IC Markets vs FXTM for Vietnam Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Vietnam traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Vietnam traders looking to choose between IC Markets and FXTM in 2026, the decision hinges on trading style, cost sensitivity, and local payment convenience. IC Markets, with a score of 4.8/5, is renowned for ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, making it a top pick for scalpers and algorithmic traders in Vietnam. FXTM, scoring 4.3/5, offers a more balanced approach with extensive educational content and a lower minimum deposit of $10, appealing to retail traders starting out. Both brokers support Vietnamese traders with local payment methods including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and operate without direct oversight from the local financial regulator but under reputable international licenses. This comparison breaks down the key factors—costs, platforms, regulation, and deposits—to help you decide which broker suits your needs in Vietnam’s growing forex 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 |
IC Markets offers significantly lower trading costs for Vietnam traders, especially on high-volume trades. Its Raw Spread account provides spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3.50 commission per lot, while FXTM’s ECN account has spreads from 0.1 pips with a $2 commission per side. For a Vietnam trader executing 10 lots per month, IC Markets saves approximately $20–$30 in total costs compared to FXTM. FXTM’s Standard account is commission-free but has spreads around 1.3 pips, which is less competitive for frequent traders. Overall, IC Markets is better for cost-conscious Vietnam traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam (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 most popular platforms among Vietnam traders for their reliability and custom indicators. IC Markets additionally provides cTrader and WebTrader, which are favored for advanced charting and faster order execution. FXTM offers its proprietary FXTM Trader app for mobile trading, which includes educational tools. For Vietnam traders who prioritize execution speed and advanced features, IC Markets has the edge with more platform choices.
| 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 with average speeds under 40 milliseconds and no requotes, ideal for high-frequency Vietnam traders. FXTM offers reliable execution with speeds around 100 milliseconds, suitable for most retail strategies. IC Markets uses Equinix NY4 data centers for low latency, while FXTM’s execution is consistent but not as fast.
| 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 in Vietnam, but both adhere to strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection. For Vietnam traders, this means a high level of security, though they should be aware that local legal recourse may be limited. Both brokers offer compensation schemes (e.g., FSCS for FXTM clients) for added protection.
| 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 |
Vietnam traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and FXTM using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 and processes USDT deposits with zero fees, making it cost-effective for larger transfers. FXTM has a lower minimum deposit of $10, ideal for beginners, and supports instant e-wallet deposits. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets, while FXTM offers same-day processing for Neteller and Skrill. Both brokers accept Vietnamese Dong (VND) through local bank transfers, though currency conversion fees may apply. USDT deposits are particularly popular among Vietnam traders for speed and low costs.
| 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 Vietnam Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types without additional fees, while FXTM offers them on Standard and ECN accounts. FXTM requires a request via customer support, while IC Markets allows automatic activation. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged on overnight positions, making them suitable for Vietnam’s Muslim community.
| 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 support via live chat and email, with a Vietnamese language option available during business hours. FXTM provides 24/5 support with Vietnamese-speaking agents and a dedicated phone line. FXTM’s support is slightly more accessible for Vietnam traders due to localized language support, while IC Markets excels in response speed for technical issues.
| 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 high-volume scalper or algorithmic trader needing ultra-low spreads and fast execution.
- Prefer using cTrader or advanced platforms for technical analysis.
- Deposit large amounts via USDT or Bank Transfer and want zero fees.
- Trade frequently and want to minimize overall trading costs.
Choose FXTM if you...
- Are a beginner or retail trader with a small account (minimum $10 deposit).
- Need Vietnamese-language customer support and educational resources.
- Prefer commission-free trading on Standard accounts.
- Use e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller for instant deposits and withdrawals.
For Vietnam traders in 2026, IC Markets is the superior choice for active, cost-focused traders due to its lower spreads, faster execution, and support for USDT deposits with no fees. FXTM is better for beginners or those who prioritize localized support and a low minimum deposit. While neither broker is regulated by the local financial regulator, both offer strong international oversight. Your final decision should align with your trading volume, platform preference, and deposit method—whether you use Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT. For most Vietnam retail traders, IC Markets provides better value, but FXTM’s accessibility makes it a strong alternative.