Which broker is better for Austria traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For retail traders in Austria, choosing between IC Markets and FP Markets can be challenging as both are globally recognized forex and CFD brokers with strong reputations. IC Markets, with a score of 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-tight spreads, deep liquidity, and advanced trading platforms, making it a top choice for scalpers and algorithmic traders. FP Markets, scoring 4.7/5, offers a robust trading environment with competitive pricing, a wide range of instruments, and excellent customer support. Both brokers accept Austria clients and support local deposit methods such as Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring convenient funding. The Austrian trading landscape demands reliable execution and regulatory compliance, and both brokers meet these needs. This comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style, whether you prioritize low costs, platform versatility, or deposit flexibility. From spreads and commissions to regulation and customer service, we cover all key aspects for Austria traders.
| Instrument | IC Markets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FP Markets |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FP Markets |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FP Markets |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FP Markets |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | FP Markets |
Trading costs are a critical factor for Austria traders, especially those dealing in high volumes. IC Markets offers raw spreads from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account with a commission of $3.50 per lot per side (USD). FP Markets provides a similar Raw account with spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.00 per lot per side. For standard accounts, IC Markets has spreads from 0.6 pips with no commission, while FP Markets offers spreads from 1.0 pips. Over 100 lots, IC Markets can save Austria traders approximately $50 in commission compared to FP Markets, but FP Markets' lower commission on Raw accounts may benefit high-frequency traders. Both brokers offer competitive pricing, but IC Markets has a slight edge for scalpers.
| Account Type | IC Markets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Austria (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:500 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:500 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | IC Markets | FP Markets | 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+ | FP Markets |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | IC Markets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✓ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✓ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✓ | ✓ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform selection is vital for Austria traders, and both brokers excel here. IC Markets provides MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, with cTrader being particularly popular for its advanced charting and fast execution. FP Markets offers MT4, MT5, and its proprietary WebTrader, plus IRESS for professional traders. For Austria retail traders, IC Markets' cTrader is ideal for algorithmic trading, while FP Markets' IRESS suits those needing depth of market and advanced order types. Both platforms support mobile trading, ensuring flexibility for on-the-go trading. Austria traders should choose based on their preference for ECN vs. standard trading.
| Factor | IC Markets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FP Markets |
| 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 |
Execution quality is a top priority for Austria traders, particularly those using scalping or EA strategies. IC Markets boasts an average execution speed of 40ms and offers No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution with deep liquidity from multiple banks. FP Markets also provides NDD execution with speeds around 50ms. Both brokers have low latency and minimal slippage, but IC Markets' cTrader platform gives it a slight advantage for high-frequency trading. Austria traders seeking ultra-fast execution should lean towards IC Markets.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulatory oversight is crucial for Austria traders to ensure fund safety. IC Markets is regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), providing strong investor protection. FP Markets is regulated by ASIC and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa. While both brokers comply with international standards, Austria traders benefit from the local financial regulator's oversight, which ensures that brokers offering services to Austrian residents meet specific requirements. Negative balance protection and segregated accounts are standard with both brokers, offering peace of mind.
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 24 hours |
Deposit and withdrawal options are a key consideration for Austria traders. Both IC Markets and FP Markets support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring convenient funding in USD. IC Markets also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal, while FP Markets adds POLi and FasaPay. Minimum deposits are $200 for IC Markets and $100 for FP Markets, with e-wallet deposits processed instantly. Withdrawals are typically processed within 1-2 business days for e-wallets and 3-5 days for bank transfers. USDT deposits are particularly useful for Austria traders seeking fast, low-cost transactions. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but bank transfer fees may apply from the Austrian bank side. Overall, FP Markets offers slightly more deposit variety, but both provide excellent flexibility for Austria traders.
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Muslim traders in Austria, both IC Markets and FP Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts that comply with Sharia law by eliminating overnight interest charges. These accounts are available on request for all account types, including raw spread and standard accounts. Austria traders should note that Islamic accounts may have longer swap-free periods (typically 30 days) before a commission is applied on long-held positions. IC Markets and FP Markets both provide transparent terms, but FP Markets is known for more flexible Islamic account conditions, such as no time limit on swap-free status. Austria traders should verify eligibility during account opening.
| Support Feature | IC Markets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
Customer support is essential for Austria traders, especially when dealing with time-sensitive issues. IC Markets offers 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support in multiple languages, including German. FP Markets also provides 24/7 support with German-speaking agents available via live chat and phone. Both brokers have extensive FAQ sections and educational resources. IC Markets' support is slightly faster in response times, while FP Markets is praised for its personalized service. Austria traders can expect prompt assistance from both.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FP Markets | 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 | ✗ | ✓ | FP Markets |
| Resource | IC Markets | FP Markets | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
Choose IC Markets if you...
Choose FP Markets if you...
For Austria retail traders, the choice between IC Markets and FP Markets ultimately depends on your trading style and priorities. IC Markets scores higher overall (4.8 vs 4.7) and excels in low spreads, fast execution, and advanced platforms like cTrader, making it ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. FP Markets offers a more rounded package with a lower minimum deposit, more deposit methods including USDT, and excellent Islamic account conditions. Both brokers support Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring easy funding for Austria traders. Regulatory oversight by the local financial regulator adds an extra layer of security. If you prioritize cost efficiency and speed, choose IC Markets. If you value flexibility and a broader instrument range, FP Markets is a strong contender. Either way, Austria traders are well-served by both brokers.