Darwinex vs IC Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Darwinex and IC Markets. Find out which broker is best for you.
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 - Darwinex or IC Markets?
Key differences between the brokers
Below, we show only the differences in trading conditions covered in our reviews. These may include the minimum deposit, available markets, platforms and account types. Compare these details with your requirements.
Darwinex
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 500 USD
- Different platforms
- DXtrade
- Trader WorkStation (TWS)
- WebTrader
- Ninja Trader
- MultiCharts
- IB Gateway
- Different markets
- None listed
IC Markets
- Minimum deposit · USD
- 200 USD
- Different platforms
- cTrader
- Different markets
- Soft Commodities
- Bonds
Comparison Table of Darwinex and IC Markets
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Year | 2012 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Spain, Seychelles | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review |
Darwinex Review
Darwinex is a specialized broker and investment platform that differs significantly from traditional Forex and CFD companies. It combines conventional trading with Interactive Brokers' infrastructure and the proprietary DARWIN ecosystem, which allows traders to turn a trading strategy into an investment product and attract capital from other investors. Based on its regulation, trading conditions, platforms, and available features, Darwinex appears to be a strong broker, although some services are more specialized and require a certain level of experience.
Darwinex is best suited to experienced, systematic, and algorithmic traders who want to analyze their strategies' results in detail, trade through MT4/MT5 or TradingView and potentially attract investor capital through DARWIN. The broker may also appeal to stock and futures traders thanks to its integration with Interactive Brokers.
Pros and Cons of Darwinex
Pros
- Reliable regulation by the FCA and CNMV, segregation of funds, and compensation schemes for UK/EU clients.
- Wide choice of platforms: MT4, MT5, TradingView and DXtrade.
- A unique DARWIN system for attracting investor capital.
- Competitive trading commissions and rebates up to 40%.
- Access to stocks, ETFs, and futures through Interactive Brokers.
Cons
- Limited choice of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- Market-average swaps and an inactivity fee.
- Limited educational materials.
- No 24/5 or 24/7 support.
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
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2012 | 2007 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Spain, Seychelles | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya |
| Regulators |
Darwinex
Darwinex stands out for its high level of reliability due to regulation by the FCA and the CNMV, the segregation of funds, and compensation schemes.
Pros
- Regulated by the FCA and the CNMV.
- Segregation of client funds.
- Compensation of up to £85 000 in the UK and up to €100 000 in the EU.
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
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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Darwinex
Opening an account with Darwinex is fully online and usually takes up to one business day. The process is well organized but requires a more detailed questionnaire and more documents than many CFD brokers.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- Verification usually takes 1 business day.
Cons
- Detailed financial questionnaire.
- Additional documents may be requested.
- The base currency cannot be changed after verification.
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
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 4.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | Yes | Yes |
| Swap-free Account | No | Yes |
Darwinex
Darwinex offers a wide range of accounts for self-directed trading, investing, and raising capital. The structure is particularly well suited to active and professional traders but does not cater to all client categories.
Pros
- CFD and IBKR accounts.
- Investment portfolios and DARWIN.
- Demo and corporate accounts are available.
Cons
- No Islamic account.
- The account structure may be complex for beginners.
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
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.3 | 0.62 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$2.85 | per 1 lot$3.50 |
Darwinex
Fees at Darwinex are generally below average: spreads are tight, trading commissions are competitive, and rebates can further reduce costs. Swaps remain average.
Pros
- Low spreads.
- Competitive trading commissions.
- Rebates up to 40%.
Cons
- Market-average swaps.
- There is an account inactivity fee.
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
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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Darwinex
Deposits and withdrawals at Darwinex are fairly convenient and fast, but the choice of methods is limited. The main drawbacks are the lack of cryptocurrencies and additional costs for some withdrawal methods.
Pros
- Fast deposits via card and Skrill.
- Straightforward system via Darwinex Wallet.
Cons
- Limited choice of payment methods.
- No cryptocurrencies.
- A fee applies to withdrawals via card and Skrill.
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
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 42 | 61 |
| Precious Metals | 2 | 7 |
| Energy Carriers | 2 | 5 |
| Indices | 10 | 25 |
| Stocks | 800 | 2175 |
| ETF | 100 | 38 |
| Cryptocurrency | 7 | 21 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 8 |
| Bonds | - | 10 |
Darwinex
Darwinex offers a wide range of markets thanks to the combination of CFDs and Interactive Brokers accounts. The selection is well suited to active traders, although the choice remains limited in certain asset classes.
Pros
- Forex, stocks, ETFs, indices, and commodities.
- Access to futures through IBKR.
Cons
- Some markets are available only through IBKR.
- Limited choice of indices and commodities.
- Cryptocurrencies are not available to all clients.
IC Markets
IC Markets offers various trading instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs on metals, energy resources, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
Trading Platforms
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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Darwinex
Darwinex offers a wide range of platforms with robust functionality. MT4/MT5, TradingView and DXtrade are suitable for manual and algorithmic trading as well as advanced analysis.
Pros
- Wide choice of platforms.
- Support for algorithmic trading.
- Integration with TradingView.
IC Markets
IC Markets provides powerful and functional trading platforms suitable for various trader categories.
Analytics
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
Darwinex
Analytics from Darwinex are particularly strong for assessing trading strategies and risks, but the broker trails more versatile competitors in conventional market reviews, news, and signals.
Pros
- In-depth strategy analysis.
- Detailed risk and return statistics.
Cons
- Little proprietary market analysis.
- No comprehensive trading signals section.
- A limited number of expert reviews.
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
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2.5/5 | 5/5 |
Darwinex
Darwinex's educational resources are useful for traders already familiar with the market but are less varied in format than those of competitors: the main focus is on articles and guides, with no structured courses or regular webinars.
Pros
- Useful articles and guides.
Cons
- No comprehensive academy.
- Few video formats.
- No regular webinars or podcasts.
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
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| Broker | Darwinex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Email Support | ||
| Hotline Phones | ||
| Social Media |
Darwinex
Support at Darwinex is fairly professional and offers several contact channels, but its limited hours and lack of 24/5 service lower the overall rating.
Pros
- Email, phone, and contact forms.
- There is a channel for urgent trading issues.
- Generally professional responses.
Cons
- No 24/5 or 24/7 support.
- Complex inquiries may take a long time to resolve.
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 Darwinex and IC Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
When choosing between IC Markets and Darwinex, match their platforms, markets, account types and funding terms to your needs.
Before opening an account, verify fees, regulation, support and service availability for your country in the sections above.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Darwinex or IC Markets?
IC Markets ranks higher than Darwinex in our editorial ranking. That does not make it a universal choice: compare fees, markets, platforms, account types and support.
Which broker is better for beginners: Darwinex or IC Markets?
Beginners should compare availability in their country, account types, minimum deposit, trading platforms and customer support.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — Darwinex 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 Darwinex and IC Markets?
Darwinex: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, DXtrade, TradingView, Trader WorkStation (TWS), WebTrader, Ninja Trader, MultiCharts, IB Gateway. IC Markets: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Darwinex and IC Markets?
Darwinex: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, ETF, 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 Darwinex and IC Markets?
Darwinex: CFD, Classic, DARWIN of Stocks, DARWIN of Futures. 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 Darwinex and IC Markets?
Darwinex: Skrill, Bank Transfer, UnionPay, 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 — Darwinex 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.
