Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Eightcap 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, Eightcap and IFC Markets both bring unique aspects to the table, but they stand apart in terms of regulatory trust. Founded in 2009, Eightcap holds 3 Tier-1 licenses, which are seen as highly trusted by industry standards. With a Trust Score of 85 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com, it falls under the 'trusted' category. While it is not publicly traded or a bank, Eightcap has built a solid reputation in the financial market.
IFC Markets, on the other hand, was founded earlier in 2006 but holds no Tier-1 licenses, and only 1 Tier-2 license, which is rated as trusted. With a Trust Score of 73, IFC Markets is considered to be of average risk, slightly below Eightcap in trustworthiness. Similar to Eightcap, IFC Markets is neither a publicly traded company nor a bank. Understanding these distinctions can help consumers decide which platform better aligns with their financial goals and comfort with risk.
| Feature |
Eightcap
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Eightcap to IFC Markets, both brokers offer distinct account options tailored to different trading styles. Eightcap provides two types of accounts across various regions, including Australia, the Bahamas, the U.K., and Cyprus. Traders can choose between the commission-based Raw account and the Standard account, which relies solely on spreads. The Raw account features an appealing average spread of 0.06 pips, but when combined with a $3.50 commission per trade, the effective cost comes to about 0.76 pips. This rate is slightly below the industry average of 0.8 pips, yet Eightcap remains slightly pricier compared to the most affordable forex brokers. Eightcap earns a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars in commissions and fees and ranks #26 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets, on the other hand, presents a less competitive average spread of 1.44 pips for the popular EUR/USD currency pair, higher than the industry benchmark of 1.08 pips. However, more active traders may find value in IFC Market's ECN account, which offers effective spreads of 1.1 pips when considering a 0.005% commission per side. Additionally, IFC Markets eliminates inactivity fees and offers active trader discounts, presenting financial incentives for frequent traders. IFC Markets also receives a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, though it ranks lower at #39 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Eightcap
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.0 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.76 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing Eightcap and IFC Markets in terms of their range of investments, both brokers provide a varied selection, yet with some differences. Eightcap offers 800 tradeable symbols, which surpasses IFC Markets' 630 symbols. In terms of forex pairs, Eightcap also has the edge by providing 56 pairs compared to IFC Markets' 49. Both brokers excel in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts and offer copy trading as a feature. However, neither platform allows clients to purchase actual cryptocurrencies; they only offer cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Eightcap and IFC Markets do not offer exchange traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but IFC Markets stands out by providing these on international exchanges. Interestingly, both brokers received the same rating of 3.5 stars for their range of investments. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks Eightcap slightly higher at position 40, compared to IFC Markets at position 43 out of 63 brokers assessed. Ultimately, while both brokers share similarities, Eightcap offers a slight numerical advantage in the variety of tradeable symbols and forex pairs.
| Feature |
Eightcap
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 800 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 56 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms of Eightcap and IFC Markets, both brokers offer a rich environment for traders with virtual demo accounts to practice simulated trading. While Eightcap lacks a proprietary platform, relying instead on well-established third-party options, IFC Markets provides its own in-house software. Both brokers support the widely-used MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, allowing for enhanced trading functionality. For those preferring flexibility, each broker provides web-based platforms and Windows-compatible desktop downloads. Additionally, both offer copy trading features but do not support DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, making them equally competitive in this niche.
Charting options are nearly identical between the two, each offering 15 drawing tools and the convenience of trading directly from charts. Their watch lists also match, with seven fields available for customization. While both receive a strong four-star rating for their platforms and tools, IFC Markets slightly edges out Eightcap in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, placing 36th compared to Eightcap's 38th out of 63 competitors. This subtle difference underscores IFC Markets' small advantage in platform distinction, despite the overall similarity in offerings.
| Feature |
Eightcap
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| 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.
Both Eightcap and IFC Markets offer comprehensive mobile trading apps available for iPhone and Android users. These platforms allow users to receive real-time stock and forex price alerts and support the synchronization of watchlists, ensuring that changes are reflected across both mobile and desktop platforms. With 30 technical studies available in the charting tools and the ability to draw trendlines, both apps cater to traders seeking to perform detailed technical analysis on their mobile devices.
Moreover, Eightcap and IFC Markets support the viewing of multiple time frames, such as daily, weekly, or intraday, and conveniently auto-save any drawings made on the charts. Users can also create watchlists with real-time quotes for quick tracking of their favorite assets. While both Eightcap and IFC Markets are awarded four stars in their mobile trading app ratings, Eightcap has a slightly higher ranking of #38 compared to IFC Markets' rank of #52 as per ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers. This distinction may influence traders looking to choose between these two platforms based on their ranking.
| Feature |
Eightcap
|
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 | 30 | 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 considering market research features, both Eightcap and IFC Markets provide daily market commentary, keeping traders informed with regular insights. However, neither broker offers forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg or Reuters. Both platforms also lack advanced technical or fundamental tools from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, which could be a limitation for traders relying on detailed market analysis tools. On a positive note, each broker does offer a sentiment-based trading tool, allowing investors to see the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, bringing some depth to their trade analysis.
Eightcap and IFC Markets both include an economic calendar, presenting current and upcoming global news events, which can be vital for those interested in fundamental analysis. Despite these similarities, both brokers have room for improvement in their range of market research tools, as indicated by their equal ratings of 3.5 out of 5 stars for research. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, Eightcap slightly edges past IFC Markets, holding the 39th position compared to IFC Markets' ranking at 40th place among 63 brokers. Consequently, traders seeking extensive research tools might need to look beyond these brokers, but for basic analysis and sentiment insights, they stand on similar footing.
| Feature |
Eightcap
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| 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 newcomers, Eightcap and IFC Markets offer solid options in the world of online trading. Both brokers provide at least 10 educational materials on forex and CFDs, including articles and videos, catering to beginners. Eightcap shines with a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, which sets it apart for those who appreciate learning at their own pace. However, neither company hosts live monthly webinars, potentially lacking that interactive learning component some may seek. Novices will find plenty of beginner trading videos with either broker, but while Eightcap focuses on foundational education, IFC Markets also extends its curriculum to advanced learners with more specialized content.
Both Eightcap and IFC Markets offer a comprehensive investor dictionary, each covering over 50 investment terms, making them useful tools for traders keen on mastering trading jargon. When it comes to ratings, both companies receive a sturdy 3.5-star rating for their educational offerings. However, IFC Markets slightly edges out Eightcap in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #30 out of 63, while Eightcap follows at #40. This slight difference could make IFC Markets a more appealing choice for those looking for a broader spectrum of educational resources.
| Feature |
Eightcap
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | 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 Eightcap is better than IFC Markets. Eightcap finished with an overall rank of #38, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Eightcap enhances its status as a MetaTrader-only broker with support for a suite of third-party plug-ins, including TradingView.
| Feature |
Eightcap
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 85 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Eightcap and IFC Markets offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither broker provides the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
When comparing online brokers Eightcap and IFC Markets on payment options, Eightcap offers more flexibility with PayPal and Skrill in addition to bank wires and Visa or Mastercard, whereas IFC Markets provides only Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, lacking both PayPal and Skrill as deposit or withdrawal methods.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Eightcap Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 800 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 56 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.0 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.76 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Eightcap | 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 | 30 | 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 | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Eightcap | 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 | Eightcap Review |
| Overall | Eightcap | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Eightcap Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill