Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com, established in 1999, stands out in the online brokerage industry with a high Trust Score of 99, reflecting its reliability and credibility. Notably, it is publicly traded and holds seven Tier-1 licenses, which are regarded as highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com. This makes FOREX.com a standout option for those seeking a trusted platform for trading, even though it is not a bank.
On the other hand, IFC Markets, founded in 2006, offers a more moderate level of trust with a Trust Score of 73. While it holds one Tier-2 license, indicating a trusted status, it lacks any Tier-1 licenses. Unlike FOREX.com, IFC Markets is not publicly traded, which may influence investor confidence. Both FOREX.com and IFC Markets are not banks, maintaining their focus purely on online brokerage services.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing FOREX.com with IFC Markets for commissions and fees, FOREX.com stands out with an overall rating of 4.5 stars. This broker is ranked #13 out of 63 by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category. FOREX.com offers various account types, including the Standard account and the commission-based RAW Spread account. The Standard account is ideal for those willing to pay higher spreads, such as 1.4 pips for EUR/USD in the U.S., for market-maker execution. On the other hand, the RAW account provides lower spreads, averaging 0.13 pips for EUR/USD, combined with a $7 per Standard lot commission, making it a suitable option for traders engaging in high-volume trading with its tiered rebate program.
In contrast, IFC Markets receives a slightly lower rating of 4 stars and ranks #39 in the same category as per ForexBrokers.com. While the average spread for EUR/USD stands at 1.44 pips, higher than the industry average of 1.08 pips, active traders can benefit from improved conditions with IFC Market's ECN account, offering spreads as low as 1.1 pips. These spreads come into effect after accounting for a 0.005% commission on both sides of any given trade. An advantage for IFC Markets is the absence of inactivity fees and the presence of active trader discounts, which provide additional financial incentives.
Ultimately, if you are a high-volume trader, FOREX.com's RAW Spread account could offer better value with its competitive spreads and rebate structure. Meanwhile, IFC Markets might appeal more to those seeking a broker without inactivity fees and who benefit from its active trader discounts, despite its slightly higher spreads.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing FOREX.com and IFC Markets, both platforms offer forex trading options through CFDs or spot contracts. However, FOREX.com stands out with an impressive offering of 5,500 tradeable symbols, significantly surpassing IFC Markets which provides 630 symbols. For forex pairs specifically, FOREX.com offers 80, nearly doubling the 49 pairs available through IFC Markets. Both platforms are limited in some respects; neither offers direct access to exchange-traded securities from U.S. exchanges, unlike some other providers in the market.
For investors interested in international exchanges, IFC Markets has the edge by allowing the purchase of securities from such exchanges, unlike FOREX.com. Additionally, IFC Markets supports copy trading, providing an extra layer of flexibility that FOREX.com lacks. When it comes to cryptocurrency investments, both brokers offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but not the actual cryptocurrencies. Reflecting these capabilities, FOREX.com receives a 5-star rating for its range of investments and ranks highly at #7 among 63 brokers, while IFC Markets has a 3.5-star rating and ranks #43 in the same category.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 trading platforms and tools, both FOREX.com and IFC Markets offer comprehensive solutions for traders. They each provide access to free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without financial risk. Both brokers have developed their own proprietary platforms and offer popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Additionally, both offer Windows-based desktop platforms as well as web-based platforms, giving users a variety of ways to access the market. However, IFC Markets stands out by offering copy trading, which is not available on FOREX.com.
In terms of charting tools, FOREX.com exceeds expectations with 239 drawing tools compared to IFC Markets' 15. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, enhancing the user experience. Watch lists at FOREX.com provide more customization with 20 fields, whereas IFC Markets offers 7. When rated by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com receives five stars and ranks 7th among 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools, while IFC Markets receives four stars and is ranked 36th. This highlights FOREX.com's superior offering in terms of trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing FOREX.com and IFC Markets for their mobile trading apps, both platforms offer compatibility with iPhone and Android devices along with features like stock or forex price alerts, and watchlist symbol syncing. Traders can track real-time quotes with watchlists, draw trendlines, and view charts in multiple time frames in both apps. However, FOREX.com takes the lead with offering 88 technical studies for charting compared to IFC Markets' 30, which might appeal to those who rely heavily on technical analysis.
For user experience, FOREX.com’s app received a higher user rating of 5 stars compared to IFC Markets’ 4 stars. Additionally, FOREX.com is ranked 3rd among 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, whereas IFC Markets is positioned at 52nd. This suggests that while both apps provide essential trading features, FOREX.com offers a more enhanced mobile trading experience with better charting options and is generally favored by users.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 | 88 | 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 comparing the market research offerings of online brokers FOREX.com and IFC Markets, potential traders will find distinct differences. Both platforms provide daily market commentary, ensuring users are regularly updated on trends and movements. However, FOREX.com offers a stronger news section with insights from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature IFC Markets lacks. Furthermore, FOREX.com excels in technical analysis support with tools from Trading Central, unlike IFC Markets, which does not provide this capability. Sentiment-based trading tools are available on both platforms, helping traders understand market positions in real-time. Each broker supplies a comprehensive economic calendar, helping investors track global events that might impact trading.
In terms of rankings and ratings, FOREX.com leads significantly in research resources and quality, earning a 4.5-star rating and ranking 9th out of 63 brokers, as per ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets, while still providing essential market research features, trails behind with a 3.5-star rating, placing it at 40th. This disparity reflects their differences in news sourcing and analytical tools. Both brokers do not offer resources from Autochartist, Acuity Trading, or TipRanks, underlining an area for potential improvement. Clearly, FOREX.com stands out for traders who prioritize comprehensive market insights and advanced research tools.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 comparing the educational resources offered by FOREX.com and IFC Markets for beginners, both provide at least 10 educational materials such as articles, videos, and webinars focused on forex and CFDs. However, FOREX.com hosts monthly online webinars for clients, whereas IFC Markets does not. Additionally, FOREX.com provides a searchable archive of recorded webinars, which is not available with IFC Markets. Both brokers offer a series of beginner videos dedicated to trading, alongside advanced video resources for experienced traders. Furthermore, each platform includes a comprehensive investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms.
In terms of educational quality ratings, FOREX.com is rated higher, with a score of 4.5 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. Among 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com holds a commendable 4th place in the education category, while IFC Markets is ranked 30th. This ranking underscores FOREX.com’s more extensive range of educational offerings for traders seeking to expand their knowledge in the financial market, especially for those who prioritize regular webinars and archived learning content.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than IFC Markets. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both FOREX.com and IFC Markets do not allow the purchase of actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers FOREX.com and IFC Markets in terms of funding options, FOREX.com offers more flexibility by supporting ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal, in addition to Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas IFC Markets does not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal, but does offer Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions, making it crucial for users to consider their preferred funding methods when choosing between these platforms.
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 | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
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