Quick Verdict — Portugal Traders
Best Overall
IC Markets
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
FxPro
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Portugal Muslims
Best for Beginners
IC Markets
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:500
Max leverage
Head-to-head comparison
Portugal traders seeking a reliable forex broker often compare IC Markets vs FxPro, two globally recognized brokers with strong offerings for retail traders. IC Markets, scoring 4.8/5, is known for its ultra-low spreads and advanced trading platforms, while FxPro, scoring 4.1/5, offers a well-regulated environment and a user-friendly experience. For Portuguese traders, factors like local payment methods (Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, USDT), regulatory oversight, and trading costs are critical. Both brokers accept Portuguese clients and support trading in USD, the base currency for this comparison. IC Markets caters to active traders with raw spreads from 0.0 pips, while FxPro appeals to those prioritizing security and simplicity. This guide breaks down each aspect to help you choose the best broker for your needs in Portugal.
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Overall Scores Comparison
IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
Winner
VS
FxPro
FCA · CySEC · FSCA
3.1
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 | FxPro | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | FxPro |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | FxPro |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | FxPro |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | FxPro |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 | FxPro |
When comparing trading costs for Portugal traders, IC Markets has a clear advantage with spreads starting from 0.0 pips on its Raw Spread account, plus a commission of $7 per lot. FxPro offers spreads from 0.2 pips on its MT4/MT5 platforms without commission, but overall costs are higher for high-frequency traders. For a Portugal trader executing 50 lots per month on EUR/USD, IC Markets can save up to $150 in trading costs compared to FxPro. Both brokers offer competitive pricing, but IC Markets is more cost-effective for active retail traders in Portugal.
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Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $100 |
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Leverage Comparison - Portugal Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|
| Portugal (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 |
Leverage Warning for Portugal Traders
Traders in Portugal 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 | FxPro | 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+ | FxPro |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
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Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | FxPro | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | FxPro |
| 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 offers ultra-fast execution with an average speed of 40ms, ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders in Portugal. FxPro provides execution speeds under 100ms, suitable for day traders but slower for high-frequency strategies. Both use No Dealing Desk (NDD) execution, but IC Markets’ infrastructure is more advanced for demanding traders.
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Regulation & Safety for Portugal Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|
| 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.
FxPro is regulated by the FCA,
CySEC,
FSCA, and also the CMVM (Portugal’s local financial regulator) through its Portuguese branch. For Portugal traders, FxPro’s direct CMVM regulation offers an extra layer of protection, while IC Markets relies on EU passporting.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Portugal traders may differ by entity.
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Deposits & Withdrawals for Portugal
| Payment Method | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|
| 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 | 1 business day |
Portugal traders can fund their accounts using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT at both IC Markets and FxPro. IC Markets also accepts credit/debit cards and PayPal, while FxPro supports local EUR bank transfers. Deposits via digital wallets and USDT are instant, while bank transfers take 1-3 days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at IC Markets and within 2-3 business days at FxPro. Both brokers charge no fees for deposits, but FxPro may apply a small fee for certain withdrawal methods. USDT deposits are particularly convenient for crypto-friendly Portugal traders.
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Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Portugal Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | FxPro |
|---|
| 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 FxPro offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Muslim traders in Portugal. IC Markets provides swap-free accounts automatically upon request with no expiry date, while FxPro requires a formal application and may limit the account to certain trading instruments. Both brokers ensure no overnight interest is charged, complying with Sharia law. For Portugal’s growing Muslim community, IC Markets offers a more straightforward process.
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 | FxPro | Winner |
|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | IC Markets |
IC Markets provides 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with Portuguese language support available. FxPro offers support 24/5 (Monday to Friday) via live chat, phone, and email, also in Portuguese. IC Markets’ round-the-clock support is better for active traders, while FxPro’s hours suffice for most retail traders in Portugal.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | FxPro | 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 | FxPro | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | 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
FxPro
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
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Who Should Use Which Broker? - Portugal Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Want the lowest spreads and commissions for active trading
- Prefer fast execution (40ms) for scalping and automated strategies
- Need a wide range of deposit methods including USDT
- Value 24/7 customer support in Portuguese
Choose FxPro if you...
- Prefer a broker regulated directly by Portugal’s CMVM
- Want a simpler trading platform (FxPro Edge) for beginners
- Need local EUR bank transfer options
- Prioritize security and a more conservative trading environment
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FAQ - IC Markets vs FxPro in Portugal
Is IC Markets or FxPro better for Portugal?
+Can Portugal traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Portugal traders?
+How do Portugal traders deposit at IC Markets and FxPro?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Portugal?
+Final Verdict - Portugal 2026
IC Markets wins overall
For Portugal traders, IC Markets is the superior choice for active retail traders seeking low costs and fast execution, while FxPro offers a more regulated and beginner-friendly experience. IC Markets excels with spreads from 0.0 pips, instant deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and 24/7 support. FxPro’s direct CMVM regulation provides added security for risk-averse traders. If you trade high volumes or use automated strategies, IC Markets is the clear winner. For occasional traders who value local oversight, FxPro is a solid alternative. Both brokers support Portuguese clients with local payment methods and language support.
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.
