Quick Verdict — Norway Traders
Best Overall
IC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Admirals
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Norway Muslims
Best for Beginners
IC Markets
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:30
Max leverage
Head-to-head comparison
For Norway retail traders, choosing between IC Markets and Admirals is a key decision in 2026. IC Markets, rated 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads and fast execution, appealing to active traders in Oslo and Bergen. Admirals, rated 4.1/5, offers a robust platform with educational tools, but higher costs. Both accept local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, making deposits easy for Norwegian kroner users. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, they operate under reputable international licenses. This comparison helps you decide which broker fits your trading style in Norway.
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Overall Scores Comparison
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
Admirals
FCA · ASIC · CySEC
3.1
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
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Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Admirals |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Admirals |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Admirals |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Admirals |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $1 | Admirals |
IC Markets wins on costs for Norway traders with raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its True ECN account, compared to Admirals' spreads starting at 0.5 pips. For a standard lot trade, IC Markets charges around $7 round turn, while Admirals can cost $10-$15. High-volume Norway traders will see significant savings with IC Markets, especially when trading EUR/NOK or other forex pairs.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $1 |
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Leverage Comparison - Norway Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|
| Norway (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:30 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
Leverage Warning for Norway Traders
Traders in Norway typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
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Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | IC Markets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | IC Markets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | IC Markets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | Admirals |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
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Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Admirals |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | IC Markets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
IC Markets boasts average execution speeds of 40ms on its True ECN servers, ideal for scalping Norway traders. Admirals' execution is around 100ms, which is slower but still reliable. For high-frequency strategies, IC Markets is the clear winner.
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Regulation & Safety for Norway Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
IC Markets Global is not
FCA-authorised — the FCA has issued a public warning about this entity, and its clients do not have FOS or FSCS protection; verify the specific entity and licence before depositing. Neither is supervised by the local financial regulator, but both adhere to EU MiFID II standards. For Norway traders, this means client funds are segregated, and negative balance protection applies.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Norway traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Norway
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✓ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✓ | ✗ |
| Withdrawal time | E-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 days | e-wallets take instant to 1 business day, credit/debit cards take 1 business day, and bank transfers take 1 to 3 business days. |
Both IC Markets and Admirals support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT for Norway traders. IC Markets processes e-wallet and USDT deposits instantly, while bank transfers take 1-3 days. Admirals has similar timelines but may charge fees for certain withdrawal methods. Minimum deposits are $1 for IC Markets and $100 for Admirals. Norway traders should use Skrill or Neteller for fastest access to funds.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Norway Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Admirals |
|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
IC Markets offers Islamic (swap-free) accounts on all account types without additional fees, ideal for Norway Muslim traders. Admirals also provides Islamic accounts but requires a manual request and may have limited availability on certain platforms. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged on overnight positions, complying with Sharia law.
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
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Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets provides 24/7 multilingual support via live chat, email, and phone, with fast response times. Admirals offers similar channels but limited to business hours. For Norway traders, IC Markets' round-the-clock support is better for late-night trading sessions.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | IC Markets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | IC Markets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | Admirals | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
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Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
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Pros & Cons of Each Broker
IC Markets
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-$200 min deposit
-No 24/7 support
Admirals
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
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Who Should Use Which Broker? - Norway Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Want ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips to minimize costs
- Need fast execution under 50ms for scalping
- Prefer cTrader or advanced algorithmic trading tools
- Trade high volume and value cost efficiency
Choose Admirals if you...
- Prioritize strong FCA regulation for confidence
- Want built-in educational resources and market analysis
- Prefer a simple, user-friendly platform with WebTrader
- Are a beginner trader looking for guided support
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FAQ - IC Markets vs Admirals in Norway
Is IC Markets or Admirals better for Norway?
+Can Norway traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Norway traders?
+How do Norway traders deposit at IC Markets and Admirals?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Norway?
+Final Verdict - Norway 2026
IC Markets wins overall
For Norway retail traders in 2026, IC Markets is the top choice with its 4.8/5 rating, low spreads, and fast execution. It excels for active traders who use local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, or USDT. Admirals is a solid alternative for beginners or those valuing regulatory oversight from the FCA. While neither is regulated by the local financial regulator, both are safe. Ultimately, IC Markets offers better value for cost-conscious Norway traders.
Risk Disclaimer: CFDs and forex trading involve significant risk of loss. Between 74-89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. All data verified as of October 2026.
