The short answer
Exness vs IC Markets, side by side
| Feature |  Exness |  IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Broker type | High-volume forex & CFD broker | Raw-spread forex & CFD broker |
| Standout strength | Fast/instant withdrawals + very high leverage (by entity) | Deep liquidity + algo-friendly raw spreads |
| Platforms | MT4, MT5, Exness app, Exness Terminal | MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView |
| Spreads | Very low on raw/professional tiers | Near-zero raw spreads + commission on Raw Spread account |
| Leverage | Very high on some entities — magnifies risk | High on some entities — magnifies risk |
| Withdrawals | Fast, often instant — a standout feature | Standard processing; varies by method/region |
| Asset range (CFDs) | Forex, metals, indices, commodities, region-dependent crypto | Forex, indices, commodities, shares, bonds, region-dependent crypto |
| Regulation (by entity/region) | Multiple entities, tightly regulated to offshore | Multiple entities incl. ASIC & CySEC |
| US retail availability | Not available to US retail clients | Not available to US retail clients |
Which one is right for you?
Exness
You prioritise fast, often instant withdrawals, very low spreads on raw tiers and the option of very high leverage, and you value strong reach and local payment methods in emerging markets.
Join ExnessIC Markets
You want deep liquidity, a broader CFD range and the full MT4/MT5/cTrader/TradingView line-up for scalping or algorithmic trading, with ASIC/CySEC-regulated entities.
Join IC MarketsPlatforms & tooling
IC Markets offers the complete platform line-up — MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView — which is a real advantage for active traders: EAs and custom indicators run on MetaTrader, cTrader gives depth-of-market for scalpers, and TradingView covers charting-led trading. It is one of the reasons IC Markets is so common in algorithmic and scalping circles.
Exness leans on the industry-standard MT4 and MT5, plus its own Exness app and the browser-based Exness Terminal. That covers the essentials well and means most existing MetaTrader strategies, indicators and EAs port over easily — but the line-up is more focused than IC Markets’ four-platform stack, with no cTrader or TradingView integration. For traders who specifically want cTrader or TradingView, IC Markets has the edge.
Spreads, leverage and withdrawals
Both compete hard on cost. Exness offers very low spreads on its raw/professional tiers and is known for very high leverage on some entities, plus its signature fast, often instant withdrawals — many requests are processed automatically, a genuine practical advantage for traders who move money frequently. IC Markets counters with near-zero raw spreads plus a transparent commission on its Raw Spread account and deep multi-provider liquidity that keeps execution fast in busy conditions.
Two cautions. First, pricing and leverage are variable on both, depending on the instrument, your account tier and your region — so check current spreads, the live commission schedule and the maximum leverage for your account before funding, and factor in swap/overnight financing. Second, very high leverage is not a feature to chase: it magnifies losses just as fast as gains, which is exactly how many retail accounts blow up.
Regulation, risk and the US situation
Both operate through multiple entities, and the regulator — plus the protections that come with it — depends on which one you sign up with. IC Markets entities are associated with authorities such as ASIC in Australia and CySEC in Cyprus, alongside an offshore entity; Exness ranges from more tightly regulated entities to offshore ones. A tier-one regulator typically brings stronger client-money segregation and conduct rules, so confirm the exact entity and regulator on your own account before depositing.
The core risk is the same on both: everything trades as a leveraged CFD, and CFDs are complex instruments with a high risk of losing money rapidly — most retail CFD accounts lose money. Exness’ very high leverage makes that risk worse if used carelessly. And neither broker is available to US retail clients for CFD trading. Only trade with capital you can afford to lose, treat high leverage with extreme caution, and verify regulation for your specific account rather than assuming it from the brand.