This article compares IC Markets’ Forex trading platforms (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView) and account types (Standard, Raw Spread, Raw Pro/Pro Plus, Starter, plus swap-free options), explaining how each choice changes execution workflow, automation, market depth tools, and total trading cost (spread + commission).
Trading Platform Options of ICMarkets (MT4, MT5, cTrader or TradingView) Table of Contents
- The quick way to choose your IC Markets Forex platform
- What stays the same across MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView at IC Markets
- MetaTrader 4 at IC Markets
- MetaTrader 5 at IC Markets
- cTrader at IC Markets
- TradingView with IC Markets
- Platform-by-platform comparison for Forex traders
- Practical setup advice that improves your platform experience
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IC Markets account types explained
- How IC Markets groups its Forex accounts
- The comparison points that matter in Forex trading
- The main IC Markets Forex account types
- Additional account types shown in IC Markets Global account tables
- Swap-free (Islamic) option: how it changes the account
- How to choose the right IC Markets account type for Forex
- Cost comparison examples that make the differences obvious
Choosing a Forex broker is only half the decision. The other half is the platform you actually use to analyze charts, place orders, manage risk, and run automated strategies. IC Markets supports four major platform routes for Forex trading: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, and TradingView. Each one solves the same core job—execute trades—but they differ in workflow, automation tools, depth-of-market features, charting style, and how you manage multiple accounts.
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The quick way to choose your IC Markets Forex platform
If you want a simple decision rule, use this:
- Choose MetaTrader 4 if your priority is classic Forex execution, a huge library of Expert Advisors, and a lightweight platform focused on currency trading workflows.
- Choose MetaTrader 5 if you want a more modern MetaTrader with expanded market coverage, more platform structure for multi-asset trading, and broader execution and position accounting modes.
- Choose cTrader if you want institutional-style market depth (Level II), detailed order-flow transparency, and a platform designed around ECN-style Forex execution and professional order control.
- Choose TradingView if you want TradingView charts, indicators, scripts, and alerts, while placing trades through IC Markets directly inside the TradingView interface.
All four routes can be valid for Forex trading. The right choice depends on how you trade—not on what looks popular.
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What stays the same across MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView at IC Markets
No matter which platform you choose, IC Markets focuses on the same trading foundations:
- Access to Forex and CFD markets through platform-connected trading accounts.
- Account login through credentials and server selection (platform-dependent).
- A client portal for account management, funding, and platform setup.
- Platform-specific tools that change how you trade, not whether you can trade.
So the platform decision is really a workflow decision: charting style, order entry, risk controls, automation, and how you monitor positions.
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MetaTrader 4 at IC Markets
MetaTrader 4 remains one of the most used Forex trading platforms because it is direct, fast to learn, and built around currency and CFD execution with a mature ecosystem of indicators and automated strategies.
How MT4 trading feels in daily Forex use
MT4 is built around a simple layout:
- Market Watch (symbols and quotes)
- Chart windows
- Order window and one-click trading tools (depending on setup)
- Terminal panel for trades, history, alerts, mailbox, and logs
This structure matters because it reduces clutter. For many Forex traders, that translates into faster decision-making: open chart → place order → manage position.
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Order control and execution behavior in MT4
MetaTrader 4 supports market orders and pending orders, plus stop tools and trailing stop functionality within its trading system.
IC Markets also states that its MetaTrader platforms are configured with no trading restrictions, including no minimum order distance and a freeze level of 0, allowing orders (including stop loss orders) to be placed very close to market price. This matters for Forex scalping and high-frequency styles where entry precision is part of the strategy.
IC Markets also states hedging is allowed on its MetaTrader platforms and that there is no FIFO rule under its MetaTrader setup (with the note that hedge margin settings can differ by product and platform).
Automation in MT4 for Forex traders
MT4 is heavily used for automated Forex trading through Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom indicators. If you already rely on EAs, MT4 is often chosen because many legacy systems are built for the MQL4 ecosystem and the platform is optimized for that style of execution.
