IC Markets vs Tickmill: Which Broker Wins for Papua New Guinea Traders?
Which broker is better for Papua New Guinea traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Papua New Guinea retail traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2026 face a strong choice between IC Markets and Tickmill. IC Markets earns a 4.8/5 rating for its ultra-low spreads, deep liquidity, and support for local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20. Tickmill, with a 4/5 rating, offers competitive pricing and a user-friendly platform. Both brokers accept Papua New Guinea residents and allow trading in USD, the preferred currency for local traders. However, IC Markets edges ahead with faster execution and more advanced tools, making it ideal for scalpers and high-volume traders. Tickmill appeals to beginners with lower minimum deposits and a simpler interface. This comparison focuses on the specific needs of Papua New Guinea traders, covering costs, regulation, and deposit options to help you decide.
| 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 Papua New Guinea traders trading in USD, IC Markets offers lower overall trading costs with spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Tickmill’s Raw account starts at 0.1 pips with a $2 commission per lot per side. On a standard lot trade, IC Markets costs about $7 per round turn, while Tickmill costs around $6. However, IC Markets’ tighter spreads benefit scalpers trading multiple lots daily. Papua New Guinea traders should consider their trading frequency: IC Markets suits high-volume traders, while Tickmill is cost-effective for moderate volumes.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea (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 MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, all popular among Papua New Guinea traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. Tickmill offers MT4 and MT5 but lacks cTrader. For Papua New Guinea traders who value algorithmic trading or custom indicators, IC Markets’ cTrader platform offers superior order execution and depth of market. Tickmill’s platforms are stable and user-friendly, ideal for beginners. Both brokers support mobile trading, essential for traders in PNG with limited desktop access.
| 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 offers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center and no dealing desk model. Tickmill’s execution averages 50ms, also using a no dealing desk model. For Papua New Guinea traders who scalp or trade news events, IC Markets’ lower latency can reduce slippage. Tickmill’s execution is still reliable for most retail strategies.
| 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 FSA (Seychelles) and CySEC, while Tickmill holds licenses from the FCA (UK), CySEC, and FSA. Neither broker is directly regulated by Papua New Guinea’s local financial regulator, but both follow international standards. For Papua New Guinea traders, this means funds are held in segregated accounts, and negative balance protection is provided. IC Markets’ FSA regulation offers a lower level of oversight compared to Tickmill’s FCA license, which provides stronger investor protection. However, both are reputable and widely used globally.
| 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 |
Papua New Guinea traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 at both IC Markets and Tickmill. IC Markets processes deposits instantly with no fees, while Tickmill also offers free deposits. USDT TRC20 is particularly advantageous for PNG traders due to low transaction costs and fast settlement, bypassing traditional banking delays. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at both brokers, but Tickmill charges a small fee for bank transfers. IC Markets offers free withdrawals via most methods. Minimum deposits are $200 for IC Markets and $100 for Tickmill, making Tickmill more accessible for beginners.
| 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 Papua New Guinea Muslim traders. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types without additional fees, while Tickmill offers them on request and may charge a small administration fee after a certain period. For Papua New Guinea traders who observe Sharia law, IC Markets’ straightforward policy is more appealing. Both brokers ensure no swap is charged on overnight positions, aligning with Islamic finance principles.
| 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 live chat, email, and phone support in English, with response times under 2 minutes. Tickmill provides support 24/5 via live chat and email, with slower response times during weekends. For Papua New Guinea traders in a different time zone, IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is more convenient. Both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| 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...
- Need ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips for scalping or high-volume trading
- Want access to cTrader for advanced charting and automated trading
- Prefer instant deposits via USDT TRC20, Skrill, or Neteller with no fees
- Require 24/7 customer support for trading outside standard hours
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Are a beginner with a lower minimum deposit of $100
- Prefer a simpler platform without advanced tools like cTrader
- Value FCA regulation for stronger investor protection
- Trade moderate volumes and want lower commissions per lot
For Papua New Guinea traders in 2026, IC Markets is the better overall choice with its 4.8/5 rating, tighter spreads, and broader platform selection including cTrader. It supports local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20, making deposits and withdrawals seamless. Tickmill, rated 4/5, is a solid alternative for beginners or those prioritizing FCA regulation and lower minimum deposits. Both brokers accept PNG residents and are not regulated by the local financial regulator, but they are trusted internationally. If you trade actively or use advanced strategies, IC Markets is the clear winner. For cost-conscious new traders, Tickmill offers excellent value.