Which broker is better for Suriname traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

For Suriname traders looking to enter the global forex market, choosing the right broker is critical. IC Markets and XM Group are two of the most popular choices, each with distinct strengths. IC Markets, rated 4.8/5, is known for its institutional-grade execution, ultra-low spreads starting from 0.0 pips, and deep liquidityβmaking it a top pick for active and scalping traders. XM Group, rated 4.7/5, stands out with its comprehensive educational resources, no deposit fees, and a wider range of account types including micro lots, which suits beginners and casual traders. Both brokers accept Suriname clients and support local deposit methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. However, the local financial regulator does not directly oversee either broker, so traders must rely on the brokers' international licenses (e.g., CySEC, ASIC, FCA). This comparison breaks down the key factorsβcosts, platforms, regulation, and payment methodsβto help Suriname traders decide which broker aligns best with their trading style and goals.

| Instrument | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 | IC Markets |
| Inactivity fee | β | β | Tie |
For Suriname traders, trading costs are a decisive factor, especially for those trading frequently or in larger volumes. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side, resulting in an all-in cost of about $7 per lot round-turn. XM Groupβs Zero account has spreads from 0.6 pips with a $5 commission per lot round-turn, while its Standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission. For a Suriname trader executing 10 standard lots per month, IC Markets could save up to $30 in spread costs compared to XM Groupβs Standard account. The lower spreads at IC Markets directly benefit active traders, while XM Groupβs no-commission Standard account is more cost-effective for smaller trade sizes.
| Account Type | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | β | β |
| ECN / Raw spread | β | β |
| Islamic (swap-free) | β | β |
| Demo account | β | β |
| PAMM / MAM account | β | β |
| Zero spread account | β | β |
| Copy trading | β | β |
| VPS trading | β | β |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Suriname (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 | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | β | β | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | β | β | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | β | β | XM Group |
| ETFs | β | β | Tie |
| Options | β | β | Tie |
| Futures | β | β | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | β | β |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | β | β |
| cTrader | β | β |
| TradingView | β | β |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | β | β |
| Scalping allowed | β | β |
| Hedging allowed | β | β |
| Fixed spreads | β | β |
| Variable spreads | β | β |
Both brokers offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are popular among Suriname traders for their reliability and advanced charting tools. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform preferred by scalpers for its faster execution and depth-of-market visibility. XM Group offers its own XM WebTrader and mobile app, which are intuitive for beginners. For Suriname traders with varying internet reliability, both brokers provide downloadable platforms and mobile apps that work offline for analysis. IC Marketsβ cTrader is a standout for those seeking low-latency trading, while XM Groupβs platform suite is more accessible for less experienced users.
| Factor | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Dealing desk | β | β | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | β | β | Tie |
| News trading | β | β | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | β | β | Tie |
IC Markets is renowned for its low-latency execution, with average order execution speeds under 40 milliseconds, thanks to its Equinix NY4 servers and no-dealing-desk (NDD) model. XM Group also offers NDD execution but with slightly higher latency, averaging around 100 milliseconds. For Suriname traders, especially scalpers and high-frequency traders, IC Marketsβ superior execution speed can be a significant advantage, reducing slippage and improving trade outcomes. XM Groupβs execution is still reliable for most retail traders but may not match IC Markets for ultra-fast trading.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Reg number | #335692 | #443670 |
| Verify registration | Verify β | Verify β |
| Top-tier regulated | β | β |
| Investor protection | β | β |
| Segregated funds | β | β |
| Neg. balance protection | β | β |
IC Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities including the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC). XM Group holds licenses from CySEC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, and the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) in Belize. For Suriname traders, this means both brokers offer a high level of regulatory protection, though the local financial regulator does not directly oversee them. XM Groupβs FCA regulation provides additional client fund protection under the UK compensation scheme. Traders should note that the level of protection may depend on the entity they choose. Overall, both brokers are well-regulated, but XM Groupβs FCA oversight may offer extra peace of mind for risk-averse Suriname traders.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | β | β |
| Visa / Mastercard | β | β |
| Skrill | β | β |
| Neteller | β | β |
| USDT / Crypto | β | β |
| 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 | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
| Min withdrawal | $50 | $50 |
Suriname traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and XM Group using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets processes deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT instantly with no fees, while Bank Transfers may take 1-3 business days. XM Group also offers instant processing for Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, with no deposit fees. Withdrawals at IC Markets are processed within 24 hours for e-wallets and USDT, while Bank Transfers take 2-5 days. XM Group similarly processes e-wallet withdrawals within 24 hours. USDT is a particularly convenient option for Suriname traders who prefer cryptocurrency transactions, as it avoids traditional banking delays. Both brokers do not charge internal fees for deposits or withdrawals, but bank intermediary fees may apply for Bank Transfers.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | β | β |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | β | β |
| Gold swap-free | β | β |
| Crypto swap-free | β | β |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
Both IC Markets and XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Suriname Muslim traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts upon request, applicable to all account types, with no additional fees. XM Group automatically offers swap-free accounts for clients residing in predominantly Muslim countries, including Suriname, without any extra charges. For Suriname traders, XM Groupβs automatic provision is more convenient, while IC Markets requires a simple request. Both brokers ensure that Islamic accounts are available for forex and CFD trading, though certain instruments may incur holding costs after a specific period.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | β | β | Tie |
| Phone support | β | β | Tie |
| Email support | β | β | Tie |
| 24/7 support | β | β | Tie |
| 24/5 support | β | β | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a strong reputation for quick response times. XM Group also provides 24/5 support with live chat, phone, and email, along with a comprehensive FAQ section. For Suriname traders, both brokers support English, but XM Groupβs support is slightly more accessible due to its wider range of local-language options. IC Marketsβ round-the-clock support is beneficial for traders in the Suriname timezone (UTC-3) who trade during off-hours.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5β | 4.3β | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3β | 4.2β | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | β | β | Tie |
| Push notifications | β | β | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Mobile deposit/withdrawal | β | β | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | β | β | Tie |
| Dark mode | β | β | Tie |
| Resource | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | IC Markets |
| Webinars (live) | β | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | β | β | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
| Beginner resources | Excellent | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose XM Group if you...
For Suriname traders, the choice between IC Markets and XM Group ultimately depends on trading style and priorities. IC Markets, with its 4.8/5 rating, is the superior option for cost-conscious active traders seeking the lowest spreads and fastest execution, supported by deposit methods like Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. XM Group, rated 4.7/5, is better suited for beginners and those who prefer a user-friendly experience with no deposit fees and strong regulatory backing from the FCA. Both brokers are well-regulated internationally and accept Suriname clients, though the local financial regulator does not directly oversee them. If you trade frequently and want to maximize efficiency, IC Markets is the clear winner. If you value simplicity, education, and automatic Islamic accounts, XM Group is a reliable choice. Consider your volume, experience, and preferred deposit method to make the best decision.