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 |
For commissions and fees, FXCM earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26 of 63 at ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets also earns 4 out of 5 stars, ranking #40 of 63. Both charge above-average spreads on EUR/USD, though FXCM can be more competitive for higher-volume traders on its commission-based pricing, while IFC Markets tightens pricing on its ECN account.
FXCM’s forex pricing is slightly higher than the industry average on standard accounts. In May 2024, EUR/USD spreads averaged 0.78 pips in the EU, U.K., and Australia, and 1.38 pips at its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Commission-based accounts showed core spreads near 0.28 pips before commissions; after adding the commission-equivalent, the effective spread was about 0.74 pips per round turn. FXCM’s Active Trader Rebate Program (not available in the U.K. or EU) pays $5 to $25 per million traded depending on tier. For example, a U.K. account meeting a $25,000 balance and $50 million in monthly volume sees commissions drop to $2.50 per side ($5 round turn), with an effective EUR/USD spread around 0.78 pips. Note that spreads can widen during rollover or unusual market conditions.
IFC Markets lists an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips, above the industry average of 1.08 pips. Its ECN account improves pricing to about 1.1 pips effective after a 0.005% commission is applied to both sides of each trade. The broker does not charge inactivity fees and offers active-trader discounts. In short, FXCM may deliver lower costs if you qualify for its commission-based or rebate pricing, while IFC Markets’ ECN and no inactivity fee policy help narrow the gap for many 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 support forex trading, whether as CFDs or spot contracts. IFC Markets lists 630 tradeable symbols and 49 currency pairs, while FXCM offers 440 symbols and 46 pairs. Both include copy trading and let you speculate on cryptocurrencies through derivatives, but neither lets you buy and hold actual crypto.
When it comes to exchange-traded shares (not CFDs), neither broker gives access to U.S.-listed stocks like Apple, but IFC Markets does provide access to some international exchange shares, whereas FXCM does not. On ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments scorecard, both earn 3.5 stars; IFC Markets ranks 44th out of 63 brokers and FXCM ranks 48th, reflecting a slight edge for IFC Markets in overall product variety.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 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 both check the core boxes for trading platforms: each offers a free demo account, an in-house proprietary platform, and the choice of a Windows desktop download or a web-based platform. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is available at both brokers, while MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is only offered by IFC Markets. Copy trading is supported at both, but there’s a key difference—FXCM integrates with ZuluTrade, whereas IFC Markets does not. Neither broker supports DupliTrade.
For tools, both brokers let you place trades directly from charts and include a range of built-in technical indicators. FXCM lists 10 drawing tools versus 15 at IFC Markets, and FXCM’s watchlists can show up to 13 fields compared with 7 at IFC Markets. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM earns 5 stars and ranks 6th out of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, while IFC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks 37th. In short, pick FXCM if you value platform polish, deeper watchlist control, and ZuluTrade support; choose IFC Markets if MT5 and extra drawing tools are must-haves.
| 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.
Comparing the FXCM mobile app to the IFC Markets mobile app, both brokers check the key boxes for traders on the go. Each offers iPhone and Android apps, price alerts for forex and stocks, real-time watchlists, and watchlist syncing with your online account so changes follow you across devices. Charting is flexible on both apps with multiple time frames, trendline drawing, and auto-saved annotations.
The main difference is depth of charting tools. FXCM provides 59 technical studies, while IFC Markets offers 30. That added range helps FXCM earn a higher mobile app rating (4.5 stars vs. IFC Markets’ 4 stars) and a stronger category ranking (#16 vs. #53 out of 63). If you want more indicators and a higher-rated overall experience, FXCM has the edge; if you need the essentials in a simpler package, IFC Markets still delivers.
| 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.
Comparing market research features, both FXCM and IFC Markets provide daily market commentary, an economic calendar, and a sentiment tool that shows the long/short ratio across instruments. FXCM goes further with forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, plus third‑party research from Trading Central and TipRanks. Neither broker offers tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading.
These differences show up in the scores: FXCM earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #11 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #41. If you want premium news and extra research add‑ons, FXCM is the stronger pick; if you only need the essentials—commentary, calendar, and sentiment—IFC Markets covers the basics.
| 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
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill