Admirals vs IC Markets Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - Admirals or IC Markets?
Our pick: IC Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - IC Markets looks preferable to Admirals.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 3 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Admirals has 4.3/5 and ranks 26.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Admirals suitable for?
Admirals is suitable for short-term traders looking for a large selection of instruments and a good educational program.
Who is IC Markets suitable for?
IC Markets is suitable for traders looking for low spreads and ECN accounts and the ability to scalp and use expert advisors.
Comparison Table of Admirals and IC Markets
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2001 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | Cyprus, Jordan, United Kingdom, Estonia, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Seychelles, Canada | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Admirals Review | IC Markets Review |
Admirals Review
The broker Admirals is suitable for a broad spectrum of traders. With its strict regulation, various account types, and a competent set of educational and analytical materials, this broker provides high-quality services for novice and experienced traders.
Beginners seeking detailed educational resources and support will undoubtedly appreciate this broker. Experienced traders will also find it beneficial due to competitive trading commissions, abundant tools for analysis and trading, and the convenience of the depositing and withdrawal process.
Pros and Cons of Admirals
Pros
- Low trading fees.
- Wide range of payment methods.
- Extensive analytical resources.
- A rich collection of educational materials.
Cons
- Inactivity fee.
- Some users complain about the intrusiveness of the support service.
Admirals is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
IC Markets Review
IC Markets is a reliable and versatile broker that offers a wide range of services and tools for trading in the financial markets. The company provides impressive trading instruments, high-quality trading platforms, advanced analytical tools, and valuable education for traders of all levels.
IC Markets is likely most suitable for experienced traders who value deep liquidity, tight spreads, and advanced trading tools. Beginner traders can also benefit from the educational materials offered by the company, but they should be prepared for some additional expenses and a higher minimum deposit requirement.
Pros and Cons of IC Markets
Pros
- A wide range of trading assets.
- Low spreads.
- Variety of trading platforms.
- Quality educational materials.
- Efficient customer support service.
Cons
- High minimum deposit.
IC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2001 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | Cyprus, Jordan, United Kingdom, Estonia, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, Seychelles, Canada | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
| Regulators | CySEC CySEC JSC JSC FCA FCA EFSA EFSA ASIC ASIC FSCA FSCA CMA CMA SFSA SFSA CIRO CIRO | SFSA SFSA ASIC ASIC CySEC CySEC CMA CMA |
Admirals
Admirals showcases high reliability, bolstered by strict regulation and an excellent policy for the protection of client funds.
IC Markets
IC Markets operates under the regulation of several jurisdictions, including ASIC in Australia, CySEC in Cyprus, and SFSA in the Seychelles, indicating a high degree of regulation.
Account Opening
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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Admirals
Account opening with Admirals is simple, quick, and convenient, making the process accessible for traders of different levels.
IC Markets
The account opening process at IC Markets is well-thought-out, transparent, and detailed, ensuring convenience and ease for clients. However, the high minimum deposit may deter many beginners.
Account Types
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.3/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:1000 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Admirals
Admirals offers a variety of account types to meet the needs of most traders but lacks some specific options.
Pros
- A wide selection of accounts for different trading styles.
- A demo account to test strategies risk-free.
- Provision of Islamic accounts for religious traders.
Cons
- Lack of cent accounts.
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
- There are no additional services such as copying trades or PAMM accounts.
IC Markets
IC Markets' accounts are mainly aimed at experienced and professional traders.
Pros
- ECN accounts
- Ability to copy trades
- Access to VPS
Cons
- No cent accounts
- No fixed spread accounts
Commissions
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.6 | 0.62 |
| Commission per Lot | $3 | $3.5 |
Admirals
Admirals' brokerage fees are average but offer benefits, especially for active traders.
Pros
- Narrow spreads.
- One free withdrawal per month.
- Cashback for trading activity.
Cons
- Inactivity fee.
- High swaps.
IC Markets
IC Markets has low commissions. Fees for transactions on ECN accounts and spreads are acceptable to most traders, and the absence of charges for deposits/withdrawals and account inactivity is a significant advantage.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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Admirals
Admirals offers convenient and economical ways to deposit and withdraw funds with various methods, including cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- A broad range of available deposit and withdrawal methods.
- No commission in most cases.
- The possibility to use cryptocurrencies for transactions.
Cons
- Bank transfer fee for deposits under 1000 USD or EUR.
- Fee for multiple withdrawals within a single month.
IC Markets
IC Markets offers multiple options for depositing and withdrawing funds, but possible fees from banks and payment systems should be considered, along with some restrictions on withdrawal methods.
Markets and Products
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 82 | 61 |
| Precious Metals | 7 | 7 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 5 |
| Soft Commodities | 7 | 8 |
| Indices | 43 | 25 |
| Stocks | 3428 | 2175 |
| ETF | 362 | 38 |
| Bonds | 2 | 10 |
| Cryptocurrency | 21 | 21 |
Admirals
Admirals provides a wide selection of instruments for trading and investing.
IC Markets
IC Markets offers various trading instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs on metals, energy resources, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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|
Admirals
Admirals offers time-tested and reliable platforms MT4 and MT5 and a functional mobile app for trading on the go.
Pros
- Access to a wide range of features through MT4 and MT5.
- Convenient mobile app for trading anytime and anywhere.
- Intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
Cons
- Lack of additional unique or innovative platforms.
IC Markets
IC Markets provides powerful and functional trading platforms suitable for various trader categories.
Analytics
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Admirals
The broker offers an extensive set of analytical tools and materials.
IC Markets
IC Markets provides its clients with an extensive set of analytical tools and materials, which can assist them in successful trading in the financial markets.
Education
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Admirals
The broker provides various educational materials, including webinars, seminars, articles, and guides.
IC Markets
IC Markets offers a wide range of educational resources, from interactive video lessons to webinars and podcasts, demonstrating care for their clients and a commitment to providing all the necessary resources for successful trading.
Customer Support
| Broker | Admirals | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Telegram
YouTube
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedInAdmirals
Admirals' technical support is characterized by quick response and multiple communication channels, but the website lacks a support schedule, and user reviews on various resources indicate intrusiveness of support.
IC Markets
IC Markets provides a variety of communication channels, ensuring support service accessibility for clients. Numerous client reviews indicate the support team's quick response and high professionalism.
Pros
- Positive reviews about professional support
- Multiple channels for support communication
- Support is available 24/7
Cons
- Only international call option is available
Comparisons of Admirals and IC Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
IC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while Admirals trails on aggregate criteria.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 3 in our rating; Admirals has 4.3/5 and ranks 26.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Admirals or IC Markets?
IC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 3) versus Admirals (score 4.3/5, position 26).
Which broker is better for beginners: Admirals or IC Markets?
IC Markets is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Admirals or IC Markets?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with Admirals and IC Markets?
Admirals: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. IC Markets: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Admirals and IC Markets?
Admirals: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. IC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by Admirals and IC Markets?
Admirals: Zero.MT4, Zero.MT5, Trade.MT4, Trade.MT5, Invest.MT5. IC Markets: Standard, Raw Spread cTrader, Raw Spread. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by Admirals and IC Markets?
Admirals: Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. IC Markets: PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, Swift, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, POLi, Rapidpay. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Admirals or IC Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
