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IC Markets vs IFC Markets 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

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.

IC Markets
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $200
  • Trust Score: 83
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 3583
IFC Markets
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $1
  • Trust Score: 73
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 630

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.

Regulation

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 logoIC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Year Founded info 2007 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info No No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 2 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 3 5

Fees

When it comes to commissions and fees, IC Markets has the edge over IFC Markets for most traders. IC Markets offers three account types: a commission-free Standard account and two commission-based Raw Spread accounts, with very low trading costs overall. Its EUR/USD pricing is especially competitive, with all-in costs as low as 0.62 pips on cTrader and about 0.72 pips on MetaTrader. IC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees, making it one of the lowest-cost choices in the market.

IFC Markets is still a reasonable option, but its pricing is generally less attractive than IC Markets. The average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips, which is above the industry average, though its ECN account improves costs to about 1.1 pips after commission. IFC Markets does offer some helpful cost-saving features, including no inactivity fees and active trader discounts. It is rated 4 stars and ranks #32 out of 36 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category.

In simple terms, IC Markets is the better pick for traders focused on lower fees and tighter spreads, especially if you trade often. IFC Markets may work for some traders, but its overall trading costs are typically higher. For commission and fee savings alone, IC Markets is the stronger choice.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $200 $1
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 0.62 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.62 info 1.1 info
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

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Range of investments

When comparing IC Markets and IFC Markets for range of investments, IC Markets comes out ahead overall. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, offer copy trading, and provide access to cryptocurrency CFDs rather than actual crypto. They also both support trading on international stock exchanges, but neither lets clients buy U.S.-listed shares directly. The bigger difference is choice: IC Markets lists 3,583 tradable symbols and 61 forex pairs, while IFC Markets offers 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs.

For investors who want more markets to choose from, IC Markets has the edge, which is reflected in its 4.5-star Range of Investments rating and #22 ranking out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets is still a solid option, but its smaller product lineup earns it 3.5 stars and a #31 ranking. In simple terms, both brokers cover the basics well, but IC Markets gives traders more variety across forex and other instruments.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 3583 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 61 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info No No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

IC Markets and IFC Markets both give traders plenty of platform choices, including free demo accounts, web-based trading, Windows desktop downloads, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5. Both also let you place trades straight from a chart, which can make active trading faster and easier. One key difference is that IFC Markets offers its own in-house trading platform, while IC Markets does not, so traders who want a broker-built option may prefer IFC Markets.

In terms of overall trading tools, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars by ForexBrokers.com for Trading Platforms and Tools. However, IC Markets places higher in the category, ranking #17 out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at #29. For most everyday traders, both brokers cover the main platform needs well, but IC Markets has the edge in the ranking, while IFC Markets stands out for offering a proprietary platform.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info No Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 30 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

IC Markets and IFC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts, 30 technical studies, trendline drawing, and automatic saving of chart drawings. In terms of everyday mobile features, the two brokers are closely matched and both earn a 4-star rating for Mobile Trading Apps. This means traders can expect a similar basic experience on either platform when it comes to charting and staying on top of market moves.

The main difference is watchlist syncing. IFC Markets lets users sync watchlists between the mobile app and their online account, while IC Markets does not. That can make IFC Markets more convenient for traders who switch often between devices. Even so, IC Markets places higher overall in ForexBrokers.com’s Mobile Trading Apps category, ranking #22 out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at #34.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info No Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

IC Markets offers a stronger market research setup than IFC Markets overall. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar, so traders can follow news, watch market mood, and track upcoming events. However, IC Markets goes further by including forex news from top sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus research tools from Autochartist and Trading Central. IFC Markets does not offer those added news and analysis resources, which may matter if you want more support for finding trade ideas.

Based on ForexBrokers.com, IC Markets scores 4 out of 5 for research and ranks #21 out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 out of 5 and ranks #30. In simple terms, both brokers cover the basics well, but IC Markets gives traders more built-in research tools and a wider flow of market news, making it the better choice for research-focused users.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info Yes No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

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 logoIC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

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 #33.

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 logoIC Markets
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 83 73
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with IC Markets or IFC Markets?

IC Markets vs IFC Markets: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs for trading.

What funding options does each broker offer?

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.

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Overall Rating IC Markets IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 83 73
Winner check_circle
Review IC Markets Review
Broker Screenshots IC Markets IFC Markets
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
IC Markets cTrader mobile app charting IC Markets EU cTrader desktop trading platform layout IC Markets webinar IC Your Trade YouTube video series. IC Markets Educational content blog articles.
Regulation IC Markets IFC Markets
Trust Score info 83 73
Year Founded info 2007 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info No No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 2 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 3 5
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) IC Markets IFC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info No
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) IC Markets IFC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments IC Markets IFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 3583 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 61 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info No No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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 info 0.62 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.62 info 1.1 info
Inactivity Fee info No No
Order execution: Agency info Yes Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding IC Markets IFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $200 $1
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
Trading Platforms IC Markets IFC Markets
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info No Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
cTrader info Yes No
Trading Tools IC Markets IFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 30 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading IC Markets IFC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info No Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research IC Markets IFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info Yes No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education IC Markets IFC Markets
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs IC Markets IFC Markets
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review IC Markets Review
Overall IC Markets IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 83 73
Winner check_circle
Review IC Markets Review
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