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.
When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and IFC Markets, it's important to note their differing levels of trust and regulatory standing. CMC Markets, founded in 1989, is a publicly traded entity with a Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the highly trusted category. It holds five Tier-1 licenses, signaling a strong regulatory foundation, along with one Tier-2 license. This positions CMC Markets as a reputable choice for traders seeking assurance from a well-established financial market participant.
In contrast, IFC Markets was founded in 2006 and holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 73, marking it as an average risk option. Unlike CMC Markets, IFC Markets is not a publicly traded company and does not possess any Tier-1 licenses, though it does hold one Tier-2 license, aligning it with trusted regulatory standards but at a lower overall level. For traders weighing their options, these distinctions highlight CMC Markets as a more secure choice, while IFC Markets may be suitable for those comfortable with a moderate risk profile.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | |
| Bank | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
CMC Markets and IFC Markets present distinct offerings when it comes to commissions and fees. CMC Markets achieved the #1 rank in the Commissions and Fees category in the 2025 Annual Awards, with a perfect 5-star rating. This accomplishment is largely due to CMC's competitive pricing and low spreads, with an average spread of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD as of August 2023. CMC Markets' active trader program, Price Plus Scheme, allows traders to earn discounts on trading costs based on accumulated Trading Points, rewarding high-volume traders with up to a 20% discount at Tier 4. Furthermore, the FX Active pricing offers commission-based trading with a $2.50 charge per side, resulting in an enticing all-in cost of 0.5 pips for several currency pairs, solidifying CMC's position as a pricing leader.
In contrast, IFC Markets earned a 4-star rating and ranked #39 out of 63 brokers in the same category. The average spread for EUR/USD at IFC Markets sits at 1.44 pips, which is less competitive compared to the industry average of 1.08 pips. However, their ECN account offers better rates for active traders, reducing effective spreads to 1.1 pips after factoring in a 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. IFC Markets also offers attractive benefits such as the absence of inactivity fees and discounts for active traders, providing financial incentives to its clients despite its higher spreads.
Though both brokers offer active trader programs and competitive incentives, CMC Markets clearly leads with lower spreads and a superior commission-based pricing strategy, while IFC Markets offers a satisfactory option with potential cost savings for high-volume traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | ||
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets and IFC Markets, it's clear that both offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, catering to forex enthusiasts. However, CMC Markets stands out with an impressive range of 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, while IFC Markets offers a more limited selection of 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Additionally, CMC Markets allows clients to invest directly in exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, providing opportunities to buy shares of major companies like Apple, which is not available through IFC Markets. Still, both brokers offer access to international exchange-traded securities, letting investors buy shares of global companies such as Vodafone.
Both CMC Markets and IFC Markets provide cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer delivered cryptocurrencies. Moreover, they both support copy trading, which allows less experienced investors to mirror the trades of expert traders. In terms of investment range, CMC Markets enjoys a top-tier rating of 5 stars, ranking 9th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets holds a 3.5-star rating, ranking 43rd. This positions CMC Markets as a more comprehensive platform for a wider array of investments, appealing particularly to investors seeking diverse opportunities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | ||
| 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.
Both CMC Markets and IFC Markets offer an extensive range of trading platforms and tools that cater to various trader preferences. For those just beginning their trading journey, both brokers provide simulated trading options through free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risk. Additionally, each broker offers proprietary platforms developed in-house, as well as Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based trading options, providing flexibility in how you choose to trade. For traders interested in using popular external platforms, both CMC Markets and IFC Markets support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), decision aids favored by many in the trading community for their versatility and powerful features.
When it comes to charting tools and functionalities, CMC Markets and IFC Markets each enable trades executed directly from stock charts. However, CMC Markets stands out by offering 40 drawing tools compared to IFC Markets' 15, providing deeper analysis capabilities. The watch list functionality also differs, with CMC Markets providing 11 columns for detailed tracking, whereas IFC Markets offers seven. Rated five stars in Trading Platforms and Tools and ranked 4th by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers, CMC Markets shines in its offerings. IFC Markets follows closely with a four-star rating and stands at 36th in the same category, underscoring its solid but slightly less comprehensive platform offerings.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
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 | ||
| ZuluTrade | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both CMC Markets and IFC Markets cater to traders using iPhones and Android devices. These platforms offer essential features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to synchronize watchlists across devices, and the capability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. For those who enjoy technical analysis, both apps enable drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on their charts, with CMC Markets providing 29 technical studies and IFC Markets offering slightly more at 30. Both apps auto-save any chart drawings to ensure that the user's work is not lost.
While both platforms provide comprehensive mobile trading experiences, they differ in user ratings and industry rankings. CMC Markets boasts a perfect five-star rating for its mobile trading app, putting it at an impressive 5th place out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, IFC Markets follows with a solid four-star rating, ranking 52nd in the same category. Whether precision charting or user-friendliness is essential, traders have quality options with either app, though CMC Markets seems to have a slight edge in overall mobile app satisfaction.
| Feature |
CMC 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 | 29 | 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 it comes to market research, both CMC Markets and IFC Markets provide daily market commentary and comprehensive economic calendars, helping traders stay informed about global events. However, there are notable differences in their offerings. CMC Markets delivers forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg and Reuters and provides a sentiment-based trading tool to gauge market positions. They also include technical analysis tools from Autochartist, enhancing their research depth. While IFC Markets shares some of these features, they don't match the extensive news coverage or specialized tools from Autochartist that CMC Markets offers.
Looking at overall research ratings, CMC Markets excels with a 5-star rating, compared to IFC Markets’ 3.5 stars. This superior rating places CMC Markets at number 6 in the research category among 63 brokers, significantly ahead of IFC Markets, which stands at 40th. These rankings reflect a stronger emphasis on quality market insights and tools at CMC Markets, appealing more to traders in search of detailed analysis and news updates.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | ||
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both CMC Markets and IFC Markets provide a solid foundation for individuals looking to dive into the world of forex and CFDs. CMC Markets shines with a well-rounded offering, including a substantial library of educational materials, regular client webinars, and a comprehensive archive of past webinars. Beginners can benefit from their wide range of beginner-focused educational videos and a detailed investor dictionary featuring over 50 terms. This commitment to education is reflected in their impressive 5-star rating for education and a top-10 ranking by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers.
IFC Markets also offers a variety of educational materials suitable for newcomers, including a notable collection of beginner-targeted videos and a well-curated investor dictionary. However, while they meet the threshold of providing at least 10 educational pieces on forex and CFDs, they fall short in areas such as offering monthly webinars and maintaining an accessible archive of past sessions. This could be a factor in their slightly lower education rating of 3.5 stars and their #30 position in ForexBrokers.com's rankings. Both platforms present valuable resources, yet CMC Markets edges ahead with a more comprehensive educational offering for those new to trading.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| 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 CMC Markets is better than IFC Markets. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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CMC Markets and IFC Markets both offer clients the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither provides the ability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
When comparing the online brokers CMC Markets and IFC Markets, CMC Markets offers ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires as options for depositing or withdrawing funds, whereas IFC Markets provides Visa or Mastercard and bank wires without specifying options for ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, or 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 | ||
| Bank | |||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | |||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | |||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | |||
| 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) | |||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | |||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | ||
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | |||
| 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 | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | ||
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | ||
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | |||
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | 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 | |||
| DupliTrade | |||
| ZuluTrade |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 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 | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | ||
| Autochartist | Yes | ||
| Trading Central (Recognia) | |||
| TipRanks | |||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | |||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | ||
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC 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 | 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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