IC Markets vs Tickmill (2026): In-Depth Comparison for Myanmar Traders
Which broker is better for Myanmar traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Myanmar’s forex market is growing rapidly, with retail traders seeking reliable brokers that offer low costs, local payment options, and strong regulation. IC Markets (rated 4.8/5) and Tickmill (rated 4/5) are two top-tier brokers popular among Myanmar traders. Both provide access to major currency pairs, CFDs, and commodities via MetaTrader 4/5, but they differ in pricing, platforms, and support for local needs. IC Markets is known for its ultra-tight spreads and high execution speed, while Tickmill offers competitive costs and a user-friendly experience. For Myanmar traders, key factors include deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, as well as Islamic account availability. This comparison helps you choose based on your trading style, volume, and local requirements.
| 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 |
For Myanmar traders, trading costs are critical. IC Markets offers spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Tickmill’s Pro account also starts at 0.0 pips but with a lower commission of $2.00 per lot per side. On standard accounts, IC Markets has spreads from 0.6 pips (no commission), while Tickmill’s Classic account spreads start from 1.6 pips. For high-volume traders, IC Markets is cheaper due to tighter spreads, but Tickmill’s lower commission can benefit smaller lot sizes. Myanmar traders should calculate total costs based on their monthly volume.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Myanmar (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the most popular platforms among Myanmar traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader, which is excellent for ECN trading with advanced charting. Tickmill focuses on MT4/MT5 and its own WebTrader. For Myanmar traders, MT4 is preferred for its custom indicators and EA support. IC Markets’ cTrader is a bonus for scalpers and algorithmic traders, while Tickmill’s platforms are stable and easy to use. Mobile trading is available on both, with apps optimized for Android and iOS.
| 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 an average execution speed of under 40 milliseconds, ideal for scalpers and high-frequency traders. Tickmill offers execution under 50 milliseconds, still excellent for most retail traders. Both use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with no requotes. For Myanmar traders with variable internet speeds, IC Markets’ faster execution may reduce slippage during volatile markets. Tickmill’s execution is reliable but slightly slower, which is fine for swing traders.
| 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles. Tickmill is regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), CySEC, and the FSA. Neither broker is regulated by Myanmar’s local financial regulator, but their international licenses provide client fund segregation and negative balance protection. For Myanmar traders, this means funds are safe, but they should verify withdrawal policies. Both brokers comply with anti-money laundering rules, requiring KYC documents for account opening.
| 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 |
Myanmar traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both IC Markets and Tickmill. IC Markets also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal, while Tickmill supports UnionPay and local bank transfers. Minimum deposits are $200 for IC Markets and $100 for Tickmill. USDT deposits are fast and avoid bank delays, making them ideal for Myanmar traders. Withdrawals are processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and USDT, while bank transfers may take 3-5 days. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply for bank transfers. Ensure your account name matches your KYC documents to avoid delays.
| 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 Muslim traders in Myanmar, complying with Sharia law that prohibits interest (riba). IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on request for all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader). Tickmill offers Islamic accounts on its Standard and Pro accounts, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Neither broker imposes additional fees for Islamic accounts, but they may have limited availability for certain instruments. Myanmar Muslim traders should confirm swap-free status before trading, as some brokers reserve the right to revert to standard accounts after a period.
| 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 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual agents including English. Tickmill provides 24/5 support (Monday to Friday) via live chat, email, and phone, with English and other languages. For Myanmar traders, IC Markets’ 24/7 support is more convenient for late-night trading. Tickmill’s support is responsive but limited to weekdays. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources.
| 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...
- Are a high-volume scalper needing ultra-tight spreads from 0.0 pips.
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and algorithmic trading.
- Want 24/7 customer support for after-hours trading.
- Use USDT or e-wallets for fast deposits and withdrawals.
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Are a beginner or small-volume trader seeking lower minimum deposit ($100).
- Want lower commission ($2 per lot) on Pro account.
- Prefer a simpler platform setup with MT4/MT5 only.
- Need Islamic account with no swap fees and easy setup.
For Myanmar retail traders, IC Markets is the better overall choice with a 4.8/5 rating, tighter spreads, 24/7 support, and support for local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Its cTrader platform and fast execution suit active traders. Tickmill (4/5) is a strong alternative for beginners or those prioritizing lower minimum deposits and lower commissions. Both brokers are safe and accept Myanmar clients, but IC Markets offers more advanced tools. Consider your trading volume and preferred payment method—USDT users will find both brokers efficient. Always check with the local financial regulator for any restrictions before trading.