IC Markets vs Tickmill 2026 — ECN Broker Showdown

Two of the most popular ECN brokers for active traders compared on raw spreads, commissions, execution, and total trading costs. Which delivers the best value in 2026?

Quick Verdict — IC Markets vs Tickmill

This is a close matchup between two genuine ECN brokers. Tickmill has built a strong reputation with low-cost Pro accounts at $4.00/lot commission. IC Markets counters with tighter raw spreads and a more comprehensive offering — more instruments, more platforms, and deeper liquidity from $20+ billion in daily volume.

With TradersFXPartner's commission discount (up to 21% off), IC Markets drops to $5.50/lot — just $0.90 more than Tickmill Pro. But IC Markets' tighter spreads (averaging 0.02 pips vs Tickmill's 0.1 pips on EUR/USD) mean the all-in cost is essentially identical or lower. Factor in IC Markets' broader instrument range, cTrader access, and TradingView support, and IC Markets offers more value per dollar.

Tickmill is an excellent broker for cost-conscious forex traders. IC Markets with our discount matches Tickmill on cost while offering a more complete trading ecosystem.

Cost Comparison

On pure commission cost, Tickmill's Pro account ($4.00/lot) is cheaper than IC Markets + our discount ($5.50/lot). However, IC Markets publishes tighter raw spreads on average (0.02 vs 0.1 pips on EUR/USD), which narrows the gap. The all-in cost difference is roughly $0.70/lot — meaningful at high volumes but acceptable given IC Markets' superior liquidity, platform choice, and instrument range.

Where IC Markets Pulls Ahead

Instrument range: IC Markets offers 2,200+ instruments including 1,600+ stock CFDs, bonds, and 25 index CFDs. Tickmill offers approximately 200 instruments. If you want to diversify beyond forex majors, IC Markets provides dramatically more options.

Platform choice: IC Markets supports MT4, MT5, cTrader, and TradingView. Tickmill only supports MT4 and MT5. cTrader's Level II pricing, cAlgo for .NET algorithmic development, and TradingView's charting capabilities are significant advantages for advanced traders. See our account types guide for platform details.

Liquidity and volume: IC Markets processes over $20 billion in daily trading volume, making it one of the most liquid retail brokers in the world. This deep liquidity means tighter spreads, less slippage, and more reliable fills during volatile conditions. Tickmill does not publicly disclose its daily volume.

IB bonus: Through TradersFXPartner, you get a $100 cash bonus with no conditions or a permanent commission discount (save up to $1.50/lot). Tickmill offers welcome bonuses that typically come with lot requirements before withdrawal.

Where Tickmill Competes

Commission pricing: Tickmill's Pro account at $4.00/lot is one of the lowest fixed commissions in the industry. For traders who exclusively trade forex majors and want the absolute lowest commission number, Tickmill has a slight edge.

FCA regulation: Tickmill holds an FCA (UK) license, which some traders value highly. IC Markets does not have FCA regulation but holds ASIC and CySEC — both equally reputable Tier-1 regulators.

Lower minimum deposit: Tickmill's $100 minimum is lower than IC Markets' $200. Combined with our $100 cash bonus, however, IC Markets effectively costs the same to start ($200 deposit + $100 bonus = $300 trading capital for $200 invested).

Regulation & Trust

IC Markets (founded 2007) holds ASIC, CySEC, and FSA licenses. Tickmill (founded 2014) holds FCA, CySEC, and FSCA licenses. Both brokers have strong regulatory oversight with Tier-1 licenses. IC Markets has a longer track record — 17+ years vs Tickmill's 11 years.

Both brokers hold client funds in segregated accounts with negative balance protection. Our 10+ years as IC Markets IB with 761 clients and $2.5 billion in volume confirms their reliability. Read our detailed IC Markets review for more on regulation and safety.

Our Recommendation

Choose IC Markets with TradersFXPartner if: you want the best overall trading package — tight spreads, cTrader/TradingView access, 2,200+ instruments, and a $100 welcome bonus or permanent commission discount. All-in costs are nearly identical to Tickmill, but you get far more platform and instrument flexibility.

Choose Tickmill if: you exclusively trade forex majors on MT4/MT5 and want the absolute lowest commission number ($4.00/lot), regardless of spread tightness or instrument availability.

For most traders, IC Markets is the more complete broker. When you factor in our commission discount (up to 21% off), it matches Tickmill on cost while offering 10x more instruments, better platform choice, deeper liquidity, and a longer regulatory track record. The choice is clear.

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IC Markets vs Tickmill — FAQ