FreshForex
IC Markets
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Overview
FreshForex was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Russia, while IC Markets was established in 2007 and is based in Australia. FreshForex holds licences including SVGFSA 20623 IBC 2012, while IC Markets is regulated by Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) among others. FreshForex serves 710,000+ clients worldwide; IC Markets has 60,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at FreshForex and $200 at IC Markets.
| Feature | FreshForex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Regulation | SVGFSA 20623 IBC 2012 | Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Financial Services Authority (FSA), Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) |
| Founded | 2004 | 2007 |
| Country | Russia | Australia |
| Clients | 710,000+ | 60,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between FreshForex and IC Markets, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. FreshForex has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $200 at IC Markets). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. IC Markets charges deposit fees; FreshForex does not. Overall, FreshForex scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | FreshForex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $200 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | No |
| Deposit Fees | No | Yes |
| CFD Fees | Yes | Yes |
Platforms
FreshForex offers MT4, MT5, a proprietary platform, while IC Markets supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers support copy or social trading, catering to less hands-on investors. IC Markets edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | FreshForex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | No | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | No | Yes |
| Android App | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Windows, MAC, Linux | MT4, MT5, Mirror Trader, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Mac |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how FreshForex and IC Markets compare. Both brokers run regular live webinars. Both provide video tutorials, including advanced content. Daily market commentary is available from both brokers. IC Markets integrates third-party research tools (Trading Central, Autochartist); FreshForex does not. Archived webinars are available at both brokers for self-paced learning. IC Markets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | FreshForex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. FreshForex accepts 4 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, Skrill, Neteller), while IC Markets supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). IC Markets uniquely supports PayPal among the two brokers. IC Markets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | FreshForex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | Yes | Yes |
| Neteller | Yes | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both FreshForex and IC Markets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. FreshForex supports 1 language and IC Markets supports 8, giving IC Markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | FreshForex | IC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English | English, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Afrikans, Danish, Dutch, German and more |