Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IFC Markets vs Earn, 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.
Both IFC Markets and Earn provide online brokerage services with different regulatory strengths. IFC Markets, established in 2006, holds one Tier-2 license, suggesting a generally trusted status. With a Trust Score of 73 from ForexBrokers.com, it falls into the average risk category. Conversely, Earn, operating since 1994, holds one Tier-1 license, marking it as highly trusted, though its overall Trust Score of 71 also places it in the average risk category. Neither company is publicly traded or operates as a bank, highlighting similarities in their organizational structures.
Despite IFC Markets' and Earn's long histories in the brokerage industry, the slight difference in their Trust Scores indicates similar levels of trust but different approaches to regulation. IFC Markets is backed by a Tier-2 license, while Earn relies on its Tier-1 licensing for credibility. Their Trust Scores reflect moderate reliability, so potential investors should consider these scores alongside the specific licenses each broker holds when deciding between them.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1994 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
When comparing online brokers IFC Markets and Earn on commissions and fees, IFC Markets offers an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips, which exceeds the industry average of 1.08 pips, making it slightly less competitive. However, active traders using IFC Markets' ECN account benefit from tighter effective spreads of 1.1 pips, with a commission of 0.005% on both trade sides enhancing this option. Additionally, IFC Markets does not charge inactivity fees and provides active trader discounts, which adds potential savings for frequent traders.
Unfortunately, Earn does not provide specific average spread data, which can make it challenging for potential users to evaluate its cost competitiveness directly. However, both IFC Markets and Earn receive a solid four-star rating out of five for their commissions and fees, signaling satisfactory offerings in this category.
In terms of rankings, IFC Markets holds the 39th spot out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com, while Earn ranks slightly lower at 45th. This comparison highlights both brokers' strengths, with IFC Markets offering clear spread data and potential savings for active traders, while Earn maintains a reputable position despite the lack of detailed spread information.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When evaluating the range of investments offered by IFC Markets and Earn, both platforms cater to clients interested in trading forex as either a CFD or spot contract. IFC Markets provides access to 630 tradeable symbols, whereas Earn offers 500, allowing for diverse trading opportunities. While IFC Markets includes 49 forex pairs, Earn goes further with 61 pairs. Neither broker facilitates the purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges like Apple shares, but IFC Markets stands out by allowing trades on international exchanges such as Vodafone shares, an option not available with Earn.
Both brokers offer crypto derivatives, although neither provides direct cryptocurrency purchases. They also support copy trading, appealing to users who wish to mirror the strategies of seasoned traders. Each broker earns a 3.5-star rating for their range of investments and while IFC Markets ranks slightly higher at #43 compared to Earn’s #45 in ForexBrokers.com's category ranking, the selection of investment options suits a broad range of trading appetites.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 61 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
Both IFC Markets and Earn provide traders with the opportunity to practice their strategies using simulated trading accounts. For those interested in proprietary platforms, IFC Markets offers an in-house developed option, whereas Earn does not have its own platform. Both brokers supply a Windows desktop version along with web-based platforms, ensuring flexibility in access. With support for popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, both IFC Markets and Earn cater to a wide range of trading preferences. While ZuluTrade is an available copy trading feature for Earn, it is absent from IFC Markets. Neither broker includes DupliTrade in their offerings.
When it comes to charting tools, IFC Markets and Earn mirror each other with 15 drawing tools available for traders to use while analyzing market movements. Both firms offer the functionality to trade directly from stock charts and provide watch lists featuring seven customizable columns. Despite their similarities, IFC Markets edges ahead slightly in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, holding a position of 36 out of 63 brokers for their trading platforms and tools, compared to Earn which sits at rank 51. Both brokers receive a commendable 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, indicating a solid offering for traders looking for comprehensive market engagement options.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 35 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of IFC Markets and Earn, both brokers provide apps for iPhone and Android devices. They also offer features like stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and various time frames for charts. One key advantage of IFC Markets is its seamless syncing of watchlists between the mobile app and online account, a feature Earn does not offer. However, Earn slightly surpasses IFC Markets with 35 technical studies available for charting compared to IFC Markets' 30 options.
When it comes to creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both platforms perform equally well, and they both ensure auto-saving of chart drawings. In terms of user ratings, each app holds a solid four-star review. Notably, though, Earn ranks higher at #27 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets stands at #52, indicating a slightly more favorable reception for Earn's mobile trading app among users and reviewers alike.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 |
| 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 the market research offerings of IFC Markets and Earn, both provide daily market commentary and access to an economic calendar that highlights key global news events. However, a significant difference lies in the forex news coverage: Earn delivers updates from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas IFC Markets does not. This distinct advantage can arm traders using Earn with potentially more comprehensive insights into market movements.
Both brokers lack support for popular research tools from companies like Autochartist, Trading Central, and Acuity Trading, and neither offers insights from TipRanks. Where IFC Markets differentiates itself is with its sentiment-based trading tool that helps traders discern the market's long or short biases across various currency pairs. Both received a research rating of 3.5 stars, with Earn slightly outranking IFC Markets at #38 compared to #40 in a review of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. This ranking suggests that while both brokers are competitive, Earn's inclusion of high-caliber forex news gives it a slight edge in the market research category.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, IFC Markets distinctly has more to offer compared to Earn. IFC Markets provides a substantial variety of educational content, including at least 10 different articles, videos, or archived webinars focused on forex or CFDs, ensuring that newcomers have ample resources to learn from. Additionally, they offer over 10 beginner-friendly videos that simplify trading topics for those just starting out. For those looking to expand their knowledge further, IFC Markets also presents over 10 advanced videos designed for those with more experience in the trading world. Meanwhile, Earn fails to meet these educational offerings, with no comparable range of beginner or advanced educational content.
Both brokers, IFC Markets and Earn, do not host monthly client webinars or maintain archives of past webinars. However, IFC Markets stands out with its investor dictionary, featuring definitions for over 50 investing terms, which is a helpful tool for beginners aiming to get comfortable with industry jargon. Earn does not provide such a resource. Although both brokers share the same education rating of 3.5 stars out of five, there is a stark difference in their rankings in the education category on ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets is placed at #30 out of 63 brokers, showcasing a stronger emphasis on educational materials compared to Earn, which is positioned at a much lower #62.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IFC Markets is better than Earn. IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45, while Earn finished with an overall rank of #50.
IFC Markets is a well-established broker that has been in operation for 17 years. Forex traders at IFC Markets gain access to multiple trading platforms, a growing range of tradeable markets, and a balanced offering of research and educational content. However, IFC Markets’ Trust Score suffers due to the broker’s limited range of regulatory licenses.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
Earn
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 71 |
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Both IFC Markets and Earn do not provide the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing the online brokers IFC Markets and Earn in terms of deposit and withdrawal options, both platforms provide support for Visa or Mastercard and bank wire transactions, but only Earn offers the option to use Skrill, while neither supports ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transfers.
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 | IFC Markets | Earn | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | IFC Markets | Earn | |
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| Regulation | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 1994 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 61 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 35 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 | |
| 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 | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IFC Markets | Earn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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