Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: Fees & Features Review

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When comparing Octa (OctaFX), Exness, and IC Markets, each broker offers distinct advantages. IC Markets provides the lowest spreads, making it the most cost-effective choice for active traders. Exness stands out with flexible account options and instant withdrawals, while Octa attracts beginners with commission-free trading on most accounts. Choosing the right broker depends on trading style and cost preferences.

For traders exploring Octa and Exness reviews, each broker has its own advantages. Octa keeps costs low, though its spreads can be a bit wider, while Exness provides variable spreads and swap-free options. Those looking for lower fees might prefer Octa, while traders who want more flexibility in spreads and leverage may lean toward Exness.

When checking Octa and IC Markets reviews, traders will see that IC Markets generally offers tighter spreads, especially on Raw Spread accounts, though it does charge a commission. Meanwhile, Octa focuses on affordability but doesn’t always match IC Markets in spread tightness. Traders comparing the two often look at whether saving on spreads or avoiding commission fees is more important to them.

If you compare IC Markets and Exness reviews, you'll notice that IC Markets is popular among scalpers due to its low spreads and ECN pricing, while Exness is favored for its flexible leverage and instant withdrawals. Exness stands out for its fast payout system, whereas IC Markets is known for its execution speed and consistent pricing.

The IC Markets and Exness comparison also boils down to what a trader values most. IC Markets is a great choice for those who need tight spreads and direct market access, while Exness is ideal for traders who prioritize easy withdrawals and high leverage. Both brokers serve different trading styles, so traders should consider their priorities before choosing.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets

This article compares Octa, Exness, and IC Markets, focusing on fees, features, and trading conditions to help traders choose the right broker in 2025. It covers trading costs like spreads and commissions, platform availability, regulation, and deposit/withdrawal methods. The review also highlights Exness vs OctaFX reviews, Octa IC Markets reviews, IC Markets Exness reviews, and an IC Markets Exness comparison to provide a clear picture of each broker’s strengths and weaknesses.

It also explores the pros and cons, investment programs, research tools, educational resources, and customer support. Whether you're looking for low trading fees, strong regulation, or copy trading features, this guide offers insights into what each broker offers, helping traders make informed decisions.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets
Feature	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Overall	4.1	4.7	4.7
Regulation	3.9	4.8	5
Fees	4.5	4.8	4.9
Trading assets	2.9	3.9	4.6
Investment instruments	3.1	4.1	4.9
Platforms and charting tools	4.4	4.2	4.4
Deposit and withdrawal	4.6	4.6	4.6
Research	4.1	4.7	4.3
Education	3.9	4.8	4.4
Support	4.1	4.5	4.6
Bonuses	4.3	3.1	2.5
Open an account	Open an account	Open an account	Open an account

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: pros and cons

Exness and IC Markets have established themselves as leading platforms, offering unique advantages and some limitations. A closer look at the Exness and IC Markets pros and cons helps traders make informed decisions based on their specific trading needs.

Exness, which has been in the Forex market since 2008, is known for its instant execution, low commissions, and high monthly trading turnover of $325.8 billion. The broker offers infinite leverage for deposits up to $999, allowing traders to maximize their positions even with small capital. Additionally, it provides a wide range of CFDs on cryptocurrencies, stocks, energy, metals, and over 120 currency pairs. However, Exness is regulated by offshore authorities like the FSA (Seychelles), which might not be ideal for traders prioritizing top-tier financial oversight.

On the other hand, IC Markets, founded in 2007 in Sydney, Australia, operates under the strict regulation of ASIC and holds an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). The broker is also a member of the Australian Financial Complaint Authority (AFCA), ensuring a strong consumer protection framework. IC Markets is well-regarded for its ECN trading model, offering ultra-low spreads and deep liquidity. However, some traders might find its lack of an unlimited leverage option a drawback when compared to Exness.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: pros and cons
Pros and cons	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Overall pros	Trading at weekends No non-trading commissions Copy trading service	Trading With Leverage up to 1:2000 Big choice of ECN/STP accounts Low trading and non trading fees Free VPS hosting Quotes history	World biggest Forex broker, over 180,000 clients and $1.11 trln monthly turnover Advanced ECN trading Order execution speed 40 mc Free VPS Trading servers in New York and London Strong regulation 2000+ trading assets, 60+ currency pairs EUR/USD Average spread 01 pip
Overall cons	Limited number of supported assets High spreads	Not a big choice of trading assets No Forex bonuses	No Forex bonuses

