Quick Verdict — Israel Traders
Best Overall
XM Group
Higher overall score & more features
Best Spreads
XM Group
Lower trading costs for scalpers
Islamic Accounts
Both Available
Swap-free for Israel Muslims
Best for Beginners
XM Group
Better education & support
1:5000 vs 1:1000
Max leverage
ASIC vs CySEC
Top regulator
Head-to-head comparison
For Israel traders looking to trade forex, CFDs, and commodities, choosing the right broker is critical. IC Markets and XM Group are two of the most popular international brokers serving Israel, each with distinct advantages. IC Markets is renowned for its raw spreads starting from 0.0 pips, ultra-fast execution, and deep liquidity—ideal for scalpers and algorithmic traders. XM Group, on the other hand, offers a user-friendly experience, a wider range of tradable instruments (over 1,000), and generous educational resources, making it a favorite among beginners. Both brokers accept Israel clients, support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and operate under reputable international licenses. However, neither is regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), so traders must understand the implications. This comparison digs into every aspect that matters to Israel traders—costs, platforms, regulation, deposits, and Islamic accounts—to help you decide which broker aligns with your trading style and goals in 2026.
🏆
Overall Scores Comparison

IC Markets
ASIC · CySEC · FSA
3.6
CompareBroker score
VS

XM Group
CySEC · ASIC · IFSC
4.3
CompareBroker score
Winner
Trading Costs
Spreads, commissions
Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TV
Regulation
Safety, oversight
Customer Support
24/5, chat, phone
Education
Webinars, guides
💹
Trading Costs - Spreads & Commissions
| Instrument | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | XM Group |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | XM Group |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | XM Group |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | XM Group |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 | IC Markets |
When comparing trading costs for Israel traders, IC Markets clearly leads with its Raw Spread account, offering spreads from 0.0 pips and a commission of $3.50 per lot per side. XM Group's standard account has spreads from 1.0 pips with no commission, but for high-volume traders in Israel, IC Markets is cheaper per trade. For example, trading 10 lots of EUR/USD daily, IC Markets costs about $70 in commission versus XM's $100 in spread costs. XM's Ultra Low account reduces spreads to 0.6 pips but adds a commission, which can still be higher than IC Markets for frequent traders. Swap rates are competitive on both, but IC Markets offers tighter raw spreads for scalpers.
📂
Account Types Comparison
| Account Type | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Zero spread account | ✓ | ✓ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $200 | $5 |
⚖️
Leverage Comparison - Israel Traders
| Entity / Asset | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Israel (offshore) | Up to 1:5000 | Up to 1:1000 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:5000 | 1:1000 |
| 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 Israel Traders
Traders in Israel typically open accounts under offshore entities with up to 1:500 leverage. High leverage significantly increases risk.
📈
Trading Instruments - Assets Available
| Asset Class | IC Markets | XM Group | 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 | ✗ | ✗ | XM Group |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
⚡
Execution Quality - Speed & Slippage
| Factor | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | XM Group |
| 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 speeds, averaging under 40 milliseconds, thanks to its Equinix NY4 data center and low-latency infrastructure. This is ideal for Israel scalpers and algorithmic traders who need minimal slippage. XM Group's execution is also reliable, with speeds around 100 milliseconds, but it uses a market maker model for some accounts, which can lead to requotes during high volatility. For Israel traders who prioritize speed and direct market access, IC Markets is the clear winner.
🛡️
Regulation & Safety for Israel Traders
| Safety Factor | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| Primary regulator | ASIC | ASIC |
| 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 regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), meaning Israel traders are not covered by the ISA's compensation fund. However, both brokers offer negative balance protection and segregate client funds in top-tier banks. For Israel traders, this means a high level of security but no local recourse in case of disputes.
Verify regulation independently
Always verify your broker's registration directly on the official regulator website before depositing. Regulation details for Israel traders may differ by entity.
💳
Deposits & Withdrawals for Israel
| Payment Method | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| 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 | Visa/Mastercard and e-wallets near-instant to 1-2 business days; bank wire several days |
Israel traders can fund their accounts at both IC Markets and XM Group using Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT (Tether). IC Markets requires a minimum deposit of $5, while XM Group starts at just $5, making it more accessible for beginners. Deposits via Skrill, Neteller, and USDT are processed instantly, while Bank Transfers take 1-3 business days. Withdrawals are processed within 24 hours at IC Markets and within 1 business day at XM Group, with funds reaching your Skrill or Neteller account almost instantly. Bank withdrawals may take 2-5 days. Both brokers accept USD as base currency, which aligns with Israel traders' preferences. No deposit fees are charged by the brokers, but your bank or payment provider may apply fees.
☪️
Islamic Accounts - Swap-Free for Israel Muslims
| Islamic Account Feature | IC Markets | XM Group |
|---|
| 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 XM Group offer Islamic (swap-free) accounts for Israel Muslim traders who wish to trade without earning or paying overnight interest (swap). IC Markets provides swap-free accounts on all account types (Standard, Raw Spread, and cTrader) with no additional fees, but reserves the right to charge a management fee after 30 days if the account is not actively traded. XM Group offers Islamic accounts on Micro, Standard, and XM Ultra Low accounts, also with no swap fees. XM's policy is more straightforward, applying swap-free status indefinitely as long as the account remains active. Both brokers require a simple request through customer support to activate the Islamic account.
Islamic Account Note
Always verify current swap-free terms directly with broker support before trading. Admin fees or holding period restrictions may apply.
💬
Customer Support Comparison
| Support Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | 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 offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and phone, with a dedicated team available in English and other languages. XM Group also provides 24/5 support with live chat, phone, and email, plus a comprehensive FAQ section. For Israel traders, both brokers offer support in English, but XM Group has a slight edge with its multilingual team and faster response times on live chat. IC Markets' support is more technical, which suits advanced traders, while XM Group's support is more patient and educational for beginners.
| Mobile Feature | IC Markets | XM Group | 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 |
📚
Education & Research Tools
| Resource | IC Markets | XM Group | Winner |
|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | ✗ | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | IC Markets |
⭐
Real User Reviews - Trustpilot
⚖️
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
XM Group
Pros
+Top-tier regulated
+Islamic swap-free account
Cons
-No TradingView
-No 24/7 support
👤
Who Should Use Which Broker? - Israel Guide
Choose IC Markets if you...
- Are a scalper or high-frequency trader needing raw spreads from 0.0 pips
- Use automated trading systems (EAs) on MT4/MT5 or cTrader
- Prefer ultra-fast execution under 40 ms
- Trade large volumes and want lower overall costs
Choose XM Group if you...
- Are a beginner or intermediate trader seeking educational resources
- Want a low minimum deposit of $5 to start trading
- Prefer a wider range of tradable instruments (over 1,000)
- Value generous welcome bonuses and promotions
❓
FAQ - IC Markets vs XM Group in Israel
Is IC Markets or XM Group better for Israel?
+Can Israel traders use both brokers legally?
+Which broker has lower spreads for Israel traders?
+How do Israel traders deposit at IC Markets and XM Group?
+Do both brokers offer Islamic accounts for Israel?
+Final Verdict - Israel 2026
XM Group wins overall
For Israel traders in 2026, the choice between IC Markets and XM Group ultimately depends on your trading style and experience. IC Markets is the superior choice for cost-conscious, high-volume traders who need the tightest spreads and fastest execution—perfect for scalping and algorithmic trading. XM Group is better suited for beginners and those who value a user-friendly platform, educational tools, and a lower entry barrier. Both brokers accept Israel clients, support local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and USDT, and offer Islamic accounts. However, neither is regulated by the Israel Securities Authority (ISA), so you trade without local investor protection. If you prioritize low costs and speed, go with IC Markets. If you want a supportive environment to learn and grow, XM Group is a solid choice. Always test both with a demo account to see which fits your needs best.
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.