IC Markets vs Tickmill Norway 2026: Complete Comparison for Retail Traders
Which broker is better for Norway traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Norway retail traders comparing IC Markets vs Tickmill in 2026 face a choice between two highly respected forex and CFD brokers. IC Markets, with a 4.8/5 rating, is known for its ultra-tight spreads and institutional-grade execution, appealing to active traders. Tickmill, scoring 4/5, offers competitive pricing with lower minimum deposits and a user-friendly experience. Both brokers accept Norwegian clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits and withdrawals convenient. The local financial regulator oversees compliance, ensuring a secure trading environment. Whether you trade from Oslo or Bergen, this comparison covers spreads, platforms, regulation, and account types to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals.
| 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 Norway traders, trading costs are a key differentiator. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a $7 round-turn commission per lot, ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. Tickmill's Pro account starts at 0.1 pips with a $4 round-turn commission, making it slightly more expensive on spreads but cheaper on commission. On a standard lot of EUR/USD, IC Markets' total cost averages $7-8, while Tickmill's is around $8-10. For Norway traders executing 10+ lots monthly, IC Markets provides better value. Tickmill's Classic account has no commission but wider spreads, suiting lower-volume 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Norway (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 and MetaTrader 5, the industry-standard platforms favored by Norway traders for their advanced charting and automated trading. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a popular ECN platform with depth-of-market features and faster execution, ideal for algorithmic traders. Tickmill focuses on MT4/MT5, with a clean interface and one-click trading. For Norway traders who value platform variety, IC Markets wins with three options. Tickmill's platforms are reliable but lack cTrader. Both support desktop, web, and mobile versions for trading on the go.
| 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 uses Equinix NY4 data centers for ultra-low latency execution, with an average execution speed of under 40ms. Tickmill also offers fast execution with servers in London and New York, averaging 50-60ms. For Norway traders, IC Markets' infrastructure is superior for scalping and high-frequency trading. Tickmill's execution is still competitive for most retail strategies. Both brokers offer no requotes and fill-or-kill orders. IC Markets is the clear winner for execution quality.
| 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 ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSA (Seychelles), while Tickmill holds licenses from the FCA (UK), CySEC, and the FSA. For Norway traders, neither broker is directly regulated by the local financial regulator, but they comply with European standards through CySEC and FCA oversight. This means client funds are segregated, and negative balance protection applies. Norway traders should verify that the broker's license covers retail clients. IC Markets' ASIC regulation adds an extra layer of trust, while Tickmill's FCA license is highly regarded. Both brokers offer a secure environment for Norwegian clients.
| 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 |
Norway traders can fund accounts at both brokers using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, among other methods. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while Tickmill's is $100. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant and fee-free, while Bank Transfer may take 1-3 business days and incur intermediary bank charges. USDT deposits are processed quickly with low fees. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at IC Markets and up to 48 hours at Tickmill, with Skrill/Neteller being the fastest. Both brokers do not charge internal withdrawal fees, but Norway traders should check their bank or e-wallet for any incoming transfer fees. For large withdrawals, Bank Transfer is reliable but slower.
| 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 swap-free Islamic accounts (no overnight interest) for Muslim traders in Norway. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw Spread accounts, with no additional fees for swap-free status. Tickmill offers Islamic accounts on all account types, including Pro and Classic. Norway traders must request an Islamic account during registration or by contacting support. Both brokers require a genuine religious reason and may close swap-free accounts if abuse is detected. For long-term position holders, these accounts are cost-effective as they avoid overnight financing charges.
| 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 fast response times. Tickmill provides 24/5 support with live chat and email, and phone support during business hours. For Norway traders, both brokers support English, but IC Markets has a slight edge with round-the-clock availability. Tickmill's support is reliable but limited on weekends. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections. For urgent issues, IC Markets' 24/7 live chat is preferable.
| 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 or day trader seeking the lowest spreads and fastest execution
- Prefer cTrader platform for advanced charting and depth-of-market analysis
- Need 24/7 customer support and round-the-clock trading access
- Trade major forex pairs and commodities frequently from Norway
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Are a beginner or lower-volume trader with a smaller deposit ($100 minimum)
- Value FCA regulation and a simpler, commission-free Classic account
- Prefer MT4/MT5 without needing additional platforms like cTrader
- Want lower commission costs on the Pro account for medium-volume trading
For Norway retail traders, IC Markets is the stronger choice overall with a 4.8/5 rating, offering tighter spreads, faster execution, and more platform options. Its support for Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT makes deposits seamless, and its ASIC/CySEC regulation provides robust protection. Tickmill (4/5) is a worthy alternative for cost-conscious traders, especially those starting with $100 and valuing FCA oversight. The local financial regulator ensures both brokers operate compliantly for Norwegian clients. If you trade actively and prioritize raw spreads, IC Markets wins. For beginners or lower-volume traders, Tickmill offers excellent value. Test both with demo accounts to see which fits your strategy.