IC Markets vs Exness: Complete Comparison for Philippines Traders (2026)

When comparing trading costs for Philippines traders, IC Markets has a clear edge in spreads. On its Raw Spread account, spreads start from 0.0 pips on major pairs like EUR/USD, with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. Exness offers spreads from 0.1 pips on its Zero account but charges a commission of $3.50 per lot per side as well. For high-volume traders in the Philippines, IC Markets is more cost-effective, especially for scalping strategies. Exness may be cheaper for lower volumes due to its lower minimum deposit and no inactivity fees. Both brokers have no hidden fees on deposits via local methods.

Both brokers offer the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, which are widely used by Philippines traders for their advanced charting, automated trading, and custom indicators. IC Markets also provides cTrader, a platform favored for its intuitive interface and depth of market, ideal for scalpers. Exness offers its proprietary WebTerminal and mobile apps, but lacks cTrader. For Filipino traders who prioritize fast execution and advanced tools, IC Markets has a slight advantage. Exness platforms are more user-friendly for beginners, with built-in educational resources.

IC Markets is known for its ECN execution with no dealing desk intervention, offering average execution speeds under 40ms. Exness also provides fast execution with a no-dealing-desk model, but speeds can vary during high volatility. For Philippines traders who scalp or use automated strategies, IC Markets' execution quality is superior. Exness is reliable for standard trading but may have slight slippage during news events.

Neither IC Markets nor Exness is directly regulated by the local financial regulator in the Philippines. However, both are regulated by top-tier authorities: IC Markets by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), while Exness is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and CySEC. For Philippines traders, this means client funds are held in segregated accounts and negative balance protection is provided. While local regulation is absent, these international licenses offer robust protection. Always verify the broker's regulatory status before trading.

Philippines traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT with both brokers. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 for bank transfers and $50 for e-wallets, while Exness has a lower threshold of $10 for most methods, including USDT. Deposits are usually instant for Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed quickly: Exness offers instant withdrawals for e-wallets and USDT, while IC Markets processes within 24 hours. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, making them cost-effective for Filipino traders. USDT deposits are increasingly popular due to their speed and low fees.

Both IC Markets and Exness provide Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in the Philippines. IC Markets offers Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions. Exness automatically provides swap-free accounts for clients in eligible regions, including the Philippines, without requiring a separate request. Both brokers comply with Sharia law by not charging or paying interest. However, IC Markets may impose a holding period on some instruments. Filipino Muslim traders can trade confidently with either broker, but Exness offers a more seamless setup.

IC Markets offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with English-speaking agents available. Exness provides 24/7 multilingual support including Filipino (Tagalog) on live chat and phone, which is a significant advantage for Philippines traders. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections. For local language assistance, Exness is the better choice.