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IC Markets vs iFOREX 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of IC Markets vs iFOREX, 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: 84
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 3583
iFOREX
3.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $100
  • Trust Score: 75
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 750

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 and iFOREX are both well-established online brokers, but they differ in their regulatory backing and trust ratings. Founded in 2007, IC Markets has a Trust Score of 84 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the 'trusted' category. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are deemed highly trusted. Meanwhile, iFOREX, established in 1996, has a Trust Score of 75, categorizing it as 'average risk.' iFOREX holds one Tier-1 license, suggesting a slightly lower level of regulatory backing compared to IC Markets.

Neither IC Markets nor iFOREX is publicly traded on any stock exchange nor function as a bank. While they both serve as key players in the financial trading space, IC Markets tends to offer stronger regulatory protection with more Tier-1 licenses. These licenses are significant as they are considered a mark of high trust, helping traders gauge the reliability of a broker. Each company's standing might appeal differently to traders depending on their risk tolerance and need for regulatory assurance.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Year Founded info 2007 1996
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 1

Fees

For commissions and fees, IC Markets clearly outshines iFOREX. IC Markets earns 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers (Best in Class for Commissions & Fees in the 2024 Annual Awards), thanks to very low trading costs and small effective spreads. By contrast, iFOREX scores 3 stars and ranks #62 out of 63, and it does not publish average spread data—making its pricing harder to evaluate.

IC Markets offers three account types: a commission-free Standard account and two commission-based Raw Spread accounts (MetaTrader and cTrader). On cTrader, the commission is $3.00 per side per 100,000 units ($6.00 round turn); on MetaTrader it’s $3.50 per side ($7.00 round turn). IC Markets lists an average EUR/USD spread of 0.02 pips; after commissions, the all-in cost is about 0.62 pips on cTrader (about 0.72 pips on MetaTrader). The Standard account averages about 0.62 pips with no commission. Pricing can vary by platform, account type, and whether you trade under the EU, Australia, or Seychelles entity, and active traders (100+ lots/month) can receive discounts.

iFOREX does not provide average spread data, limiting visibility into its costs compared with leading low-cost brokers. Reflecting that, it holds a 3-star Commissions & Fees rating and is ranked #62 out of 63 brokers, versus IC Markets’ 5 stars and #5 ranking.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Minimum Deposit info $200 $100
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 0.62 info N/A info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.62 info N/A info
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

IC Markets and iFOREX both offer forex trading (CFD or spot) and a wide set of CFDs across markets. IC Markets lists 3,583 tradeable symbols, far more than iFOREX’s 750, while iFOREX carries more currency pairs (88 vs 61). Both brokers let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs but don’t support buying actual crypto. Neither broker offers real, exchange-traded U.S. shares; however, IC Markets does provide access to real shares on some international exchanges, whereas iFOREX does not.

IC Markets also supports copy trading; iFOREX doesn’t. Reflecting the broader lineup, ForexBrokers.com rates IC Markets 4.5/5 for Range of Investments and ranks it 26th of 63 brokers, compared with iFOREX at 3.5/5 and 42nd. IC Markets suits traders seeking the largest overall instrument list, international real shares, and copy trading, while iFOREX may appeal if you prioritize a larger choice of forex pairs.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 3583 750
Forex Pairs (Total) info 61 88
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info No No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes No
Copy Trading info Yes No
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). 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 iFOREX both earn 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, yet they rank very differently on ForexBrokers.com (#16 of 63 for IC Markets versus #55 for iFOREX). IC Markets supports a free virtual demo for paper trading, offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, copy trading, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform; you can also place trades directly from charts. iFOREX, by contrast, does not provide a demo account, MT4, MT5, or copy trading. It focuses on its proprietary web platform and also lets you trade from charts, but there’s no Windows desktop download.

