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AlgoVerdict

IC Markets vs. RoboForex — Broker Comparison for EAs

IC Markets vs. RoboForex — Straight Answer

Anyone shopping for an Expert Advisor broker runs into these two names fast. IC Markets is our benchmark for latency-sensitive scalpers and multi-EA portfolios: servers in Equinix NY4 (MT4/MT5) · Equinix LD5 (cTrader), raw spreads from 0.0 pips, a free VPS for active accounts and an explicitly unrestricted EA/scalping/hedging policy, regulated by ASIC, CySEC and the Seychelles FSA. RoboForex, by contrast, stands out with an extremely low entry barrier (minimum deposit 10 USD), a cent account for EA testing and — on the Prime account — the lowest per-side commission in this comparison (10 USD per 1M — round turn ≈ 2 USD per lot (Prime); lot = 100,000 USD notional). In short: for execution quality, infrastructure and depth of regulation, IC Markets leads; for cheap micro accounts 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 Markets runs its trade servers in Equinix NY4 (MT4/MT5) · Equinix LD5 (cTrader), 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 review, IC Markets leads on execution (score 5.0 vs. 4.0 for RoboForex).

Costs: Raw Spread + Commission

The only meaningful comparison figure is the all-in cost base.

  • IC Markets: raw spread from 0.0 pips (Raw, avg EUR/USD 0.1) + 3.50 USD/lot/side (MT, 7 USD round turn) · 3.00 USD/side (cTrader, 6 USD RT) → roughly 0.6–0.7 pips effective on EUR/USD. Globally there is also Raw Pro at 1.50 USD/side from a 5,000 USD deposit.
  • RoboForex: raw spread from 0.0 pips (ECN/Prime, avg EUR/USD 0.1) + 20 USD per 1M USD volume per side — round turn ≈ 4 USD per lot (ECN) · 10 USD per 1M — round turn ≈ 2 USD per lot (Prime); lot = 100,000 USD notional.

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 Markets' 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 Markets 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 Markets: ASIC (Australia, AFSL 335692), CySEC (EU, 362/18), FSA (Seychelles, SD018). Leverage: up to 1:5000 dynamic (Global/FSA, MT) · 1:1000 (cTrader) · EU/CySEC & ASIC: 1:30.
  • RoboForex: FSC Belize (licence 9759600). Leverage: 1:2000 (Pro/ProCent) · 1:500 (ECN) · 1:300 (Prime), minimum deposit 10 USD. No offering for the EU/EEA/UK; German clients are referred to RoboMarkets Deutschland (BaFin).

IC Markets offers the clearly more strongly regulated setup with ASIC and CySEC and a dedicated EU entity for EU clients; RoboForex is the offshore house with the lower entry barrier. If you prioritise Tier-1 regulation, watch the brand within the IC group: the sister brand IC Trading is licensed solely by the FSC Mauritius.

Platforms & VPS

  • IC Markets: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView; free VPS: yes (IC VPS from 15 lots FX/metals per month, Global entity).
  • RoboForex: MT4, MT5, R StocksTrader, R WebTrader; free VPS: yes (from 300 USD equity + 3 lots/month; otherwise 5 USD/month).

RoboForex lowers the VPS bar substantially (good for small accounts), while IC Markets offers the broader platform line-up with cTrader and TradingView. More in our VPS comparison and the VPS guide.

Verdict: Who Wins?

  • Choose IC Markets if execution quality, infrastructure (Equinix NY4 (MT4/MT5) · Equinix LD5 (cTrader)), Tier-1 regulation 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, a cent account for testing and the lowest per-side commission (Prime), and you consciously accept the offshore environment.

Both also sit on the recommendation list of our overall comparison Best Broker for EA / Algo Trading. Details in the individual reviews: IC Markets and RoboForex.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Advertising notice: our recommendations come first — brokers we have an affiliate partnership with (marked "Partner"). If you open an account via such a link we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The star rating is independent of this and uses the same weighted criteria for every broker. Choose "Rating" to sort purely by score.

