Sign Up

IC Markets Alternative: Why Traders Switch to LHFX

Automatic withdrawals that typically complete in under 20 minutes, and one US$3 per side commission on every instrument, against US$3.50 on IC Markets' Raw Spread account.

Every IC Markets figure on this page is checked against IC's own website, including the places where IC comes out ahead.

Open an LHFX AccountTry a Free Demo

LHFX or IC Markets: the short answer

LHFX's edge over IC Markets is withdrawal speed and one simple commission. Automatically approved LHFX withdrawals typically complete in under 20 minutes; IC processes requests the same business day if they arrive before 12:00 AEST, and card withdrawals then take 3-5 business days. LHFX charges US$3 per side on every instrument, including gold, crypto and stocks, against US$3.50 per side on IC's Raw Spread account. IC Markets is ahead on range and EUR/USD cost: 2,250 instruments, MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, leverage up to 1:5000, no minimum deposit on Raw Spread, and a published 0.1-pip average EUR/USD spread that makes a 1-lot EUR/USD round trip about US$8 at IC against about US$12 at LHFX.

Where LHFX is ahead of IC Markets

  • 9 min

    Average time for an automatically approved LHFX withdrawal over the last 7 days

    IC Markets: processed the same business day if requested before 12:00 AEST; card withdrawals then take 3-5 business days

  • US$3

    Commission per side on every LHFX instrument, including gold, crypto and stocks

    IC Markets: US$3.50 per side on Raw Spread (MetaTrader); US$1.50 on Raw Pro, which needs a $5,000 deposit

Quick Comparison

LHFX vs IC Markets at a glance.

LHFX vs IC Markets: commission, minimum deposit, spreads, leverage, platforms, instruments, execution, regulation, withdrawal speed and swap-free accounts
FeatureLHFXIC Markets
Commission$3 per side ($6 round trip)$3.50 per side on Raw Spread (MetaTrader); $1.50 on Raw Pro ($5,000 minimum)
Minimum Deposit$10None listed for Raw Spread; $5,000 for Raw Pro
SpreadsFloating; EUR/USD typically 0.6 pipsFrom 0.0 pips; EUR/USD averages 0.1 pips (Raw Spread)
LeverageUp to 1:500Up to 1:5000 on forex, tiered by position size
PlatformsMT5, LHFX TradeMT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Instruments1442,250 on MetaTrader, including 61 currency pairs
ExecutionSTP/ECNNo dealing desk (IC's description)
RegulationFSCA (FSP 52816), FSC Mauritius (GB23202204); client agreement with LHFX International Ltd (Anjouan)FSA Seychelles (Raw Trading Ltd, SD018) for global clients; ASIC for Australian clients
Withdrawal SpeedAutomatically approved withdrawals averaged 9 minutes over the last 7 daysSame business day if requested before 12:00 AEST; cards then take 3-5 business days
Islamic AccountYes, swap-free with holding fee after grace periodYes, Swap Free account

IC Markets figures checked on September 30, 2026 against the broker's own website. They apply to Raw Trading Ltd, which runs IC Markets' global site under Seychelles FSA licence SD018. Terms differ by country and entity, so confirm them with IC Markets before you open an account.

What 1 lot costs at LHFX and IC Markets

Two worked examples, each 1 standard lot opened and closed. LHFX's commission is fixed and the spread is the part that moves, so LHFX's column uses its typical spread from its own quotes. IC Markets' column uses the figures on IC's own website.

EUR/USD, 1 standard lot (100,000 EUR), opened and closed
CostLHFXStandard accountIC MarketsRaw Spread (MetaTrader)
Commission, round tripUS$6.00US$7.00 (US$3.50 per side)
Spread0.6 pips (LHFX typical)0.1 pips (IC's published average)
Spread costUS$6.00US$1.00
Round-trip totalAbout US$12.00About US$8.00
Gold (XAU/USD), 1 standard lot (100 oz), opened and closed
CostLHFXStandard accountIC MarketsRaw Spread (MetaTrader)
Commission, round tripUS$6.00Not stated for gold
SpreadUS$0.37 per ounce (LHFX typical)Not published for spot gold
Spread costUS$37.00Not published
Round-trip totalAbout US$43.00Not published

On EUR/USD, IC Markets' published figures work out at about US$8 per lot, about US$4 cheaper than LHFX's typical US$12, because IC's average spread is tighter even after its higher commission. IC does not publish a spot gold spread, so the gold example shows LHFX's cost only: about US$43 per lot round trip at LHFX's typical spread. If cost per lot on EUR/USD is your deciding factor, IC's Raw Spread account is the cheaper choice on these numbers. LHFX's advantages against IC Markets are elsewhere: withdrawals that typically complete in under 20 minutes and one US$3 per side commission on every instrument.

