to get help. Both brokers offer live chat, email, and phone support. For Uzbekistan traders, Exness's dedicated Russian-speaking support team is a significant advantage, especially for resolving account issues quickly.
| 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-low spreads from 0.0 pips.
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and depth of market.
- Trade high volumes and want the lowest overall costs.
- Value ASIC regulation for strong client fund segregation.
Choose Exness if you...
- Are a retail trader with smaller deposits and prefer commission-free accounts.
- Need flexible leverage up to 1:2000 for capital efficiency.
- Want instant deposits and withdrawals via USDT or other local methods.
- Prefer 24/7 Russian-language customer support for easier communication.
For Uzbekistan traders, both IC Markets and Exness are excellent choices, but your decision should be based on your trading style and local needs. IC Markets is ideal for serious scalpers and high-volume traders who want the tightest spreads and fastest execution. Exness is better for retail traders who value low minimum deposits, flexible leverage, and instant USDT deposits, which are particularly convenient in Uzbekistan. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier authorities and support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. If you trade frequently and prioritize cost, choose IC Markets. If you prefer simplicity and local payment convenience, Exness is the better fit. Ultimately, the local financial regulator does not restrict either broker, so you can trade with confidence.