Which broker is better for Australia traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Australia traders seeking an ASIC-regulated broker, IC Markets and FxPro are two of the most respected names in the industry. Both are licensed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), ensuring strict compliance with local financial laws. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-tight spreads, deep liquidity, and advanced trading tools—ideal for high-frequency and algorithmic traders. FxPro, with a 4.1/5 rating, offers a multi-asset platform suite including MT4, MT5, and cTrader, plus a strong reputation for client support. This comparison focuses on key factors for Australia traders: spreads, platforms, local payment methods like BPAY and POLi, and regulatory protection. Whether you are scalping the ASX 200 or trading forex pairs, understanding the differences between these brokers will help you choose the right partner for your trading journey.
| Instrument | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | FxPro |
For Australia traders, IC Markets offers lower overall trading costs, especially on its Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a $7 commission per lot (AUD 10.50). FxPro's Standard account has spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, while its cTrader Raw account offers from 0.2 pips with a $4.5 commission per lot (AUD 6.75). For high-volume traders, IC Markets is more cost-effective, particularly on major forex pairs and indices like the ASX 200. Always consider your trading style: scalpers benefit from IC Markets, while swing traders may prefer FxPro's fixed spreads on some instruments.
| Account Type | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | FxPro | 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 | ✗ | 1,700+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MT4 and MT5, which are popular among Australia traders for their custom indicators and automated trading. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform with advanced charting and order flow analysis. FxPro stands out by offering all three platforms plus its own FxPro Edge app. For Australia traders needing VPS hosting for EA trading, IC Markets offers a free VPS for high-volume accounts. FxPro does not provide free VPS but has a reliable mobile app for on-the-go trading. Choose IC Markets for algorithmic trading and FxPro for multi-platform flexibility.
| Factor | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets is known for its ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms, ideal for scalpers and EA traders. It uses Equinix NY4 servers in New York and LD4 in London for low latency. FxPro offers execution speeds around 60ms, which is still competitive. For Australia traders trading volatile sessions like the Sydney open, IC Markets provides a slight advantage due to its lower latency and no requotes policy.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and FxPro are regulated by ASIC, providing Australia traders with strong investor protection. IC Markets holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and segregates client funds in trust accounts. FxPro also holds an AFSL and is a member of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) for dispute resolution. While both are ASIC-regulated, IC Markets is a pure Australian broker with local offices in Sydney, whereas FxPro is headquartered in the UK with an Australian subsidiary. For Australia traders, this means both offer the same level of regulatory safety, but IC Markets may have a slight edge in local support.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | 1 business day |
Australia traders can fund their accounts using BPAY, POLi, and Bank Transfer at both IC Markets and FxPro. IC Markets also accepts credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill. FxPro supports all these methods plus UnionPay. Deposits via BPAY and POLi are processed instantly, while bank transfers may take 1-2 business days. Withdrawals are free at IC Markets for most methods, with processing times of 1-2 days. FxPro charges a small fee for bank transfers but offers free withdrawals via e-wallets. Both brokers process withdrawals within 24 hours on business days. For Australia traders, BPAY and POLi are the most convenient options due to their speed and low fees.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Australia Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free status upon request via customer support, applicable to all account types. FxPro offers Islamic accounts automatically on its Standard and Raw accounts, with no overnight interest charged on positions. However, FxPro may charge a small admin fee for long-term positions on certain instruments. IC Markets does not charge any extra fees for swap-free accounts. Both brokers comply with Sharia law, making them suitable for Muslim traders in Australia.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 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 a dedicated Australia team available during AEST hours. FxPro also provides 24/5 support with live chat and phone, but its Australian office hours are limited. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and account management for VIP clients. For Australia traders needing after-hours support, IC Markets has an edge due to its round-the-clock service.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose FxPro if you...
For Australia traders looking for a cost-effective, high-performance broker, IC Markets is the clear winner with its 4.8/5 rating. Its tight spreads, fast execution, and support for local payments like BPAY and POLi make it ideal for experienced traders. FxPro, with a 4.1/5 rating, is a solid alternative if you need multi-platform access or trade a wider range of assets. Both are ASIC-regulated, ensuring your funds are safe. Ultimately, if you prioritise low costs and speed, choose IC Markets. If you value platform variety and a global brand, FxPro is a reliable choice. Either way, Australia traders benefit from strong regulatory oversight and convenient local deposit methods.