Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC 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.
CMC Markets and IFC Markets are online brokers with different backgrounds and trust profiles. CMC Markets, founded in 1989, is publicly traded and not a bank; IFC Markets, founded in 2006, is privately held and also not a bank. On ForexBrokers.com’s Trust Score scale (90–99 highly trusted; 80–89 trusted; 70–79 average risk; 60–69 high risk; under 59 not trusted), CMC Markets scores 99/99 (highly trusted) while IFC Markets scores 73/99 (average risk).
Regulation is another key divider. CMC Markets holds 6 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) and 1 Tier-2 license, pointing to broad oversight by top regulators. IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses, indicating a narrower regulatory footprint. If you prefer maximum regulatory coverage and a public company, CMC Markets has the edge; if you’re comfortable with an average-risk rating and basic top-tier coverage, IFC Markets may fit.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 5 |
CMC Markets comes out ahead of IFC Markets on commissions and fees. CMC’s standard account had an average EUR/USD spread of 1.3 pips, which is above its advertised 0.8 pip minimum, but its pricing is still fairly steady compared with many rivals. Traders who want lower costs can use CMC’s FX Active account, where the EUR/USD all-in cost drops to about 1.15 pips after commission. CMC also stands out for having no minimum deposit, no wire transfer fee, and no inactivity fee until after a full year without trading. It is rated 5 stars and ranks #3 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
IFC Markets is more mixed on pricing. Its average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips, which is higher than the industry average, so its standard pricing is less appealing for cost-conscious traders. The newer ECN account improves the picture, with an effective spread of about 1.1 pips after commission, and active trader discounts plus no inactivity fee add some value. Still, overall pricing is not as competitive as CMC Markets. IFC Markets is rated 4 stars and ranks #34 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
In simple terms, CMC Markets offers the better fee structure overall, especially if you trade often or use its lower-cost FX Active setup. IFC Markets may work for traders who want an ECN option and no inactivity charge, but its spreads are generally higher, which can make trading more expensive over time.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.3 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.15 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
CMC Markets offers a much wider range of investments than IFC Markets, with 21,710 tradeable symbols compared with 630 at IFC Markets. It also stands out for forex traders, offering 303 currency pairs versus 49 at IFC Markets, while both brokers support forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. In addition, CMC Markets lets clients buy real U.S.-listed shares and international exchange-traded securities, while IFC Markets only offers real shares on international exchanges.
Both brokers offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither allows customers to buy actual crypto assets. IFC Markets does have copy trading, which CMC Markets does not, but CMC Markets still comes out ahead overall for investment choice, earning 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranking #9 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #33, reflecting a smaller product lineup.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 21710 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 303 | 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.
CMC Markets and IFC Markets both give traders a solid set of platform choices, including a free demo account, a proprietary platform, desktop software for Windows, a web-based platform, and support for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both also let users trade directly from charts, which can make order entry faster and easier for active traders. In short, each broker covers the main platform needs well, whether you prefer to trade in a browser, on a desktop app, or through MetaTrader.
The biggest difference is copy trading: IFC Markets offers it, while CMC Markets does not. CMC Markets, however, stands out overall for Trading Platforms and Tools, earning 5 out of 5 stars and a #6 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with IFC Markets’ 4 stars and #32 ranking. For traders who want a more highly rated platform experience, CMC Markets has the edge, while IFC Markets may appeal more to those looking for copy trading alongside its other platform options.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 65 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
CMC Markets and IFC Markets both make mobile trading easy for iPhone and Android users. Each app includes stock and forex price alerts, watchlist symbol syncing with the online account, 30 technical studies for charting, trendline drawing, and auto-saving of chart drawings. In other words, the core mobile trading tools are very similar, so either broker gives traders the basics they need on the go.
The main difference is in overall app quality and rankings. CMC Markets earns a 5-star rating for Mobile Trading Apps and is ranked #5 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 4 stars and ranked #37. For traders who care most about the best mobile trading app experience, CMC Markets has the stronger edge.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
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 | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
CMC Markets and IFC Markets both give traders daily market commentary, sentiment tools that show long and short positioning, and an economic calendar with global events. That means each broker offers helpful basics for following the markets day to day. However, CMC Markets goes further for market research with forex news from top sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental analysis. IFC Markets does not offer those same news or Autochartist features.
When it comes to research quality, CMC Markets stands out clearly. It earns a 5-star research rating and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #33. In simple terms, both brokers cover the essentials, but CMC Markets gives traders more research depth and a stronger overall market research experience.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing CMC Markets and IFC Markets for beginner-friendly education, CMC Markets comes out ahead. It offers forex and CFDs learning content, monthly client webinars, at least 10 beginner videos, and at least 10 advanced videos, making it a stronger choice for traders who want a wider range of study materials. CMC Markets is also rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, which reflects a more complete learning experience overall.
IFC Markets also provides forex and CFDs education, along with at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, so it does give new traders useful learning support. However, it does not offer monthly educational webinars, which may matter for beginners who like live guidance and regular updates. With a 3.5-star Education rating and a #26 ranking out of 36, IFC Markets trails CMC Markets in the quality and depth of its educational resources.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
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 CMC Markets is better than IFC Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #5, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #36.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its 21,710 tradeable instruments and 303 forex pairs, the largest currency lineup in the industry.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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CMC Markets and IFC Markets are online brokers that do not allow buying actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both do offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.
Compared to IFC Markets, CMC Markets supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, whereas IFC Markets lacks ACH/SEPA and PayPal but does support bank wires; neither broker supports Skrill.
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 | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 5 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 21710 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 303 | 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 | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.3 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.15 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 65 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | 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 | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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