Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IC 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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IC Markets vs IFC Markets: IC Markets was founded in 2007, while IFC Markets started in 2006. Neither broker is publicly traded, and neither is a bank.
Regulation and trust: IC Markets holds 2 Tier-1 licenses versus 1 for IFC Markets; both have 0 Tier-2 licenses. According to ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets has a Trust Score of 83/99 (trusted) and IFC Markets scores 73/99 (average risk). On this scale, 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 5 |
IC Markets generally comes out ahead on commissions and fees, especially for traders who want low-cost pricing on forex. Its commission-based Raw Spread and cTrader Raw Spread accounts offer very tight effective spreads, and the broker’s average EUR/USD spread is listed at just 0.02 pips before commissions. After costs are added, the all-in pricing stays competitive, which is why IC Markets earned 5 out of 5 stars and ranked #5 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees at ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets is still a solid choice, but its pricing is usually higher than IC Markets. Its average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips, which is above the industry average, though active traders may find better value with the ECN account, where the all-in cost drops to around 1.1 pips after commission. IFC Markets also does not charge inactivity fees and offers active trader discounts, and it earned 4 out of 5 stars with a Commissions and Fees ranking of #33 out of 36 brokers.
In simple terms, IC Markets is the better pick for traders focused on keeping trading costs low, while IFC Markets may appeal to those who value its ECN option and fee-friendly extras like no inactivity charges. For commissions and fees alone, IC Markets is the stronger overall value.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.62 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 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.
IC Markets offers a wider range of investments than IFC Markets overall. Both brokers support forex trading, copy trading, and cryptocurrency CFDs, but IC Markets stands out with 7,435 tradeable symbols and 61 forex pairs, compared with IFC Markets’ 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, IC Markets is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #22 out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #32.
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.; IC Markets does not offer these. Neither broker lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency or U.S.-listed shares directly, and both provide forex mainly as CFDs or spot contracts. For traders who want more market choice, IC Markets is the stronger option, while IFC Markets may appeal to those interested in international exchange-listed stocks.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7435 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 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.
IC Markets and IFC Markets both give traders a solid mix of platform choices and useful tools. Each broker offers a free demo account, Windows desktop software, web-based trading, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the ability to place trades directly from a chart. For everyday traders, that means you can practice first, trade from almost any device, and use familiar platforms without much of a learning curve.
The main difference is that IFC Markets also offers a proprietary platform built in-house, while IC Markets does not. Both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, but IC Markets ranks higher overall in this category at #17 out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at #30. If you want a broker with a wider category ranking edge, IC Markets stands out; if you value having an extra in-house platform option, IFC Markets has that added choice.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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) | 32 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IC Markets and IFC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with stock and forex price alerts. Each app also lets users draw trendlines and automatically saves those drawings, making it easier to track charts on the go. In terms of chart tools, IC Markets includes 32 technical studies, while IFC Markets offers 30, giving IC Markets a slight edge for mobile charting.
The bigger difference is in watchlist syncing. IFC Markets lets watchlists sync between the mobile app and the online account, so updates carry over between devices, while IC Markets does not. Both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading apps, but IC Markets ranks higher overall with ForexBrokers.com at #22 out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at #35 out of 36.
| Feature |
IC 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 | 32 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, IC Markets has the edge over IFC Markets. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positions, and an economic calendar for tracking key global events. However, IC Markets goes further by offering forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus research from Trading Central and TipRanks. IFC Markets does not include those extra research feeds, which may matter to traders who want more in-depth market insights.
In terms of overall research quality, IC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #21 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #31. Neither broker offers Autochartist or Acuity Trading tools, so the main difference comes down to IC Markets’ broader mix of third-party news and analysis tools. For traders comparing online brokers on research, IC Markets offers the more complete package.
| Feature |
IC Markets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to learn forex and CFD trading, IC Markets comes out ahead of IFC Markets in overall education. IC Markets offers regular online educational webinars, at least 10 beginner-friendly videos, and at least 10 advanced videos, making it a stronger choice for traders who want ongoing learning support. It is also rated 4 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #16 out of 36 brokers in ForexBrokers.com’s Education category. IFC Markets also provides at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, but it does not offer monthly educational webinars, and it is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars, with a lower rank of #25 out of 36.
When it comes to forex or CFD education specifically, IC Markets and IFC Markets both meet the minimum standard of offering at least 10 educational pieces focused on these topics. However, IC Markets gives beginners more ways to learn, especially through live webinars, which can be helpful for asking questions and following along in real time. If you want a broker with more frequent educational support and a better-rated learning section, IC Markets is the stronger option overall.
| Feature |
IC 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 IC Markets is better than IFC Markets. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #21, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #34.
IC Markets’ competitive pricing and scalable execution make it an excellent option for algorithmic traders. Though it supports an impressive range of third-party tools and plugins, IC Markets’ research and education offerings are not as impressive as those offered by industry leaders.
| Feature |
IC Markets
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IFC Markets
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 73 |
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IC Markets vs IFC Markets: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs for trading.
IC Markets vs IFC Markets: both online brokers do not support ACH or SEPA and both accept bank wire transfers, but IC Markets additionally supports PayPal and Skrill while IFC Markets does not; availability of Visa or Mastercard funding/withdrawals is not specified for either.
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 | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 83 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 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 | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 5 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IC 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) | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7435 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 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 | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.62 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.62 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $200 | $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 | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | 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 | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 32 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IC 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 | 32 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IC 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 | IC Markets Review |
| Overall | IC Markets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IC Markets Review |
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