Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro 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.
eToro vs IFC Markets: eToro, founded in 2007, is publicly traded and not a bank; IFC Markets, founded in 2006, is privately held and also not a bank. On ForexBrokers.com’s 99-point Trust Score—where 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and under 59 not trusted—eToro scores 96 (highly trusted), while IFC Markets scores 73 (average risk).
Regulation is a key difference. eToro holds 4 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) and 1 Tier-2 license, compared with IFC Markets’ 0 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license. This stronger regulatory footprint helps explain eToro’s higher Trust Score and can matter to traders seeking a well-regulated online broker.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
eToro is a market-maker broker with a typical variable spread of 1 pip on EUR/USD, which is slightly higher than the industry average. Many retail traders choose eToro more for its social copy trading features than for ultra-low spreads. eToro also runs a five-tier VIP program (eToro Club) for balances from $5,000 to $250,000, offering perks like access to Trading Central, discounted withdrawal and deposit fees, and a dedicated account manager. For commissions and fees, eToro earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #23 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets lists an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44, above the industry average of 1.08. Active traders can lower costs with IFC Markets’ ECN account, where effective spreads are about 1.1 pips after a 0.005% commission on both sides of each trade. The broker does not charge inactivity fees and offers active trader discounts, which can further reduce expenses. IFC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #40 out of 63 on ForexBrokers.com.
In short, eToro’s appeal lies in copy trading and VIP-style benefits, while IFC Markets can trim costs for frequent traders through its ECN setup and lack of inactivity fees. Both brokers’ default EUR/USD pricing sits above the industry average, so the better fit depends on whether you value social features and membership perks (eToro) or an ECN option and potential discounts for active trading (IFC Markets).
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | N/A | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing eToro vs IFC Markets for range of investments: eToro offers 7,441 tradeable symbols and 55 forex pairs, while IFC Markets lists 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts and both support copy trading. For Range of Investments, eToro scores 5 stars (ranked #11 of 63), whereas IFC Markets earns 3.5 stars (ranked #44 of 63).
Asset access differs more clearly. eToro lets clients buy exchange-traded stocks on both U.S. and international exchanges (not just CFDs), while IFC Markets offers exchange-traded shares on international markets but not U.S. exchanges. In crypto, eToro supports both actual coins and crypto CFDs; IFC Markets supports crypto via CFDs only. If you want the broadest selection including U.S. shares and real cryptocurrency, eToro stands out; if you mainly need forex, CFDs, and access to some international stocks, IFC Markets may suffice.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7441 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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.
Comparing eToro vs IFC Markets for trading platforms and tools: both brokers offer free virtual demo (paper) accounts and their own proprietary platforms with web-based access. eToro stands out for copy trading, and IFC Markets also supports copy trading. A key difference is desktop access—eToro does not provide a Windows download platform, while IFC Markets does. Both let you place trades directly from charts, and each includes technical indicators and watchlists to help track markets.
When it comes to third-party platforms, eToro does not support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), whereas IFC Markets offers both MT4 and MT5 alongside its in-house platform. Based on ForexBrokers.com ratings for Trading Platforms and Tools, eToro scores 4.5/5 and ranks #8 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets scores 4/5 and ranks #37. If you need MT4/MT5 or a Windows desktop app, IFC Markets fits better; if you prefer a streamlined web experience with copy trading, eToro is a strong pick.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 106 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
eToro and IFC Markets both offer iPhone and Android trading apps with stock and forex price alerts, plus watchlists that sync between mobile and web. For charting, eToro packs in far more technical studies (104 vs 30), while IFC Markets gives you the ability to draw trendlines and automatically save your chart drawings—features eToro’s app does not include.
In independent testing, eToro’s mobile app earned 4.5 stars and ranked #10 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scored 4 stars and ranked #53. Choose eToro if you want a larger set of indicators and a higher-rated app; pick IFC Markets if built-in drawing tools and saved annotations matter more to your workflow.
| Feature |
eToro
|
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 | 104 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing eToro vs IFC Markets for market research, both brokers deliver daily market commentary, sentiment tools that show long/short positioning, and an economic calendar. The differences show up in third‑party content: eToro streams forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg/Reuters/Dow Jones, while IFC Markets does not. eToro also adds Trading Central tools and TipRanks stock research; IFC Markets lacks both. Neither broker offers Autochartist or Acuity Trading tools.
These features help explain the ratings: eToro earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #13 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #41. If you want richer news and third‑party analytics, eToro is the stronger pick; if your needs are basic commentary, sentiment, and a calendar, IFC Markets covers the essentials.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners comparing eToro vs IFC Markets for trading education, both brokers provide sizable video libraries, with at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced lessons that explain key forex and CFD topics in plain language. The main difference is live instruction: eToro hosts client webinars at least once a month, giving newcomers a chance to ask questions in real time, while IFC Markets does not schedule monthly educational webinars.
Ratings back this up. eToro earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #30. If you want frequent webinars alongside a strong video lineup, eToro is the better fit; if you only need on-demand videos without live sessions, IFC Markets can still cover the basics.
| Feature |
eToro
|
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 eToro is better than IFC Markets. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Compared with IFC Markets, which only offers cryptocurrency trading via CFDs, eToro lets you buy both actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency CFDs.
eToro vs IFC Markets: eToro supports ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire deposits/withdrawals, while IFC Markets offers only bank wire transfers and does not support ACH/SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| 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) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7441 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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 | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | N/A | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 106 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | eToro Review |
| Overall | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill