Which broker is better for Iceland traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
Iceland traders seeking reliable forex brokers often compare IC Markets and FP Markets, two industry leaders with strong reputations. IC Markets holds a stellar 4.8/5 rating, while FP Markets follows closely at 4.7/5, making both top contenders for Icelandic retail traders. With Iceland's stable economy and growing interest in online trading, choosing the right broker is crucial for managing costs and accessing global markets. Both brokers accept Icelandic clients and support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, ensuring seamless deposits and withdrawals. Additionally, they comply with the local financial regulator, offering Icelandic traders a secure trading environment. Whether you are a scalper focusing on tight spreads or a long-term investor seeking diverse assets, this comparison will help you decide which broker aligns with your trading goals in 2026.
| 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 |
For Iceland traders, trading costs are a key factor, especially for high-volume strategies. IC Markets offers lower spreads on its Raw Spread account, starting from 0.0 pips with a $3.5 commission per lot per side, making it ideal for scalpers. FP Markets' Raw account starts from 0.1 pips with a $3 commission per lot per side, slightly higher on spreads but lower on commission. Over 100 lots per month, IC Markets saves approximately $50 in total costs for Iceland traders. Both brokers offer competitive swap rates, but IC Markets' tighter spreads give it a cost advantage for active traders.
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Iceland (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 | ✓ | ✓ |
Both IC Markets and FP Markets provide robust trading platforms suited for Iceland traders. IC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader, with cTrader being a favorite for its advanced charting and fast execution. FP Markets also provides MT4, MT5, and its proprietary IRESS platform, which is excellent for advanced order types and direct market access. For Icelandic traders, MT4 and MT5 are widely used due to their extensive indicators and automated trading capabilities. cTrader on IC Markets stands out for its intuitive interface, while FP Markets' IRESS appeals to professional traders needing depth of market.
| 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 key differentiator for Iceland traders, especially scalpers and day traders. IC Markets boasts an average execution speed of 40ms on its MetaTrader servers, with no requotes on its Raw Spread account. FP Markets offers execution speeds of around 50ms, still excellent but slightly slower. Both brokers use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, ensuring transparency and minimal slippage. For Icelandic traders trading high volumes, IC Markets' faster execution can reduce slippage and improve trade outcomes.
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FP Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Regulation is critical for Iceland traders, and both brokers operate under top-tier oversight. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC (Australia), CySEC (Cyprus), and the FSA (Seychelles), ensuring strict client fund segregation and negative balance protection. FP Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC, and the FSCA (South Africa), providing similar safeguards. Both brokers also adhere to the standards of the local financial regulator in Iceland, which oversees foreign broker operations. This multi-regulatory framework gives Icelandic traders confidence in fund security and fair trading practices.
| 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 |
Iceland traders have multiple deposit and withdrawal options at both IC Markets and FP Markets, including Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT. Bank Transfer is reliable for large sums but may take 1-3 business days, with no fees from the brokers. Skrill and Neteller offer instant deposits and withdrawals, typically processed within 24 hours, making them ideal for active traders. USDT deposits are supported via blockchain, providing a fast and low-cost alternative for crypto-savvy Icelandic traders. IC Markets has a minimum deposit of $200 for most methods, while FP Markets requires $100 for standard accounts. Both brokers do not charge deposit fees, but withdrawal fees may apply for certain methods. Overall, FP Markets has a slightly lower minimum deposit, benefiting new Icelandic 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 |
Both IC Markets and FP Markets offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Iceland Muslim traders who require compliance with Sharia law. IC Markets provides Islamic accounts on its Standard and Raw Spread accounts, waiving all swap and interest charges on overnight positions. FP Markets also offers swap-free accounts on request, applicable to its Standard and Raw accounts. Icelandic traders must contact customer support to activate this feature, and it is available for all major forex pairs, commodities, and indices. Both brokers ensure no hidden fees, making them suitable for long-term Islamic traders in Iceland.
| 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 vital for Iceland traders, and both brokers offer 24/7 multilingual support. IC Markets provides live chat, email, and phone support with quick response times, typically under 30 seconds for live chat. FP Markets also offers 24/7 support via live chat, email, and phone, with a slightly larger team for handling queries. For Icelandic traders, English support is readily available, and both brokers have comprehensive FAQ sections. IC Markets edges ahead with faster live chat responses, while FP Markets offers more personalized support.
| 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 Iceland traders in 2026, both IC Markets and FP Markets are excellent brokers, but your choice depends on your trading style. IC Markets is the better option for cost-sensitive scalpers and high-volume traders, offering tighter spreads, faster execution, and a 4.8/5 rating. FP Markets is ideal for beginners and those wanting diverse assets, with a lower minimum deposit and strong educational tools. Both brokers support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and comply with the local financial regulator, ensuring a secure trading environment. Ultimately, IC Markets wins for low-cost trading, while FP Markets excels in versatility and support.