How we worked this out: LHFX commission is US$3 per side on every instrument. LHFX spreads are the medians of LHFX's own live EUR/USD and gold quotes on weekdays from August 31, 2026 to September 30, 2026. Spreads float, so your own trade can cost more or less. One pip on 1 lot of EUR/USD is worth US$10, and a US$0.01 move on 1 lot of gold is worth US$1. Competitor figures are the ones each broker publishes; where a broker publishes only a minimum spread, the total is marked 'from'. Swaps and overnight fees are not included.

Where LHFX Wins

The areas where LHFX offers a clear advantage over IC Markets.

01

Withdrawals Measured in Minutes

LHFX publishes a live 7-day average for automatically approved withdrawals, typically under 20 minutes. IC Markets processes requests the same business day if they arrive before 12:00 AEST, and card withdrawals then take 3-5 business days.

02

Lower Commission

$3 per side vs $3.50 per side on IC Markets' Raw Spread account. On 100 lots per month, that saves you $100 in commission. IC's published EUR/USD spread is tighter, so check the full cost in the worked example above.

03

Simpler Account Structure

One account with everything included. No choosing between Raw Pro+, Raw Pro, Raw Spread, cTrader Raw Spread or Standard accounts. Every LHFX trader gets the same $3 per side commission on MT5.

Where IC Markets Wins

IC Markets has genuine strengths. Here is where they come out ahead.

More Instruments

2,250 instruments on MetaTrader vs 144 at LHFX, including 61 currency pairs. If you need niche exotic pairs or specific stocks, IC Markets has a wider selection.

Higher Leverage

Up to 1:5000 on forex for smaller positions vs 1:500 at LHFX. IC's leverage steps down as position size grows: 1:3000 from 25 lots and 1:1000 from 50 lots.

Multiple Platforms

MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView are all available. LHFX offers MT5 only. If you rely on MT4 or prefer cTrader, IC Markets supports both.

ASIC Regulation

IC Markets' Australian entity holds an ASIC licence (335692), which is generally considered top-tier. Its global site is run by Raw Trading Ltd under the Seychelles FSA. LHFX is regulated by the FSC in Mauritius and FSCA in South Africa.

No Minimum Deposit

IC Markets lists no minimum deposit for its Raw Spread account, against $10 at LHFX. Its Raw Pro account, at $1.50 per side, needs $5,000.

Tighter Published EUR/USD Spread

IC Markets publishes a 0.1-pip average EUR/USD spread on Raw Spread. LHFX's EUR/USD spread was typically 0.6 pips in September 2026, which outweighs IC's higher commission on that pair.

Deposits and withdrawals

LHFX's minimum deposit is $10 and LHFX charges no deposit or withdrawal fees. Automatically approved withdrawals averaged 9 minutes over the last 7 days. IC Markets lists no minimum deposit for Raw Spread and processes withdrawal requests the same business day when they arrive before 12:00 AEST.

LHFX takes deposits in crypto, by card and through local payment rails in selected countries, and charges no deposit or withdrawal fees. The withdrawal figure in this section comes from LHFX's own live data, the same source as the LHFX homepage.

IC Markets lists more than 15 funding options in 10 base currencies, including BTC, ETH, USDC and USDT deposits. Its withdrawal page gives card withdrawals 3-5 business days to arrive and international bank wires up to 14 days, and it does not publish a crypto withdrawal time.

Regulation and legal entity

LHFX clients hold their trading account under a client agreement with LHFX International Ltd, licensed in Anjouan (AOFA licence L16408/LIL). IC Markets' global clients deal with Raw Trading Ltd, licensed by the Seychelles FSA (SD018).

The LHFX group also includes LHFX SA (PTY) Ltd, an authorised financial services provider with South Africa's FSCA (FSP 52816), and Longhorn Ltd, which operates the LHFX website under FSC Mauritius licence GB23202204. Your client agreement names the entity your account sits under.

IC Markets runs separate entities by region: its Australian clients deal with International Capital Markets Pty Ltd under ASIC licence 335692. The entity decides your protections, so compare the one you would actually join, not the group's strongest licence.

Platforms

LHFX runs on MetaTrader 5 only, with no MT4 or cTrader. IC Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.

MT5 supports Expert Advisors written in MQL5, 21 chart timeframes, depth of market and a built-in economic calendar, and it runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and in the browser.

If your strategy is an MT4 EA or a cTrader cBot, IC Markets lets you keep it as it is. MQL4 code has to be ported to MQL5 before it runs on LHFX; MT5 EAs move across without changes.

Swap-free accounts and other fees

Both brokers offer a swap-free account, and neither charges its own deposit or withdrawal fees.

