Which broker is better for Finland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
When comparing IC Markets vs FXTM for Finland traders in 2026, two leading international brokers stand out. IC Markets, with a score of 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, making it a favorite among active retail traders in Finland. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a more beginner-friendly environment with extensive educational resources and a wider range of account types. Both brokers accept Finland clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT in USD. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator (Finanssivalvonta), they operate under reputable international licenses. For Finland traders, the choice often comes down to cost efficiency versus user experience. This comparison breaks down spreads, platforms, regulation, and deposit methods to help you decide.
| 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 | โ | โ | Tie |
For Finland traders, trading costs are a critical factor. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, plus a $7 round-turn commission per lot. FXTM's Standard account has spreads from 1.3 pips with no commission, while its ECN account has spreads from 0.1 pips with a similar commission structure. Over a month of active trading (e.g., 100 lots), IC Markets can save Finland traders hundreds of dollars. The cost difference is most pronounced for high-volume traders. Both brokers offer competitive pricing, but IC Markets consistently edges out FXTM in spread tightness, especially during major news events.
| Account Type | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | โ | โ |
| ECN / Raw spread | โ | โ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | โ | โ |
| Demo account | โ | โ |
| PAMM / MAM account | โ | โ |
| Zero spread account | โ | โ |
| Copy trading | โ | โ |
| VPS trading | โ | โ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Neg. balance protection | โ | โ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Finland (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) | โ | โ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | โ | โ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | โ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | โ | โ | FXTM |
| ETFs | โ | โ | Tie |
| Options | โ | โ | Tie |
| Futures | โ | โ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | โ | โ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | โ | โ |
| cTrader | โ | โ |
| TradingView | โ | โ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | โ | โ |
| Scalping allowed | โ | โ |
| Hedging allowed | โ | โ |
| Fixed spreads | โ | โ |
| Variable spreads | โ | โ |
Both IC Markets and FXTM provide Finland traders with industry-standard platforms. IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader, all with advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. FXTM also provides MT4 and MT5, plus its proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile users. For Finland traders who value algorithmic trading or scalping, IC Markets' cTrader is a standout with its depth of market and fast execution. FXTM's platforms are more intuitive for beginners. Both brokers support VPS hosting for expert advisors, which is useful for Finland traders running automated strategies.
| 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 | โ | โ | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | โ | โ | Tie |
| News trading | โ | โ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | โ | โ | Tie |
IC Markets is renowned for its ultra-fast execution, with average speeds below 40 milliseconds on its Raw Spread account, thanks to multiple liquidity providers and low-latency servers. FXTM offers good execution with speeds around 100 milliseconds, but it may experience slippage during volatile markets. For Finland traders who scalp or use expert advisors, IC Markets' execution quality is superior. Both brokers offer no dealing desk (NDD) execution, but IC Markets' infrastructure is more robust for high-frequency trading.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #600475 |
| Verify registration | Verify โ | Verify โ |
| Top-tier regulated | โ | โ |
| Investor protection | โ | โ |
| Segregated funds | โ | โ |
| Neg. balance protection | โ | โ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa. FXTM is regulated by CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the FSCA. While neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator (Finanssivalvonta) in Finland, both adhere to strict European MiFID II standards through their CySEC licenses. This provides Finland traders with client fund segregation and negative balance protection. However, Finland traders should note that local investor compensation schemes may not apply, so choosing a broker with strong regulatory oversight is essential.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | โ | โ |
| Visa / Mastercard | โ | โ |
| Skrill | โ | โ |
| Neteller | โ | โ |
| USDT / Crypto | โ | โ |
| 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 |
Finland traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and FXTM using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. All deposits are processed in USD. Bank transfers are free but may take 1-3 business days, while Skrill, Neteller, and USDT are instant and often fee-free. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while FXTM starts from $10 for Standard accounts. Withdrawals are processed quickly: IC Markets aims for same-day processing, while FXTM typically takes 1-2 business days. Both brokers do not charge internal fees for withdrawals, but Finland traders should check for any bank intermediary charges. USDT deposits are particularly useful for traders who prefer cryptocurrency-based funding.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FXTM |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | โ | โ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | โ | โ |
| Gold swap-free | โ | โ |
| Crypto swap-free | โ | โ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Finland Muslim traders seeking Sharia-compliant accounts, both IC Markets and FXTM offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts. IC Markets provides these accounts upon request, with no swap charges on overnight positions, but they may have additional conditions like limited trading periods. FXTM offers Islamic accounts automatically for eligible clients, with no swap fees and a transparent policy. Neither broker charges extra fees for these accounts. Finland traders should confirm the availability of Islamic accounts with customer support before opening, as terms can vary. Both brokers ensure that swap-free accounts comply with Islamic finance principles.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | โ | โ | Tie |
| Phone support | โ | โ | Tie |
| Email support | โ | โ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | โ | โ | Tie |
| 24/5 support | โ | โ | 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 assistance including English and Finnish. FXTM also provides 24/5 support with live chat, email, and phone, and has a dedicated Finnish language support team. Response times are fast for both, typically under 30 seconds for live chat. IC Markets edges ahead with 24/7 availability, which is beneficial for Finland traders trading during off-hours. FXTM's support is more personalized for beginners.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5โ | 4.3โ | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3โ | 4.2โ | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | โ | โ | Tie |
| Push notifications | โ | โ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | โ | โ | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | โ | โ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | โ | โ | Tie |
| Dark mode | โ | โ | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | FXTM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | โ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | โ | โ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose FXTM if you...
For Finland traders in 2026, IC Markets is the superior choice overall due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and higher trust score (4.8/5 vs 4.3/5). It is ideal for active and professional traders who prioritize cost efficiency and execution quality. FXTM is a strong alternative for beginners or those who value educational support and a lower entry barrier. Both brokers accept local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT in USD, and are not regulated by the local financial regulator (Finanssivalvonta) but hold reputable international licenses. If you trade frequently or with larger volumes, IC Markets will save you more in trading costs. For casual or new traders, FXTM offers a gentler learning curve. Ultimately, your choice should align with your trading style and experience level.