Quick verdict: cTrader brokers in Australia
Pepperstone has the strongest cTrader build in Australia, with full Spotware feature parity on Razor pricing. IC Markets is the closest thing to true ECN cTrader, and Fusion Markets is the cheapest at A$2.25 per side. Five of the 29 ASIC brokers we test offer cTrader.
- Pepperstone: strongest cTrader build, full feature parity.
- IC Markets: closest thing to true ECN cTrader.
- FP Markets: strong build at competitive cost.
- Fusion Markets: cheapest cTrader, A$2.25 per side.
- GO Markets: cTrader with the full platform menu.
Only five ASIC brokers run cTrader, so the second question is whether you need it at all. The alternatives section covers that honestly.
For the overall market beyond cTrader, our guide to the best forex brokers in Australia ranks every ASIC broker we cover.
Quick comparison: top cTrader brokers in Australia
| Broker | cTrader pricing model | EUR/USD typical | Commission per side | cTrader Automate | cTrader Copy | AFSL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pepperstone | Razor (RAW + commission) | 0.06 pips + AUD 3.50 | AUD 3.50 / 100k | Yes | Yes | 414530 |
 IC Markets | cTrader (RAW + commission) | 0.0 pips + USD 3.00 | USD 3.00 / 100k | Yes | Yes | 335692 |
 FP Markets | Raw (RAW + commission) | 0.1 pips + AUD 3.50 | AUD 3.50 / 100k | Yes | Yes | 286354 |
 Fusion Markets | Zero (RAW + commission) | 0.0 pips + AUD 2.25 | AUD 2.25 / 100k | Yes | Yes | 385620 |
 GO Markets | Raw (RAW + commission) | 0.1 pips + AUD 3.00 | AUD 3.00 / 100k | Yes | Yes | 254963 |
Watch: Best cTrader brokers in Australia.
All five brokers hold an Australian Financial Services Licence and are members of the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). Each applies ASIC’s Product Intervention Order caps to retail clients, starting at 30:1 on major forex pairs; our ASIC regulation guide lists the full leverage ladder.
1. Pepperstone: strongest cTrader build in Australia
Pepperstone and IC Markets are level pegging for the strongest cTrader execution in Australia, and Pepperstone edges first place here on speed: market orders averaged 28 milliseconds in our controlled testing. cTrader Automate runs C# algo strategies, cTrader Copy handles strategy following, and the cTrader mobile app was among the strongest we tested, with biometric login on iOS and Android. Razor commission is A$3.50 per side per standard lot on AUD accounts, with EUR/USD raw spreads averaging 0.10 pips across May and June 2026. Pepperstone has held ASIC AFSL 414530 since 2010.
Pepperstone: Strongest cTrader Build
Average Spread
EUR/USD = 0.1
GBP/USD = 0.2
AUD/USD = 0.1
Trading Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, Pepperstone Trading App
Minimum Deposit
$0
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 414530 since 2010; founded in Melbourne with continuing Australian operations
- Razor RAW account with EUR/USD spreads from 0.06 pips and AUD 7 round-turn per lot
- Five trading platform options (MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, Pepperstone Platform)
- Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG, IBKR (around 1,200 vs 10,000+ at CMC)
- No native ASX share investing (CFD only)
- Standard account spreads less competitive than the Razor account; choose Razor if you trade actively
Broker's Detail
Founded in Melbourne in 2010 under ASIC AFSL 414530, Pepperstone is one of Australia's largest forex brokers and has been continuously Australian-regulated since launch. It also holds Tier-1 licences with the FCA (UK), BaFin (Germany), CySEC (Cyprus), CMA (Kenya) and DFSA (Dubai).
Two main account types are offered. The Razor (RAW) account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.06 pips with AUD 7 round-turn commission per standard lot. The Standard account is commission-free with EUR/USD from roughly 1.1 pips. Five trading platforms are supported: MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView and the Pepperstone Trading Platform.
Funding is fee-free via PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal. AUD-denominated accounts available. Retail leverage capped at ASIC's maximum on major pairs, with negative balance protection and AFCA dispute coverage standard. Customer support runs 24/7 by live chat.
