IC Markets vs Tickmill for Singapore Traders (2026)
Which broker is better for Singapore traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Singapore retail traders evaluating IC Markets vs Tickmill in 2026 face two top-tier brokers with distinct strengths. IC Markets holds a 4.8/5 rating, praised for ultra-low spreads, MetaTrader 4/5 and cTrader support, and deep liquidity. Tickmill scores 4/5, offering competitive pricing and a user-friendly experience. For Singapore traders, local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT are supported by both, making deposits seamless. The local financial regulator ensures a safe trading environment, but neither broker is directly regulated by MAS, relying on international licenses. This comparison helps you decide based on spreads, platforms, and costs tailored to Singapore's trading community.
| 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 Singapore traders, trading costs are critical. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips with a $7 round-turn commission on its True ECN account, ideal for scalpers. Tickmill's Pro account also starts at 0.0 pips but with a $4 per side commission, making it cheaper for smaller trades. On standard accounts, IC Markets has spreads from 0.6 pips, Tickmill from 1.0 pips. High-volume Singapore traders benefit more from IC Markets due to tighter spreads and lower overall costs on major pairs like EUR/USD.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore (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 supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, offering advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators preferred by Singapore traders. Tickmill provides MT4 and MT5 only, with no cTrader. For Singapore traders who value algorithmic trading or multi-platform flexibility, IC Markets is superior. Both offer mobile apps, but IC Markets' cTrader is a standout for scalping and order management. Tickmill's platforms are reliable but less diverse.
| 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 low-latency execution with servers in Equinix NY4 and LD4, offering average speeds under 40ms for Singapore traders via Asian servers. Tickmill uses Equinix LD4 and NY4, with slightly higher latency for Asia. IC Markets' No Dealing Desk model ensures no requotes, ideal for scalpers. Tickmill's execution is reliable but best for medium-frequency traders. For high-frequency trading, IC Markets is superior.
| 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). Tickmill is regulated by the FCA (UK), CySEC, and the FSA. Neither holds a MAS license, but they comply with Singapore's financial laws. For Singapore traders, this means client funds are segregated and negative balance protection applies. The local financial regulator oversees their operations, ensuring fair practices. Both are considered safe, but IC Markets' ASIC regulation adds an extra layer of trust for retail traders.
| 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 |
Singapore traders can fund accounts easily with both brokers. IC Markets accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, with a minimum deposit of $200. Tickmill requires only $100 minimum and supports the same methods. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant, while USDT (Tether) deposits are processed within minutes. Bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are free on both brokers, processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and crypto. Tickmill offers faster withdrawals for smaller amounts, but IC Markets has higher limits for active traders. Both support SGD conversion at competitive rates.
| 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 accounts (swap-free) for Singapore Muslim traders. These accounts eliminate overnight interest charges, complying with Sharia law. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on all account types, while Tickmill offers them on Pro and VIP accounts. No additional fees are charged. Singapore traders can request the account during registration or via support. IC Markets' Islamic accounts are more flexible, with no restrictions on trade duration, whereas Tickmill may limit certain instruments.
| 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 support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Asian clients. Tickmill provides 24/5 support with live chat, email, and phone, but response times can be slower during weekends. For Singapore traders, IC Markets' round-the-clock support is better for after-hours trading. Both have comprehensive FAQ sections and account managers for VIP clients.
| 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 scalper or day trader needing ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips
- Prefer cTrader for advanced charting and automation
- Trade high volumes and benefit from lower commission structures
- Want 24/7 customer support for after-hours trading
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Have a smaller starting capital (minimum $100 deposit)
- Prefer a simpler platform setup with MT4/MT5 only
- Want competitive spreads with lower commissions on small trades
- Value FCA regulation for added security
For Singapore retail traders, IC Markets (4.8/5) is the better choice overall, offering tighter spreads, more platforms, and faster execution. Tickmill (4/5) is a strong alternative for smaller accounts and those prioritizing lower minimum deposits. Both support local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring easy funding. While neither is MAS-regulated, they comply with the local financial regulator's guidelines. If you trade frequently or use advanced tools, go with IC Markets. For a simpler, cost-effective start, Tickmill works well. Choose based on your trading style and capital size.