Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Charles Schwab vs IFC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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Charles Schwab and IFC Markets offer online brokerage services, but they differ significantly in aspects related to trust and regulation, which can be crucial for investors. Founded in 1971, Charles Schwab is a prominent name in the financial industry, publicly traded and operating as a bank. This standing is supported by its five Tier-1 licenses, considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com. Charles Schwab has earned a top Trust Score rating of 99, placing it at the highest level of trustworthiness for brokers.
In contrast, IFC Markets, established in 2006, is not publicly traded and doesn't function as a bank. It holds one Tier-2 license, with no Tier-1 licenses, and thus attracts a Trust Score rating of 73 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating an average risk level. These differences highlight the gap in perceived trust and reliability, with Charles Schwab offering a more established and trusted option for those prioritizing strong regulatory oversight.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
For commissions and fees, both Charles Schwab and IFC Markets earn 4 out of 5 stars. Schwab ranks higher at #23 out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Commissions and Fees category, while IFC Markets is #32 out of 63. Both brokers rely heavily on spreads for forex trading costs, though their average EUR/USD prices sit above the industry’s tightest levels.
Charles Schwab charges no commission on forex; your cost is the spread. Its average EUR/USD spread was 1.35 pips in October 2024, which is on the higher side compared with leading discount brokers. There’s no minimum deposit for standard accounts. The smallest trade size is 10,000 units, implying around $500 in required margin at 20:1 leverage. Trades in Schwab One settle in U.S. dollars, and the Schwab Global account adds access to 12 markets in local currencies with conversion fees of about 0.2% to 1% (based on account balance). Schwab also displays overnight financing (carry) estimates in-platform to help you gauge holding costs.
IFC Markets posts an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips, above the 1.08-pip industry average, but active traders can find better pricing on its ECN account: about 1.1 pips effective after a 0.005% commission per side. IFC Markets does not charge inactivity fees and offers discounts for higher trading volumes. Overall, it’s competitive for traders who qualify for the ECN pricing, while Schwab may appeal to those who prefer commission-free forex, multi-currency access via Schwab Global, and a strong U.S.-dollar workflow—keeping in mind each broker’s different spread profile and rankings (Schwab 4/5, #23; IFC Markets 4/5, #32).
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.27 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.27 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Charles Schwab offers a far wider range of investments than IFC Markets. Schwab lists about 40,000 tradable symbols and 73 forex pairs, supports forex as CFDs or spot, and lets you buy real exchange-traded stocks on both U.S. and international exchanges. It also offers cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual crypto) and does not support copy trading. Schwab earns 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers, reflecting its very broad lineup.
IFC Markets provides around 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs, also supporting forex as CFDs or spot. It offers cryptocurrency CFDs (not actual crypto), includes copy trading, and gives access to real exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, though not on U.S. exchanges. For traders focused on CFDs, forex, and social features, IFC Markets can fit the bill; however, its selection is smaller overall—earning 3.5 stars and a #31 ranking for Range of Investments.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
Charles Schwab and IFC Markets both cover the basics well for trading platforms and tools. Each offers a free paper trading (demo) account, an in-house proprietary platform, a Windows desktop download, a web-based platform, and the ability to place trades directly from charts. If you value practicing strategies, accessing platforms from a browser or PC, and clicking to trade right on a chart, both brokers check those boxes.
The key differences come down to features and third-party platforms. Charles Schwab does not support copy trading and does not offer MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, while IFC Markets supports copy trading and provides both MT4 and MT5 for those who prefer the MetaTrader ecosystem. Indicator counts and watch list field totals were not specified for either broker. For quality scores, Schwab earns 5 stars and ranks #7 out of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, while IFC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #29. In short: choose IFC Markets if you want MetaTrader or copy trading; choose Charles Schwab if you want a top-rated in-house platform suite.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Charles Schwab and IFC Markets both deliver full-featured mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports stock and forex price alerts, watchlist syncing with your online account, and essential charting tools like drawing trendlines with drawings that auto-save. The big difference is depth of charting: Schwab offers 374 technical studies in its mobile app, while IFC Markets includes 30. If you rely on technical indicators for your trading decisions, that gap can matter.
In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, Schwab’s mobile trading app earned 5 stars and ranked #6 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets received 4 stars and ranked #34. Both are solid choices for on-the-go trading; choose Charles Schwab if you want extensive technical analysis on mobile, or IFC Markets if you prefer a simpler toolkit with the core features covered.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 374 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Charles Schwab and IFC Markets both cover the basics with daily market commentary and an easy-to-follow economic calendar. Where they differ is news quality: Schwab streams forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, while IFC Markets does not. Neither broker includes add-ons from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, so advanced third‑party screeners and signal suites aren’t part of the package at either provider.
IFC Markets stands out with a sentiment tool that shows the balance of long vs. short positions—something Schwab doesn’t offer. For overall research strength, Schwab leads with a 5-star rating and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers for Research at ForexBrokers.com; IFC Markets earns 3.5 stars and ranks #30. Choose Schwab if premium news and broad market coverage matter most; pick IFC Markets if you value built-in sentiment insights alongside core research features.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing Charles Schwab and IFC Markets for beginner trading education, Schwab stands out for offering live online client webinars at least once a month, which can be great for asking questions in real time. Both brokers provide a solid library of on-demand learning, including at least 10 beginner videos, plus at least 10 advanced videos you can grow into as your skills improve.
According to ForexBrokers.com, Charles Schwab earns a 5-star Education rating and ranks #6 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #25. If live instruction and top-rated educational depth matter most, Schwab is the stronger pick; if you’re fine with self-paced video lessons and don’t need webinars, IFC Markets can still cover the basics.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Charles Schwab is better than IFC Markets. Charles Schwab finished with an overall rank of #6, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #33.
Charles Schwab is a highly trusted financial institution and multi-asset broker catering to U.S.-based and international forex traders. Schwab's award-winning thinkorswim platform offers over 70 tradeable currency pairs alongside impressive tools, research, and education. That said, the broker’s forex offering is still largely limited to what is available on thinkorswim.
| Feature |
Charles Schwab
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IFC Markets
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Charles Schwab vs IFC Markets: Neither broker supports buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both allow trading cryptocurrency CFDs, making them similar choices for crypto exposure without owning the underlying asset.
In a comparison of online brokers Charles Schwab vs IFC Markets, Schwab supports ACH/SEPA and bank wire deposits/withdrawals, IFC Markets supports bank wires but not ACH/SEPA, and neither broker supports PayPal or Skrill; 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1971 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | |||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | |||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | |||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | |||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | |||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 40000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 73 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.27 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.27 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 374 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Charles Schwab | 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 | 374 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Charles Schwab | 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 | Charles Schwab Review |
| Overall | Charles Schwab | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Charles Schwab Review |
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