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: safety and regulation

When it comes to safety and regulation, Octa and Exness are regulated brokers all holding Tier-1 regulations, ensuring a certain level of security for traders. However, both are regulated differently, as Octa is not directly overseen by top-tier financial authorities, while Exness and IC Markets are regulated by the FCA (UK), providing stronger investor protection. Exness regulated entities also include oversight from the FSCA (South Africa), BVI FSC, and FSA (Seychelles), making it a more globally supervised broker.

IC Markets follows a similar structure, holding FCA UK regulation and additional licenses from the FSCA and FSA. In contrast, Octa does not hold these licenses, limiting its investor protection to €20,000. While all three brokers provide a secure trading environment, Exness is regulated more extensively, making it a stronger choice for traders prioritizing regulation and fund security.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: safety and regulation
Regulated by:	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Max. regulation Level	Tier-1	Tier-1	Tier-1
Investor protection	€20,000	€20,000 £85,000	€20,000 £85,000
FCA UK Regulation	No	Yes	Yes
FINRA (U.S)	No	No	No
BaFin (Germany)	No	No	No
ASIC (Australia)	No	No	No
CFTC (U.S)	No	No	No
MAS	No	No	No
FSCA SA	No	Yes	Yes
BVIFSC	No	Yes	Yes
VFSC	No	No	No
FSA (Seychelles)	No	Yes	Yes

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: trading conditions

The Exness and Octa platforms both support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, giving traders well-known and reliable options. Meanwhile, IC Markets also includes cTrader alongside MT4 and MT5, offering a more diverse range of platforms for traders who prefer additional choices.

When looking at trading conditions at IC Markets and Exness, there are major differences in leverage, spreads, and the number of tradable assets. Exness provides leverage up to 1:2000, while IC Markets and Octa cap it at 1:500. In terms of assets, IC Markets offers over 2000 trading options, which is significantly more than Exness with around 100 assets and Octa with 70+.

For traders considering the minimum deposit at Exness and IC Markets, Exness is the most accessible, allowing traders to start with just $1. Meanwhile, IC Markets requires a $200 deposit. Octa, with a $100 minimum deposit, makes it a middle-ground option between the two brokers.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: trading conditions
Trading conditions	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Minimum deposit	$100	$1	$200
Trading platforms	MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5	MT4, MT5, MultiTerminal	MT4, MT5, cTrader
Max leverage (Futures)	1-500, for EU clients - 1-30	1-2000	1-500
Supported markets	32 currency pairs, CFDs on energy resources, cryptocurrencies, indices, gold, and silver	Currencies, assets of stock and commodity markets, cryptocurrencies	Forex, futures, CFDs on indices, commodities, metals, stocks and bonds
Trading assets	70+	100+	2000+
Trading accounts	Demo, Octa MT4, Octa MT5	Standard, Standard Cent, Standart Plus, Raw Spread, Zero, Pro	cTrader, Raw Spread, Standard
Base account currencies	USD, EUR	USD	USD, AUD, GBP, CHF, JPY, NZD, SGD, CAD, HKD, BTC

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: fees

The Octa and Exness fees have different pricing models based on spreads, commissions, and additional trading costs. While both brokers keep fees competitive, their approach varies depending on the type of account. For instance, Octa does not charge commissions on standard accounts, whereas Exness applies a small commission on certain accounts. This means traders should consider the overall cost of trading when choosing between the two.

When comparing IC Markets and Octa spreads, traders can see key differences in pricing. For EUR/USD, Octa offers spreads starting at 0.5 pips, making it slightly more competitive than IC Markets and Exness, both of which begin at 0.6 pips. However, for ECN accounts, IC Markets and Exness provide lower spreads of 0.1 pips but charge a $3 commission per lot. Meanwhile, Octa does not list any ECN commission, making it a potential choice for those looking to avoid additional trading fees.

