Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of HFM 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.
HFM (founded 2010) and IFC Markets (founded 2006) are online brokers that are not publicly traded and not banks. On the ForexBrokers.com Trust Score, HFM scores 85 (trusted) and IFC Markets scores 73 (average risk). For context, ForexBrokers.com classifies scores of 90–99 as highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and 59 or below not trusted.
Looking at regulation, HFM holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, while IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. Tier-1 is considered highly trusted and Tier-2 trusted, giving HFM a wider set of regulatory approvals than IFC Markets.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
HFM and IFC Markets are both rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but HFM comes out ahead in the rankings. HFM is ranked #30 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is ranked #34 out of 36. That suggests HFM is the slightly more competitive choice overall on trading costs.
At HFM, trading costs are a little above the industry average. The broker says its standard accounts typically have spreads of 1.2 pips, though this is not based on a clear average over time. Its Zero account shows an effective spread of 0.7 pips after commission, which may appeal to cost-conscious traders, but again this is not presented as an average.
IFC Markets is also competitive in some areas, but its pricing is a bit less attractive on standard forex trades. The average spread for EUR/USD is 1.44 pips, compared with an industry average of 1.08 pips. Active traders may find better value through the new ECN account, where the effective spread works out to about 1.1 pips after commission. IFC Markets also does not charge inactivity fees and offers active trader discounts, which can help lower overall costs.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, HFM and IFC Markets both give traders access to forex as CFDs or spot contracts, plus copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. HFM offers 344 tradeable symbols and 38 forex pairs, while IFC Markets offers a wider selection overall with 630 tradeable symbols and 49 forex pairs. Neither broker lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency or exchange-traded U.S. shares outright.
The key difference is that IFC Markets also offers exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, such as shares listed outside the U.S., while HFM does not. Based on ForexBrokers.com’s ratings, HFM scores 4 stars for range of investments and ranks #30 out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at 3.5 stars and #33 out of 36. Overall, IFC Markets offers more investment choices, especially for traders who want a broader list of markets.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 344 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 38 | 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.
HFM and IFC Markets are closely matched when it comes to trading platforms and tools. Both brokers offer free demo accounts, their own in-house platform, Windows desktop downloads, web-based trading, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5. Each also lets traders place trades directly from charts, giving users a flexible setup whether they prefer desktop, browser, or platform-based trading.
In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, both HFM and IFC Markets are rated 4 out of 5 stars. That said, IFC Markets holds a stronger ranking, placing #32 out of 36 brokers, while HFM ranks #36 out of 36. For traders comparing platform choice and available tools, the two brokers offer a very similar feature set, but IFC Markets has the edge in this category based on ranking.
| Feature |
HFM
|
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) | 38 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
HFM and IFC Markets both make it easy to trade on the go, since each broker offers iPhone and Android apps, plus price alerts for stocks and forex. Both mobile apps also let you draw trendlines on charts and automatically save those drawings, which can be useful for keeping track of your ideas. In terms of mobile app quality, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars by ForexBrokers.com.
The main difference comes down to charting and watchlists. IFC Markets stands out with watchlist symbol syncing, so changes made in the mobile app and online account stay aligned, while HFM does not offer this feature. IFC Markets also gives traders more chart tools, with 30 technical studies compared with HFM’s 5. Still, HFM ranks slightly better in ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, placing #35 out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets ranks #37.
| Feature |
HFM
|
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 | 5 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
HFM and IFC Markets both give traders useful market research basics, including daily market commentary, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar that tracks upcoming global events. That said, HFM goes further with forex news from top sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, plus research tools from Autochartist and Acuity Trading. IFC Markets does not offer those added sources or tools, which may make HFM a better fit for traders who want more market insight in one place.
In overall research ratings, HFM scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #18 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #33. For everyday traders, both brokers cover the essentials, but HFM offers a wider range of research features and a stronger overall research offering.
| Feature |
HFM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking for trading education, HFM and IFC Markets both provide a range of learning materials, but HFM has a stronger overall offering. HFM includes forex and CFDs education, holds online educational webinars at least once a month, and offers at least 10 beginner videos as well as 10 advanced videos. IFC Markets also provides at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos, but it does not offer monthly educational webinars and does not appear to meet the same level of forex or CFDs education content for beginners.
In terms of ratings, HFM receives 4 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #31 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #26 out of 36. Based on these details, IFC Markets edges ahead in the ranking, but HFM looks better for beginners who want more regular learning support and a wider mix of educational resources.
| Feature |
HFM
|
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 HFM is better than IFC Markets. HFM finished with an overall rank of #27, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #36.
HFM (HF Markets) is a global broker best known for its MetaTrader offering, solid research tools, and proprietary copy trading platform, alongside a broad selection of forex pairs and CFDs.
| Feature |
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IFC Markets
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| Trust Score | 85 | 73 |
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HFM and IFC Markets do not support purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both brokers enable trading cryptocurrency CFDs instead.
HFM vs IFC Markets: both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal, both allow bank wire transfers, only HFM supports 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 | HFM | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
| Broker Screenshots | HFM | IFC Markets | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 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 | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | ||
| 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) | 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) | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 344 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 38 | 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 | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.8 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.1 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | HFM | 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 | No | No |
| Trading Tools | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 38 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | HFM | 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 | 5 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | HFM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | HFM Review |
| Overall | HFM | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 85 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | HFM Review |
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