Pepperstone spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | Razor avg spread (pips) | + commission equivalent | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| AUD/USD | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| GBP/USD | 0.20 | 0.45 | 0.65 |
| USD/JPY | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| EUR/GBP | 0.30 | 0.45 | 0.75 |
2. IC Markets: closest thing to true ECN cTrader
IC Markets treats cTrader as its recommended platform rather than an add-on, pairing it with the Raw Spread feed that measured 0.01 pips on EUR/USD across May and June 2026. Billing follows cTrader convention at US$3.00 per side per US$100,000 traded (US$6.00 round turn), roughly A$9 round turn at current rates, and distinct from the A$4.50 per side charged on its MT4 and MT5 accounts. cTrader Copy and cTrader Automate are both in the stack, and execution ranked top-three in our quarterly latency testing at 32 milliseconds average. IC Markets has held ASIC AFSL 335692 since 2007.
IC Markets: Closest To True ECN cTrader
Average Spread
EUR/USD = 0.0
GBP/USD = 0.2
AUD/USD = 0.1
Trading Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader
Minimum Deposit
$200
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 335692 since 2007; founded in Sydney
- Raw Spread account with EUR/USD spreads from 0.02 pips and AUD 7 round-turn per lot
- True ECN/cTrader connectivity with deep liquidity from 25+ Tier-1 banks and dark pools
- $200 minimum deposit (vs $0 at Pepperstone, CMC, IG, Fusion)
- No native TradingView integration on the AU entity
- Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG, IBKR
Broker's Detail
Founded in Sydney in 2007 (AFSL 335692), IC Markets is one of Australia's longest-running ECN brokers. The Raw Spread account delivers EUR/USD spreads from 0.02 pips with AUD 9 round-turn commission, while the cTrader RAW account bills USD 3.00 per USD 100,000 traded per side, converted to your account currency. The Standard account is commission-free with spreads from 1.0 pips.
Liquidity is sourced from 25+ Tier-1 banks and dark pools, delivering true ECN execution that suits scalpers and EA traders. Platforms supported are MT4, MT5 and cTrader. Over 2,250 tradeable instruments span forex, indices, commodities, bonds, shares and crypto CFDs.
Minimum deposit is $200, higher than the $0 brokers in this list. AUD funding via PayID, BPAY and card is fee-free. Retail leverage capped at ASIC's maximum on major pairs, with AFCA dispute coverage and negative balance protection.
IC Markets spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | Raw Spread avg (pips) | + commission equivalent | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.01 | 0.58 | 0.59 |
| AUD/USD | 0.16 | 0.58 | 0.74 |
| GBP/USD | 0.30 | 0.58 | 0.88 |
| USD/JPY | 0.10 | 0.58 | 0.68 |
| AUD/JPY | 0.50 | 0.58 | 1.08 |
3. FP Markets: strong cTrader build at competitive cost
FP Markets rounds out the established ASIC cTrader set, and its cTrader account bills at US$3.00 per side, a different schedule from the A$3.50 per side on its AUD MT4 and MT5 accounts, so the two are worth separating when costing a strategy. cTrader Automate handles C# algorithmic work and cTrader Copy is built in for strategy sharing. TradingView execution also routes through a linked cTrader ID, which makes the cTrader account the hub of FP's five-platform stack. First Prudential Markets has held ASIC AFSL 286354 since 2005.
FP Markets: Strong cTrader Build
Average Spread
EUR/USD = 0.1
GBP/USD = 0.2
AUD/USD = 0.1
Trading Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, IRESS
Minimum Deposit
$100
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 286354 since 2005; founded and headquartered in Sydney
- Raw account with EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips and AUD 6 round-turn per lot
- IRESS account offers DMA access to ASX equities and international shares (AU-unique among RAW brokers)
- Standard (no commission) spreads less competitive than the Raw account; choose Raw if you trade actively
- IRESS account requires a separate application and higher minimum balance
- Education library is solid but lighter than CMC's or IG's
Broker's Detail
Founded in Sydney in 2005, FP Markets holds AFSL 286354 and is one of the longest-running Australian-headquartered RAW-style brokers. The group also holds CySEC (Cyprus), FSCA (South Africa), FSC (Mauritius) and CMA (Kenya) licences.