How this order is builtpartners first · as of 01 October 2026
  • Selection: the 3 brokers this article compares (IC Markets, RoboForex, IC Trading) — an editorial selection by the article’s topic.
  • Order — partner influence: yes: Our partner brokers (active affiliate link) come first in editorial order, then every other reviewed broker by overall rating. If you open an account via a partner link we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Use the “Rating” toggle to sort the whole list purely by score.
  • Rating — partner influence: no: Weighted average of Costs 20%, Execution 20%, Algo suitability 20%, Regulation 15%, Conditions 15%, Deposits & support 10%, the same for every broker. Commissions do not count, and no rating is raised for partners. Methodology →
  • As of: 01 October 2026
Sort
BrokerTypeRegulationLeverageMin. depositRatingVisit
Our recommendations · partnerseditorial order, affiliate links
IC MarketsPartnerECN / Raw SpreadASIC, CySEC, FSAup to 1:5000 dynamic0 USD4.6Visit
RoboForexPartnerECN / STP / Market MakerFSC Belize1:200010 USD4.3Visit
IC TradingPartnerECN / Raw SpreadFSC Mauritius1:5000 USD4.4Visit

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between IC Markets and IC Trading?

Both belong to the same group and charge the same commission. IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC (EU clients) and the Seychelles FSA. IC Trading is a sister brand holding a single licence from the FSC Mauritius, with leverage up to 1:500 and no TradingView connection. This comparison therefore looks at IC Markets.

Which broker is cheaper for EAs?

RoboForex has the lower commission: 10 USD per 1M — round turn ≈ 2 USD per lot (Prime); lot = 100,000 USD notional. On its Raw account IC Markets charges 3.50 USD/lot/side (MT, 7 USD round turn) or 3.00 USD/side (cTrader, 6 USD RT); its global line-up also includes Raw Pro at 1.50 USD per side from a 5,000 USD deposit. Factoring in execution quality and slippage, IC Markets can deliver lower real costs despite a higher commission — depending on strategy and frequency.

Which broker offers higher leverage?

Both offer very high offshore leverage. IC Markets: up to 1:5000 dynamic (Global/FSA, MT) · 1:1000 (cTrader) · EU/CySEC & ASIC: 1:30. RoboForex: 1:2000 (Pro/ProCent) · 1:500 (ECN) · 1:300 (Prime). EU clients trade with IC Markets through its CySEC entity under the ESMA cap for retail clients. RoboForex does not target clients from the EU, EEA or UK; in Germany the group operates as the BaFin-regulated RoboMarkets Deutschland GmbH.

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.

Which of the two suits a start with little capital?

RoboForex sets the lower bar: a minimum deposit of 10 USD plus a ProCent account where you can forward-test EAs on cent lots under live conditions. Free VPS: yes (from 300 USD equity + 3 lots/month; otherwise 5 USD/month). At IC Markets the minimum deposit is 0 USD (Global/FSA) · 200 USD starting deposit (ASIC); free VPS: yes (IC VPS from 15 lots FX/metals per month, Global entity).

How is your money protected at each broker?

IC Markets is regulated by ASIC, CySEC and the Seychelles FSA; EU clients are onboarded through the CySEC entity with EU-standard investor compensation, while the high leverage runs through the Seychelles entity. RoboForex holds an FSC Belize licence with no state compensation fund, segregates client money and adds Financial Commission cover of up to 20,000 EUR per case plus 2.5M EUR civil liability insurance.

For which types of EA does the execution gap actually matter?

Mainly for latency-sensitive scalpers and HFT-style systems: IC Markets runs its MetaTrader servers in Equinix NY4 (cTrader in LD5) and scores 5.0 for execution in our review. RoboForex states no comparable Tier-1 presence and communicates its server infrastructure far less transparently; instead it has its execution audited monthly via Verify My Trade. For classic trend-following or rule-based EAs the difference barely shows in day-to-day operation.

How much should the platform line-up weigh in your decision?

A lot, if your algo does not run on MetaTrader. IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, and on cTrader the commission drops: 3.00 USD/side (cTrader, 6 USD RT) instead of 3.50 USD/lot/side (MT, 7 USD round turn). RoboForex covers MT4, MT5, R StocksTrader and R WebTrader but no cTrader, so cAlgo strategies are off the table there.