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.
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.
FP Markets, established in 2005, and IFC Markets, founded a year later, are both prominent online brokers, although neither is publicly traded or operates as a bank. When evaluating their trust levels, FP Markets takes the lead with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 89, categorizing it as a trusted broker. This higher score is backed by FP Markets' possession of two Tier-1 licenses, recognized as highly trusted, along with one Tier-2 license, which is regarded as trusted.
In comparison, IFC Markets holds a Trust Score of 73, which places it in the average risk category according to ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets lacks any Tier-1 licenses but does have one Tier-2 license, indicating a measure of trust. For traders prioritizing regulatory standing, FP Markets offers a stronger position due to its higher trust score and licensing credentials.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2005 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing FP Markets and IFC Markets in terms of commissions and fees, FP Markets emerges as a top contender. Rated 5 stars in this category, it ranks 6th out of 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. FP Markets provides competitive pricing, especially through its commission-based Raw ECN account on MetaTrader and cTrader platforms, which sees spreads averaging 0.1 pips. For the cost-conscious trader, this account turns the all-in cost to an average of 0.8 pips after commission. Moreover, its share CFD offering on Iress grants Direct Market Access (DMA), making it appealing for traders who appreciate full depth of book visibility. Despite these advantages, FP Markets' Iress platform options do demand significant account balances or high monthly trading activity to offset fees.
In contrast, IFC Markets is rated 4 stars for commissions and fees, with a ranking of 39th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Their average spread for popular pairs like EUR/USD is 1.44 pips, which leans on the higher side compared to FP Markets. However, for active traders, the ECN account becomes more advantageous, effectively lowering spreads to 1.1 pips after including the 0.005% commission on both trade sides. IFC Markets further offers zero inactivity fees and active trader discounts, providing additional cost-saving opportunities that might appeal to traders who prefer a simpler fee structure.
Overall, FP Markets stands out with its specialized accounts that cater to different trading styles and offers substantial savings for those who opt for its ECN account. Meanwhile, IFC Markets offers viable options for active traders looking for reduced spreads without being burdened by inactivity fees. Each broker provides distinct advantages, depending on the trader’s balance, activity level, and platform preferences.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 AUD | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | 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.
FP Markets and IFC Markets both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, making them viable options for those interested in forex investments. FP Markets stands out with a vast array of 10,000 tradeable symbols compared to IFC Markets' 630. Specifically, FP Markets provides 71 tradeable forex pairs, outshining IFC Markets' 49 pairs. However, neither broker provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, though IFC Markets does allow purchases on international exchanges, unlike FP Markets.
Both FP Markets and IFC Markets support copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, though not actual cryptocurrencies. When it comes to the range of investments, FP Markets is rated higher with 4.5 stars and ranks #18 in investment range among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, IFC Markets holds a lower rating of 3.5 stars and ranks at #43, indicating a narrower scope of investment options. Overall, FP Markets offers a broader selection for diverse trading needs.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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.
FP Markets and IFC Markets both offer comprehensive trading platforms and tools, catering to various trading needs. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts for practice and develop their own proprietary platforms. They support Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based trading platforms, enabling seamless trades across devices. MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are available with both brokers, though neither offers integration with DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. When it comes to charting tools, FP Markets slightly edges out IFC Markets with 17 drawing tools compared to IFC's 15. However, both brokers allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts and provide seven customizable fields in watch lists.
In terms of trading platform performance and available tools, FP Markets and IFC Markets receive an equal rating of four out of five stars from ForexBrokers.com. Yet, FP Markets is ranked higher at #23, while IFC Markets comes in at #36 out of a total of 63 brokers reviewed. This ranking reflects FP Markets' slightly more favorable standing in the competitive landscape, despite both brokers offering similar platform capabilities and features. Overall, traders can expect a solid trading experience from either broker, with minor differences that may appeal to individual preferences.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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) | 17 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both FP Markets and IFC Markets provide mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, catering to traders on the go. Users of either app can set stock or forex price alerts, which ensures they never miss important market movements. While both platforms allow for the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, only IFC Markets offers the added convenience of watchlist symbol syncing—allowing seamless updates between mobile and online accounts. Charting functionalities are also strong in both apps, with capabilities such as drawing trendlines and viewing different time frames. However, when it comes to technical studies, IFC Markets offers 30 built-in options, contrasting with FP Markets' MetaTrader default settings. Both apps save chart drawings automatically, making it easy to keep track of your technical analysis over time.
In terms of user ratings and industry rankings, both FP Markets and IFC Markets receive a commendable 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. However, FP Markets edges ahead in the competitive landscape, ranking 18th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is ranked 52nd. This suggests that while both platforms provide strong mobile trading offerings, FP Markets might have a slight edge in features and functionality according to industry experts.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | MetaTrader (Default) | 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 it comes to market research offerings, FP Markets stands out by providing daily market commentary and forex news from top sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which IFC Markets does not. FP Markets also offers advanced research tools from companies such as Autochartist and Trading Central, whereas IFC Markets lacks these features. Both brokers provide a sentiment-based trading tool and maintain an economic calendar for global news events. However, neither broker includes market research from TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading.
Considering the overall research capabilities, FP Markets earns a superior rating of 4 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. Additionally, FP Markets is ranked #25 in the Research category by ForexBrokers.com, ahead of IFC Markets, which holds the #40 position. These differences make FP Markets a compelling choice for traders seeking comprehensive market insights and analysis tools.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, FP Markets and IFC Markets both offer a variety of tools to help newcomers get started in forex and CFD trading. Both brokers provide at least ten articles, videos, or archived webinars focused on these subjects, making it easy for beginners to access basic information. Additionally, both platforms have over ten beginner educational videos, ensuring ample coverage of essential trading topics. For those looking for a deeper dive, advanced trading videos are also available, catering to more experienced traders on both platforms. Notably, each broker provides an investor dictionary, featuring over 50 investing terms, which can help demystify complex financial jargon for beginners.
FP Markets, however, pulls ahead with a few extra offerings for beginners. It hosts monthly online educational webinars and maintains a searchable archive of previously recorded sessions, making it easier for traders to learn at their own pace and revisit valuable content. In contrast, IFC Markets does not offer regular webinars or a searchable archive. These additional resources contribute to FP Markets receiving a higher education rating of 4 out of 5 stars, ranked #23 out of 63 by ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets, while still providing useful educational resources, holds a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars and ranks #30. These distinctions highlight FP Markets as a more comprehensive choice for educational support, especially for those who value webinars and on-demand learning materials.
| Feature |
FP Markets
|
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 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 #45.
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 9,000 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
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 89 | 73 |
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Neither FP Markets nor IFC Markets offers the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both provide options to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers FP Markets and IFC Markets, while neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers, FP Markets stands out by offering PayPal and Skrill for deposits and withdrawals, in addition to Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, whereas IFC Markets lacks PayPal and Skrill, supporting only Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers.
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 | 89 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review |
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| Regulation | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 89 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2005 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FP Markets | 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) | No | 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) | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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 | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.7 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| 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 | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FP Markets | 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) | 17 | 15 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | MetaTrader (Default) | 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 | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FP Markets | 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 | FP Markets | 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 | FP Markets Review |
| Overall | FP Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 89 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FP Markets Review |
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