Joseph Oloo
Written by
Alia Mehmood
Fact-checked by
Updated October 2026Country Iceland
Data verified
Complete Head-to-Head Comparison · 2026

IC Markets Vs Exness: Which Broker Is Better For Iceland Traders In 2026?

Which broker is better for Iceland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.

IC Markets logo
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA · Founded 2007
Open Account
VS
Exness logo
Exness
FCA · CySEC · ASIC · Founded 2008
Open Account
Winner: IC Markets
Categories: 12 compared
For: Iceland traders
Updated: October 2026
Compare any two brokers
VS

Quick Verdict — Iceland Traders

Best Overall
IC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
Exness
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Iceland Muslims
Best for Beginners
IC Markets
Better education & support
$200 vs $10
Min deposit
1:5000 vs 1:2
Max leverage
ASIC vs FCA
Top regulator
3.6 vs 3.5
Our scores
Table of Contents

Head-to-head comparison

For Iceland traders seeking a reliable forex broker in 2026, IC Markets and Exness stand out as top-tier choices, both earning a stellar 4.8/5 rating. Iceland's unique trading environment—characterized by a small but active retail trading community, reliance on digital payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and oversight from the local financial regulator—demands brokers that offer robust local support. IC Markets is renowned for its institutional-grade spreads and extensive platform suite, while Exness is celebrated for its flexible leverage, instant withdrawals, and beginner-friendly conditions. Whether you are a seasoned scalper in Reykjavík or a new trader in Akureyri, this comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and local needs. Both brokers accept Icelandic clients, support USD accounts, and provide local payment methods, making them accessible for retail traders across the country.

🏆

Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets logo
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
Exness logo
Exness
FCA · CySEC · ASIC
3.5
CompareBroker score
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
3.7
WIN
3.6
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
3.8
WIN
3.2
Regulation
Safety, oversight
3.9
WIN
3.8
Deposits
Local payments
3.7
WIN
3.6
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
3.4
3.7
WIN
Education
Webinars, guides
3.3
WIN
3.2
Execution
Speed, slippage
3.7
WIN
3.6
Mobile App
iOS, Android
3.6
WIN
3.5
💹

Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions

InstrumentIC MarketsExnessWinner
EUR/USD avg spread0.09 pips + $3.5/lot0.0 pips + $3.5/lotExness
XAU/USD (Gold)$0.14 typical$0.12 typicalExness
GBP/USD avg spread0.29 pips0.23 pipsExness
Standard acc spreadfrom 1.0 pipsfrom 0.8 pipsExness
ECN commission$3.5/lot/side$3.5/lot/sideTie
Min deposit$200$10Exness

When comparing trading costs for Iceland traders, IC Markets holds an edge with its Raw Spread account, offering spreads from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Exness, on its Standard account, offers spreads from 0.3 pips with no commission, and on its Zero account, spreads start at 0.0 pips with a commission of $3.50 per lot. For Icelandic scalpers trading high volumes (e.g., 10+ lots per day), IC Markets' lower spreads can lead to significant savings. However, Exness provides zero-spread accounts on certain instruments, which can be advantageous for specific strategies. Both brokers offer competitive costs, but IC Markets is generally more cost-effective for active traders.

📂

Account Types Comparison

Account TypeIC MarketsExness
Standard account✓✓
ECN / Raw spread✓✓
Islamic (swap-free)✓✓
Demo account✓✓
PAMM / MAM account✓✗
Zero spread account✓✓
Copy trading✗✗
Min deposit$200$10
⚖️

Leverage Comparison - Iceland Traders

Entity / AssetIC MarketsExness
Iceland (offshore)Up to 1:5000Up to 1:2
Forex major pairs1:50001:2
Gold (XAU/USD)1:2001:200
Indices1:1001:100
Cryptocurrencies1:2 to 1:101:2 to 1:10
Leverage Warning for Iceland Traders
Traders in Iceland typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈

Trading Instruments - Assets Available

Asset ClassIC MarketsExnessWinner
Forex pairs90+65+IC Markets
Gold (XAU/USD)✓✓Tie
Oil (WTI/Brent)✓✓Tie
Stock indices25+ indices20+ indicesIC Markets
Crypto CFDs30+20+IC Markets
Stocks / Share CFDs✗✗Exness
ETFs✗✗Tie
🖥️

Platforms Comparison

PlatformIC MarketsExness
MetaTrader 4 (MT4)✓✓
MetaTrader 5 (MT5)✓✓
cTrader✓✗
TradingView✗✗
Expert Advisors (EAs)✓✓
Scalping allowed✓✓
Hedging allowed✓✓

IC Markets and Exness both offer the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, which are widely used by Iceland traders for their advanced charting and automated trading capabilities. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored by ECN traders for its direct market access and low latency. Exness, on the other hand, offers its proprietary WebTerminal and mobile apps, which are user-friendly for beginners. For Iceland traders who rely on algorithmic trading or require fast execution, IC Markets' cTrader may be the better choice. Exness' platforms are more suitable for those seeking simplicity and ease of use.

⚡

Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage

FactorIC MarketsExnessWinner
Execution modelECN/STPTrue ECNExness
Avg execution speed~30ms~40msIC Markets
SlippageVery lowVery lowTie
RequotesVery rareVery rareTie
Scalping allowed✓✓Tie
EA / Bot trading✓✓Tie

IC Markets is known for its ultra-fast execution speeds, averaging under 40ms on its Raw Spread account, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center. Exness also offers fast execution, with speeds under 100ms on its ECN accounts. For Iceland traders who scalp or trade news events, IC Markets' lower latency can be a critical advantage. Exness, however, provides consistent execution with no requotes on most accounts, making it reliable for all trading styles.

🛡️

Regulation & Safety for Iceland Traders

Safety FactorIC MarketsExness
Primary regulatorASICFCA
Top-tier regulated✓✓
Investor protection✓✓
Segregated funds✓✓
Neg. balance protection✓✓

IC Markets is regulated by top-tier authorities like the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), providing a high level of client fund security. Exness is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), among others. For Iceland traders, both brokers are considered safe, as they adhere to strict regulatory standards. The local financial regulator in Iceland does not directly oversee these brokers, but their international licenses ensure compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and client fund segregation requirements. This means Icelandic traders can trade with confidence, knowing their funds are protected.

Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Iceland traders may differ by entity.
💳

Deposits & Withdrawals for Iceland

Payment MethodIC MarketsExness
Bank Wire Transfer✓✓
Visa / Mastercard✓✓
Skrill✓✓
Neteller✓✓
USDT / Crypto✓✓
Withdrawal timeE-wallets instant-24hrs; Cards 3-5 business days (up to 10); Int'l bank wire up to 14 dayscrypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days

Iceland traders can deposit and withdraw funds at both IC Markets and Exness using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. IC Markets supports these methods with no deposit fees and processes withdrawals within 1-3 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 days for bank transfers. Exness offers instant deposits for e-wallets and USDT, with withdrawals processed within 24 hours for most methods. Minimum deposits are $200 for IC Markets and $10 for Exness, making Exness more accessible for smaller traders. For Iceland users, e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are the fastest options, while USDT provides crypto-based flexibility. Both brokers do not charge fees for deposits, but bank transfers may incur intermediary charges.

☪️

Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Iceland Muslims

Islamic Account FeatureIC MarketsExness
Swap-free available✓✓
Admin fee instead of swapOn some instrumentsOn some instruments
MT4 / MT5 supported✓✓
How to applyContact supportContact support

Both IC Markets and Exness offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Iceland traders who require Sharia-compliant trading. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no swap fees on overnight positions, making it suitable for long-term traders. Exness also offers swap-free accounts, available on standard and raw spread accounts, with the same zero-swap feature. Iceland traders must contact customer support to activate the Islamic account, as it is not automatically applied. Both brokers ensure that Islamic accounts comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying interest on positions held overnight.

Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬

Customer Support Comparison

Support FeatureIC MarketsExnessWinner
Live chat✓✓Tie
Phone support✓✓Tie
Email support✓✓Tie
24/7 support✗✓Exness
Response time (chat)<2 minutes<3 minutesIC Markets

IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with multilingual agents available. Exness also provides 24/7 support through live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Icelandic clients. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources. For Iceland traders, Exness' slightly faster response times and local language support may be beneficial, while IC Markets' technical support is highly rated for platform-related issues.

📱

Mobile App Comparison

Mobile FeatureIC MarketsExnessWinner
iOS App Store rating4.5 stars4.3 starsIC Markets
Google Play rating4.3 stars4.2 starsIC Markets
Biometric login✓✓Tie
Push notifications✓✓Tie
Full charting on mobile✓✓Tie
TradingView mobile✗✗Tie
📚

Education & Research Tools

ResourceIC MarketsExnessWinner
Video tutorials100+ videos50+ videosTie
Webinars (live)✗✗Tie
Economic calendar✓✓Tie
Market analysisDailyBasicIC Markets
⭐

Real User Reviews - Trustpilot

T
IC Markets
☆☆☆☆☆
—
54,430 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
T
Exness
☆☆☆☆☆
—
28,910 verified reviews
View on Trustpilot
⚖️

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

Exness

Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
+24/7 customer support
Cons
-No TradingView
👤

Who Should Use Which Broker? - Iceland Guide

Choose IC Markets if you...

  • Are a high-volume scalper or day trader who needs ultra-low spreads from 0.0 pips.
  • Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader for direct market access and algorithmic trading.
  • Trade large lot sizes and require institutional-grade execution speeds.
  • Are comfortable with a higher minimum deposit of $200 to access the best trading conditions.

Choose Exness if you...

  • Are a beginner or retail trader with a smaller account, thanks to a $10 minimum deposit.
  • Need instant withdrawals via Skrill, Neteller, or USDT for quick access to funds.
  • Prefer flexible leverage options up to unlimited for certain instruments.
  • Want a user-friendly platform with zero spreads on select accounts and no commission.
❓

FAQ - IC Markets vs Exness in Iceland

Is IC Markets or Exness better for Iceland?

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Can Iceland traders use both brokers legally?

+

Which broker has lower spreads for Iceland traders?

+

How do Iceland traders deposit at IC Markets and Exness?

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Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Iceland?

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Final Verdict - Iceland 2026

IC Markets wins overall

For Iceland traders in 2026, the choice between IC Markets and Exness ultimately depends on your trading style and priorities. IC Markets excels with ultra-low spreads, fast execution, and advanced platforms like cTrader, making it ideal for serious scalpers and algorithmic traders. Exness, with its $10 minimum deposit, instant withdrawals via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and flexible leverage, is perfect for beginners and those who prioritize liquidity. Both brokers are regulated by top-tier authorities and support local payment methods, ensuring a secure trading experience. If you value cost efficiency and speed, choose IC Markets. If you prefer accessibility and fast withdrawals, go with Exness. Either way, Iceland traders can trade with confidence knowing they are using a top-rated broker.

Open IC MarketsOpen Exness
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.
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Score Summary
IC Markets Winner3.6/5
Exness 3.5/5
Full Reviews
Full IC Markets Review →Full Exness Review →
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Risk Warning: CFDs are complex instruments. 74-89% of retail accounts lose money.
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