IC Trading vs. RoboForex — Straight Answer
Anyone shopping for an Expert Advisor broker runs into these two names fast. IC Trading (the international entity of the IC Markets group) is our benchmark for latency-sensitive scalpers and multi-EA portfolios: Equinix NY4 hosting, raw spreads from 0.0 pips, a free VPS and explicitly unrestricted EA/scalping/hedging policy. RoboForex, by contrast, stands out with an extremely low entry barrier (from 10 USD), high leverage and — on the Prime account — the lowest per-side commission in this comparison (~1 USD/lot/side). In short: for raw execution quality and infrastructure, IC Trading leads; for cheap micro accounts, high leverage and low commission, RoboForex is the more flexible pick. The table below shows both profiles side by side.
Execution & Infrastructure
For EAs it is not the advertised spread that matters but execution quality. IC Trading hosts in the Equinix NY4 data centre with deep liquidity — the gold standard for low latency and consistent fills, especially when scalping. RoboForex delivers solid ECN/Prime execution but communicates its server infrastructure less transparently. In our ranking, IC Trading leads on execution (score 5.0 vs. RoboForex).
Costs: Raw Spread + Commission
The only meaningful comparison figure is the all-in cost base.
- IC Trading: raw spread from 0.0 pips + 3.50 USD/lot/side (MT4/MT5) or 3.00 USD (cTrader) → roughly 0.6–0.7 pips effective on EUR/USD.
- RoboForex: raw spread from 0.0 pips + about 2 USD/lot/side (ECN) or about 1 USD/lot/side (Prime).
On paper RoboForex Prime therefore has the lower per-side commission. If you count every pip and fire many round turns, weigh that against IC Trading's demonstrably stronger execution — the full breakdown is in our spread comparison.
EA, Scalping & Hedging Policy
Both brokers allow EAs, scalping and hedging without restriction — no dealbreaker on either side. IC Trading documents this especially explicitly, which matters for multi-EA portfolios holding opposing positions on the same symbol.
Regulation & Leverage
This is where the profiles diverge most:
- IC Trading: ASIC, CySEC and FSA (Seychelles). Leverage up to 1:1000 via the Seychelles entity, EU/CySEC capped at 1:30.
- RoboForex: FSC Belize. Leverage up to 1:2000 (Pro/ProCent), 1:500 (ECN), 1:300 (Prime), minimum deposit from 10 USD.
RoboForex is the offshore-flexible house with higher leverage and a lower entry barrier; IC Trading offers the overall more strongly regulated setup with ASIC/CySEC behind it. If you prioritise Tier-1 regulation, price that in deliberately.
Platforms & VPS
- IC Trading: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView; free VPS above ~5,000 USD volume.
- RoboForex: MT4, MT5, R StocksTrader, R WebTrader; free VPS from 300 USD equity + 3 lots/month (otherwise 5 USD/month).
RoboForex lowers the VPS bar substantially (good for small accounts), while IC Trading adds cTrader as a second ECN platform. More in our VPS comparison and the VPS guide.
Verdict: Who Wins?
- Choose IC Trading if execution quality, infrastructure (Equinix NY4) and a broader platform line-up including cTrader come first — the rounder pick for latency-sensitive scalpers and multi-EA portfolios.
- Choose RoboForex if you want a very low entry barrier, high leverage and the lowest per-side commission (Prime), and you consciously accept the offshore environment.
Both also feature in our overall ranking Best Broker for EA / Algo Trading. Details in the individual reviews: IC Trading and RoboForex.
FAQ
Is IC Trading the same as IC Markets? IC Trading is the international entity of the IC Markets group (outside Australia/EU). The execution and account logic mirrors the familiar IC Markets model; what matters most is the regulatory entity and the resulting leverage.
Which broker is cheaper for EAs? Per side, RoboForex Prime has the lower commission (~1 USD/lot/side). Factoring in execution quality and slippage, IC Trading can deliver lower real costs despite a higher commission — depending on strategy and frequency.
Which broker offers higher leverage? RoboForex (up to 1:2000 on Pro/ProCent) is clearly above IC Trading (up to 1:1000 via the Seychelles entity). EU clients are capped at 1:30 with both.
Do both allow scalping and hedging? Yes, both allow EAs, scalping and hedging without restriction. Still, verify the specific account terms in each review before going live.
