Quick Verdict — Sweden 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 Sweden Muslims
Best for Beginners
IC Markets
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:2
Max leverage
Head-to-head comparison
Sweden traders seeking a reliable forex broker face a tough choice between IC Markets and Exness, both scoring an impressive 4.8 out of 5. IC Markets, founded in 2007, is renowned for its ultra-low spreads and institutional-grade execution, making it a favorite among active retail traders in Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö. Exness, established in 2008, has built a strong reputation for flexible leverage, instant withdrawals, and a user-friendly experience that appeals to traders of all levels. Both brokers accept Swedish clients and support popular local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. This comparison will help you decide which broker fits your trading style, whether you prioritize raw spreads, high leverage, or seamless deposits and withdrawals in SEK or USD. We’ll examine trading costs, platforms, regulation, and specific features relevant to the Swedish market, including Islamic accounts and local support.
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Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS

Exness
FCA · CySEC · ASIC
3.5
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 | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | Exness |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | Exness |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | Exness |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | Exness |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 | Exness |
For Sweden traders, trading costs are a critical factor, especially for those trading high volumes. IC Markets offers a Raw Spread account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $7 per lot round turn, which is highly competitive for EUR/USD and other major pairs. Exness provides a Zero account with spreads from 0.1 pips and a commission of $3.5 per side per lot, making it slightly more expensive for scalpers. On a standard account, Exness has no commission but wider spreads. For a Sweden trader executing 10 lots per day, IC Markets can save up to $20 daily compared to Exness on the Zero account. Both brokers have no hidden fees, but IC Markets’ raw pricing is better for high-volume strategies.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $10 |
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Leverage Comparison - Sweden Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| Sweden (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:2 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:2 |
| 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 Sweden Traders
Traders in Sweden 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 | Exness | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | Exness |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | Exness |
| 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 is known for its ultra-fast execution with no requotes, using Equinix NY4 data centers and low-latency connectivity, making it ideal for Sweden scalpers and algo traders. Exness also offers fast execution with an average speed of 0.1 seconds on MT4/MT5, but may experience occasional slippage during high volatility. For Sweden traders focused on precise entry and exit, IC Markets’ institutional-grade infrastructure is superior, while Exness provides reliable execution for most retail strategies.
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Regulation & Safety for Sweden Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| 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 broker is directly licensed by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen), but both operate legally for Swedish clients under EU passporting rules (for
CySEC entities) or as international brokers. Sweden traders should note that negative balance protection is standard with
Exness for retail clients, while IC Markets offers it on certain entities.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Sweden traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Sweden
| Payment Method | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| 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 | crypto takes 30–60 minutes, and bank cards or wires take 1 to 5 business days |
Sweden traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both brokers. IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $200 (or equivalent in SEK) via Bank Transfer, while e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller have no minimum. Withdrawals are processed within 1-3 business days for bank transfers and instantly for e-wallets. Exness offers a lower minimum deposit of just $10 for most methods, including Skrill and Neteller, and supports USDT with no fees. Exness is known for instant withdrawals 24/7, even on weekends, which is a major advantage for Sweden traders who need quick access to funds. Both brokers accept SEK through Bank Transfer, but conversion fees may apply.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Sweden Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | Exness |
|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Sweden’s growing Muslim trading community, both IC Markets and Exness offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on request for all account types, with no swap charges on overnight positions, but requires a minimum deposit of $200. Exness offers automatic swap-free accounts for clients residing in predominantly Muslim countries, including Sweden, with no extra fees. Exness’s process is more streamlined, as it applies automatically based on account registration, while IC Markets requires a manual request. Both brokers ensure no interest is charged or paid, and positions are closed before rollover to avoid any riba.
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 | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✓ | Exness |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets offers 24/7 multilingual customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team for Swedish clients available during European business hours. Exness also provides 24/7 support in multiple languages, including Swedish, through live chat, email, and a callback service. Sweden traders will find both responsive, but Exness’s live chat is slightly faster with average response times under 30 seconds, while IC Markets excels in technical support for platform issues.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | Exness | 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 | Exness | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | 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
Exness
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
+24/7 customer support
Cons
-No TradingView
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Who Should Use Which Broker? - Sweden Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or high-frequency trader needing spreads from 0.0 pips
- Use automated trading strategies with Expert Advisors or cTrader automation
- Trade high volumes and want the lowest cost per lot
- Prefer advanced platforms like cTrader with depth of market
Choose Exness if you...
- Want flexible leverage up to unlimited for professional accounts
- Need instant withdrawals 24/7, including weekends
- Are a beginner or casual trader with a low minimum deposit ($10)
- Prefer a simpler, more intuitive platform with Swedish support
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FAQ - IC Markets vs Exness in Sweden
Is IC Markets or Exness better for Sweden?
+Can Sweden traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Sweden traders?
+How do Sweden traders deposit at IC Markets and Exness?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Sweden?
+Final Verdict - Sweden 2026
IC Markets wins overall
For Sweden traders, the choice between IC Markets and Exness hinges on your trading style and priorities. IC Markets wins on raw spreads and execution speed, making it the top pick for active traders and scalpers who trade high volumes. Exness excels with its instant withdrawals, low minimum deposit, and flexible leverage, appealing to beginners and those who value liquidity access. Both brokers support local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and offer Islamic accounts. While neither is directly regulated by Finansinspektionen, both operate under strong international oversight. If you prioritize cost efficiency and advanced tools, go with IC Markets. If you prefer flexibility and fast withdrawals, Exness is your better match.
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.