Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IFC Markets vs ATFX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
IFC Markets and ATFX are two online brokers that cater to diverse trading needs, but they differ significantly when it comes to regulatory trustworthiness. Founded in 2006, IFC Markets is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. With no Tier-1 licenses, IFC Markets holds a single Tier-2 license, which contributes to its ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 73. This score places it in the average risk category, indicating a moderate level of trustworthiness for potential investors.
On the other hand, ATFX, established in 2017, also lacks a public trading status and banking operations. However, it stands out with four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, which reflect a firmer regulatory backing. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 85, ATFX falls into the trusted category, offering greater assurance to traders concerning the firm's reliability and adherence to regulatory standards.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
IFC Markets is fairly transparent on pricing. Its average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips, which is higher than the industry average of 1.08 pips, so standard pricing is a bit less competitive. Cost-conscious, active traders can find better value on the new ECN account, where the effective spread comes out to about 1.1 pips after a 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. There’s no inactivity fee, and active trader discounts can further lower costs. Overall, IFC Markets earns 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #40 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
ATFX provides fewer public details about pricing. Average spread data is not available, making direct spread comparisons harder. Based on ForexBrokers.com’s assessment, ATFX receives 3 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #61 out of 63 brokers.
In a head-to-head look at commissions and fees, IFC Markets offers clearer pricing and potential savings for higher-volume traders through its ECN account and active trader discounts, plus the perk of no inactivity fees. ATFX’s lack of published average spread figures limits apples-to-apples comparisons, and its lower ranking suggests less competitive overall pricing. Traders should confirm current spreads and commissions on their chosen account type before deciding.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $500 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.44 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IFC Markets and ATFX both let you trade forex either as CFDs or spot, and each supports copy trading. They also offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto. In terms of breadth, IFC Markets lists about 630 tradeable symbols and 49 forex pairs, while ATFX offers around 150 symbols and 44 forex pairs. That means IFC Markets has the wider menu for traders who want more markets to choose from.
For exchange-traded shares, neither broker offers U.S.-listed stocks, but IFC Markets does provide access to some international exchange-traded shares, which ATFX does not. Both brokers earn 3.5 stars for Range of Investments, yet their standings differ: IFC Markets ranks 44th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas ATFX ranks 58th. If you want more instruments and the option to trade certain international exchange-listed stocks, IFC Markets is the stronger fit; for a slimmer lineup focused on CFDs, ATFX may be enough.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 44 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
IFC Markets and ATFX both deliver the essentials for platform access and trading tools. Each offers a free demo (paper) account, copy trading, and the full MetaTrader suite with MT4 and MT5. You can trade on Windows desktop and via a web-based platform with either broker, and both support placing orders directly from charts. A key difference is that IFC Markets also provides a proprietary, in-house platform, giving clients an additional platform choice beyond MetaTrader, whereas ATFX focuses on third-party platforms.
In independent reviews from ForexBrokers.com for Trading Platforms and Tools, IFC Markets scores 4 stars and ranks 37th out of 63 brokers, while ATFX scores 3.5 stars and ranks 63rd. If you value having an extra platform option alongside MetaTrader, IFC Markets may appeal; if you’re comfortable staying within the MetaTrader ecosystem and still want web and desktop access plus copy trading and a demo account, ATFX remains a practical pick.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IFC Markets and ATFX both offer iPhone and Android trading apps with price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto-saved chart annotations. The standout difference is watchlist syncing: IFC Markets syncs your mobile watchlist with your online account, while ATFX does not. Charting tools also differ: IFC Markets includes 30 technical indicators, compared with 7 on ATFX, which can matter if you rely on more in-depth chart analysis on the go.
In independent testing, IFC Markets earned 4 stars and was ranked #53 for Mobile Trading Apps by ForexBrokers.com, while ATFX earned 3.5 stars and ranked #64. If you want richer charting and synced watchlists, IFC Markets is the stronger fit. If you mostly need basic charting, alerts, and core trading features on iPhone or Android, ATFX can still get the job done.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing IFC Markets and ATFX for market research: both publish daily market commentary and provide an economic calendar. Neither streams forex news from premium wires like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. The key difference is in tools: ATFX integrates Autochartist and Trading Central for chart- and signal-driven insights, while IFC Markets lacks those integrations but does offer a sentiment tool showing long/short positioning; ATFX does not have a sentiment gauge. IFC Markets does not include TipRanks or Acuity Trading; ATFX’s support for TipRanks or Acuity Trading wasn’t specified.
If you prefer built-in technical analysis add-ons, ATFX has the advantage. If you want sentiment data alongside basics like daily commentary and a calendar, IFC Markets fits better. Independent ratings from ForexBrokers.com place IFC Markets at 3.5/5 stars (ranked 41 of 63 for Research) and ATFX at 3/5 stars (ranked 55 of 63).
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Acuity Trading | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
IFC Markets and ATFX both offer forex and CFD education suitable for beginners, meeting the bar of at least 10 learning pieces. Each provides 10+ beginner-focused videos that explain trading basics in simple terms, helping new traders build confidence. However, neither broker runs monthly educational webinars, so if live classes are important to you, you may need to look elsewhere.
For traders who plan to grow beyond the basics, IFC Markets adds depth with 10+ advanced trading videos, while ATFX does not reach that advanced video count. In our Education ratings, IFC Markets earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ATFX earns 3 out of 5, yet ATFX holds a slightly higher category rank (#28 of 63) than IFC Markets (#30 of 63). In short, beginners will find solid video libraries at both brokers, with IFC Markets offering more advanced lessons, and ATFX scoring a marginally better overall placement in the Education category.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IFC Markets is better than ATFX. IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
IFC Markets is a well-established broker that has been in operation for 17 years. Forex traders at IFC Markets gain access to multiple trading platforms, a growing range of tradeable markets, and a balanced offering of research and educational content. However, IFC Markets’ Trust Score suffers due to the broker’s limited range of regulatory licenses.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
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ATFX
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 73 | 85 |
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IFC Markets and ATFX do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, while both brokers support trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
IFC Markets vs ATFX: IFC Markets supports bank wire deposits and withdrawals but does not offer ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, or Visa/Mastercard, while ATFX is confirmed not to support ACH/SEPA and its availability of bank wires, PayPal, Skrill, and Visa/Mastercard is not specified.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.44 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review |
| Overall | IFC Markets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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