The practical advantage is straightforward: you can run rule-based trading, scanning, and execution without needing external connectors when your strategy lives inside the platform.
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Who MT4 fits best at IC Markets
MT4 is a strong match if you:
- Trade Forex mainly (majors, minors, and common CFD pairs)
- Use EAs or plan to use EAs
- Prefer a lighter platform that stays focused on trade execution and chart basics
- Want fast order placement with the “no minimum distance / freeze level 0” configuration that supports tight stop placement and scalping-style management
MetaTrader 5 at IC Markets
MetaTrader 5 is the newer MetaTrader platform and is positioned as an all-in-one terminal that supports multi-asset workflows in addition to Forex trading. IC Markets lists MT5 as a major platform option across its trading platform offering.
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The MT5 difference that affects Forex traders immediately
The biggest functional difference many traders notice is position accounting modes:
- MT5 supports netting and hedging position accounting modes.
- Netting consolidates exposure into a single position per symbol.
- Hedging allows multiple positions in the same symbol.
For Forex traders, hedging mode matters if you manage separate entries as separate positions, scale in/out with multiple tickets, or run multiple strategies on the same pair without merging positions into one net exposure line.
Execution modes, order tools, and market depth
MT5 includes multiple execution modes and supports market, pending, and stop order functionality, plus trailing stop, and it also includes market depth tools as part of its trading system design.
That matters for Forex traders who want:
- More detailed liquidity view (when the broker and symbol support it)
- A platform that supports different execution handling modes depending on instrument structure
- More flexibility in how orders and positions are recorded and managed
IC Markets also states that there are no trading restrictions on its MetaTrader 5 platform, including no minimum order distance and a freeze level of 0, supporting scalping and high-frequency execution patterns.
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Automation and strategy workflows in MT5
MT5 supports advanced automated trading through its MQL5 environment and a broader built-in ecosystem. For many Forex traders, MT5 is chosen for strategy testing workflows, structured multi-asset watchlists, and modern platform organization.
If your trading plan includes automation, MT5 is often selected when you want the newer MetaTrader environment but still want the familiar MetaTrader workflow.
Who MT5 fits best at IC Markets
MT5 is a strong fit if you:
- Want MetaTrader but prefer the more modern platform architecture
- Want hedging or netting mode options depending on how your Forex strategy tracks positions
- Trade Forex plus other CFD markets from the same platform layout
- Use advanced order management and want depth tools available in the MT5 system
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cTrader at IC Markets
cTrader is widely used by traders who want an ECN-style trading interface with strong transparency features, detailed order controls, and professional-grade depth-of-market tools. IC Markets offers cTrader as a major platform option and highlights cTrader’s performance focus and its design around Forex CFD trading.
Why Forex traders pick cTrader
cTrader is designed to make execution details visible. That is the biggest difference versus MetaTrader for many traders. It includes features that are especially relevant for active Forex strategies:
- Depth of Market (Level II)
- Market depth transparency around executable pricing and volume
- Order handling that suits fast execution workflows
IC Markets describes cTrader market depth as showing the full range of executable prices coming from its pricing aggregator, and it describes fills being handled against the order book using a Volume Weighted Average Price method.
If you trade Forex in a way where spread, slippage, and liquidity conditions matter (scalping, news trading, rapid partial fills), these tools are not “nice extras.” They are part of how you control execution quality.
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No restrictions on trading and scalping rules on cTrader
IC Markets states its cTrader platform has no restrictions on trading, supporting scalping and high-frequency trading behavior, and it repeats the same key execution configuration: no minimum order distance and freeze level 0, allowing stop orders and other order types to be placed close to market price.
Automated trading on cTrader
cTrader supports automation through its algorithmic framework (often referenced as cTrader Algo / Automate), supporting bots and custom tools like cBots and indicators. The cTrader documentation describes cTrader Algo as the framework for bots and custom algorithms and states it supports development using C# or Python.
For many Forex traders, this is the automation split:
- MetaTrader automation is built around MQL
- cTrader automation is built around a developer-style workflow (C# and platform tooling)
If you already code in C# or prefer that environment, cTrader is often the natural choice.
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Who cTrader fits best at IC Markets
cTrader is a strong match if you:
- Want Level II market depth and visible liquidity information for Forex pairs
- Trade actively and care about execution transparency and order-flow tools
- Prefer a modern interface with strong order management controls
- Want algo trading through C# or Python-supported frameworks
TradingView with IC Markets
TradingView is known for charting, indicators, alerts, and community scripts. With IC Markets integration, you use TradingView charts while executing trades through IC Markets inside TradingView’s trading panel.
IC Markets provides an integration route where you connect your IC Markets account from TradingView by selecting IC Markets in the Trading Panel and entering your account credentials.
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What TradingView changes for Forex trading
TradingView changes the front end of your trading workflow:
- Charting and analysis happens in TradingView
- Orders are sent through the broker connection
- Alerts and watchlists stay inside TradingView
- You keep one charting workspace across devices
IC Markets also states that a free TradingView plan is enough to connect an IC Markets account, which matters if you want TradingView’s interface without committing to paid tiers just to place trades.
Which instruments TradingView supports with IC Markets
IC Markets states that TradingView supports Forex, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies with IC Markets, and it also states that some CFDs may not be available through TradingView.
For Forex traders, that means TradingView is a strong choice when your focus is currency pairs and the major CFD categories supported in the TradingView integration.
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Execution expectations
IC Markets states execution speeds averaging under 40 milliseconds for its TradingView access messaging.
The practical meaning: TradingView is not only for charting in this setup—it is a real execution path for Forex trading through IC Markets.
How to connect IC Markets to TradingView
The connection flow is direct:
- Log in to TradingView
- Open the Trading Panel
- Search for and select IC Markets (IC Markets Global or IC Markets EU depending on your account)
- Connect and enter your broker credentials
IC Markets also describes a “TradingView sync” option available through the Secure Client Area for IC Markets Global, used to connect and authorize the TradingView link.
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Who TradingView fits best at IC Markets
TradingView is a strong match if you:
- Prefer TradingView charts and want your Forex charting workspace in one place
- Use TradingView alerts as part of your trading system
- Want to place trades without leaving the TradingView interface
- Focus on Forex plus the main CFD categories supported in TradingView’s broker connection
Platform-by-platform comparison for Forex traders
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If you scalp or trade fast intraday Forex
IC Markets states no minimum order distance and freeze level 0 on its MetaTrader platforms and also states no restrictions and scalping allowed on cTrader.
So the choice becomes workflow:
- MT4/MT5 if you want MetaTrader execution and EA tooling
- cTrader if you want depth-of-market transparency and ECN-style order tools
If you use Expert Advisors and automated Forex systems
MT4 and MT5 are the traditional automation path for many Forex traders because of the built-in EA environment. If your strategy stack already uses MetaTrader EAs, staying in MetaTrader reduces friction.
cTrader is a strong alternative if your automation is built in C# or you prefer cTrader Algo tooling.
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If you are chart-first and trade from clean visual setups
TradingView becomes the obvious option when:
- Your analysis is built around TradingView layouts
- Your decisions are driven by alerts and indicator stacks
- You want to execute where you analyze rather than switching platforms
IC Markets supports TradingView connection through the Trading Panel and credentials-based linking.
If you trade Forex plus multiple CFD markets from one terminal
MT5 is positioned as an all-in-one platform for multiple markets and supports broader market structure tooling like market depth and multi-mode position accounting.
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Practical setup advice that improves your platform experience
These are not “tips.” They are operational rules that improve platform stability for Forex trading.
Keep strategy types separated by account
If you run both manual and automated trading, use separate trading accounts. It keeps your trade history clean and helps you measure strategy performance without mixing signals.
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Match the platform to your execution style
MetaTrader 5 supports netting and hedging modes depending on how your Forex strategy tracks positions.
Use the platform you will actually monitor
A “powerful” platform is useless if you do not monitor positions the way your strategy requires. TradingView and mobile-ready platforms matter if your routine depends on alerts and fast checks.
IC Markets supports four major platform routes for Forex trading: MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView.
- MT4 is the classic Forex execution platform with mature EA workflows and direct trade management.
- MT5 expands platform structure with netting and hedging modes and broader market tooling for traders who want a modern MetaTrader environment.
- cTrader focuses on execution transparency, Level II market depth, and professional order tools, with automation through cTrader Algo.
- TradingView lets you trade through IC Markets directly from TradingView charts by connecting through the Trading Panel with your credentials, including support for free TradingView plans.
Pick the platform that matches how you trade Forex every day: the way you analyze, the way you execute, and the way you control risk.
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IC Markets account types explained
When you open a Forex trading account, you are choosing a pricing model and a workflow. IC Markets structures its offering around a few core account types that change what you pay (spread and commission), what platform you trade on (MetaTrader or cTrader, with TradingView access on selected accounts), and how the account behaves for high-frequency styles like scalping and algorithmic trading.
How IC Markets groups its Forex accounts
IC Markets groups accounts mainly by pricing:
- Spread-only pricing: you pay through a wider spread and typically no commission on Forex trades.
- Raw spread pricing: spreads can be very close to zero on major pairs, and you pay a separate commission.
Then it adds platform choices:
- MetaTrader accounts (MT4/MT5 style workflow)
- cTrader accounts (depth-of-market tools, Level II style workflow)
- TradingView access (available through the cTrader/TradingView Raw Spread setup on IC Markets Global)
Finally, it offers special variants:
- A swap-free (Islamic) option available on Standard and Raw Spread account types across MetaTrader and cTrader, with overnight holding fees instead of swap.
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The comparison points that matter in Forex trading
Before you look at account names, focus on the variables that directly change your trading costs and execution workflow.
Spread and commission
A Raw Spread account can show spreads from 0.0 pips on liquid pairs, but you pay commission. A Standard account shows spreads from 0.8 pips and typically charges no commission on Forex trades.
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Commission method
IC Markets uses different commission charging styles depending on platform:
- MetaTrader Raw Spread accounts show commission per lot per side.
- cTrader and TradingView Raw Spread accounts show commission per USD 100k per side, which scales with trade size and is converted into the base currency of the account.
Platform workflow
MetaTrader and cTrader can both execute the same Forex trades, but the workflow feels different:
- MetaTrader is built around charts + order tickets + Expert Advisors.
- cTrader is built around order tools + market depth + transparent liquidity views.
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Minimum deposit
IC Markets lists different minimum deposit amounts by account type in its account comparison tables. Some accounts are shown with $0 minimum deposit, while others have higher minimum deposit thresholds, including premium-style accounts.
Leverage availability
Leverage depends on the entity and client classification. IC Markets EU shows retail leverage figures like 1:30 in the account comparison table. IC Markets Global shows higher leverage figures (for example 1:500 on core accounts, and higher figures on some premium listings).
If you trade Forex with leverage, this difference matters because it changes margin requirements and the size of positions you can open with the same balance.
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The main IC Markets Forex account types
Raw Spread account on MetaTrader
This is one of the most common IC Markets setups for active Forex traders.
How it’s priced
Spreads are shown from 0.0 pips.
Commission is shown as $3.5 per lot per side on the MetaTrader Raw Spread listing.
IC Markets also publishes a commission schedule by base currency for MetaTrader raw accounts (for example, a standard lot commission is listed for USD, EUR, GBP, and other base currencies).
