Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Norway traders navigating the forex market in 2025, choosing between IC Markets and Oanda is a critical decision. IC Markets, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is renowned for its ultra-tight spreads, advanced trading platforms like MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader, and robust execution speeds—ideal for active and scalping strategies. Oanda, scoring 3.6/5, offers a user-friendly interface, strong educational resources, and reliable order execution, but its spreads are wider and platform options more limited. Norway traders benefit from both brokers accepting local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, though IC Markets edges ahead with lower costs and more deposit flexibility. The local financial regulator in Norway does not directly oversee these international brokers, so traders should prioritize brokers with strong global oversight, such as IC Markets’ ASIC and FSA licenses. This comparison dives into spreads, platforms, regulation, and payment methods to help Norwegian retail traders make an informed choice.
| Instrument | IC Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Oanda |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Oanda |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Oanda |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Oanda |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 | Oanda |
When comparing trading costs for Norway traders, IC Markets offers a clear advantage with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account, plus a $3.50 commission per lot round turn. Oanda’s spreads are variable and typically higher, averaging 1.2 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD. For a Norway trader executing 10 lots per day, IC Markets can save hundreds of dollars monthly in spread costs. Oanda has no commission but wider spreads, making it more expensive for frequent traders. IC Markets also provides lower margin requirements and better cost transparency, which is crucial for Norwegian traders managing budgets in USD.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:100 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:100 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Oanda | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Oanda |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✗ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets excels in platform variety, offering MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and WebTrader—all optimized for fast execution and advanced charting. Oanda’s proprietary platform is intuitive but lacks the depth of MT4/5, which is popular among Norway traders for automated trading and custom indicators. IC Markets also supports EA trading and algorithmic strategies, a key need for tech-savvy Norwegian retail traders. Oanda’s mobile app is strong for on-the-go monitoring, but for serious analysis, IC Markets’ platform suite is superior.
| Factor | IC Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Oanda |
| 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 ultra-fast execution with an average latency of 20ms and no requotes, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center and liquidity aggregation from multiple banks. Oanda’s execution is reliable but slower, with occasional slippage during volatile markets. For Norway traders engaging in scalping or EA trading, IC Markets’ execution quality is superior, ensuring minimal slippage and better trade fill rates.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities like ASIC (Australia) and FSA (Seychelles), providing robust client fund segregation and negative balance protection. Oanda holds FCA (UK) and CFTC (US) licenses, offering strong oversight but with more regional restrictions. For Norway traders, the local financial regulator (Finanstilsynet) does not directly supervise these brokers, but IC Markets’ ASIC regulation offers a higher level of investor protection. Oanda’s FCA regulation is also reputable, but its US-based entity may limit services for non-US clients. Norway traders should verify each broker’s license and consider the safety of funds, especially when using local payment methods like Bank Transfer.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 to 5 business days |
Both IC Markets and Oanda support Norway traders with multiple deposit and withdrawal options, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. IC Markets stands out with instant deposits via Skrill and Neteller (no fees) and USDT TRC20 for fast, low-cost crypto transfers. Withdrawals are processed within 1-24 hours for e-wallets and crypto. Oanda offers bank transfers (1-3 business days) and Skrill/Neteller deposits, but USDT TRC20 is not available. For Norway traders using Bank Transfer, IC Markets has lower fees and faster processing. Overall, IC Markets provides more flexibility and speed for Norwegian clients.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Oanda |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Oanda offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Norway Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread) with no swap fees on overnight positions, available upon request. Oanda also offers swap-free accounts, but they may require additional documentation and are not available on all account types. Norway traders should note that Islamic accounts often have restrictions on high-frequency trading. IC Markets’ policy is more accommodating, making it a better choice for Muslim traders in Norway.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Oanda | 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 dedicated team for Norway traders. Response times are under 2 minutes on chat. Oanda provides 24/5 support (weekdays) with live chat and phone, but email responses can take up to 24 hours. For Norway traders needing quick assistance during active trading hours, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is more reliable.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Oanda | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | Oanda |
| Resource | IC Markets | Oanda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose Oanda if you...
For Norway traders in 2025, IC Markets is the clear winner over Oanda, with a higher overall score (4.8/5 vs 3.6/5), tighter spreads, superior platform options, and more flexible deposit methods including Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Oanda remains a decent choice for beginners or those who value simplicity and educational resources, but its wider spreads and limited platform suite make it less competitive for active Norwegian traders. IC Markets’ strong regulatory oversight (ASIC) and 24/7 support further enhance its appeal, especially when considering local payment preferences. While both brokers accept Norway traders, IC Markets offers better value, execution, and cost efficiency—making it the recommended option for retail traders in Norway.