Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM 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.
FXCM and IFC Markets are both well-established online brokers, with FXCM having been founded in 1999, and IFC Markets entering the scene in 2006. FXCM is publicly traded, adding an extra layer of transparency for investors, while IFC Markets is privately held. Neither company operates as a bank, which is something potential investors often consider when evaluating their options.
When it comes to trust and regulation, FXCM stands out with a high Trust Score of 95 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, backed by four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. In comparison, IFC Markets has a Trust Score of 73, reflecting an average risk profile with no Tier-1 licenses, but holding one Tier-2 license. These factors are crucial for investors aiming to assess the security and reliability of their chosen online broker.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees in the forex trading world, FXCM offers competitive pricing, especially for those engaged in its Active Trader Rebate Program. FXCM's standard account spreads for the EUR/USD averaged 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings in May 2024, with higher spreads of 1.38 pips noted for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Commission-based accounts from FXCM show low spreads of 0.28 pips, not including commissions. With rebates available for high-volume traders, the effective spread can come down to around 0.74 pips after incorporating commission-equivalent costs.
IFC Markets, on the other hand, presents an average spread of 1.44 pips for the EUR/USD, which slightly exceeds the industry standard of 1.08 pips. However, traders can enjoy better terms of 1.1 pips with an ECN account, factoring in a 0.005% commission on trade sides. IFC Markets scores points with the elimination of inactivity fees and additional active trader discounts, adding some financial perks to its offering.
Both brokers have earned a four-star rating for their commissions and fees. FXCM ranks 24th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com in this category, reflecting its edge in competitive pricing strategies. IFC Markets, although also highly rated with four stars, holds the 39th ranking and offers a less competitive spread structure compared to FXCM’s discount models for active traders.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 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.
FXCM and IFC Markets both provide opportunities for forex trading using CFDs or spot contracts, catering to traders interested in significant global currency markets. FXCM provides its clients with access to 440 tradeable symbols and a selection of 43 forex pairs. Meanwhile, IFC Markets expands its offering with 630 tradeable symbols, featuring 49 forex pairs, giving traders more diversification options. However, neither platform allows trading of exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple shares, with IFC Markets being the sole provider offering access to some international stock exchanges like the London Stock Exchange.
Both brokers support the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, although direct purchase of cryptocurrencies isn't an option. Copy trading is also available on both platforms, assisting traders in replicating successful strategies. Despite their offerings, both FXCM and IFC Markets receive a similar rating of 3.5 stars for their range of investments. However, when evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets marginally outranks FXCM, holding the 43rd position compared to FXCM's 47th out of 63 brokers for investment range.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 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.
FXCM and IFC Markets are both renowned online brokers, offering a range of trading platforms and tools. Both brokers provide simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, as well as proprietary platforms developed in-house. This makes them suitable for both beginners eager to practice and seasoned traders looking for diverse platform choices. Windows-based desktop platforms are available from both brokers, alongside web-based platforms that allow for trading through browsers. Moreover, FXCM and IFC Markets offer popular tools like MetaTrader 4, though IFC Markets stands out by also supporting MetaTrader 5. For copy trading, FXCM provides ZuluTrade, while both brokers enable direct trading from stock charts. FXCM provides 10 drawing tools, while IFC Markets offers 15, catering to traders who emphasize chart analysis.
Despite these similarities, there are notable differences in the features offered by FXCM and IFC Markets. FXCM offers a more extensive setup with 13 columns for watch lists, compared to IFC Markets' 7. Furthermore, FXCM is highly rated with a 5-star ranking for trading platforms and tools, standing out as #6 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, IFC Markets holds a 4-star rating, positioned at #36. These distinctions primarily arise from FXCM's broader array of trading tools and higher customization options in charting. For traders who prioritize advanced platform features and higher industry rankings, FXCM emerges as the slightly better option among these two reputable brokers.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both FXCM and IFC Markets provide solutions for iPhone and Android users, ensuring access to forex and stock trading on the go. Both platforms support price alerts and offer the ability to sync watchlists with online accounts, making it easy to manage your investments seamlessly between devices. Technical traders might find FXCM's offering more appealing, with 59 technical studies available for charting compared to IFC Markets' 30. Both apps allow trendline drawing, viewing of multiple timeframes, and auto-saving of chart annotations, alongside the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes to facilitate efficient trading decisions.
In terms of user satisfaction, FXCM stands out with a rating of 4.5 stars for its mobile trading experience, whereas IFC Markets holds a 4-star rating. ForexBrokers.com positions FXCM significantly higher in the Mobile Trading Apps category, ranking it 16th out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets is placed at 52nd. Overall, while both apps cover essential trading features, FXCM appears to offer a more comprehensive mobile trading environment, potentially making it a better choice for those who value extensive charting tools and integration with their trading ecosystem.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | 59 | 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.
FXCM and IFC Markets both offer a variety of tools and resources for market research, but they differ significantly in the specifics and quality of their offerings. FXCM provides daily market commentary alongside forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed with top-quality insights. In contrast, while IFC Markets also supplies daily market commentary, it lacks news from these leading sources, potentially leaving traders with less comprehensive information.
Both platforms provide sentiment-based trading tools and an economic calendar to keep traders up to date on global events. However, FXCM distinguishes itself with access to research from TipRanks and tools from Trading Central, further enhancing its appeal for those seeking advanced analysis options. This is reflected in their ratings, with FXCM receiving 4.5 stars for research and ranked 11th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets garners a score of 3.5 stars and is ranked 40th.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners between FXCM and IFC Markets, both brokers provide a solid foundation with a minimum of 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex or CFDs trading. However, FXCM takes a step further in enhancing learning opportunities for beginners by offering monthly live webinars and a comprehensive archive of these sessions for future reference, a feature not available with IFC Markets. Both brokers cater to beginners and more experienced traders alike, presenting at least 10 tailored educational videos for each skill level, ensuring a diverse and inclusive learning experience.
Additionally, both FXCM and IFC Markets provide an investor dictionary, each equipped with definitions for at least 50 investing terms, helping traders build their financial literacy. FXCM, however, holds a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating in education compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars, bolstered by its higher ranking in educational offerings – 14th compared to 30th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. For those starting their trading journey or looking to deepen their understanding, FXCM's comprehensive educational framework, complemented by higher ratings and an extensive webinar program, may provide more robust support compared to IFC Markets.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 FXCM is better than IFC Markets. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
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Both FXCM and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do allow trading of cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers FXCM and IFC Markets regarding funding options, FXCM supports a wider range of methods, offering ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while IFC Markets only accepts Visa/Mastercard and bank wires.
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 | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 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 | 4 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | 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) | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | 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 | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 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 | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $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 | FXCM | 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | 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 | 59 | 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 | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | 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 | FXCM | 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 | FXCM Review |
| Overall | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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