At LHFX, Islamic (swap-free) accounts pay US$3.50 per side instead of US$3.00 and a holding fee on positions kept open beyond the grace period. A $10 monthly inactivity fee applies only after an extended period of dormancy. Both are published on the LHFX spreads and fees page.

IC Markets offers a Swap Free account. Its withdrawal page also warns that a processing fee may be applied to a withdrawal if the deposit has not been used for trading, and that international bank wires can carry intermediary fees.

Which broker suits you?

Choose IC Markets if you need MT4 or cTrader, more than 1:500 leverage, a no-minimum account, or the tightest published EUR/USD pricing. Choose LHFX if you want a $3-per-side commission on every instrument, one MT5 account with no tiers to compare, crypto and local payment rails, and withdrawals measured in minutes.

Who Should Choose LHFX

  • Traders who want a lower commission per side ($3 vs $3.50)
  • Traders who deposit and withdraw in crypto or through local payment rails
  • Traders who need fast crypto withdrawals
  • Traders who prefer simplicity (one account type, one platform)
  • Traders in Africa, the Middle East, or Asia who value FSCA/FSC regulation
Open an LHFX Account

Who Should Stick with IC Markets

  • Traders who need access to 2,250 instruments
  • Traders who prefer MT4 or cTrader
  • Traders who want leverage above 1:500 (IC offers up to 1:5000)
  • Australian residents who want an ASIC-regulated account
  • Traders who want the tightest published EUR/USD pricing with commission

Making the Switch

Moving from IC Markets to LHFX takes minutes, not days.

1

Open an LHFX Account

$10 minimum deposit. Registration takes about 2 minutes.

2

Verify Your Identity

Upload a government-issued ID. Most verifications complete within a few hours.

3

Fund and Start Trading

Deposit via crypto or card and place your first trade on MT5 or LHFX Trade.

Switching from IC Markets to LHFX

Open an LHFX account alongside your IC Markets account rather than closing it first. Practise on the LHFX demo with your usual symbols and EAs, then fund with $10 or more once pricing and execution match what you expect. Open positions cannot move between brokers, so close your IC Markets trades or let them run their course before you withdraw.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is LHFX cheaper than IC Markets?

Not on EUR/USD. IC publishes a 0.1-pip average EUR/USD spread, while LHFX's EUR/USD spread was typically 0.6 pips in September 2026, so a 1-lot EUR/USD round trip works out at about $8 at IC and about $12 at LHFX, even though LHFX's commission is lower ($3 per side against $3.50 on IC's Raw Spread account). IC also lists no minimum deposit for Raw Spread, against $10 at LHFX. Where LHFX is ahead is withdrawals, which typically complete in under 20 minutes at LHFX against same-business-day processing and 3-5 business days to a card at IC, and one commission on every instrument, including gold, crypto and stocks.

Can I use MT4 with LHFX?

No. LHFX supports MetaTrader 5 only. If you specifically need MT4 or cTrader, IC Markets supports both. However, MT5 offers more timeframes, a built-in economic calendar, and faster backtesting than MT4.

Is LHFX regulated?

Yes. LHFX is regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius under license GB23202204 and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) of South Africa under license 52816. Your client agreement and trading account are with LHFX International Ltd, licensed by the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority (licence L16408/LIL).

How fast are withdrawals at LHFX vs IC Markets?

Most LHFX withdrawals are approved automatically and typically complete in under 20 minutes. IC Markets processes withdrawal requests the same business day if they arrive before 12:00 AEST, and card withdrawals then take 3-5 business days to arrive.

Does LHFX allow scalping and hedging?

Yes. Both scalping and hedging are fully allowed at LHFX with no restrictions. Expert Advisors are also supported. There are no strategy limitations on the LHFX STP/ECN account.

Which IC Markets entity would I be dealing with?

Outside Australia, IC Markets' global site is run by Raw Trading Ltd, regulated by the Seychelles Financial Services Authority (licence SD018). Australian clients deal with International Capital Markets Pty Ltd under ASIC licence 335692. At LHFX, trading accounts sit under a client agreement with LHFX International Ltd (Anjouan, AOFA licence L16408/LIL).

Learn more:LHFX vs HQ Broker·LHFX vs Hugosway·LHFX vs HYCM·LHFX vs IG Markets·LHFX vs Key To Markets·LHFX vs LMFX·Account Types·Spreads & Fees·ECN Execution·Leverage·Demo Account·Deposit & Withdrawal·Security & Official Channels·LHFX vs Pepperstone·LHFX vs Exness

Ready to Try LHFX?

$10 minimum deposit. US$3 per side commission on every instrument. MetaTrader 5. Automatic withdrawals typically under 20 minutes.

Create Your Account