IC Markets vs Tickmill: Comprehensive Comparison for Austria Traders
Which broker is better for Austria traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Austria traders looking to choose between IC Markets and Tickmill in 2026, both brokers offer robust trading environments but cater to slightly different needs. IC Markets, with a stellar 4.8/5 rating, is known for its ultra-low spreads, extensive platform choices, and high execution speed, making it a top pick for active retail traders in Austria. Tickmill, rated 4/5, is a reputable alternative with competitive costs and solid regulation, but it trails in platform variety and spread tightness. Austria traders benefit from local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, ensuring smooth deposits and withdrawals. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier authorities and comply with Austrian financial laws, providing a secure trading environment. This comparison dives into key factors such as trading costs, platforms, regulation, and support to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style.
| Instrument | IC Markets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Tickmill |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Tickmill |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Tickmill |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Tickmill |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | Tickmill |
| Inactivity fee | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
When comparing trading costs for Austria traders, IC Markets offers lower spreads than Tickmill, especially on major forex pairs like EUR/USD. IC Markets’ Raw Spread account starts at 0.0 pips with a $3.50 commission per lot, while Tickmill’s Pro account starts at 0.1 pips with a $2 commission per side. For high-volume traders in Austria, IC Markets is more cost-effective due to tighter spreads, though Tickmill’s commission structure can be cheaper for smaller trades. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but IC Markets’ overall cost advantage makes it a better choice for scalpers and day traders.
| Account Type | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| VPS trading | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (offshore) | Up to 1:500 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:500 | 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 |
| Margin call level | 80% | 80% |
| Stop out level | 50% | 50% |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Tickmill | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Tickmill |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Options | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Futures | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fixed spreads | ✗ | ✗ |
| Variable spreads | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets provides a wider range of platforms, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and a web trader, which suits Austria traders who prefer flexibility and advanced tools. Tickmill offers MT4, MT5, and a web platform, but lacks cTrader. For Austria traders using automated trading or custom indicators, IC Markets’ platform diversity is a clear advantage. Both brokers support mobile trading, but IC Markets’ cTrader offers superior charting and order management.
| Factor | IC Markets | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Tickmill |
| 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 boasts ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders in Austria. Tickmill’s execution is also fast at around 50ms but slightly slower. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, ensuring no requotes. For Austria traders prioritizing speed, IC Markets has a marginal edge.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Reg number | #335692 | #717270 |
| Verify registration | Verify ↗ | Verify ↗ |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and Tickmill are regulated by top-tier authorities, including the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC, ensuring compliance with EU financial laws like MiFID II. For Austria traders, this means client funds are segregated, and negative balance protection is in place. The local financial regulator in Austria recognizes these regulations, providing a secure trading environment. Tickmill is also regulated by the FSA in Seychelles for international clients, while IC Markets holds multiple licenses for broader coverage.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Most withdrawals 1 business day; bank wire 1-3 days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Austria traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and Tickmill using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. IC Markets processes deposits instantly for e-wallets and USDT TRC20, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Tickmill offers similar methods but may have slightly longer processing times for withdrawals. Both brokers charge no deposit fees, but USDT TRC20 is a fast, low-cost option for crypto users. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto, while bank transfers take 2-5 days. Overall, IC Markets offers faster processing for Austria traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tickmill offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Austria traders who follow Sharia law. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types with no swap charges, while Tickmill offers them on request but may have limited availability. These accounts are ideal for Muslim traders in Austria who need to avoid interest-based overnight fees. Both brokers ensure transparency with no hidden costs, but IC Markets’ broader availability makes it more accessible.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill | 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with quick response times that benefit Austria traders in different time zones. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support with similar channels but slower email responses. For Austria traders, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is a key advantage for resolving issues promptly.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Want the lowest spreads and commissions for active trading.
- Need access to multiple platforms like MT4, MT5, and cTrader.
- Prefer fast deposit and withdrawal processing with USDT TRC20.
- Value 24/7 customer support for round-the-clock assistance.
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Prefer a slightly lower commission structure for smaller trades.
- Want a broker with strong FCA regulation and a proven track record.
- Are looking for a simple platform setup without advanced tools.
- Need an Islamic account but don’t require cTrader.
For Austria traders in 2026, IC Markets is the superior choice due to its higher rating, lower spreads, wider platform selection, and faster execution. It excels in cost efficiency and support, making it ideal for active retail traders. Tickmill is a reliable alternative with competitive costs and strong regulation, but its higher spreads and fewer platforms limit its appeal. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, and comply with the local financial regulator. For most Austria traders, IC Markets offers the best overall value.