IC Markets vs NPBFX 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 - IC Markets or NPBFX?
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 NPBFX.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 3 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas NPBFX has 4.2/5 and ranks 31.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
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.
Who is NPBFX suitable for?
NPBFX is ideal for traders who value STP accounts, education, MetaTrader 4, participation in contests, and a decent selection of markets and products
Comparison Table of IC Markets and NPBFX
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 2016 |
| Regulated in Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Comoros |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | IC Markets Review | NPBFX Review |
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:
NPBFX Review
NPBFX is suitable for novice and experienced traders, thanks to its extensive educational program, various account types, and set of trading instruments. The broker is particularly noteworthy for those who value quality technical analysis and a diversity of trading instruments.
Despite certain drawbacks, NPBFX provides quality service and can be used by most traders.
Pros and Cons of NPBFX
Pros
- A rich selection of analytical tools and resources.
- Extensive education section.
- A variety of trading account types.
- Numerous available methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
Cons
- Lack of alternatives to the MetaTrader 4 platform.
- Regulation in an offshore jurisdiction.
NPBFX is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 2016 |
| Regulated in Countries | Seychelles, Australia, Cyprus, Kenya | Comoros |
| Regulators | SFSA SFSA ASIC ASIC CySEC CySEC CMA CMA | MISA MISA |
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.
NPBFX
The broker has certain protective measures but is registered in offshore jurisdictions.
Pros
- Membership in The Financial Commission.
- Existence of a Compensation Fund.
- Regulation by multiple bodies.
Cons
- Registration in offshore jurisdictions.
- Lack of information on deposit insurance.
Account Opening
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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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.
NPBFX
Registration on the website is simple and quick, as it requires minimal information.
Account Types
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
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
NPBFX
The broker offers a wide range of accounts, meeting the needs of different traders.
Pros
- STP accounts
- Opportunity to copy trades of successful traders.
- Availability of cent accounts for beginners.
Cons
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
Commissions
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.4 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.62 | 1.2 |
| Commission per Lot | $3.5 |
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.
NPBFX
NPBFX offers average market spreads and swaps.
Pros
- No inactivity fee.
- No withdrawal fee.
- Cashback with up to 60% spread return
Cons
- Average spreads and swaps.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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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.
NPBFX
The broker offers a wide selection of deposit and withdrawal methods, with no commission on deposits and commission compensation on the first withdrawal.
Pros
- Multiple deposit/withdrawal methods.
- No deposit fee.
- Commission compensation on the first withdrawal.
Cons
- Withdrawal processing time can be long.
- High commission of payment systems on withdrawal
Markets and Products
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Forex | 61 | 38 |
| Precious Metals | 7 | 2 |
| Energy Carriers | 5 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 8 | - |
| Indices | 25 | 11 |
| Stocks | 2175 | 62 |
| ETF | 38 | 2 |
| Bonds | 10 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 21 | 5 |
IC Markets
IC Markets offers various trading instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs on metals, energy resources, commodities, indices, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrencies.
NPBFX
NPBFX offers a sufficiently broad range of trading instruments, including Forex, CFDs on metals, energy carriers, indices, stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. However, some brokers may offer an even greater number of instruments and markets.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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IC Markets
IC Markets provides powerful and functional trading platforms suitable for various trader categories.
NPBFX
NPBFX platforms provide functionality and convenience for different categories of traders.
Pros
- Use of the popular MetaTrader 4 platform.
- NPB Invest trade copying service.
Cons
- Lack of alternatives to MT4
Analytics
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
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.
NPBFX
NPBFX offers an extensive set of analytical tools, including news updates, signals based on technical analysis, and even direct chat with analysts.
Education
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
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.
NPBFX
The broker offers a wide range of educational opportunities, including e-books, video courses, and strategies provided by leading training centers.
Customer Support
| Broker | IC Markets | NPBFX |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media | — |
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedInIC 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
NPBFX
Numerous communication channels are available, including online consultant, personal manager, email, and phone. The customer support schedule is also quite extensive, providing support at almost any time.
Comparisons of IC Markets and NPBFX with other brokers
Conclusion
IC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while NPBFX trails on aggregate criteria.
IC Markets scored 4.7/5 and ranks 3 in our rating; NPBFX has 4.2/5 and ranks 31.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: IC Markets or NPBFX?
IC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 3) versus NPBFX (score 4.2/5, position 31).
Which broker is better for beginners: IC Markets or NPBFX?
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) — IC Markets or NPBFX?
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 IC Markets and NPBFX?
IC Markets: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, cTrader, TradingView. NPBFX: MetaTrader 4. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IC Markets and NPBFX?
IC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. NPBFX: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by IC Markets and NPBFX?
IC Markets: Standard, Raw Spread cTrader, Raw Spread. NPBFX: Master, Expert, VIP, Standard Cent. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IC Markets and NPBFX?
IC Markets: PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Bpay, FasaPay, Klarna, Swift, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay, POLi, Rapidpay. NPBFX: WebMoney, Qiwi, YooMoney, Moneta.ru, FasaPay, Skrill, Neteller, Volet, Perfect Money, Payoma, Swift, SEPA, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Альфа Банк, Промсвязьбанк, Русский Стандарт, Faktura.ru, Почта Банк. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IC Markets or NPBFX — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
