Which broker is better for Thailand traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Thailand's retail forex scene has matured rapidly, with experienced traders comparing offshore brokers that accept THB-based clients. IC Markets and RoboForex are two of the most visible names in Bangkok and Chiang Mai trading circles, yet they serve different styles. IC Markets, rated 4.8/5, is built around institutional-grade pricing, ultra-low spreads, and high-speed execution. RoboForex, rated 3.2/5, offers a broader product catalogue, including Cent accounts and advanced copy trading, but with less transparent execution. For local traders who need to convert THB to USD, fund via local bank transfer, Skrill, or move money through PromptPay to a linked bank, the deposit and withdrawal experience matters as much as trading conditions. Additionally, because Thailand's SEC does not recognise foreign forex brokers, choosing a broker with strong offshore regulation and a proven track record is critical. This comparison focuses on the costs, platforms, regulatory safeguards, and payment methods that matter to experienced Thai retail traders in 2026.
| Instrument | IC Markets | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | RoboForex |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | RoboForex |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | RoboForex |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | RoboForex |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | RoboForex |
For Thai traders, the real cost of trading is measured in THB after conversion. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread account with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips and a flat commission of USD 7 per standard lot. RoboForex's ECN account starts around 0.1 pips, but the commission structure and swap costs are less predictable. On a typical day of scalping 5 standard lots, the spread difference can easily add up to 200-300 THB in favour of IC Markets. RoboForex's lower headline spread on some exotic pairs is often offset by wider execution gaps. Overall, IC Markets delivers more consistent all-in pricing for high-volume Thai traders.
| Account Type | IC Markets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:2000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 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 |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | RoboForex | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | RoboForex |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers support MT4, MT5, and web terminals, which are the standard tools for Thai retail traders. IC Markets also offers cTrader, a platform many Bangkok-based scalpers prefer for its advanced order grid and true market depth. RoboForex lacks cTrader but compensates with its proprietary R StocksTrader, giving access to global equities and a larger asset universe. For Thai traders who rely on VPS hosting or algorithmic trading, IC Markets provides lower latency and better server connectivity in Southeast Asia. RoboForex is suitable for multi-asset trading, but its platform stability has been less consistent during high-impact news events.
| Factor | IC Markets | RoboForex | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | RoboForex |
| 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 executes orders on raw liquidity from several Tier-1 banks, with an average fill speed of around 40 milliseconds and no dealing desk interference. RoboForex uses an ECN model on some accounts, but reported slippage and requotes are more common during Asian session volatility. For Thai traders who trade around Bangkok lunchtime or late-night London sessions, IC Markets' lower latency and order-book depth are decisive advantages. RoboForex is acceptable for swing trading, but not for scalping.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | IFSC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Thailand's SEC does not licence forex brokers, so Thai traders rely on offshore supervision. IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), but its international clients, including Thais, are onboarded under the Seychelles Financial Services Authority licence. RoboForex operates under the Belize IFSC licence and offers no top-tier regulatory protection. For a Thai trader, this means funds are not covered by local investor compensation schemes. IC Markets still provides a stronger regulatory lineage, audited financials, and client money segregation, which matters when depositing large THB amounts. RoboForex's offshore status carries more counterparty risk, especially for long-term accounts.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Funding a trading account from Thailand involves using local bank transfers, Skrill, or occasionally card payments. Neither broker offers direct PromptPay integration, so Thai traders typically move THB to a USD-based transfer via their local bank. PromptPay is most useful for quickly topping up a Thai bank account that is linked to a Skrill withdrawal, but it is not a broker payment method. Skrill is supported by both brokers and offers a fast THB-to-eWallet conversion, though fees can reach 1.5%. Bank transfers remain the cheapest method for larger amounts, with processing times of 1-3 business days. Withdrawals at IC Markets are generally faster and processed within 24 hours, while RoboForex may take longer for non-eWallet payments. Both brokers operate in USD, so THB deposits are converted at their internal exchange rates, which can vary. Using Skrill in THB avoids some of that markup, but you still pay a currency conversion. For withdrawals, Thai traders should always request USD to avoid unfavourable THB rates.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | RoboForex |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Thai Muslim traders can open swap-free accounts at both IC Markets and RoboForex. IC Markets offers Islamic accounts on MT4 and MT5 without keeping swap fees, but it may adjust spreads on some instruments. RoboForex also provides swap-free conditions, but you must submit a request and meet a minimum deposit depending on the account type. In practice, IC Markets' Islamic account is more straightforward for active traders because it applies the policy to Cent, Standard, and Raw accounts. RoboForex limits swap-free to certain account classes and adds a management fee if the account is inactive for more than 30 days. Thai traders who need Sharia-compliant trading should compare the exact list of instruments carefully.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | RoboForex | 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 live chat and email support in English, which is sufficient for most Thai experienced traders. Thai language support is not available, so you will need English. RoboForex also has 24/7 support, with live chat that responds quickly, but the quality of answers about back-office and withdrawals is inconsistent. For Thai traders facing bank transfer issues, having a support team that clearly explains USD settlement is vital. IC Markets is more reliable in this aspect, especially when communicating via live chat.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | RoboForex | 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 |
| Resource | IC Markets | RoboForex | 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 RoboForex if you...
For experienced Thai traders, IC Markets is the clear winner with its 4.8/5 rating, lower spreads, faster execution, and better regulatory backing. RoboForex's 3.2/5 rating reflects its weaker execution and less transparent costs, even though it offers more product choices. Since Thailand's SEC does not regulate forex brokers, your local protection depends on the broker's offshore compliance, and IC Markets is the safer pick. When funding through Skrill, Bank Transfer, or PromptPay-linked bank moves, always account for USD conversion fees. If you trade actively in THB, IC Markets' lower overall trading costs will save you more money in the long run.