The Raw account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with AUD 6 round-turn commission per standard lot. The Standard account is commission-free with wider spreads. The differentiator on this list is the IRESS account, which provides DMA access to ASX equities and international shares.
$100 minimum deposit on the Raw and Standard accounts; the IRESS account requires a separate application and higher balance. Funding is fee-free via PayID, BPAY, card and PayPal. Retail leverage capped at ASIC's maximum on major pairs. AFCA dispute coverage and negative balance protection standard.
FP Markets spread table (averaged over our most recent test cycle):
| Pair | Raw avg spread (pips) | + commission equivalent | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | 0.14 | 0.45 | 0.59 |
| AUD/USD | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| GBP/USD | 0.20 | 0.45 | 0.65 |
| USD/JPY | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.55 |
| EUR/GBP | 0.30 | 0.45 | 0.75 |
| EUR/JPY | 0.40 | 0.45 | 0.85 |
4. Fusion Markets: cheapest cTrader broker we cover
Fusion Markets is the cheapest cTrader broker in Australia at A$2.25 commission per side (A$4.50 round turn), and the saving is structural rather than promotional: raw spreads measured 0.04 pips on EUR/USD and 0.36 pips across eight majors in May and June 2026. cTrader Automate and cTrader Copy both run for Australian clients, and TradingView execution routes through the same cTrader backend with cTrader-method commission. There is no proprietary platform to distract from the mainstream stack, and no minimum deposit. Fusion has held ASIC AFSL 385620 since 2017.
Fusion Markets: Cheapest cTrader Broker
Average Spread
EUR/USD = 0.0
GBP/USD = 0.2
AUD/USD = 0.1
Trading Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView
Minimum Deposit
$0
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 385620 since founding; Melbourne head office; founder Phil Horner is ex-Pepperstone
- Zero account commission of AUD 4.50 round-turn is the lowest of any ASIC broker in our 29-broker set
- EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips on the Zero account
- Smaller broker by trading volume and brand profile than IC Markets, Pepperstone, CMC and IG
- Research and education library thinner than the larger brokers
- Share CFD range narrower than CMC, IG or Interactive Brokers
Broker's Detail
Melbourne-founded in 2017 (AFSL 385620), Fusion Markets is the cheapest commission ECN broker on our shortlist. The Zero account pairs EUR/USD spreads from 0.0 pips with the lowest commission of any AU broker at AUD 4.50 round-turn per standard lot.
Platforms supported are MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView. Product range is narrower than the multi-asset brokers (forex-focused with selective indices and commodities), which is why active forex traders cluster here.
$0 minimum deposit with fee-free AU funding via PayID, BPAY, card and bank transfer. Retail leverage capped at ASIC's maximum on major pairs. AFCA dispute coverage and negative balance protection standard. Customer support runs 24/5.
5. GO Markets: cTrader with the full platform menu
GO Markets completes the five ASIC brokers offering cTrader in our 29-broker coverage. cTrader sits alongside MT4, MT5 and TradingView, with cTrader Copy Trading available to Australian clients, and all platforms ship iOS and Android apps with biometric login. The GO Plus+ account measured 0.10 pips on EUR/USD and 0.24 pips across eight majors, with commission of A$3.00 per side (A$6.00 round turn). Melbourne-based GO Markets has operated under AFSL 254963 since 2006, one of the longest continuous AFSLs in the Australian CFD market, with support 24/5 in four languages.
