IC Markets vs Tickmill 2026: Sweden Trader Comparison
Which broker is better for Sweden traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Sweden traders looking for a reliable forex broker often compare IC Markets and Tickmill, two highly respected names in the industry. IC Markets holds a strong 4.8/5 rating, while Tickmill follows closely at 4/5. Both brokers accept Sweden clients and support local payment methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. For retail traders in Sweden, the choice often comes down to spread costs, platform variety, and regulatory comfort. IC Markets is known for its deep liquidity and tight spreads, making it ideal for high-frequency traders. Tickmill, on the other hand, offers a simpler fee structure and lower minimum deposits, appealing to beginners. This comparison reviews key aspects like trading costs, regulation, deposit options, and customer support, tailored specifically for Sweden traders.
| 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 Sweden traders, IC Markets generally offers tighter spreads, especially on its Raw Spread account, where spreads start from 0.0 pips with a $3.50 commission per lot per side. Tickmill's Raw account also starts from 0.0 pips but charges a $4 commission per lot per side. For Sweden traders trading EUR/USD or USD/SEK, IC Markets' lower spreads can result in significant savings, particularly for those trading high volumes. Tickmill's Classic account has no commission but wider spreads, which may suit lower-frequency traders. Overall, IC Markets is more cost-effective for active Sweden traders, while Tickmill is competitive for smaller accounts.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden (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 IC Markets and Tickmill offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by Sweden traders. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a popular alternative for those who prefer advanced charting and faster execution. Tickmill lacks cTrader but compensates with a user-friendly WebTrader platform. For Sweden traders who trade on the go, both brokers have fully functional mobile apps. IC Markets' multi-platform support gives it an edge for traders who want flexibility, while Tickmill's simpler offering is sufficient for most retail traders.
| 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 |
Both IC Markets and Tickmill offer fast execution speeds, crucial for Sweden traders using scalping strategies. IC Markets boasts an average execution speed of under 40 milliseconds, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. Tickmill's execution is similarly fast, averaging around 50 milliseconds. IC Markets has a slight edge due to its lower latency and larger liquidity pool, but both brokers are reliable for high-frequency trading. Sweden traders can expect minimal slippage and requotes on both platforms.
| 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) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while Tickmill is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles. Neither broker is directly regulated by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen), but both operate under recognized international regulators. For Sweden traders, this means you can open accounts with confidence, but you should be aware that deposit protection schemes vary. IC Markets' CySEC regulation offers up to €20,000 in compensation, while Tickmill's FCA regulation provides up to £85,000. Always verify the specific entity you are trading with.
| 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 |
For Sweden traders, depositing and withdrawing funds is straightforward at both IC Markets and Tickmill. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT (Tether). IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200, while Tickmill allows as low as $100. Deposits via Skrill and Neteller are instant, while Bank Transfer may take 1-3 business days. USDT deposits are processed on the blockchain and typically arrive within minutes. Withdrawals are processed back to the same method where possible, and both brokers aim to process requests within 24 hours. Sweden traders should note that Bank Transfer withdrawals may incur intermediary bank fees, while e-wallet and USDT withdrawals are usually fee-free.
| 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 Sweden Muslim traders. These accounts comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying overnight interest on positions. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on its Standard and Raw spread accounts, while Tickmill offers them on its Classic and Raw accounts. Sweden traders need to request activation via customer support after account opening. It's important to note that some brokers may charge an administrative fee for holding positions overnight on Islamic accounts, so Sweden traders should confirm the terms before trading.
| 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 a dedicated team for Sweden traders. Tickmill also provides 24/5 support via live chat and email, with phone support available during business hours. Both brokers have English-speaking support, but IC Markets has a slight edge with its round-the-clock availability, which is beneficial for Sweden traders who trade during non-European hours. Response times are generally fast for both, with IC Markets averaging under 30 seconds for live chat.
| 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...
- Trade high volumes and need the tightest spreads available
- Prefer multiple platform options including cTrader
- Want 24/7 customer support for round-the-clock trading
- Are comfortable with a $200 minimum deposit
Choose Tickmill if you...
- Are a beginner or trade with smaller capital (min $100 deposit)
- Prefer a simpler fee structure without commission
- Value FCA regulation with higher deposit protection
- Don't need cTrader and are happy with MT4/MT5
For Sweden traders, IC Markets is the stronger choice overall, thanks to its higher rating (4.8/5), tighter spreads, and broader platform selection. It is particularly well-suited for active retail traders who trade high volumes and want the best possible execution. Tickmill remains a solid alternative for beginners or those with smaller capital, offering a lower minimum deposit and a simpler fee structure. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits easy for Sweden traders. While neither is directly regulated by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen), both operate under reputable international regulators. Your final choice should depend on your trading style and capital size.