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IG vs IFC Markets 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of IG vs IFC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

IG
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: £1
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 19537
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

IG (founded in 1974) and IFC Markets (founded in 2006) differ in their public profile and oversight. IG is publicly traded and is a bank, while IFC Markets is privately held and not a bank.

Regulation is the key divider: IG holds 8 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses, compared with IFC Markets’ 1 Tier-1 and 0 Tier-2 licenses. ForexBrokers.com rates trust on a 0–99 scale where 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted; IG scores 99 (highly trusted), while IFC Markets scores 73 (average risk). This points to stronger top-tier oversight and a higher trust rating for IG than IFC Markets.

Feature IG logoIG
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Year Founded info 1974 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Tier-1 Licenses info 8 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 5

Fees

IG generally comes out ahead of IFC Markets when it comes to commissions and fees, especially for active and high-volume traders. IG is not a discount broker, but it offers competitive pricing through its Forex Direct DMA account, where EUR/USD spreads averaged 0.62 pips in July 2023, with an estimated all-in cost of 0.82 pips after commission. Its CFD pricing was also fairly strong, with average spreads of 0.69 pips during main trading hours, and eligible traders may qualify for volume-based rebates that can lower costs further. IG is rated 5 stars and ranked #7 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees.

IFC Markets is more mixed on pricing. Its average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips is above the industry average, which makes it less competitive for casual forex traders. That said, its ECN account improves the picture for more active users, with an effective spread of about 1.1 pips after commission. IFC Markets also stands out for not charging inactivity fees, and it offers active trader discounts that may help reduce costs. IFC Markets is rated 4 stars and ranked #32 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees.

In simple terms, IG is the better choice if low trading costs matter most, while IFC Markets may appeal to traders who value fee-free inactivity and are willing to use its ECN pricing to get better spreads.

Feature IG logoIG
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info £1 $1
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 0.91 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.82 info 1.1 info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

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Range of investments

When it comes to the range of investments, IG offers a much wider selection than IFC Markets. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 forex pairs, compared with IFC Markets’ 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but IG also gives clients access to exchange traded shares on both U.S. and international markets, while IFC Markets only offers these shares on international exchanges.

IG also stands out for product variety, with access to actual cryptocurrency as well as cryptocurrency CFDs, while IFC Markets offers only crypto CFDs. On the other hand, IFC Markets does provide copy trading, which IG does not. Overall, IG is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #4 out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #31, making IG the stronger choice for investors who want more market options.

Feature IG logoIG
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 19537 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 97 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info Yes info 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

IG and IFC Markets both give traders a wide range of platform choices, including a free demo account, their own in-house platform, Windows desktop software, web-based trading, and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Each broker also lets users trade directly from charts, which can make placing orders faster and easier. For traders who want to test strategies or move between devices, both firms cover the basics well.

The biggest difference is copy trading: IFC Markets offers it, while IG does not. IG, however, stands out for its overall platform quality, with a 5-star rating and a #1 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com for Trading Platforms and Tools, compared with IFC Markets’ 4-star rating and #29 ranking. If you want the strongest all-around platform experience, IG has the edge; if copy trading matters to you, IFC Markets may be the better fit.

Feature IG logoIG
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 33 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

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

Forex trading apps

IG and IFC Markets both make it easy to trade on the go, since each offers iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, watchlist syncing, trendline drawing, and auto-saving for chart drawings. That means traders can check markets, manage lists, and keep chart work updated across mobile and online accounts with either broker.

The main difference is in charting depth and overall app quality. IG offers 33 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with 30 at IFC Markets. IG is also rated higher for mobile trading apps, earning 5 out of 5 stars and the #1 spot out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked #34. For traders who want a slightly stronger mobile experience, IG has the edge.

Feature IG logoIG
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 Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 33 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

IG clearly has the edge over IFC Markets for market research. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar, but IG adds much more with forex news from top sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, Autochartist tools, TipRanks research, and Acuity Trading features such as Signal Centre. IFC Markets offers a solid basic research setup, but it does not include several of these extra third-party resources.

That difference is reflected in their research ratings and rankings. IG earns 5 out of 5 stars for Research and is ranked #2 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #30. For traders who rely on market insights, news, and analysis tools, IG is the stronger choice.

Feature IG logoIG
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 No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
TipRanks info Yes No
Acuity Trading info Yes No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

When it comes to learning support for beginners, IG stands out ahead of IFC Markets. IG offers forex and CFDs education with at least 10 learning materials, hosts online educational webinars every month, and provides more than 10 beginner videos as well as more than 10 advanced videos. This makes IG a stronger choice for new traders who want a clear path from the basics to more experienced trading topics.

IFC Markets also offers at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, but it does not appear to match IG on forex or CFDs education coverage or monthly webinars. That difference is reflected in expert ratings too: IG earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets holds a 3.5-star Education rating and ranks #25. For traders who want more guided learning and regular webinar access, IG is the better pick.

Feature IG logoIG
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 IG is better than IFC Markets. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #33.

IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.

Feature IG logoIG
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with IG or IFC Markets?

Between online brokers IG and IFC Markets, IG supports buying actual delivered cryptocurrency and trading crypto CFDs, whereas IFC Markets offers only cryptocurrency CFDs and does not provide access to delivered coins.

What funding options does each broker offer?

In a quick funding-methods comparison of online brokers IG and IFC Markets: IG supports ACH/SEPA and PayPal (both not available at IFC Markets), both brokers accept bank wire transfers, neither supports Skrill, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.

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Overall Rating IG IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Winner check_circle
Review IG Review
Broker Screenshots IG IFC Markets
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
IG trading mobile app charting IG web platform dark mode IG research special research reports IG educational academy course detail
Regulation IG IFC Markets
Trust Score info 99 73
Year Founded info 1974 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 8 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 5
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) IG IFC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info Yes
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info Yes
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info Yes
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) IG IFC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info Yes
India (SEBI Authorised) info No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments IG IFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 19537 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 97 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info Yes info 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 IG IFC Markets
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 0.91 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.82 info 1.1 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info Yes Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding IG IFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info £1 $1
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes No
Trading Platforms IG IFC Markets
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools IG IFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 33 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading IG 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 Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 33 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research IG IFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
TipRanks info Yes No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education IG IFC Markets
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs IG 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 IG Review
Overall IG IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Winner check_circle
Review IG Review
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