FP Markets vs IC Markets: Which Broker Is Better In 2026?

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Quick Verdict

If I had to choose between FP Markets and IC Markets today, my personal pick remains IC Markets—primarily due to my established relationship and positive experience. However, both brokers are highly competitive, offering strong platforms, tight spreads, and high leverage. FP Markets deserves serious consideration, especially for traders interested in broader share market access via Iress. You can read my full IC Markets review for more details.

Since publishing the wider GradTraders broker data bank, IC Markets and FP Markets have become two of the main brokers compared across our active trader broker research, cTrader broker research, TradingView broker research, low-spread broker research, scalping and day trading broker research and index-broker research. IC Markets remains my personal pick because I trade with it directly, while FP Markets is included because the broker-bank research repeatedly places it among the strongest alternatives for platform flexibility, Raw pricing and active-trader suitability.

FP Markets vs IC Markets: Key Differences

Feature	FP Markets	IC Markets
Broker Position	Strong IC Markets alternative	Current GradTraders personal broker route
Platform Options	MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, Iress	MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Share Market Access	Yes, mainly via Iress route	No equivalent Iress-style route identified
Leverage	High, varies by entity	High, varies by entity
Regulation	Multiple entities; check your registration route	Multiple entities; check your registration route
Scalping & Active Trading	Strong research-led comparison profile	Strong direct-use GradTraders profile
TradingView Support	Yes	Yes
GradTraders Confidence	Research-led confidence	Direct-use confidence

Reputation

Both brokers hold strong positions in active-trader broker research. IC Markets is one of the most established names in the low-spread CFD broker space and is the broker I currently use personally. FP Markets is also a serious comparison name, particularly because of its platform range, Raw account structure and Iress share-market route. The difference is that my confidence in IC Markets is based on direct trading and withdrawal experience, while my view of FP Markets is research-led.

Trading Experience

In my experience, IC Markets provides a stable and professional environment for active CFD trading, particularly around the short-term index trading style I use personally. FP Markets offers a highly versatile experience, especially for traders who want to move between traditional Forex/CFDs and direct share market access via the Iress platform.

One important point is that I currently trade an IC Markets account. Whilst I have researched FP Markets extensively and have generally found positive feedback from traders online, my direct broker experience comes from trading with firms including IC Markets, IG Index, CMC Markets, Plus500 and a variety of crypto specialist platforms such as BitMEX, KuCoin etc. rather than FP Markets itself. That naturally influences my view, particularly when discussing execution quality, platform reliability and spreads across forex, indices, commodities and other markets I have traded over the years.

Pricing & Spreads

Both brokers are relevant for traders comparing spreads, commissions and Raw-style pricing. IC Markets is the broker I continue to use personally, partly because the trading costs on the markets I trade most often have suited my strategy. FP Markets also appears competitive from my research, especially for traders comparing Raw pricing and platform flexibility. Always check the live costs for the specific instruments, account type and legal entity you plan to use.

Winner: Draw. Both brokers offer pricing that will satisfy most active traders. The better choice depends more on the markets you trade than the headline spread figures.

Platform Comparison

• MetaTrader 4 & 5: Both brokers offer MT4 and MT5 for EAs and custom indicators.
• cTrader: Both support cTrader, which I personally prefer for its clean interface.
• TradingView: Both support TradingView routes, which can help traders combine charting, analysis and execution depending on account setup.
• Iress: FP Markets offers Iress for share market access—a unique option.

Winner: FP Markets (slightly), due to Iress. For most traders, the difference is minor.

Which Broker Would I Choose?

Personally, I would choose IC Markets.

That decision is based primarily on my personal experience of their execution quality, withdrawal reliability and overall trading environment. However, if you require direct access to global stock exchanges, FP Markets is the superior choice.

Pros and Cons

FP Markets Pros

• Unique share market access via Iress
• Competitive pricing and leverage
• Supports all major platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView)
• Strong research-led comparison profile
• Detailed FP Markets review available

IC Markets Pros

• Long-established reputation and stability
• Tight spreads (especially indices)
• Strong platform support based on my direct use
• Proven withdrawal reliability

Final Verdict

FP Markets offers strong versatility through its platform range and Iress route, while IC Markets remains my personal benchmark because I use it directly for active CFD trading. For traders comparing low-spread brokers, platform choice and active-trader conditions, both brokers deserve consideration. The difference is that IC Markets is backed by my own trading and withdrawal experience, while FP Markets is a research-led alternative in this comparison.

Choose IC Markets if:

• You want the broker I personally use for active CFD trading.
• You prioritise low-spread index trading, cTrader, MT5 and TradingView support.
• You are comfortable with the IC Markets Global entity trade-off and understand the CFD tax position.

Choose FP Markets if:

• You want a serious IC Markets alternative with MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and Iress support.
• You are specifically interested in broader share-market access through Iress.
• You want a research-led active-trader broker candidate and are prepared to check the legal entity, pricing, withdrawals and product terms yourself.

Overall Verdict: Draw

If I was opening an account tomorrow, I would personally choose IC Markets because of my direct experience with the broker. From a research standpoint, FP Markets still deserves serious consideration, especially for traders who value platform flexibility, Raw account pricing and Iress market access. The better choice depends on whether you prioritise IC Markets’ active CFD trading route, which I use personally, or FP Markets’ broader platform and market-access profile.