As for the Octa and Exness account options, traders will find that all three brokers — Octa, Exness, and IC Markets — do not charge fees for deposits or withdrawals, nor do they impose inactivity fees. This keeps costs low for traders, though IC Markets continues to be a top choice for those focused on tight spreads and low-commission ECN trading.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: fees
Fee	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, min pips	0,5	0,6	0,6
Standard acc. spread EUR/USD, max pips	0,9	1,5	1,5
ECN commission		3	3
ECN spread EUR/USD		0,1	0,1
Deposit fee, %	No	No	No
Withdrawal fee, %	No	No	No
Withdrawal fee, USD	No	No	No
Inactivity fee, $	No	No	No

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: trading assets

If you're comparing IC Markets and Octa as trading platforms, each broker has a different focus when it comes to available assets. IC Markets offers a significantly wider range of assets, with over 2000 instruments, including stocks, ETFs, bonds, and futures trading via CFDs. Meanwhile, Octa provides around 70 instruments, mainly covering forex, metals, and cryptocurrencies.

For those trading Forex, both IC Markets and Exness give traders access to a variety of currency pairs. However, IC Markets has a broader range of trading instruments, giving traders more ways to diversify their strategies. Exness, with its 100+ assets, offers CFDs on stocks, metals, and energy, placing it somewhere between IC Markets and Octa in terms of variety.

While Octa is a great choice for traders looking for a straightforward approach to Forex and commodities, IC Markets and Exness are better suited for those who want more diverse trading opportunities beyond currency pairs.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: trading assets
Asset name	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Overall	70+	100+ trading assets	2000+ trading assets
Forex	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stocks	No	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)
Metals	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)
Cryptocurrencies	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)
Energy	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)
Indices	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)	Yes (CFD)
ETFs	No	No	Yes (CFD)
Bonds	No	No	Yes (CFD)
Mutual funds	No	No	No
Stock options	No	No	No
Futures trading	No	No	Yes (CFD)
Binary options	No	No	No

Octa or Exness or IC Markets: investment programs

When comparing Octa and Exness investments programs, both brokers offer copy trading, allowing traders to replicate successful strategies. However, neither provides MAM/PAMM accounts or managed accounts, which means traders looking for multi-account management options may find limited choices.

IC Markets, on the other hand, supports MAM/PAMM accounts, making it a better choice for fund managers handling multiple client accounts. While Octa and Exness investments programs focus on copy trading, IC Markets provides more flexibility for traders who need advanced investment structures.

Octa or Exness or IC Markets: investment programs
Asset name	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Copy trading	Yes	Yes	Yes
MAM/PAMM	No	No	Yes
Managed accounts	No	No	No
Other	No	No	No

Trading platforms: Octa, Exness or IC Markets

When evaluating the Exness and Octa platform options, both brokers offer MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), providing traders with access to industry-standard tools for Forex and CFD trading. However, neither Exness nor Octa supports cTrader, a platform that is exclusively available with IC Markets.

For traders comparing IC Markets and Octa trading conditions, both brokers provide strong offerings, but IC Markets sets itself apart with broader platform support. In addition to MT4 and MT5, IC Markets offers cTrader and its proprietary IC Markets terminal, giving traders enhanced functionality. Meanwhile, Octa sticks to MT4 and MT5, making it a suitable option for those who prefer a more traditional trading setup.

Ultimately, traders looking for advanced trading tools and additional platform options may find IC Markets more appealing, while those who want a streamlined MT4/MT5 experience can consider Octa or Exness.

