IC Markets vs FXTM for Austria Traders (2026): A Detailed Comparison
Which broker is better for Austria traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Austrian retail traders navigating the forex market in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and FXTM is a critical decision. IC Markets, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is renowned for its ultra-low spreads, lightning-fast execution, and deep liquidity—ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, stands out with its comprehensive educational tools, user-friendly platforms, and strong customer support, making it a favorite among beginners and intermediate traders. Both brokers accept Austrian clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring seamless deposits and withdrawals. While neither is directly regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), they operate under strict EU regulations, including MiFID II, providing a secure trading environment. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, risk appetite, and financial goals in Austria.
| Instrument | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FXTM |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FXTM |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FXTM |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FXTM |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | FXTM |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Austria traders, IC Markets clearly leads with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account, plus a $7 round-turn commission per lot. FXTM's standard account offers spreads from 1.3 pips with no commission, but for high-volume traders, IC Markets is significantly cheaper. For example, trading 10 lots of EUR/USD monthly, IC Markets costs about $70 in commissions, while FXTM would cost around $130 in spreads. Austrian scalpers and day traders will benefit from IC Markets' cost efficiency, while FXTM may suit those trading lower volumes.
| Account Type | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (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 | FXTM | 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+ | ✗ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | FXTM |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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), which are popular among Austria traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored for its intuitive interface and deep liquidity access. FXTM additionally offers a proprietary web platform and mobile app with integrated educational content. For Austrian traders who value speed and customization, IC Markets’ cTrader is a standout, while FXTM’s platforms are more beginner-friendly with built-in learning resources.
| Factor | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FXTM |
| 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 renowned for its ultra-fast execution speed, averaging under 40 milliseconds, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center and No Dealing Desk (NDD) model. FXTM also offers fast execution but may have slight delays during high volatility. For Austrian scalpers and algorithmic traders, IC Markets’ execution quality is superior, while FXTM’s execution is reliable for most retail strategies.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #600475 |
| 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 FXTM is regulated by CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). For Austria traders, this means both brokers comply with EU MiFID II standards, ensuring negative balance protection and client fund segregation. However, neither is directly supervised by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA). Austrian clients can trade with confidence, knowing their funds are protected under EU investor compensation schemes.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Cards instant (up to 2h EU); e-wallets instant-2h; bank/local transfer 1 business day; crypto up to 24h |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward for Austria traders at both IC Markets and FXTM. Both support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly with zero fees, while bank transfers are free but take 1-3 business days. FXTM offers similar options, with instant e-wallet deposits and no additional charges. USDT deposits are also available, allowing Austrian traders to use cryptocurrency for fast, low-cost transactions. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 1-3 days for bank transfers at both brokers, ensuring efficient fund management.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Austrian Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying interest. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts upon request, applicable to all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions. FXTM offers dedicated Islamic accounts with zero swap fees and full access to all trading instruments. Austrian traders should note that both brokers may require a simple application and proof of faith, ensuring compliance with Sharia law.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a focus on technical issues common among active traders. FXTM provides similar support hours but adds a dedicated account manager for VIP clients. For Austria traders, both brokers offer assistance in German, with FXTM having a slight edge in personalized service and educational support.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | 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 | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | 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 high-frequency trader needing ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader for algorithmic trading.
- Trade large volumes and want to minimize trading costs.
- Value a broker with a high trust rating (4.8/5) and deep liquidity.
Choose FXTM if you...
- Are a beginner or intermediate trader needing educational resources and guidance.
- Prefer a user-friendly platform with integrated learning tools.
- Want personalized customer support with a dedicated account manager.
- Trade smaller volumes and prioritize education over raw spread costs.
For Austria retail traders in 2026, the choice between IC Markets and FXTM hinges on your trading style. IC Markets (4.8/5) is the clear winner for cost-conscious, high-volume traders who prioritize low spreads and fast execution, especially with local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. FXTM (4.3/5) excels for beginners and intermediate traders who value education, support, and a user-friendly experience. While neither broker is directly regulated by the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA), both operate under stringent EU regulations, ensuring safety. Ultimately, if you focus on trading costs and speed, choose IC Markets; if you need guidance and a supportive environment, FXTM is your best bet.