Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Norwegian retail traders comparing IC Markets and FxPro in 2026, the choice largely depends on trading style and cost sensitivity. IC Markets, with a rating of 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads and deep liquidity, making it a favorite among active day traders and scalpers in Norway. FxPro, rated 4.1/5, offers a more streamlined platform experience with strong regulatory backing from the FCA and CySEC. Both brokers accept Norwegian clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. However, IC Markets provides a broader range of tradable assets and lower trading costs, which is critical for Norwegian traders facing currency conversion fees. FxPro excels in platform variety, including cTrader and MT5, which appeals to traders who prioritize user interface over cost. This comparison breaks down spreads, deposit methods, regulation, and support specifically for Norway traders to help you decide.
| 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 |
IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs for Norwegian traders. On its Raw Spread account, spreads start from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.50 per lot round turn. FxPro’s Zero account starts from 0.5 pips with a $6 commission per lot. For a Norwegian trader executing 50 lots per month, IC Markets saves approximately $125 in spread costs. Swap rates are competitive on both brokers, but IC Markets has a slight edge for long-term positions. Volume-based discounts are available at IC Markets for high-frequency traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all popular among Norwegian traders who value advanced charting and automated trading. FxPro also offers MT4, MT5, and cTrader, plus its proprietary FxPro Edge platform. For Norwegian traders, platform stability and execution speed are critical due to time zone differences (CET+1). Both brokers provide VPS hosting for algorithmic trading, but IC Markets has more server locations in Europe for lower latency. FxPro’s cTrader interface is slightly more intuitive for beginners.
| 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 offers raw ECN execution with average order execution speed of 40ms, making it ideal for scalpers in Norway. FxPro uses straight-through processing (STP) with execution speeds around 100ms. IC Markets has no requotes and minimal slippage, while FxPro may experience slippage during high volatility. For Norwegian traders trading during London/New York overlap, IC Markets provides more consistent fills.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| 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. FxPro is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), CySEC, and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) in South Africa. For Norwegian traders, FCA regulation (FxPro) offers the strongest client protection, including negative balance protection and compensation schemes. IC Markets’ ASIC regulation also provides robust oversight. Both brokers comply with ESMA leverage limits for EU clients, but Norwegian traders can opt for offshore entities to access higher leverage.
| 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 |
Norwegian traders can fund their IC Markets and FxPro accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with no fees, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days and may incur intermediary charges. FxPro also supports these methods, with Skrill and Neteller deposits appearing immediately. USDT deposits are available through third-party processors like CoinPayments, with IC Markets offering lower conversion fees. Withdrawals at IC Markets are free for Skrill and Neteller, while bank transfers cost $10. FxPro charges no withdrawal fees, but Skrill/Neteller withdrawals may take 24 hours. Minimum deposit at IC Markets is $200, while FxPro requires $100. Both brokers support NOK via bank transfer, but conversion to USD is automatic.
| 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 Muslim traders in Norway. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread) with no additional fees, and no time limit on holding positions. FxPro offers Islamic accounts on standard accounts only, with swap-free status applied automatically upon request. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest. Norwegian Muslim traders can open an Islamic account by contacting support, with approval within 24 hours.
| 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 Norwegian-language support available during business hours. FxPro provides 24/5 support with English, Norwegian, and other languages. IC Markets has faster response times (under 30 seconds on live chat) and a comprehensive FAQ section in Norwegian. FxPro’s phone support is more personalized but limited to trading hours.
| 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 Norwegian retail traders in 2026, IC Markets is the superior choice due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and broader platform support. While FxPro offers strong FCA regulation and a simpler interface, the cost savings with IC Markets are substantial for active traders. Norwegian traders benefit from IC Markets’ support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT deposits, plus local language support. The local financial regulator in Norway does not directly oversee either broker, but both comply with international standards. If you prioritize cost and execution, choose IC Markets. If you want tighter regulatory oversight and a beginner-friendly experience, FxPro is a solid alternative.