If you want MT4/MT5, copy trading, or a desktop setup, IC Markets is the stronger match. Beginners who want to practice with virtual funds may lean toward IC Markets for its demo account. If you prefer a broker-built web platform and a simple, browser-based experience, iFOREX may fit your style. Indicator counts and watch list field details were not specified by the source.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes No
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info No Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes No
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 30 57
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

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

Forex trading apps

IC Markets and iFOREX both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. The biggest difference is features: IC Markets includes price alerts, 30 technical studies for charts, trendline drawing, and auto-saving for your chart annotations. iFOREX does not offer price alerts, trendline drawing, or auto-save for drawings, and the number of technical studies is not specified. Neither broker supports watchlist syncing between the mobile app and your online account.

Both apps earn 4 stars for Mobile Trading Apps, yet their category rankings differ: IC Markets sits at #22 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX is #56. If you value price alerts and stronger charting tools on the go, IC Markets is likely the better choice. If you only need a straightforward app to check markets and place trades, iFOREX can still meet basic needs.

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

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

IC Markets and iFOREX both deliver daily market commentary, an economic calendar, Trading Central tools, and a sentiment gauge showing long/short positioning. IC Markets goes further with forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and adds Autochartist for extra technical insights. iFOREX does not offer those two items. IC Markets does not include TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools; iFOREX’s access to TipRanks or Acuity Trading is not specified.

For overall research, IC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #23 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #49. Traders who want integrated premium news and more analysis tools may prefer IC Markets, while iFOREX suits those who want the essentials with Trading Central and sentiment features.

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

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

For beginners comparing forex and CFD education, both online brokers offer accessible learning paths. IC Markets runs monthly client webinars and provides at least 10 beginner videos plus 10+ advanced videos, giving new traders live sessions and room to grow. iFOREX supplies at least 10 beginner videos but does not host monthly educational webinars and doesn’t reach the 10+ advanced-video level. If you want live guidance and a clear path from basics to advanced topics, IC Markets has the edge; if you only need starter videos, iFOREX can work.

Independent ratings back this up: IC Markets earns 4 stars for Education and ranks 16th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX scores 3.5 stars and ranks 53rd. For most beginners focused on education quality and ongoing learning, IC Markets is likely the stronger choice.

Feature IC Markets logoIC Markets
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No

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 iFOREX. IC Markets finished with an overall rank of #20, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.

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
iFOREX logoiFOREX
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 84 75
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 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 3/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with IC Markets or iFOREX?

IC Markets and iFOREX do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide cryptocurrency CFD trading, allowing traders to speculate on crypto price movements without owning the underlying asset.

What funding options does each broker offer?

IC Markets vs iFOREX: for deposit and withdrawal methods, neither broker offers ACH or SEPA transfers; IC Markets supports PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers (Visa/Mastercard not specified), while iFOREX’s availability of PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transfers is not specified.

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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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Overall Rating IC Markets iFOREX
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 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 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 84 75
Winner check_circle
Review IC Markets Review
Broker Screenshots IC Markets iFOREX
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 iFOREX
Trust Score info 84 75
Year Founded info 2007 1996
Publicly Traded (Listed) info No No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes 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 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) IC Markets iFOREX
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes No
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info No No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info No No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info No No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info No Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) IC Markets iFOREX
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No No
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) info No No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments IC Markets iFOREX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 3583 750
Forex Pairs (Total) info 61 88
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info No No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes No
Copy Trading info Yes No
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). 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 iFOREX
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 0.62 info N/A info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.62 info N/A info
Inactivity Fee info No No
Order execution: Agency info Yes No
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding IC Markets iFOREX
Minimum Deposit info $200 $100
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
Trading Platforms IC Markets iFOREX
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info No Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes No
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes No
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes No
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes No
cTrader info Yes No
Trading Tools IC Markets iFOREX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes No
Price Alerts info Yes No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 30 57
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes No
Mobile Trading IC Markets iFOREX
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes No
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info No No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 N/A
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes No
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes No
Research IC Markets iFOREX
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education IC Markets iFOREX
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Major Forex Pairs IC Markets iFOREX
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 iFOREX
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 3/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 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 3/5 Stars
Trust Score info 84 75
Winner check_circle
Review IC Markets Review
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