Trading platforms: Octa, Exness or IC Markets
Trading platforms	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
MT4	Yes	Yes	Yes
MT5	Yes	Yes	Yes
cTrader	No	No	Yes
Appropriate platform	No	Exness terminal	IC Markets terminal
Others	No	No	No

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: deposit and withdrawal methods

The withdrawal process at IC Markets and Octa is simple, with both brokers supporting transactions through bank wire, credit/debit cards, Neteller, BTC, and USDT. However, traders should note that IC Markets and Octa withdrawal options do not include Wise or Payoneer, which could limit choices for some users. While IC Markets is known for its fast processing times, Octa attracts traders with its fee-free withdrawals, making both brokers reliable choices depending on individual needs.

For traders comparing the minimum deposit requirements of Exness and IC Markets, there is a significant difference. Exness stands out with its highly accessible entry point, requiring just $1 to start trading, whereas IC Markets has a higher minimum deposit of $200, which is still competitive given its advanced trading environment and tight spreads.

The flexibility of Octa and Exness deposit choices allows traders to start with minimal restrictions. While Exness attracts beginners with its low deposit threshold, IC Markets remains a strong contender for traders who prioritize professional-grade trading conditions.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: deposit and withdrawal methods
Deposit and withdrawal method	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Bank wire	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bank card	Yes	Yes	Yes
Neteller	Yes	Yes	Yes
BTC	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wise	No	No	No
Payoneer	No	No	No
USDT	Yes	Yes	Yes

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: research

The Octa and Exness research types include essential tools like news feeds, fundamental data, and chart analysis, helping traders stay updated with market movements. Both brokers provide email reports to keep traders informed, but Octa lacks trading ideas, which are available with Exness and IC Markets.

For traders looking for in-depth market insights, Exness offers a broader range of research tools compared to Octa, making it a better choice for those who rely on additional market analysis. IC Markets also provides strong research support, making both Exness and IC Markets ideal for traders seeking advanced analytical tools.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: research
Research type	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
News feed	Yes	Yes	Yes
Fundamental data	Yes	Yes	Yes
Chart analysis	Yes	Yes	Yes
Trading ideas	No	Yes	Yes
E-mail reports	Yes	Yes	Yes

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: education

When evaluating IC Markets vs Exness’ suitability for beginners, both brokers provide tools like demo accounts, webinars, articles, and video tutorials to help new traders get started. However, there are some key differences. Exness offers a cent account, so beginners can start trading with less financial pressure, while IC Markets does not provide this feature. This makes Exness a better fit for those who prefer smaller trades, whereas IC Markets is ideal for traders comfortable with standard accounts right from the beginning.

When discussing IC Markets and Exness education, both brokers offer comprehensive learning materials, including articles, webinars, and tutorials, ensuring traders can keep improving their skills. Exness is a great option for beginners because of its cent account and easily accessible educational content, while IC Markets focuses on helping traders dive deeper into strategies and market trends through more advanced educational programs.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: education
Education type	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Demo-account/Paper trading	Yes	Yes	Yes
Webinars	Yes	Yes	Yes
Articles	Yes	Yes	Yes
Videos	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cent account	Yes	Yes	No

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: support

The Exness and IC Markets support services are available 24/5, ensuring traders receive assistance during trading hours. Both brokers provide email, phone, and online chat support, making it easy for traders to get quick responses. However, Octa offers additional support through social media channels like Twitter, Telegram, and Facebook, which Exness and IC Markets do not.

For traders of Octa and IC Markets, both brokers offer real-time live chat support, allowing users to resolve issues quickly. While all three brokers provide solid customer service, Octa’s social media support adds extra accessibility, while IC Markets and Exness focus on traditional communication channels like phone and email.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: support
Support features	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Working days	24/5	24/5	24/5
E-mail	Yes	Yes	Yes
Phone	yes	Yes	Yes
Online chat	Yes	Yes	Yes
Other	Twitter, Telegram, or Facebook	No	No

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: Forex bonuses and promo

When looking at IC Markets and Exness bonuses, both brokers have fewer promotional offers. Neither provides traditional Forex bonuses like deposit rewards or cashback. However, IC Markets and Exness run affiliate programs where partners earn commissions based on referrals and trading volume. This setup is better suited for traders who prefer partnership programs rather than those seeking direct promotional bonuses.

