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 and IFC Markets are established online brokers, founded in 2007 and 2006 respectively. A key difference is that eToro is publicly traded, while IFC Markets remains privately held. Despite both not being banks, eToro stands out with three Tier-1 licenses, indicative of a high trust level as per ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, IFC Markets holds no Tier-1 licenses but maintains one Tier-2 license, denoting a trusted status.
Regarding trust scores, eToro receives a high rating of 96 out of 99, qualifying it as highly trusted. IFC Markets, on the other hand, has a trust score of 73, categorized as an average risk. These scores reflect the robust regulatory frameworks and public transparency that sets eToro apart in the online brokering landscape.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing eToro and IFC Markets for commissions and fees, traders will notice distinct differences. eToro stands out with a market-maker model, featuring a typical variable spread of 1 pip on EUR/USD, which is slightly higher than the average in the industry. Despite this, many retail traders are drawn to eToro for its dynamic social copy trading platform rather than its spread. eToro also provides a VIP club with five membership tiers, ranging from Silver to Diamond, for traders maintaining balances between $5,000 and $250,000. These tiers offer different benefits, including access to Trading Central, discounted withdrawal and deposit fees, and dedicated account managers.
In contrast, IFC Markets presents an average spread for EUR/USD at 1.44 pips, making it less competitive against the industry standard of 1.08 pips. However, more active traders can benefit from IFC Market's new ECN account, which offers effectively better spreads of 1.1 pips when considering the 0.005% commission applied to both sides of a trade. Additionally, the lack of inactivity fees and the availability of active trader discounts provide further financial advantages for users seeking efficiency in their trading activities.
Both brokers are highly regarded but rated differently in terms of commissions and fees. eToro achieves a rating of 4.5 stars and ranks #22 out of 63 brokers as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, IFC Markets receives a 4-star rating and ranks #39, showing that while both platforms offer quality services, eToro may be slightly more favorable in this specific category.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
eToro and IFC Markets are both popular online brokers offering a variety of investment options, catering to diverse needs. eToro stands out with an impressive selection of 5,461 tradeable symbols, including 55 forex pairs. It provides investors the unique opportunity to purchase actual stocks and cryptocurrencies, unlike IFC Markets which specializes in contracts for difference (CFDs). ETFs and copy trading features also enhance eToro's appeal, allowing users to mirror the trades of successful investors. Rated 5 stars and ranked 10th by ForexBrokers.com for its range of investments, eToro provides a comprehensive platform for those wanting a broad spectrum of opportunities, both in the U.S. and globally.
Conversely, IFC Markets offers a more focused range of 630 tradeable symbols, including 49 forex pairs. While it does not offer direct purchase of U.S. exchange-traded securities, it does provide access to international stocks like those listed on the London Stock Exchange. IFC Markets also features copy trading and the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing strategic diversification without purchasing the actual assets. Despite possessing a smaller offering, IFC Markets maintains a respectable 3.5-star rating and is ranked 43rd by ForexBrokers.com for its investment range, appealing to traders who prioritize CFD trading solutions.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, both eToro and IFC Markets provide appealing options for traders, each with unique strengths. eToro is well-suited for those who appreciate innovation in trading features, as it offers a proprietary platform with a highly-rated web-based interface. It stands out for its user-friendly copy trading capabilities, enabling traders to easily replicate the trades of seasoned investors. However, eToro does not provide a desktop platform for Windows users nor support for MetaTrader 4 or 5, which are widely favored for their comprehensive trading tools. On the other hand, IFC Markets shines with its availability of a Windows-based desktop platform and full support for both MetaTrader 4 and 5, catering to traders who value these time-tested platforms for their advanced functionalities. While eToro offers an impressive array of 161 drawing tools for charting, IFC Markets supports trading directly from charts, an advantage for real-time decision-making.
eToro is recognized as a top-tier choice, ranked #8 among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its trading platforms and tools, boasting a 4.5-star rating. This reflects its broad appeal to traders who prioritize seamless user experience and social trading features. Conversely, IFC Markets holds a 4-star rating and is ranked #36, which reveals its solid, yet perhaps more traditional, offerings in trading platforms and technical tools. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, making them accessible for beginners eager to practice and familiarize themselves with the trading environment before committing real funds. Whether you choose eToro's cutting-edge style or IFC Markets' classic and versatile approach depends on your specific trading needs and platform preferences.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both eToro and IFC Markets provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, allowing seamless access to stock and forex markets on the go. Each app supports essential features such as real-time quotes, price alerts, and watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and the client's online account. This ensures that users can manage their investments efficiently from any device. However, eToro stands out by offering 104 technical studies for chart analysis, compared to IFC Markets' 30, making it more appealing for those who rely heavily on technical analysis.
While IFC Markets allows users to draw trendlines on charts and automatically save these drawings, eToro does not, which could be a consideration for traders who value these features in their technical setups. Despite this, eToro offers a slightly better overall user experience, as reflected in its higher user rating of 4.5 stars compared to IFC Markets' 4 stars. In the competitive landscape of mobile trading apps, eToro ranks significantly higher at #10 out of 63 brokers, versus IFC Markets, which ranks #52, indicating a more favorable reception by users and industry experts alike.
| Feature |
eToro
|
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 | 104 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing eToro and IFC Markets in terms of market research, both platforms provide daily market commentary and offer an economic calendar to help investors stay informed about upcoming global economic events. However, eToro distinguishes itself by providing users with access to Trading Central's technical analysis tools and market research from TipRanks, while IFC Markets does not offer these features. Both brokers lack forex news from top-tier sources and tools from Autochartist, but they offer sentiment-based trading tools to help users gauge market trends. Unfortunately, neither platform provides tools from Acuity Trading.
eToro is rated at 4.5 stars out of 5 for research, reflecting its wider array of tools and resources, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars in the same category. According to rankings by ForexBrokers.com, eToro holds the 13th position out of 63 brokers, demonstrating its strength in research offerings, whereas IFC Markets is ranked 40th, indicating room for improvement in this area. These ratings highlight eToro's edge in market research tools and resources available to its users.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners on eToro and IFC Markets, both platforms provide a solid foundation with a wide array of materials, including at least ten pieces each focused on forex or CFDs. Additionally, each offers more than ten beginner educational videos covering essential trading topics. Where eToro stands out is in its commitment to providing ongoing learning opportunities through monthly online webinars and a comprehensive archive of past sessions. This feature enhances accessibility and allows learners to revisit valuable content at their own pace, giving eToro an edge in interactive education.
Both eToro and IFC Markets cater to more experienced traders with a robust selection of advanced educational videos, ensuring continued education beyond the beginner level. Each platform also features an extensive investor dictionary, making these terms easily understandable. In a broader context, eToro achieves a higher education rating (4.5 stars) compared to IFC Markets (3.5 stars), reflecting its richer and more dynamic educational offerings. Rankings by ForexBrokers.com place eToro in the top tier, ranking it 5th out of 63 brokers for education, indicating a stronger emphasis and execution of educational resources, while IFC Markets lands at 30th. This suggests that beginners might find eToro a more engaging and comprehensive option for learning about online trading.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 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
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 |
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In comparing online broker platforms, eToro offers the ability to purchase both actual cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas IFC Markets provides options solely for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers, eToro offers a more extensive range of deposit and withdrawal options than IFC Markets, providing ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Skrill alongside Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas IFC Markets only supports Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions.
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 | eToro | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | IFC Markets | |
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| 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 | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 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 | 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) | eToro | 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 | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | 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 | 104 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | eToro | 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 | eToro Review |
| Overall | eToro | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
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