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Broker comparison article

Ultima Markets vs IC Markets: Head-to-Head Comparison

A clear, editorial comparison of safety, costs, leverage and platform conditions for traders choosing between two brokers.

October 5, 20268 min readBy Luca P.

At a glance

The key differences before the full technical breakdown.

Ultima Markets logo

Broker A

Ultima Markets

4.8

Editorial score

$50

Min deposit

1:2000

Leverage

Deep liquidity ECN pricing for gold and FX scalpers.

Visit Ultima Markets
IC Markets logo

Broker B

IC Markets

4.6

Editorial score

$200

Min deposit

1:30 retail regulated; up to 1:500 professional/global entity

Leverage

Execution-focused broker with leverage determined by entity and client classification.

Visit IC Markets

Swipe horizontally to compare Broker A and Broker B

Technical comparison

Regulation & safety
CIMA, FSC, ASIC-adjacent
ASIC, CySEC, FSA
Maximum leverage
1:2000
1:30 retail regulated; up to 1:500 professional/global entity
Minimum deposit
$50
$200
Average spread
0.0 pips
0.0 pips
Platforms
MT4, MT5, WebTrader
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView

Choosing between Ultima Markets and IC Markets comes down to the conditions that matter most to your strategy. Both brokers offer access to the major markets, but their regulatory coverage, pricing model and platform mix create different trade-offs.

What separates Ultima Markets and IC Markets?

Start with the regulated entity available in your jurisdiction, then compare the total cost of trading rather than the headline spread alone. Leverage can change margin requirements, but it does not reduce market risk. Platform stability, execution quality, funding options and support should also be part of the decision.

Pros and cons at a glance

Ultima Markets

Raw ECN spreads from 0.0 pips on XAU/USD

Fast STP execution suited to gold scalping

Segregated client funds and negative balance protection

Limited educational content

Check current account terms for applicable fees

IC Markets

Deep liquidity and raw spreads

Broad professional platform choice

Strong execution reputation

Retail leverage capped at 1:30 under ASIC/CySEC entities

No bonus advertised

Editor's final verdict

Ultima Markets has the edge for most traders.

Choose Ultima Markets if you want active gold and forex scalpers who prioritise raw spreads and execution speed over research tooling. Choose IC Markets if your priority is forex traders prioritising execution and platform choice over bonuses, especially where regulated leverage limits apply..

Visit Ultima Markets