For traders considering Octa and IC Markets offers, there are clear differences between them. Octa, unlike IC Markets, provides deposit bonuses ranging from 10% to 50%, with special promotions sometimes reaching 100%. Additionally, Octa runs trading contests on demo accounts, letting traders compete for real cash rewards. In contrast, IC Markets, similar to Exness, prioritizes referral commissions over direct bonuses for traders.

Octa vs Exness vs IC Markets: Forex bonuses and promo
Promo	Octa	Exness	IC Markets
Forex bonus	Bonuses of 10% to 50% are paid for each deposit starting at $50 During the period of special offers, the client can request a reward in the amount of 100% of the amount deposited into the account. The bonus is available for withdrawal after meeting the requirements for the trading volume.	Not offered	Not offered
Affiliate program	“Invite a friend” - a program that rewards $1 for 1 standard lot traded by the attracted referral, the minimum withdrawal amount is $5; "IB" – (Introducing Broker) the partner receives from $3 to $12 depending on the total number of connected clients; Master IB is a program for those who have created their own IB network. The master trader receives a 10% commission from the profits received by the attracted IB. He also has access to the standard introducing broker remuneration. White Label. It is an attractive solution for existing brokers who want to provide financial services to directly to others. The program makes it possible to use the powerful foundation of FP Markets, but at the same time promote a personal brand.	40% of trading commissions	% of trading commissions
Other promos	Contests on MT4 demo accounts The winners of the competition, who take the first five prizes, receive real money to their trading account. The amount of remuneration ranges from $40 to $500. The term of the round is four weeks. Money can be withdrawn or transferred to a real account for further use in trading.	No	No

Conclusion

This article compares Octa, Exness, and IC Markets, covering fees, trading conditions, platforms, regulations, deposits, withdrawals, research, and support. IC Markets offers tight spreads and a wide asset range, Exness provides high leverage and fast withdrawals, while Octa focuses on low-cost trading with copy trading options.

For traders, IC Markets suits scalpers, Exness is best for flexible leverage and low deposits, and Octa is ideal for commission-free trading. The guide helps traders choose the right broker based on costs, features, and trading needs in 2025.

FAQs

What should I start Forex trading with?

It is desirable for novice traders to explore trading using a demo account to learn the market and how to work on the trading platform without the risk of suffering losses. At the same time, it is advisable to review the educational materials of the broker, learn trading basics. Then you can deposit the minimum required amount to perform a small number of transactions. If you manage to close several months in a row in the black, without substantial drawdowns on the account, then you can try increasing your deposit. Also trying to copy trades automatically is a good option for a start.

What amount should I start trading with?

The minimum deposit of $10 may be enough to trade on the cent account. However, for trading on Standard/ECN accounts, experts recommend starting with at least $200-500. With this amount, you can use not a very big leverage. Remember, getting carried away with the margin is the main cause of losses among beginners.

What should I take into consideration when choosing a broker?

Experts recommend looking at the broker’s reliability first and foremost. The other important features include basic trading conditions, commissions and fees, customer reviews. If brokers are approximately the same in terms of basic criteria, you need to choose based on your experience and tasks. One broker may be good for professionals and another – for novice traders.

Is it possible to be scammed by a broker with a license from a reputable regulator?

In theory, yes. But in practice, it takes so much time and money to comply with the requirements of reputable regulators that it is not worth it for scammers to bother obtaining a legitimate license.

Team that worked on the article

Alamin Morshed is a contributor at Traders Union. He specializes in writing articles for businesses that want to improve their Google search rankings to compete with their competition. With expertise in search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing, he ensures his work is both informative and impactful.

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Chinmay Soni is a financial analyst with more than 5 years of experience in working with stocks, Forex, derivatives, and other assets. As a founder of a boutique research firm and an active researcher, he covers various industries and fields, providing insights backed by statistical data. He is also an educator in the field of finance and technology.

As an author for Traders Union, he contributes his deep analytical insights on various topics, taking into account various aspects.

Mirjan Hipolito is a journalist and news editor at Traders Union. She is an expert crypto writer with five years of experience in the financial markets. Her specialties are daily market news, price predictions, and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO).