FBS vs XM vs IC Markets - Fees Review Included

When weighing the pros and cons of IC Markets alongside FBS, exploring various trader opinions and detailed reviews can offer valuable insights into aspects like order execution efficiency, fee structures, and customer service responsiveness.

Similarly, analyzing firsthand experiences shared in XM as well as IC Markets client reviews allows traders to assess factors such as trading conditions, account types, and overall user satisfaction.

For those comparing XM against FBS, reviewing detailed user feedback and reviews on both platforms sheds light on differences in trading tools, available instruments, and broker reliability, helping traders make informed choices.

A thorough comparison between IC Markets and XM involves evaluating elements like spreads, commission models, and platform performance, ensuring that traders select the broker best suited to their trading strategies.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets

This article provides a detailed comparison of FBS, XM, and IC Markets, helping traders evaluate the best broker based on fees, spreads, trading platforms, account types, and unique features. It includes an in-depth IC Markets, FBS, and XM review, covering their regulation, deposit and withdrawal options, investment programs, and customer support. Additionally, it highlights each broker’s strengths and weaknesses, making it easier for traders to find the right fit for their trading style.

By analyzing IC Markets and XM comparison alongside XM, FBS reviews and IC Markets, FBS reviews, traders can gain insights into the pros and cons of each broker. Whether looking for low-cost ECN trading, diverse asset selections, or strong educational resources, this guide breaks down key aspects to help traders make an informed decision.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: pros and cons

FBS

FBS Review

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FBS (fbs.com), a globally recognized brokerage firm, has made its mark across 190 countries, offering traders a platform that blends experience with modern financial tools. With a legacy spanning over a decade, this broker has garnered around 40 international accolades, a testament to its credibility and service quality. Regulated by CySEC under license number 331/17, FBS provides traders with flexible options for engaging in Forex markets, making it particularly well-received in regions like India, Malaysia, and Indonesia. While its strengths lie in adaptability and global outreach, traders often weigh the pros and cons of FBS and IC Markets before committing to any platform.

XM

XM Group Review

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Turning to XM Broker, which took its first steps in 2009, it initially focused on a specialized segment within the trading community, catering exclusively to Forex-related intermediary services. Over time, it has evolved into a powerhouse, now boasting operations in nearly 190 countries. With over 3.5 million traders benefiting from its technological advancements, XM Broker continues to secure titles such as the Fastest Growing Broker and the Best Forex Service Provider. By maintaining a customer-first approach, it ensures continuous improvements to its services.

IC Markets

IC Markets Review

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Meanwhile, IC Markets, established in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, has positioned itself as a competitive brokerage firm. The company operates under stringent regulatory oversight, holding an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) and being governed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Further reinforcing its credibility, the firm is an active member of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), which ensures that industry standards for dispute resolution remain intact. With this regulatory framework, traders often assess the pros and cons of engaging with IC Markets, particularly regarding factors such as transaction speeds, spreads, and customer service quality.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: safety and regulation

When considering the regulated status, all three brokers — FBS, XM, and IC Markets — maintain Tier-1 regulation, ensuring strict compliance and trader protection. Each broker provides investor compensation of up to €20,000, while XM offers additional protection of £85,000 under UK regulations, making it a secure option for traders seeking higher coverage.

All three brokers operate under ASIC (Australia), a highly regarded financial regulator known for enforcing strict industry standards. However, they are not regulated by FCA (UK), FINRA (U.S.), BaFin (Germany), or CFTC (U.S.), which some traders may consider when evaluating broker security. Additionally, none of them hold licenses under MAS (Singapore), FSCA (South Africa), BVIFSC, VFSC, or FSA (Seychelles). Despite this, ASIC oversight ensures a transparent and secure trading environment, making XM, FBS, and IC Markets regulated brokers that provide reliable services for traders worldwide.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: trading conditions

When evaluating how the FBS and XM trading platform options compare, traders will notice key differences in the tools and features each broker offers. The trading conditions of both IC Markets and FBS, along with XM, vary significantly based on factors like spreads, leverage, and order execution speed. One crucial aspect for traders to consider is the minimum deposit requirement for FBS and IC Markets, as well as XM. While FBS and its minimum deposit policy make trading accessible with just $1, XM requires at least $5, catering to beginner traders. On the other hand, IC Markets has a notably higher minimum deposit, set at $200, making it more suitable for professionals seeking advanced trading tools and institutional-grade liquidity.

Platform compatibility also plays a role in traders’ decisions. The offerings from FBS and the XM platform include MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ensuring a familiar trading experience. However, FBS distinguishes itself by providing FBS Trader, a proprietary mobile solution, while IC Markets attracts professionals with cTrader, known for its advanced order execution capabilities. Additionally, asset diversity differs among the three brokers. IC Markets and its trading conditions offer access to more than 2,000 instruments, spanning Forex, commodities, indices, and bonds. XM follows with 1,300+ assets, focusing on Forex, indices, and stocks, whereas FBS provides fewer assets, around 200, covering Forex, CFDs, and cryptocurrencies. Choosing between these brokers depends on deposit requirements, platform preferences, and asset availability.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: fees

When evaluating the fees associated with both XM and FBS, traders will notice that while the cost structures of XM, FBS, and IC Markets are competitive, they do have some differences. For instance, if one examines how spreads are set by IC Markets and FBS, it becomes clear that these brokers cater to traders seeking lower-cost trading options. In terms of standard account pricing for EUR/USD, all three brokers begin at 0.7 pips, yet XM tends to have a slightly higher peak spread, reaching 1.2 pips, while FBS maintains a comparatively lower upper limit of 0.9 pips.

For those prioritizing minimal spreads, the offerings from IC Markets and FBS stand out, particularly because both brokers provide ECN accounts where spreads are as low as 0.1 pips, coupled with a commission structure ranging between $3 and $3.5 per lot — making them appealing to high-frequency traders. Additionally, traders will appreciate that none of these brokers impose deposit or withdrawal fees, ensuring efficient fund management.

However, when opening an account with either XM or IC Markets, it is important to consider that both brokers apply an inactivity fee of $10, whereas FBS remains free of such charges. As a result, traders must decide based on their priorities — whether they favor raw spreads, commission-free trading, or overall cost efficiency. IC Markets and FBS lead in terms of spread competitiveness, while XM continues to attract those preferring slightly wider spreads without additional commissions.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: trading assets

When comparing IC Markets and XM trading, the three brokers — FBS, XM, and IC Markets — offer a diverse selection of assets, but IC Markets leads in overall market coverage. IC Markets provides access to 2,000+ trading instruments, while XM offers 1,300+, and FBS lags with just 200+ assets. All three brokers support Forex, stocks (CFD), metals, cryptocurrencies, energy, and indices, making them solid choices for multi-asset trading.

For those focused on Forex trading through IC Markets and FBS, both brokers provide a strong selection of currency pairs, but IC Markets offers deeper liquidity and tighter spreads. Additionally, IC Markets stands out by including ETFs, bonds, and futures trading as CFDs, which XM and FBS do not provide. XM offers ETFs, while FBS has a more limited range of assets, focusing primarily on Forex and CFDs. The choice between these brokers depends on whether a trader prioritizes a broad asset selection (IC Markets), a balanced mix with ETFs (XM), or a simplified approach with essential markets (FBS).

FBS or XM or IC Markets: investment programs

When comparing IC Markets and XM investment programs, all three brokers — FBS, XM, and IC Markets — offer copy trading, allowing traders to mirror the strategies of experienced investors. This feature makes them attractive to beginners and passive investors who prefer automated trading solutions.

However, when it comes to MAM/PAMM accounts, IC Markets and FBS provide these options for fund managers handling multiple accounts, while XM does not. None of the brokers offer fully managed accounts or additional investment programs beyond copy trading and MAM/PAMM services. Traders looking for flexible investment programs will find IC Markets and FBS more suitable for fund management, while XM focuses on copy trading as its primary offering.

Trading platforms: FBS or XM or IC Markets

When comparing the FBS and XM platform options, all three brokers — FBS, XM, and IC Markets — support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), making them reliable choices for traders who prefer these industry-standard platforms. However, while FBS offers its proprietary FBS Trader, and IC Markets provides an IC Markets terminal, XM does not have an additional dedicated platform.

For those evaluating IC Markets and XM trading, IC Markets stands out as the only broker that supports cTrader, a platform known for advanced execution speed and algorithmic trading features. This makes it a strong choice for professional traders looking for ECN trading conditions. FBS and XM focus on traditional MT4/MT5 offerings, catering to traders who prefer familiar and widely used trading interfaces. The best platform choice depends on whether traders seek cTrader’s advanced functionality (IC Markets) or a simpler, well-established MT4/MT5 experience (FBS and XM).

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: deposit and withdrawal methods

When comparing deposit and withdrawal options, all three brokers — FBS, XM, and IC Markets — offer convenient payment methods. XM and FBS deposit options include bank wire, bank cards, and Neteller, making funding accessible for most traders. However, XM and IC Markets provide additional flexibility by supporting BTC and USDT transactions, which FBS does not offer.

For traders considering the FBS and IC Markets minimum deposit, FBS allows traders to start with just $1, making it the most beginner-friendly option. XM requires a $5 minimum deposit, while IC Markets is designed for more experienced traders with a $200 minimum deposit. When it comes to IC Markets and XM withdrawal, both brokers offer smooth and secure transactions with multiple funding options, ensuring traders can easily access their funds. The best choice depends on whether a trader values low deposit requirements or a broader range of withdrawal methods.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: research

When comparing XM and FBS research types, all three brokers — FBS, XM, and IC Markets — provide comprehensive research tools to support informed trading decisions. Each broker offers a news feed, fundamental data, chart analysis, trading ideas, and email reports, ensuring traders have access to essential market insights.

These research tools help traders analyze trends, develop strategies, and stay updated with market movements. Whether using technical analysis, fundamental data, or expert trading ideas, XM, FBS, and IC Markets deliver valuable resources for both beginners and experienced traders. The choice between them depends on which platform aligns best with a trader’s research and market analysis needs.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: education

When conducting a thorough comparison between IC Markets vs. FBS, specifically from the standpoint for beginners who are just stepping into the trading world, it becomes evident that both platforms — along with XM — extend a wealth of educational resources aimed at enhancing a trader’s knowledge. Whether one looks at demo accounts designed for risk-free practice, in-depth webinars led by experts, well-structured articles breaking down complex concepts, or video tutorials that visually guide users, these brokers ensure that beginners have ample opportunities to build confidence before dealing with actual investments.

However, shifting the focus to the aspect of IC Markets and FBS in terms of their education-oriented offerings, it becomes clear that FBS and XM introduce an added benefit through cent accounts. These specialized accounts allow traders to initiate their journey with minimal capital exposure, thereby lowering financial risks — a feature that IC Markets does not integrate into its system. Consequently, those who favor a hands-on learning approach with small-scale investments might find FBS or XM more accommodating. On the other hand, traders who prefer a more structured educational environment, supported by webinars and extensive research tools, may gravitate towards IC Markets for a more methodical learning experience.

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: support

When comparing FBS and IC Markets support, both offer 24/5 customer service through multiple channels, including email, phone, and online chat. This ensures traders can get assistance during market hours, whether for technical issues, account inquiries, or trading support.

For traders looking at XM and IC Markets live chat, both brokers provide real-time assistance through online chat, allowing for quick responses to urgent questions. FBS offers an additional support channel via Facebook Messenger, which may be useful for traders who prefer social media communication. The best choice depends on whether traders value a standard support experience (XM, IC Markets) or the extra accessibility of social media-based assistance (FBS).

FBS vs XM vs IC Markets: Forex bonuses and promo

When analyzing IC Markets and FBS bonuses we found out next:

• FBS attract traders with compelling incentives, such as a $140 no-deposit offer and deposit matches reaching up to 100%;

• IC Markets, on the other hand, does not extend any such Forex-related promotions.

In contrast, XM, much like FBS, enhances its appeal by providing generous incentives, including a Forex trading bonus that can reach as high as $5,000, coupled with a 100% deposit match — making it a standout choice for traders seeking substantial promotional advantages.

For those weighing their options regarding what XM and IC Markets extend in terms of promotional offers, it is clear that XM, apart from offering deposit-related perks and loyalty-based rewards, actively focuses on trader engagement through multiple bonus-driven initiatives. However, IC Markets, diverging from this approach, prioritizes an environment characterized by tight spreads and professional-grade trading conditions rather than emphasizing promotional benefits. Furthermore, in the realm of affiliate partnerships, while FBS and XM provide structured affiliate programs — FBS incorporating a multi-tiered reward system — IC Markets, instead, channels its affiliate benefits through commission-based structures tied directly to trading activity.

Conclusion

This article compares FBS, XM, and IC Markets, focusing on fees, spreads, platforms, regulations, and trading conditions. IC Markets excels in raw spreads and professional tools, FBS offers low deposit requirements and promotions, while XM provides diverse assets and strong education.

By analyzing IC Markets and FBS reviews, XM and IC Markets comparisons, and XM and FBS trading, traders can identify the best fit. IC Markets suits low-cost ECN traders, while FBS and XM attract those seeking bonuses and accessibility.

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