Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BDSwiss 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.
BDSwiss and IFC Markets are two online brokers that offer trading solutions to clients globally. Founded in 2012, BDSwiss holds a single Tier-1 license, which classifies it as highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, IFC Markets, established in 2006, holds one Tier-2 license, which indicates a trusted level according to the same source. Neither BDSwiss nor IFC Markets is publicly traded or operates as a bank, maintaining a focus solely on brokerage services.
Both brokers share an identical Trust Score of 73 out of 99, placing them in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com ratings. This score suggests a similar level of trust from regulators and clients alike when evaluated by industry standards. Despite some differences in their licensing, both companies offer viable options in the trading market, ensuring a competitive edge in providing reliable brokerage services.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2012 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing BDSwiss and IFC Markets for commissions and fees, each broker has its own strengths and weaknesses. BDSwiss, rated 4 out of 5 stars, ranks 30th out of 63 brokers in this category according to ForexBrokers.com. It offers good order execution but with higher spreads compared to some industry leaders. For its Classic account, the spread is 1.5 pips on EUR/USD, which can be costly. However, BDSwiss provides a more competitive option with its Raw account, where traders face a spread of 0.3 pips plus a $5 commission per side, resulting in an effective spread of 1.3 pips. The VIP account offers an effective spread of 1.2 pips.
Similarly, IFC Markets also earns a 4-star rating, although it ranks slightly lower at 39th out of 63 brokers. The average EUR/USD spread at IFC Markets is 1.44 pips, which is less competitive compared to the industry average of 1.08 pips. Nonetheless, active traders might find value in IFC Markets' new ECN account, which boasts an effective spread of 1.1 pips when factoring in the 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. IFC Markets also stands out by not charging inactivity fees and offering active trader discounts, which can lead to additional savings.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10-$5000 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to forex trading, both BDSwiss and IFC Markets provide options through CFDs or spot contracts. If you're seeking a broader array of tradeable symbols, BDSwiss boasts 1081 options in contrast to IFC Markets' 630. For those focused on forex, BDSwiss slightly leads with 53 tradeable forex pairs, while IFC Markets offers 49 pairs. However, neither platform allows direct purchases of exchange-traded securities on U.S. markets, such as Apple shares. IFC Markets sets itself apart by providing access to international exchange-traded securities like Vodafone shares, whereas BDSwiss does not. Both platforms support copy trading, welcoming traders interested in mimicking the strategies of successful peers.
For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, both BDSwiss and IFC Markets allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, though not the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. When evaluating overall investment variety, BDSwiss edges ahead with a 4-star rating, surpassing IFC Markets' 3.5-star score. This slight advantage is reflected in their respective rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where BDSwiss takes the 34th position, compared to IFC Markets at 43rd out of 63 brokers. For those prioritizing a vast array of tradeable symbols and forex pairs, BDSwiss may offer a more comprehensive solution, while those interested in international securities might find IFC Markets more appealing.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1081 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by BDSwiss and IFC Markets, both brokers provide a comprehensive suite of features suitable for traders at various levels. Each offers a simulated trading environment via free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice and refine their strategies without financial risk. They both deliver proprietary platforms developed in-house, alongside MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, which are popular for their functionality and ease of use. Available on Windows desktops and through web browsers, these platforms provide versatile access for traders. Both brokers also support copy trading, enabling users to follow and replicate the trades of experienced investors.
In terms of charting capabilities, BDSwiss and IFC Markets each boast 15 drawing tools to assist traders in technical analysis, although the specific number of technical indicators for charting is not detailed. Additionally, both brokers offer the convenience of executing trades directly from stock charts in their platforms. Watchlist management is robust, with seven columns available for customization at both brokers. While neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, their offerings have earned them comparable ratings of four stars for trading platforms and tools. BDSwiss, however, holds a higher ranking at #24 compared to IFC Markets' #36 out of 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. Both brokerages present substantial trading resources but vary slightly in industry standing.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of BDSwiss and IFC Markets, both platforms offer iPhone and Android apps, ensuring accessibility across popular devices. They each provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, multiple time frame views, and real-time quotes for creating watchlists. However, IFC Markets has a slight edge with its watchlist symbol syncing feature that allows watchlists to automatically sync between its mobile app and online account, making it convenient for users to track their investments seamlessly across platforms. Both apps come equipped with 30 technical studies for charting and autosave capabilities for chart drawings, supporting a comprehensive trading experience.
In terms of ratings and rankings, BDSwiss and IFC Markets both receive 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. While BDSwiss is ranked 24th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com's list, IFC Markets comes in at 52nd, suggesting a higher user satisfaction with BDSwiss's app. Overall, both platforms deliver substantial mobile trading functionalities but with some differences in syncing capabilities and comparative standings in the market that users may want to consider when choosing between them.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing BDSwiss and IFC Markets for their market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and maintain comprehensive economic calendars showcasing global news events. However, when it comes to technical analysis tools, BDSwiss stands out by incorporating both Autochartist and Trading Central resources, whereas IFC Markets does not. Conversely, IFC Markets offers a sentiment-based trading tool to track long and short positions across various instruments, a feature that BDSwiss does not provide.
Furthermore, while neither broker extends access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, both also lack market research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading tools. In terms of overall research ratings, BDSwiss scores slightly higher with 4 stars, compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars, reflecting BDSwiss's stronger arsenal of analytical tools. Consequently, BDSwiss ranks at #24 out of 63 brokers for research, outperforming IFC Markets, which sits at #40 according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing BDSwiss and IFC Markets for educational resources aimed at beginners, both brokers provide plenty of materials, including over ten pieces focused on forex and CFDs. However, BDSwiss sets itself apart with a monthly schedule of live webinars, offering interactive learning sessions that IFC Markets does not provide. Moreover, BDSwiss maintains a library of these past webinars, allowing newcomers to learn at their own pace. Both brokers offer comprehensive educational videos for beginners and advanced traders alike, as well as investor dictionaries to help users grow their trading vocabularies.
BDSwiss generally receives higher recognition, earning a 4-star education rating compared to IFC Markets' 3.5-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, BDSwiss is ranked 19th among 63 brokers in the Education category, whereas IFC Markets ranks 30th. Thus, while both offer quality educational content, BDSwiss may offer a slight edge, particularly for those interested in interactive learning experiences through webinars.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that BDSwiss is better than IFC Markets. BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
The BDSwiss brand caters to over 1.6 million registered forex and CFD traders, and offers the full MetaTrader platform suite alongside its own proprietary mobile app. BDSwiss demonstrates good order execution statistics and provides access to over 1,000 tradable symbols – though its spreads are higher than industry leaders.
| Feature |
BDSwiss
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 73 |
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Neither BDSwiss nor IFC Markets provide the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing BDSwiss and IFC Markets in terms of deposit and withdrawal options, BDSwiss supports ACH and SEPA transfers, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas IFC Markets offers Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks options like ACH, SEPA transfers, and Skrill that BDSwiss provides, and both brokers do not support PayPal.
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 | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review |
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| Regulation | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2012 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1081 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10-$5000 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | BDSwiss | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BDSwiss Review |
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