GO Markets: cTrader with the full platform menu
Average Spread
EUR/USD = 0.1
8-pair average = 0.24
Trading Platforms
MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, GO TradeX
Minimum Deposit
$200
Pros & Cons
- ASIC AFSL 254963 held by GO Markets Pty Ltd; Melbourne-founded in 2006
- Raw account EUR/USD at 0.10 pips measured with AUD 6.00 round-turn commission (May to June 2026)
- Full platform menu: MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView, plus the GO TradeX mobile app
- Smaller brand than Pepperstone or IC Markets
- 78/100 site-wide score sits mid-table at rank 12 of 29
- $200 minimum deposit versus $0 at Pepperstone and Fusion Markets
If you do not actually need cTrader: the closest alternatives
Only five ASIC-regulated brokers in our 29-broker coverage run cTrader, and the five cards above are the complete list. Should cTrader itself be negotiable, three other ASIC brokers cover the jobs most cTrader users are really after: raw pricing, modern charting and algo support. These three do not run cTrader, so they sit in this separate tier rather than in the ranking above. Each pairs a RAW-style account with a strong substitute platform, whether that is native TradingView or an EA-ready MetaTrader 4 build.
Eightcap: cTrader-grade raw pricing on TradingView instead
Traders who ask for cTrader usually want tight raw pricing and modern charting rather than the Spotware badge specifically. Eightcap (AFSL 391441) answers with a 0.15 pip measured average across our eight-pair basket and native TradingView execution, priced at AUD 7 round-turn on a AUD 100 minimum. Eightcap does not offer cTrader, which is exactly why it sits in this alternatives tier and not the ranking above. See the Eightcap review for the full breakdown.
Eightcap: Raw Pricing on TradingView
cTrader
No (alternative platform)
Closest cTrader substitute
Native TradingView (MT4 and MT5 also available)
Measured spread
0.15 pips (8-pair raw avg, May to June 2026)
Minimum Deposit
$100
Pros & Cons
- 0.15 pip measured average across the eight-pair basket, tight raw pricing
- Native TradingView execution for modern charting
- ASIC-regulated (AFSL 391441), AUD 7 round-turn on a AUD 100 minimum
- Does not offer cTrader, which is why it sits in the alternatives tier
- TradingView stands in for the cTrader interface rather than matching it
- AUD 100 minimum deposit versus $0 at some rivals
Vantage: MetaTrader plus native TradingView on one account
Vantage (AFSL 428901) is the closest platform-breadth substitute for a cTrader account. MT4, MT5, native TradingView and the Vantage App all run under one AFSL-backed login, which covers the charting and automation angles most cTrader switchers care about. The RAW ECN account carries a $50 minimum deposit. Measured pricing is the trade-off: the 0.52 pip eight-pair average sits behind the tier leaders and well behind the genuine cTrader five. Vantage does not offer cTrader. Read the Vantage review for account detail.
Vantage: MetaTrader and TradingView
cTrader
No (alternative platform)
Closest cTrader substitute
MT4, MT5, native TradingView, Vantage App
Measured spread
0.52 pips (8-pair raw avg, May to June 2026)
Minimum Deposit
$50
Pros & Cons
- Closest platform-breadth substitute: MT4, MT5, native TradingView and the Vantage App on one login
- Covers the charting and automation angles most cTrader switchers care about
- RAW ECN account with a $50 minimum deposit
- Does not offer cTrader
- 0.52 pip eight-pair average sits behind the tier leaders and the genuine cTrader five
- A platform substitute rather than a like-for-like cTrader account
Axi: MT4 raw with free VPS for the algo crowd
Demand for cTrader skews algorithmic, and Axi (AFSL 318232 since 2007) serves that same trader without it. The EA-friendly MT4 build, free VPS at volume thresholds and a 0.16 pip Pro measured average across our eight-pair basket cover the automation and cost needs a cBot user would bring. Pricing runs at A$7 round-turn on a $0 minimum, and PsyQuation analytics are free for funded clients, a tooling angle none of the cTrader five match. Axi runs MT4 rather than MT5 or cTrader, so it earns its place here as a substitute rather than a like-for-like. The Axi review has the platform and account specifics.
