Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FP Markets vs IFC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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Comparing the online brokers FP Markets (founded 2005) and IFC Markets (founded 2006): neither is publicly traded or a bank. In terms of regulation, FP Markets holds 2 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) plus 1 Tier-2 license (trusted), while IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses.
Safety scores echo this difference. FP Markets earns a 90/99 Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com (highly trusted), whereas IFC Markets scores 73/99 (average risk). For context, ForexBrokers.com rates 90–99 as highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and 59 or less not trusted.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2005 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
FP Markets is the stronger choice for commissions and fees overall, thanks to its low-cost Raw ECN pricing on MetaTrader and cTrader. Its Raw ECN account can average around 0.1 pips on EUR/USD before commission, or about 0.8 pips all-in, while its Standard account is more expensive at around 1.1 pips. FP Markets also earned Best in Class for Commissions and Fees in our 2024 Annual Awards. It holds a 4.5-star rating and is ranked #11 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees by ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets is decent, but its pricing is not as competitive as FP Markets for most traders. Its average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips, which is above the industry average, though its ECN account improves the picture with effective spreads around 1.1 pips after commission. The broker also stands out for not charging inactivity fees and for offering active trader discounts. IFC Markets has a 4-star rating and is ranked #33 out of 36 brokers in the commissions and fees category.
In simple terms, FP Markets is the lower-cost option for frequent traders who want tighter spreads and better all-in pricing, especially on commission-based accounts. IFC Markets may still appeal to traders who value no inactivity fee and occasional discounts, but it generally comes out behind FP Markets on overall trading costs.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 AUD | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FP Markets offers a wider range of investments than IFC Markets, making it the stronger choice for traders who want more variety. Both brokers support forex trading, copy trading, and cryptocurrency CFDs, but FP Markets stands out with about 10,000 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, compared with IFC Markets’ 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. FP Markets is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 17th out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks 32nd.
One area where IFC Markets has an edge is access to exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, such as shares listed outside the U.S., which FP Markets does not offer. However, neither broker provides U.S.-listed exchange-traded securities or the ability to buy actual cryptocurrencies. For most investors focused on forex, CFDs, and overall market choice, FP Markets offers the broader selection, while IFC Markets may appeal to those who want some international stock access alongside trading CFDs.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | 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.
FP Markets and IFC Markets both give traders a wide set of platform choices, including a free demo account, their own in-house platform, Windows desktop software, web-based trading, copy trading, and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each also lets users trade straight from charts, which can make order entry quicker and easier for beginners and active traders alike. Based on ForexBrokers.com, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools.
When it comes to overall ranking, FP Markets comes out ahead of IFC Markets in this category, placing #22 out of 36 brokers compared with IFC Markets at #30. Since both brokers offer the same core platform features, the main difference is in their category score and ranking, with FP Markets holding a stronger position overall for trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FP Markets and IFC Markets both cover the basics well for mobile trading, with iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. Each broker is also rated 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps. However, FP Markets uses the default MetaTrader charting setup in its app, while IFC Markets gives traders access to 30 technical studies, which may appeal to those who want more built-in chart tools on the go.
Where IFC Markets stands out is watchlist syncing: changes made in the mobile app can sync with the client’s online account, which makes it easier to keep track of symbols across devices. FP Markets does not offer this feature. In ForexBrokers.com’s mobile trading apps ranking, FP Markets places higher at #20 out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at #35, so FP Markets has the stronger overall position even though IFC Markets offers more watchlist convenience and chart studies.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | MetaTrader (Default) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FP Markets and IFC Markets both give traders daily market commentary, a sentiment tool showing long and short positioning, and an economic calendar for tracking upcoming global events. That said, FP Markets goes further for market research by adding news from top sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus research tools from Autochartist and Trading Central. IFC Markets does not offer those extra news and research features, which makes its research offering more limited overall.
That gap shows up in the ratings as well. FP Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #22 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #31. In simple terms, both brokers cover the basics well, but FP Markets provides a wider mix of research tools and higher-quality news coverage for traders who want more market insight.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
FP Markets and IFC Markets both give beginners a good amount of learning material, including at least 10 beginner trading videos and at least 10 advanced videos for more experienced traders. Both brokers also offer forex or CFDs education through a wide range of learning content, so new traders can find basic market knowledge and more in-depth topics in one place. That said, FP Markets has a clearer edge for learners who want live teaching support, because it offers online educational client webinars at least once a month, while IFC Markets does not.
Overall, FP Markets comes out ahead for education with a 4-star rating and a #22 rank out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with IFC Markets’ 3.5-star rating and #25 ranking. For beginners, this means both brokers can help you get started, but FP Markets may be the better fit if you want more regular guidance and live learning opportunities.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
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 FP Markets is better than IFC Markets. FP Markets finished with an overall rank of #19, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #34.
FP Markets shines as a low-cost broker for trading forex and CFDs – as long as you use the MetaTrader platform. The Iress platform suite offers well over 10,000 tradeable symbols, but it’s mostly a share trading platform – and is generally a much pricier option.
| Feature |
FP Markets
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IFC Markets
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 90 | 73 |
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In the FP Markets vs IFC Markets comparison for cryptocurrency trading, neither broker supports purchasing actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but both provide access to trade cryptocurrency CFDs.
FP Markets vs IFC Markets: for deposits and withdrawals, both lack ACH or SEPA but support bank wires; FP Markets additionally supports PayPal and Skrill while IFC Markets does not, and 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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 90 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2005 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | 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 | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.3 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 AUD | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | MetaTrader (Default) | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FP Markets | 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 | FP Markets Review |
| Overall | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review |
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