IC Markets vs InvestoPro: New Zealand Broker Comparison 2026
Which broker is better for New Zealand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Quick Verdict — New Zealand Traders
New Zealand traders seeking a reliable forex broker often compare IC Markets and InvestoPro, two platforms with distinct strengths. IC Markets, rated 4.8/5, is known for institutional-grade trading conditions, including ultra-tight spreads and deep liquidity. InvestoPro, with a 3.8/5 rating, offers a more streamlined experience with support for USDT TRC20 deposits and Islamic accounts. Both brokers accept New Zealand clients and provide access to major trading platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5. However, local regulatory oversight from the local financial regulator gives IC Markets an edge in trust and security. For NZ traders, understanding cost structures, deposit methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT TRC20), and execution quality is crucial. This comparison breaks down each broker’s offerings, helping you decide based on your trading style and local needs.
Overall Scores Comparison
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | InvestoPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | InvestoPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | InvestoPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | InvestoPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 | InvestoPro |
For New Zealand traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. IC Markets offers Raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a $3.50 commission per lot, ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. Standard accounts have spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. InvestoPro’s spreads start at 0.5 pips on standard accounts, with no commission but wider average spreads. Over 100 trades per month, IC Markets saves NZ traders around $50-100 in spread costs, especially on major pairs like EUR/USD. The local financial regulator’s oversight ensures transparency in fee structures.
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 |
Leverage Comparison - New Zealand Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | IC Markets | InvestoPro | 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+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | ✗ | InvestoPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Platforms Comparison
| Platform | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, the industry standards for New Zealand traders. IC Markets also offers cTrader, a platform favoured for its advanced charting and fast execution. InvestoPro provides MT4 and MT5 but lacks cTrader. For NZ traders who rely on automated trading or custom indicators, IC Markets’ multi-platform support is a clear advantage. Mobile trading is robust on both, with apps available for iOS and Android, ensuring you can trade on the go.
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | InvestoPro |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets provides ECN execution with average speeds of 40ms, ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders in New Zealand. InvestoPro uses STP execution with speeds around 100ms, suitable for casual traders but less competitive for high-frequency strategies. The local financial regulator’s oversight ensures IC Markets’ execution integrity.
Regulation & Safety for New Zealand Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | CySEC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✗ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the local financial regulator, offering New Zealand traders strong investor protection, including negative balance protection and segregated accounts. InvestoPro is licensed offshore, with less direct oversight from the local financial regulator. This means IC Markets provides a higher level of security for NZ traders, especially for larger deposits. Always check the latest regulatory status, as offshore brokers may have limited recourse in disputes.
Deposits & Withdrawals for New Zealand
| Payment Method | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | Card/e-wallet fast; bank transfer 1-3 days |
New Zealand traders can deposit and withdraw using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both brokers. IC Markets processes Skrill and Neteller deposits instantly, while bank transfers take 1-2 business days. USDT TRC20 deposits are available, offering fast, low-fee crypto transactions. InvestoPro also supports these methods, with USDT TRC20 being a standout for privacy and speed. Minimum deposits are $200 for IC Markets and $100 for InvestoPro. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and 2-5 days for bank transfers at both brokers. The local financial regulator’s oversight ensures timely processing at IC Markets.
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for New Zealand Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and InvestoPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for New Zealand Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types, including Raw and Standard, with no additional fees. InvestoPro offers Islamic accounts on standard accounts only, with potential swap charges after a holding period. For NZ traders adhering to Sharia law, IC Markets’ flexibility and clear policies make it the preferred choice. Proof of faith may be required by both brokers.
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 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 New Zealand-friendly response time under 30 seconds. InvestoPro provides 24/5 support with similar channels but slower responses during peak hours. For NZ traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock service is beneficial for after-hours trading.
Mobile App Comparison
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | InvestoPro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✗ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
InvestoPro
Who Should Use Which Broker? - New Zealand Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Want ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips for cost-efficient trading
- Need regulation by the local financial regulator for peace of mind
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and fast execution
- Plan to trade high volume or use algorithmic strategies
Choose InvestoPro if you...
- Prefer lower minimum deposits ($100) to start trading
- Want to deposit using USDT TRC20 for privacy and speed
- Need a simple, no-frills platform without advanced tools
- Are a casual trader who doesn’t require ultra-low spreads
FAQ - IC Markets vs InvestoPro in New Zealand
Final Verdict - New Zealand 2026
For New Zealand traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with a 4.8/5 rating, offering lower spreads, robust regulation by the local financial regulator, and multiple platform options including cTrader. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 deposits aligns perfectly with local payment preferences. InvestoPro (3.8/5) is a viable budget option, especially for those prioritising low minimum deposits and crypto deposits, but lacks the regulatory depth and cost efficiency of IC Markets. If you value security and low trading costs, IC Markets is the better choice for 2025.