Axi: MT4 Raw with Free VPS
cTrader
No (alternative platform)
Closest cTrader substitute
EA-ready MT4 with free VPS
Measured spread
0.16 pips (8-pair Pro avg, May to June 2026)
Minimum Deposit
$0
Pros & Cons
- EA-friendly MT4 build with free VPS at volume thresholds, suited to algo traders
- 0.16 pip Pro measured average across the eight-pair basket at A$7 round-turn on a $0 minimum
- Free PsyQuation analytics for funded clients, a tooling angle the cTrader five do not match
- Runs MT4 rather than MT5 or cTrader
- A substitute for cTrader rather than a like-for-like account
- Forex-focused build rather than multi-asset
What cTrader does better than MT4 and MT5
cTrader was launched by Spotware in 2011, six years after MT4 and three years before MT5. It was designed from a clean sheet for ECN/STP execution rather than dealing-desk pricing. That design choice still shows.
Level 2 depth-of-market. cTrader DOM is the cleanest in the retail market. You see bid and ask depth at multiple price points with the size at each level. MT5 has DOM but most brokers don’t expose true level 2 (it’s level 1 with extrapolated depth). cTrader exposes the real ladder.
Advanced order types. cTrader supports stop-limit, OCO (one-cancels-other), iceberg, and trailing stops natively. MT4 and MT5 require workarounds or third-party EAs for some of these.
Order entry speed. cTrader’s chart-trader and one-click trading panel are faster than MT4/MT5 for active scalping. The platform was designed around mouse-driven order entry; MT4 was designed around terminal trading.
Cleaner UI. Subjective, but most active traders we know who’ve used both rate the cTrader UI as the better-designed of the two. Charting is faster, indicator setup is more intuitive, and the multi-monitor layout is more flexible.
No requotes in the protocol. cTrader’s order book model doesn’t allow requotes. Either your order fills at the requested price (or better), or it’s rejected. MT4 brokers can requote at different prices.
Tick chart support. cTrader supports tick charts natively. MT4 doesn’t. MT5 has them via custom indicators but it’s awkward.
cTrader Copy. Built-in copy trading. Not great by social trading standards (eToro is better) but useful as a feature on the same platform.
cTrader Automate: the algo environment
cTrader Automate (formerly cAlgo) is Spotware’s answer to MQL4/MQL5. It runs on C# with the .NET framework, which has consequences:
- Modern syntax. C# is a more powerful and expressive language than MQL. Object orientation, LINQ, async/await, generics, all natively supported.
- Better tooling. The Visual Studio integration is solid. You can write cBot code (Spotware’s term for algos) in Visual Studio with full IntelliSense and step-through debugging. MT5’s MetaEditor is workable but less rich.
- Library ecosystem. Less mature than the MQL ecosystem in absolute size, but the libraries that exist tend to be higher quality.
- Backtesting. cTrader’s backtester runs on tick data with realistic spreads and slippage modelling. The MT5 strategy tester is comparable. MT4’s tester is well behind.
- Cloud algo store. Spotware runs cTrader Algos, a marketplace where developers publish cBots and indicators. Smaller than the MQL5 marketplace but with stronger quality control.
The trade-off is the smaller cBot library. If you’ve bought commercial MT4 EAs over the years, they don’t run on cTrader. You either rewrite them in cBot C# or you continue running MT4 alongside cTrader.
For most traders we know who’ve migrated from MT4 to cTrader, the migration takes 2 to 4 weeks of part-time work to port the core strategies. The result is usually cleaner, faster code that’s easier to extend.
When cTrader is the right choice
Five trader profiles fit cTrader best.
Active scalpers. The fast order entry, tick charts and clean DOM matter when you’re putting 20+ trades a day. cTrader’s order entry is measurably faster than MT4/MT5 in click-to-fill testing.
Algo developers who write in C#. If you’re already a .NET developer, cBot is a fast on-ramp. The mental model maps cleanly to writing any C# event-driven application.
Traders who care about execution transparency. cTrader’s order book and DOM expose what’s happening at the venue. MT4 hides most of it.
Multi-broker traders. Because cTrader is broker-agnostic (Spotware licenses to brokers), the platform UI is identical across brokers. If you’re running accounts at IC Markets and Pepperstone simultaneously, the cTrader experience is the same on both.
