IC Markets vs FXTM: Complete Comparison for Philippines Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Philippines traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Philippines traders in 2026, choosing between IC Markets and FXTM is a critical decision that impacts trading costs, platform experience, and overall profitability. IC Markets, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is renowned for its raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips and lightning-fast execution, appealing to active retail traders in the Philippines who trade major pairs like USD/PHP or global indices. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a more rounded package with extensive educational resources and a user-friendly interface, making it a strong contender for beginners. Both brokers support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring seamless deposits for Filipino traders. However, differences in regulation, spreads, and account types can significantly affect your trading experience. This comparison dives into the specifics for Philippines traders, from deposit costs to local support, helping you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals.
| 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 Philippines traders, IC Markets clearly leads with lower spreads, especially for high-volume traders. On its Raw Spread account, spreads start at 0.0 pips with a $3.50 commission per lot per side, which is highly competitive for those trading 10+ lots monthly. FXTM's Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, making it cheaper for small trades but costlier for larger volumes. For example, a Philippines trader executing 50 lots per month on EUR/USD would pay around $350 in commissions on IC Markets versus $500 in spreads on FXTM. Both brokers offer zero swap fees on Islamic accounts, but IC Markets' lower spreads give it an edge for active traders in the Philippines.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philippines (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 IC Markets and FXTM offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are popular among Philippines traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored by scalpers for its intuitive interface and depth of market. FXTM adds its proprietary FXTM Trader app, which is mobile-friendly and includes built-in analysis tools, ideal for on-the-go trading. For Philippines traders using USDT or Skrill for deposits, both platforms support seamless integration, but IC Markets' cTrader offers superior order execution for those trading volatile assets like gold or oil.
| 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 excels in execution quality with low latency and no requotes, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center and raw spreads. This is crucial for Philippines traders who scalp or trade news events. FXTM offers reliable execution but has slightly higher slippage during volatile markets. For traders using USDT for deposits, IC Markets’ faster execution can reduce costs on high-frequency trades, while FXTM is adequate for swing trading. Overall, IC Markets is superior for execution-sensitive 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), providing strong investor protection for Philippines traders. FXTM is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and CySEC, offering similar safeguards. While the local financial regulator in the Philippines (SEC) does not directly oversee these brokers, both comply with international standards, including negative balance protection and segregated client funds. Philippines traders should note that IC Markets' ASIC regulation is particularly stringent, ensuring fair trading practices, while FXTM's FCA oversight adds an extra layer of security for clients using Bank Transfer or Neteller.
| 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 Philippines traders at both IC Markets and FXTM. Both accept Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making it easy to fund accounts in USD. IC Markets has a minimum deposit of $200 and processes withdrawals within 1-2 business days via Skrill or Neteller, with bank transfers taking up to 5 days. FXTM’s minimum deposit is just $10, ideal for beginners, and withdrawals are free for most methods, though USDT withdrawals may incur a small network fee. For Philippines traders, using USDT offers the fastest transactions, often completed within minutes, while Bank Transfer is best for larger amounts. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but FXTM’s lower minimum deposit makes it more accessible for new traders in the Philippines.
| 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 Muslim traders in the Philippines, complying with Sharia law by eliminating interest on overnight positions. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types, including Raw Spread and Standard, with no additional fees, making it a flexible option. FXTM offers Islamic accounts but only on Standard and ECN accounts, with a limited holding period for certain instruments. For Philippines traders who trade long-term, IC Markets’ more generous policy is advantageous, while FXTM’s offering is still suitable for shorter-term strategies. Both brokers require a simple request to activate the account, and no proof of religion is typically needed.
| 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 |
Customer support is available 24/5 for both IC Markets and FXTM, with live chat, email, and phone options. IC Markets offers support in English, which is widely understood in the Philippines, while FXTM provides multilingual support including Tagalog-friendly agents. For Philippines traders, FXTM’s localized support can be a plus for resolving issues with Bank Transfer or Skrill deposits quickly. IC Markets’ response times are generally faster for technical queries, but FXTM’s broader language options may help beginners navigate account setup.
| 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 an active trader executing 10+ lots per month and want the lowest spreads.
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and scalping.
- Use USDT or Bank Transfer for large deposits and want fast execution.
- Need an Islamic account with no holding period restrictions.
Choose FXTM if you...
- Are a beginner trader with a small account (minimum $10 deposit).
- Value educational resources and localized support in the Philippines.
- Prefer using Skrill or Neteller for instant withdrawals.
- Trade less frequently and prioritize no-commission trading.
For Philippines traders in 2026, IC Markets is the better choice for those focused on cost efficiency and execution speed, especially with support for USDT and Bank Transfer deposits. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects superior spreads and platform options like cTrader, ideal for active retail traders. FXTM, with a 4.3/5 score, is more beginner-friendly and offers lower minimum deposits via Skrill or Neteller, plus stronger local support. Ultimately, your decision should depend on trading volume and preference for spreads versus commissions. Both brokers are trustworthy, regulated by top-tier bodies, and cater well to Philippines traders, but IC Markets wins on overall value for serious traders.