Who it fits
This account is designed for traders who care about tight spreads and want predictable commission costs:
- Scalpers who need low spreads for short holding times
- High-frequency manual traders
- Algo traders using Expert Advisors
- Traders who measure trading cost precisely (spread + commission)
Platform
MetaTrader platform workflow (MT4/MT5 style)
Suitable when you rely on EAs, custom indicators, and a classic Forex terminal layout
Other key characteristics shown by IC Markets
IC Markets describes “no trading restrictions” on its MetaTrader environment with order placement flexibility (including no minimum order distance and a freeze level of zero on the MetaTrader configuration described on its platform pages).
Hedging is supported in that platform setup.
Why this matters: if your trading plan uses tight stop placement, fast scaling in/out, or multiple tickets on the same pair, those platform rules are not small details.
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Raw Spread account on cTrader and TradingView
This account type is listed as Raw Spread with cTrader, and on IC Markets Global it is shown with cTrader, TradingView as platform access.
How it’s priced
Spreads are shown from 0.0 pips.
Commission is shown as $3.0 per USD 100k per side on cTrader/TradingView.
IC Markets also explains that this commission model differs from MetaTrader because MetaTrader charges a fixed amount per lot, while cTrader/TradingView uses a notional-based model tied to the trade size (per USD 100k).
Who it fits
This setup is built for traders who want:
- cTrader’s order tools and market depth
- A workflow focused on execution transparency
- TradingView charting with broker-connected trade execution (through the account connection shown on IC Markets TradingView integration)
Platform advantages that matter in Forex
On the cTrader Raw Spread page, IC Markets highlights:
No restrictions on trading and scalping allowed
No minimum order distance and freeze level set to zero for close order placement
Market depth tools (Level II / MarketDepth) and VWAP-style handling against the order book in its bridge explanation
If you trade news volatility, scalp around spreads, or rely on quick partial fills, market depth and liquidity visibility can change how you plan entries and exits.
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Standard account on MetaTrader
The Standard account is the spread-only route shown in IC Markets account tables.
How it’s priced
Commission is shown as $0 on the account table.
Spreads are shown from 0.8 pips.
Who it fits
This account is often the simplest to understand because you do not have to track commission separately. It is commonly used by:
- New Forex traders who want simple cost structure
- Swing traders who focus more on multi-day moves than small spread differences
- Traders who prefer spread-only pricing for budgeting
What the Standard account changes
The trade-off is straightforward:
You usually pay more through the spread on entry/exit compared with raw pricing
You remove the commission line item from your cost calculation
For many traders, the Standard account is easier for journaling because you can read spread cost directly from the market, especially on pairs where you do not trade large size.
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Additional account types shown in IC Markets Global account tables
IC Markets Global also lists additional MetaTrader account types alongside Raw Spread and Standard. These are presented in the account overview as separate options with their own pricing and minimum deposits.
Raw Pro account
How it’s priced
Commission is shown as $3.0 per lot per side.
Spreads are shown from 0.0 pips.
Minimum deposit is shown as $5,000.
Who it fits
This type is positioned for traders who want raw pricing with a different commission tier and who can meet a higher minimum deposit requirement.
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Raw Pro Plus account
How it’s priced
Commission is shown as $2.0 per lot per side.
Spreads are shown from 0.0 pips.
Minimum deposit is shown as $10,000.
Who it fits
This is shown as a premium-style tier where commission is lower than Raw Spread and Raw Pro, but the minimum deposit requirement is higher.
Starter account
How it’s priced
Commission is shown as $0.
Spreads are shown from 1.5 pips.
Minimum deposit is shown as $50.
Who it fits
This account type is listed for traders who want a very low minimum deposit requirement with spread-only pricing, accepting wider spreads than Standard.
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Swap-free (Islamic) option: how it changes the account
IC Markets states that the swap-free option is available on both Raw Spread and Standard account types on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader.
A swap-free account does not apply traditional swap/interest adjustments. Instead, IC Markets explains that overnight holding fees apply as flat rate holding fees for positions held overnight, and that Raw Spread and Standard commissions and spreads still apply.
What that means for Forex traders:
- Your entry cost (spread and commission) stays aligned with the underlying account type
- The overnight cost is handled by holding fees rather than swap credits/debits
- Swap-free is not “free overnight trading”; it changes the method used to charge overnight financing
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How to choose the right IC Markets account type for Forex
Here are practical matches between trader types and account structures.
If you scalp Forex or trade short sessions
Raw Spread accounts are typically favored because spread cost is a large part of total cost when you take many small trades.
- Choose Raw Spread on MetaTrader if you use EAs or want the classic MetaTrader workflow.
- Choose Raw Spread on cTrader/TradingView if you want market depth tools and the cTrader execution interface, or if you want TradingView charting with execution through IC Markets.
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If you run automated Forex strategies
MetaTrader accounts are commonly used for automation because of Expert Advisors and the MetaTrader ecosystem.
- Raw Spread on MetaTrader is a common baseline for automation due to tight spreads plus clear per-lot commission.
- If you prefer C# automation workflows, cTrader’s Automate environment may fit better, which points you toward Raw Spread on cTrader.
If you trade fewer positions and want simple cost math
The Standard account keeps the cost structure simple: spread-only, no commission shown on the account table.
This can be easier for:
- Longer holding time strategies
- Traders who focus on fewer, higher-conviction trades
- Traders who want fewer moving parts in cost tracking
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If you want a low minimum deposit entry path
The Starter account is listed with a low minimum deposit and spread-only pricing, but it also lists wider spreads than Standard. That is a direct trade-off: easier entry, higher spread cost.
If you trade large size and are sensitive to commission tiers
The Raw Pro and Raw Pro Plus listings exist specifically to change the commission tier, with higher minimum deposit requirements. If you trade high volume, small differences in commission can materially change total costs over time.
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Cost comparison examples that make the differences obvious
To compare accounts properly, you want one consistent framework:
Total trade cost (ignoring overnight fees) = spread cost + commission
Standard account cost logic
You pay the spread.
Commission is shown as zero.
So if a Forex pair is priced with a 0.8 pip spread on Standard, your cost starts with that spread (and the pip value depends on the pair and your lot size).
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Raw Spread account cost logic on MetaTrader
You pay a much tighter spread (often near zero on major pairs during liquid hours).
You add commission per lot per side.
IC Markets lists $3.5 per lot per side on the core MetaTrader Raw Spread listing. That means commission is paid on entry and again on exit, so the round-turn commission is the combined cost of both sides.
Raw Spread account cost logic on cTrader/TradingView
Spread can be near zero on liquid pairs.
Commission is charged per USD 100k per side.
IC Markets lists $3.0 per USD 100k per side for cTrader/TradingView commission.
If you trade standard lot size on a USD-quoted pair that aligns closely to USD 100k notional, the commission is easy to estimate. If your account base currency is not USD, IC Markets explains the commission is converted to your base currency at the current spot rate.
IC Markets account types are built around a simple structure:
- Raw Spread accounts: spreads from 0.0 pips, commission charged separately.
- MetaTrader Raw Spread: commission shown per lot per side.
- cTrader/TradingView Raw Spread: commission shown per USD 100k per side.
- Standard account: spreads from 0.8 pips, commission shown as zero on the account table.
- Starter account (Global listing): spreads from 1.5 pips with a low minimum deposit listing.
- Raw Pro and Raw Pro Plus (Global listing): spreads from 0.0 pips with lower commission tiers and higher minimum deposits.
- Swap-free option: available for Standard and Raw Spread types on MetaTrader and cTrader, replacing swap with holding fees while keeping the same spread and commission structure as the underlying account type.
If your priority is tight spreads for active Forex trading, Raw Spread accounts are built for that. If your priority is simplicity, the Standard account keeps the pricing model easy to track. If your priority is commission tiering and you meet higher deposit thresholds, the premium raw listings change the commission rate directly.
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Please check IC Markets official website or contact the customer support with regard to the latest information and more accurate details.
Please click "Introduction of IC Markets", if you want to know the details and the company information of IC Markets.
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