AvaTrade vs IFC Markets 2025
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs IFC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs IFC Markets, 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.
AvaTrade and IFC Markets, both founded in 2006, offer online trading platforms but differ significantly in regulatory standing. AvaTrade holds a notable advantage with four Tier-1 licenses, which ForexBrokers.com considers highly trusted, alongside three Tier-2 licenses. This contributes to AvaTrade's impressive Trust Score of 94 out of 99, indicating it's highly trusted in the industry. In contrast, IFC Markets does not possess any Tier-1 licenses and holds only one Tier-2 license, resulting in a Trust Score of 73. This places IFC Markets in the average risk category for traders.
Neither AvaTrade nor IFC Markets is publicly traded or operates as a bank, which is common among many online brokers. However, AvaTrade's superior regulatory approvals and higher Trust Score could offer greater assurance to traders seeking a secure trading partner. While both platforms enable access to a wide range of financial markets, AvaTrade's regulatory credentials and trust ratings might make it a preferred choice for those prioritizing safety and reliability.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
AvaTrade’s typical spread on EUR/USD is about 0.9 pips (June 2024), which is close to the industry average and a touch higher than entry-level pricing at CMC Markets and Tickmill. For commissions and fees, AvaTrade earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets’ average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips, above the 1.08-pip industry average. More active traders can opt for the ECN account, where the effective spread is about 1.1 pips after the 0.005% commission on both sides. IFC Markets also charges no inactivity fees and offers active-trader discounts. It holds a 4/5-star commissions-and-fees rating and ranks #40 of 63 on ForexBrokers.com.
Bottom line: On standard pricing, AvaTrade is generally cheaper than IFC Markets (0.9 vs. 1.44 pips). If you qualify as a professional, AvaTrade’s Professional account tightens spreads to 0.6 pips, comparable to FP Markets. If you trade frequently and prefer an ECN model, IFC Markets’ ECN pricing can narrow costs to about 1.1 pips while keeping fees straightforward.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.93 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
AvaTrade vs IFC Markets: both brokers let you trade forex either as CFDs or spot contracts, and both support crypto CFDs (not actual coins). AvaTrade lists more total products, with 1,260 tradeable symbols and 53 forex pairs, while IFC Markets offers 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Copy trading is available at both.
When it comes to real shares, neither broker offers U.S.-listed stocks, but IFC Markets does provide access to exchange-traded securities on certain international markets, whereas AvaTrade does not. For Range of Investments, ForexBrokers.com rates AvaTrade 4.0 stars (ranked 33rd of 63) and IFC Markets 3.5 stars (ranked 44th of 63), reflecting AvaTrade’s larger product lineup and slightly stronger standing overall.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| 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.
AvaTrade and IFC Markets both make it easy to get started with a free demo account for paper trading. Each broker offers its own proprietary platform alongside MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), so you can choose the setup you prefer. You’ll find Windows desktop and web-based platforms at both, plus copy trading and the ability to place trades directly from a chart. That means you can test strategies, trade from your browser or a downloaded platform, and mirror other traders all in one place.
For charting and analysis, both brokers provide a variety of technical indicators and customizable watchlists, helping you track markets the way you like. In independent reviews of trading platforms and tools, AvaTrade earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #37. If platform depth and tool quality are your top priorities, AvaTrade holds a slight edge; if you simply need MT4/MT5, web and desktop access, copy trading, and a demo account, both brokers deliver those essentials.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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) | 80 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
AvaTrade and IFC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts for forex and stocks, syncs watchlists with your online account, and lets you draw trendlines on charts—so your core trading needs are covered on the go.
The main differences are in charting and recognition. AvaTrade includes 73 technical studies (indicators) versus 30 with IFC Markets, giving more choices for analysis. IFC Markets, however, auto-saves your chart drawings, while AvaTrade does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, AvaTrade is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets is rated 4 stars and ranks #53. Choose AvaTrade if you want more indicators; pick IFC Markets if auto-saving chart annotations matters more to you.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
AvaTrade and IFC Markets take different paths with their market research. AvaTrade earns 4 stars and ranks #35 out of 63 for Research by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets holds 3.5 stars and ranks #41. AvaTrade stands out with forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, plus Trading Central tools for technical and fundamental analysis. Both brokers provide an economic calendar and a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions. IFC Markets, however, delivers daily market commentary—something AvaTrade does not. Neither broker offers Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools.
Choose AvaTrade if you want premium forex news and added research depth from Trading Central to support your trading ideas. Pick IFC Markets if frequent, easy-to-digest daily commentary is more important to your routine. In both cases, you get a sentiment gauge and an economic calendar to track market-moving events.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
AvaTrade and IFC Markets both provide forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces, including sizable video libraries for beginners and for experienced traders (10+ videos in each category). AvaTrade adds live learning with client webinars at least once a month, while IFC Markets does not host ongoing educational webinars. If you want live classes and Q&A, AvaTrade has the edge; if you prefer self-paced videos, both brokers can work.
Independent ratings favor AvaTrade for education overall. AvaTrade is rated 4 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #30. For beginners seeking structured lessons, frequent webinars, and a broad mix of materials, AvaTrade is likely the stronger pick. Traders who are fine with a video-first approach without live sessions may find IFC Markets suitable.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that AvaTrade is better than IFC Markets. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, as well as exceptional educational content that helped it nab Best in Class honors for Beginners in the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards.
| Feature |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 94 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In the AvaTrade vs IFC Markets comparison, both brokers do not offer buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies but do provide trading in cryptocurrency CFDs.
AvaTrade vs IFC Markets: neither broker offers ACH or SEPA transfers, both support bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, only AvaTrade provides PayPal and Skrill (IFC Markets does not), and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 94 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.93 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 94 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review |