Traders moving away from MT4 dealer-desk frustrations. cTrader’s no-requote model is meaningful if you’ve had MT4 orders rejected at the requested price.
When cTrader isn’t the right fit
Three reasons to stick with MT4 or MT5 instead.
Existing MT4 EA library. If you have a working MT4 EA stack you’ve spent years tuning, the rewrite cost to cBot is real. Stick with MT4.
Multi-asset CFDs across share CFDs and indices. MT5 handles share CFDs more cleanly than cTrader. If your strategy is multi-asset, MT5 may be the better fit.
Beginner trader. cTrader’s UI is cleaner but it assumes you understand DOM, order types and execution mechanics. For someone new to forex, MT4 is honestly the gentler entry point.
ASIC, AFSL and cTrader regulation
cTrader is software developed by Spotware Systems Ltd (Cyprus). Spotware doesn’t operate as a broker. The platform is licensed to brokers, who then run cTrader servers under their own regulatory regime.
When you trade on cTrader at IC Markets, you’re a client of IC Markets (Australia), which holds AFSL 335692 with ASIC. Your protections come from IC Markets’ AFSL, not from Spotware or cTrader.
ASIC’s retail protections that apply to AU cTrader accounts at any of the five brokers above:
- Retail leverage caps across every asset class, from major forex pairs to crypto CFDs
- Negative balance protection
- Margin close-out at 50% of initial margin
- Bonuses and inducements to retail clients banned
- AFCA membership for free dispute resolution
- Segregated client money rules under the Corporations Act
- AUSTRAC reporting and ID verification on account opening
Same Product Intervention Order rules. No AU loophole regardless of platform.
Setting up cTrader with an AU broker: the basics
Steps using IC Markets as the reference. Maps to all five brokers above.
- Open the account. Online application, AUSTRAC ID verification, typically approved within 24 hours. Specify cTrader as the platform during application (some brokers default to MT4 if you don’t).
- Fund the account. PayID and bank transfer are usually fee-free. AUD base account avoids conversion fees.
- Download cTrader. Direct from the broker’s website. The cTrader desktop client is one app that connects to multiple brokers via your login credentials.
- Log in. Credentials are emailed once the account is funded. Server endpoint is broker-specific.
- Set chart layouts and load any cBots or indicators. cBots go into the cTrader installation folder. Indicators too. The cTrader algo store has a one-click download into your local instance.
- Test on demo first. Every broker offers a free demo. cTrader’s demo is the same UI as live, with the broker’s actual spreads (not synthetic ones).
If you’re moving from MT4/MT5 to cTrader, your existing automation doesn’t port across without a rewrite. Plan a 2 to 4 week migration if you have a working strategy. For discretionary trading, the platform learning curve is genuinely smaller than the MT4-to-cTrader switch suggests, maybe a week of casual use.
Compare brokers by the factor that decides it
Each shortlist below re-ranks the market for one decision factor, tested the same way as this page.
Start with the overall ranking
Our tested, ASIC-only ranking of the best forex brokers in Australia is the baseline every shortlist below re-ranks.
Cost decides it
Once the platform is set, account pricing decides the broker. These shortlists rank by total cost.
You're starting out
Simpler platforms, stronger education, and demo accounts with no time pressure.
What you trade decides it
CFD shortlists re-ranked for the asset class you trade most.
FAQs
Which AU broker has the best cTrader?
Is cTrader better than MT4?
Can I run automated strategies on cTrader?
Is cTrader free?
What is the difference between cTrader and cAlgo?
Does cTrader work on Mac?
Can I use cTrader Copy with an Australian broker?
Which ASIC-regulated brokers offer cTrader in Australia?
Related pages
About the author
Justin co-founded CompareForexBrokers in 2014 and has traded forex since 1998. Based in Melbourne, he has tested every ASIC-regulated broker on this site personally and has written for Forbes, Kiplinger, Finance Magnates, the Australian Financial Review and The Age. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and a Master of Marketing from Monash University. Justin is the Strategic Head of Research for the site.