IC Markets vs FXTM 2026: Which Broker is Best for France Traders?
Which broker is better for France traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For France traders seeking a reliable forex broker, IC Markets and FXTM are two leading choices, but they cater to different needs. IC Markets, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is renowned for its ultra-low spreads (from 0.0 pips) and fast execution, making it ideal for active retail traders in France who trade high volumes. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a more beginner-friendly platform with extensive educational resources and a lower minimum deposit. Both brokers support local payment methods popular in France, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring convenient deposits and withdrawals. Importantly, while neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator (AMF), they operate under reputable international licenses. This comparison helps you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals in the French market.
| 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 France traders, IC Markets clearly has the edge with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account, plus a $7 commission per lot. FXTM's ECN account offers spreads from 0.1 pips with a lower $2 commission per lot, but its standard account has higher spreads. For a France trader executing 10 lots per month on EUR/USD, IC Markets can save up to $30-50 in spread costs compared to FXTM. Volume-based traders will find IC Markets more cost-efficient, especially for scalping strategies.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| France (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 and MetaTrader 5, the preferred platforms for France traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader, which is popular among algorithmic traders for its advanced charting and order management. FXTM offers its proprietary FXTM Trader app, which is user-friendly for mobile trading on the go. For France traders who value customization and speed, IC Markets is better, while FXTM's platforms are more intuitive for beginners.
| 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 delivers superior execution quality with an average speed of 40ms and no requotes, making it a top choice for scalpers and high-frequency traders in France. FXTM offers execution speeds of around 100ms with minimal slippage, which is still reliable for most retail traders. For France traders prioritizing speed and accuracy, IC Markets is the clear winner.
| 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 and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. Neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator (AMF) in France, meaning they operate under EU passporting rules via CySEC. This provides a level of investor protection, including negative balance protection, but France traders should be aware that AMF oversight is absent. Both brokers maintain segregated client accounts for added security.
| 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 |
France traders have multiple convenient options for funding their accounts at both IC Markets and FXTM. Bank Transfer is available for larger deposits, though it may take 1-3 business days. Skrill and Neteller are popular e-wallets in France, offering instant deposits and withdrawals with minimal fees. USDT (Tether) is also supported, allowing crypto-savvy traders to fund accounts quickly. IC Markets has a minimum deposit of $200, while FXTM is more accessible with a $10 minimum. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 days for bank transfers. Both brokers charge no internal fees, but France traders should check with their banks for any incoming wire fees.
| 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 France traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts upon request, applicable to all account types, with no swap fees on overnight positions. FXTM offers Islamic accounts automatically for its Standard and ECN accounts, with a small administrative fee after a certain holding period. France traders should note that Islamic accounts may have reduced leverage or trading restrictions on certain instruments. Both brokers ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles, making them suitable for Muslim traders in France.
| 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with fast response times, ideal for France traders active during European hours. FXTM provides multilingual support in French, with phone and live chat available 24/5, plus a comprehensive FAQ section. Both brokers have strong reputations, but IC Markets' round-the-clock support gives it an edge for traders who need assistance outside standard hours.
| 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...
- Trade high volumes and need ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips
- Prefer fast execution (40ms) for scalping or algorithmic strategies
- Value advanced platforms like cTrader alongside MT4/MT5
- Want 24/7 customer support for flexible trading hours
Choose FXTM if you...
- Are a beginner trader needing educational resources and a low minimum deposit ($10)
- Prefer a user-friendly mobile app (FXTM Trader) for on-the-go trading
- Want multilingual support in French and a wide range of account types
- Seek a broker with strong FCA regulation for added security
For France traders, IC Markets is the superior choice for active, cost-conscious traders due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and higher overall rating (4.8/5). It supports local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring seamless deposits. FXTM is better for beginners or those who value educational tools and a lower entry barrier. While neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator (AMF), both offer solid investor protection under CySEC. Ultimately, IC Markets is recommended for experienced France traders seeking maximum efficiency, while FXTM suits those starting their trading journey.