Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets, established in 2014, is a non-bank online broker that isn't publicly traded. It holds a Tier-1 license, indicating a high level of trust, helping it achieve a Trust Score of 78 out of 99, which places it within the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. This broker provides clients with a balance of credibility and experience, supported by a decade of market presence.
IFC Markets, founded in 2006, also operates as a non-bank entity and is not listed on any stock exchange. Although it doesn't have a Tier-1 license, it possesses a Tier-2 license, marking it as a trusted broker, with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 73. With a longer history than BlackBull Markets, IFC Markets remains a viable choice for users seeking a trusted broker that has stood the test of time.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 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 | 1 | 1 |
When comparing online brokers for their commissions and fees, BlackBull Markets offers a competitive pricing structure across its three account types. Trading costs at BlackBull Markets can vary, but generally align with industry averages. The Prime account stands out with an average spread of 0.16 on the EUR/USD pair, translating to an all-in cost of 0.76 when considering the $6 commission per 10,000 units traded. This option requires a $2,000 minimum deposit. Alternatively, a Standard account presents a commission-free option with zero minimum deposit requirements, though it comes with comparatively higher spreads.
BlackBull Markets also provides an ECN Institutional account aimed at active traders, requiring a minimum deposit of $20,000. This account offers reduced commission rates of $4 per round turn. BlackBull Markets receives a 4.5-star rating for its commissions and fees and ranks at #18 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, IFC Markets features a higher average spread of 1.44 on the EUR/USD pair, which is slightly above the industry average. More active traders might find better value with IFC Markets’ new ECN account, which offers effective spreads of 1.1 pips after applying the 0.005% commission applied to both sides of a trade. Without inactivity fees and with the benefit of active trader discounts, IFC Markets holds a 4-star rating and is ranked at #39 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees, as reported by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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 comparing the range of investments available at BlackBull Markets and IFC Markets, it is evident that BlackBull Markets provides investors with an expansive selection of trading options. BlackBull Markets offers an impressive array of 26,000 tradeable symbols, which significantly surpasses IFC Markets' roster of 630. Both brokers facilitate forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but BlackBull Markets edges out with 72 tradeable forex pairs compared to IFC Markets' 49 pairs. Moreover, BlackBull Markets allows clients to invest in exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, giving investors the chance to buy popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone. While IFC Markets supports international exchange-traded securities, it does not offer the same access to U.S. markets. Both platforms provide opportunities for copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives but do not support the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
In terms of rankings and ratings, BlackBull Markets receives a high rating of 5 stars for its range of investments, which is reflected in its commendable sixth-place ranking out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, IFC Markets holds a 3.5-star rating, placing it at #43 in the same category. Investors seeking a more diverse and extensive trading portfolio may find BlackBull Markets to be the more attractive option.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, both BlackBull Markets and IFC Markets provide traders with comprehensive options. Each broker offers access to popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts. While BlackBull Markets does not have a proprietary platform, IFC Markets does offer one developed in-house. Both brokers support Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based trading platforms, ensuring flexibility for traders. For those interested in copy trading, both brokers have this option, though only BlackBull Markets provides access to ZuluTrade, enhancing its trading ecosystem.
Charting capabilities vary slightly between the two, with BlackBull Markets offering 60 drawing tools compared to IFC Markets' 15. However, both allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, providing seamless interaction with the market. When it comes to managing watch lists, IFC Markets edges out slightly, offering seven columns for fields, while BlackBull Markets offers six. Both brokers receive a solid four-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, though BlackBull Markets ranks higher overall by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at 29th out of 63, compared to IFC Markets' 36th position.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both BlackBull Markets and IFC Markets offer impressive mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users. Their apps are loaded with features such as stock and forex price alerts, and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Both platforms enable seamless synchronization of watchlist symbols between mobile devices and online accounts, ensuring smooth transitions and up-to-date information. When it comes to charting, both brokers provide comprehensive tools including the ability to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and an impressive offering of 30 technical studies. Users will also appreciate the auto-save feature for chart drawings, a functionality designed to streamline trading activities on the go.
Although both mobile apps are rated four stars, BlackBull Markets holds a slight edge due to its higher ranking at #31 in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category, compared to IFC Markets' #52 ranking. This could suggest a slight preference for BlackBull Markets in terms of user satisfaction and operational excellence. Regardless of your choice, both platforms provide solid options to help you manage your trades efficiently and effectively wherever you are.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | 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 market research offerings from BlackBull Markets and IFC Markets, both brokers provide daily market commentary and economic calendars showcasing global events. However, neither offers forex news updates from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, or research tools from Trading Central or TipRanks. BlackBull Markets stands out for its incorporation of Autochartist to provide technical analysis, a feature not present with IFC Markets. Both platforms support sentiment-based trading tools that view long or short positions across currency pairs. While IFC Markets lags in certain research tools, BlackBull Markets’ strength in analysis tools and its overall research capabilities score it a 4-star rating, compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars.
In terms of industry rankings, BlackBull Markets impressively holds the 18th spot among 63 brokers, reflecting its solid position in research offerings. On the other hand, IFC Markets ranks at 40, indicating a more limited research portfolio by comparison. Despite the shortfalls in offering cutting-edge research tools seen with some top-tier competitors, both brokers maintain essential market insights that aid in their clients' trading decisions. However, the advanced features provided by BlackBull Markets may appeal more to traders seeking comprehensive analysis tools.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by BlackBull Markets and IFC Markets for beginners, both brokerages provide foundational forex and CFDs education through a variety of articles, videos, and more, each offering a catalogue of at least ten educational pieces. However, BlackBull Markets stands out with its monthly online educational client webinars and a searchable archive of recorded sessions, which IFC Markets does not offer. For beginners seeking entry-level trading knowledge, both brokers provide over ten dedicated instructional videos, ensuring new traders have a solid starting point. Furthermore, both companies support advancing their clients' knowledge with a similar number of advanced videos, making them suitable for experienced traders as well.
Despite these similarities, BlackBull Markets is marginally more attractive for those prioritizing educational support due to its additional offerings like regular webinars and archived content. This is reflected in its higher educational rating of 4 stars, compared to IFC Markets’ 3.5 stars. Additionally, according to ForexBrokers.com rankings, BlackBull Markets is positioned at #29, slightly ahead of IFC Markets, which is ranked #30 out of 63 brokers in the Education category. Both brokers also provide an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 trading terms, supporting traders in expanding their financial vocabulary.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
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 BlackBull Markets is better than IFC Markets. BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
BlackBull Markets is a plain-vanilla MetaTrader broker with a growing range of products and support for a handful of third-party social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 78 | 73 |
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BlackBull Markets and IFC Markets both allow trading in cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies for delivery.
When comparing online brokers BlackBull Markets and IFC Markets, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, while Skrill is available with BlackBull Markets but not IFC Markets; however, both brokers allow transactions via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 78 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | 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) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | 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 | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | BlackBull Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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