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CMC Markets vs IFC Markets 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

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.

CMC Markets
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 12029
IFC Markets
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $1
  • Trust Score: 73
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 630

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.

Regulation

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 logoCMC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Year Founded info 1989 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 5

Fees

CMC Markets stands out on commissions and fees, earning a 5-star rating and ranking #4 out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com. It is known for low spread pricing across all account types, with typical EUR/USD spreads around 0.61 pips, which is better than the industry average. For active traders, CMC also offers its Price Plus Scheme, and its FX Active pricing can bring the all-in cost on EUR/USD down to about 0.5 pips with a $2.50 commission per side.

IFC Markets also offers a competitive setup, but it is generally less affordable than CMC Markets on spreads. It has a 4-star rating and ranks #32 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees. Its average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips, though active traders may get better pricing through the ECN account, where the effective spread can fall to about 1.1 pips after commission. One plus is that IFC Markets does not charge inactivity fees, and it also provides active trader discounts.

Overall, CMC Markets is the stronger choice for traders who want lower everyday trading costs, while IFC Markets may appeal to those who value no inactivity fees and occasional discounts. If price is your main concern, CMC Markets is the better fit; if you trade less often, IFC Markets can still be worth considering.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $0 $1
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info 1.1 info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

When it comes to range of investments, CMC Markets offers more choice than IFC Markets. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, give access to copy trading, and offer cryptocurrency CFDs rather than actual crypto. They also both provide access to international exchange-traded securities, so clients can buy shares listed on markets outside the U.S. However, only CMC Markets lets clients buy exchange-traded U.S. shares such as Apple, while IFC Markets does not.

The size of the product list also sets them apart. CMC Markets lists 12,029 tradeable symbols and 141 forex pairs, compared with 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs at IFC Markets. This wider selection helps explain why CMC Markets earns 5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #31.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

CMC Markets and IFC Markets both give traders a wide choice of platform options, including a free demo account, a browser-based platform, a Windows desktop download, and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each broker also offers its own in-house platform, copy trading, and the ability to place trades directly from charts, making both a good fit for traders who want flexibility across devices and styles.

Where CMC Markets pulls ahead is in third-party ratings and rankings. It earns 5 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools and is ranked #6 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #29. For traders comparing online brokers, CMC Markets appears to have the edge in platform quality, even though IFC Markets still covers many of the same trading tools and features.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

CMC Markets and IFC Markets both make mobile trading easy for iPhone and Android users, and each app includes stock or forex price alerts, watchlist syncing with the online account, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. In day-to-day use, that means traders can move between phone and web platform without losing track of watchlists or chart notes. CMC Markets offers 29 technical studies in its mobile charting tools, while IFC Markets offers 30, giving IFC a slight edge in chart indicator choice.

Even so, CMC Markets comes out ahead overall for mobile trading apps. It earns a 5-star rating and ranks #5 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared with IFC Markets’ 4-star rating and #34 ranking. If you want a mobile trading app with stronger third-party recognition and a more highly rated user experience, CMC Markets has the advantage, while IFC Markets still covers the core features most traders need.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

CMC Markets offers a stronger market research experience than IFC Markets, especially for traders who want more news and third-party analysis. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positions, and an economic calendar with upcoming global events. However, CMC Markets goes further by including forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental research. IFC Markets does not offer those same premium news or Autochartist resources.

When it comes to overall research quality, CMC Markets is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers for Research on ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #30 out of 36. In short, both brokers cover the basics well, but CMC Markets gives traders a wider and more useful set of market research tools.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

For beginners looking for trading education, CMC Markets comes out ahead of IFC Markets. CMC Markets offers forex and CFDs learning materials, plus at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos, making it a better fit for traders who want to start simple and move into more detailed topics over time. It is also rated 5 stars for Education and ranks #10 out of 36 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category, which points to a stronger overall learning experience.

IFC Markets also provides forex and CFDs education, along with at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos, so there is still useful content for new traders. However, it does not offer monthly educational webinars, and its Education rating is lower at 3.5 stars, with a rank of #25 out of 36. For beginners comparing the two, CMC Markets offers the clearer edge in both quality and depth of educational resources.

Feature CMC Markets logoCMC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Webinars info No No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

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 #33.

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 logoCMC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with CMC Markets or IFC Markets?

CMC Markets and IFC Markets are online brokers that do not allow buying actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both do offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.

What funding options does each broker offer?

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.

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Overall Rating CMC Markets IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review
Broker Screenshots CMC Markets IFC Markets
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
CMC Markets Next Generation mobile trade ticket order. CMC Markets Next Generation web platform layout light theme CMC Markets research weekly outlook detail. CMC Markets OPTO Podcast.
Regulation CMC Markets IFC Markets
Trust Score info 99 73
Year Founded info 1989 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 1 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 5
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) CMC Markets IFC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) CMC Markets IFC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info Yes
India (SEBI Authorised) info No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments CMC Markets IFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 12029 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 141 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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 account info 1.3 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.65 info 1.1 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info No Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding CMC Markets IFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $0 $1
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
Trading Platforms CMC Markets IFC Markets
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools CMC Markets IFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 73 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading CMC Markets IFC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 29 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research CMC Markets IFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education CMC Markets IFC Markets
Webinars info No No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs CMC Markets IFC Markets
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review CMC Markets Review
Overall CMC Markets IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Winner check_circle
Review CMC Markets Review
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