Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers 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.
Interactive Brokers, established in 1977, is a well-known choice in the online brokerage industry. It stands out with its impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, putting it in the highly trusted category. The company is publicly traded, enhancing transparency and investor confidence. Despite not being a bank, Interactive Brokers holds a significant number of regulatory approvals with 9 Tier-1 licenses deemed highly trusted and 2 Tier-2 licenses indicating a trusted status. This solid regulatory framework makes Interactive Brokers a preferred choice for many investors seeking security and reliability in their online trading experiences.
On the other hand, IFC Markets, founded in 2006, presents a more moderate risk profile with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 73, placing it in the average risk category. Unlike Interactive Brokers, IFC Markets is not publicly traded, which may influence investor perceptions of transparency. The company does not hold any Tier-1 licenses, but it does maintain 1 Tier-2 license, suggesting a foundational level of trust. While both brokers are not banks, the differences in their regulatory and trust profiles are key factors for potential investors to consider when choosing between these platforms.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of Interactive Brokers and IFC Markets, Interactive Brokers stands out for its competitive pricing structure, particularly for forex trading. Despite not publishing average spreads for forex, the broker offers attractive average spreads with the EUR/USD at 0.19 pips plus an all-in spread of 0.59 pips after commission. Interactive Brokers charges commissions starting at 0.2 basis points, with the minimum fee per order set at $2. Active traders benefit from further discounts, potentially reducing the commission to as low as 0.08 basis points. Interactive Brokers, rated 5 stars and ranked #2 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category, offers one of the lowest commission rates available.
In contrast, IFC Markets does not provide data on average spreads, making a direct comparison challenging. Despite this lack of transparency, IFC Markets is generally considered more affordable, receiving a 4-star rating in commissions and fees from ForexBrokers.com. However, its ranking is significantly lower, being placed at #39 out of 62 brokers. This indicates that while IFC Markets might have appealing fees, its overall fee structure is not as competitive as Interactive Brokers.
In summary, Interactive Brokers offers a more competitive and transparent fee structure for active forex traders. With solid ratings and ranking, it provides an attractive option for cost-conscious traders. On the other hand, IFC Markets, while likely offering lower fees, lacks the transparency and higher-ranking recognition that could assure traders of its fee competitiveness. Therefore, for those prioritizing low fees and transparency, Interactive Brokers seems to have the edge.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When deciding between Interactive Brokers and IFC Markets for online trading, the available range of investments plays a crucial role. Interactive Brokers boasts a reach of 8,500 tradeable symbols and offers 90 forex pairs, clearly edging out IFC Markets, which provides 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Both platforms allow forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts, but Interactive Brokers stands out with its ability to deal in exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, letting clients directly purchase shares of companies like Apple. While both brokers support trading on international exchanges, only Interactive Brokers provides the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies, in addition to derivatives.
For those interested in copy trading, IFC Markets might be more appealing, as it offers this feature, whereas Interactive Brokers does not. Both platforms facilitate cryptocurrency derivative trading, but the comprehensive range of investment options available through Interactive Brokers earns it a 5-star rating and the top rank among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for Range of Investments. In contrast, IFC Markets receives a respectable 3.5-star rating but ranks #43 by comparison. Ultimately, for traders prioritizing an extensive array of investment opportunities, Interactive Brokers may present a more compelling choice.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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.
Interactive Brokers and IFC Markets both offer a comprehensive suite of trading platforms, but they cater to slightly different needs. Interactive Brokers is known for its in-house developed platform, which is available across Windows desktop and web browsers, providing a seamless trading experience. With an impressive 659 columns for watch lists and 85 drawing tools for charting, Interactive Brokers is well-suited for traders who want detailed data and extensive analytic capabilities. It offers simulated trading for practice, but unlike IFC Markets, it doesn't support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5 or any copy trading options.
On the other hand, IFC Markets also offers a proprietary platform along with support for MetaTrader 4 and 5, crucial for traders who have a preference for these well-known platforms. IFC Markets caters to a broad audience, including those interested in copy trading. With 15 drawing tools for charting and 7 fields for watch lists, it provides essential tools for traders, though it's somewhat limited compared to Interactive Brokers. IFC Markets also supports paper trading for practice, making it accessible for beginners. While both brokers offer trading directly from stock charts, the platforms differ significantly in their ratings: Interactive Brokers boasts a 5-star rating and ranks #3 in trading tools, while IFC Markets holds a 4-star rating, ranking #36.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Interactive Brokers and IFC Markets both provide comprehensive mobile apps for trading on the go, each offering applications for iPhone and Android platforms. Both platforms allow users to receive price alerts on stocks and forex, as well as synchronize watchlists with their online accounts. When it comes to technical studies, Interactive Brokers stands out by providing 97 studies in its mobile app compared to IFC Markets’ 30. Both platforms allow for trendline drawings and viewing multiple time frames, but IFC Markets has the advantage of auto-saving drawings, which Interactive Brokers does not offer.
For creating watchlists with real-time quotes, both brokers meet the benchmark. Reviews place Interactive Brokers at the top of mobile trading with a 5-star rating, while IFC Markets earns a respectable 4 stars. This difference is reflected in their standings on ForexBrokers.com, where Interactive Brokers claims the 4th position out of 62 brokers, as opposed to IFC Markets, which ranks at 52. For users seeking a feature-rich experience with a wider range of technical studies, Interactive Brokers may be the better choice, while IFC Markets offers a more straightforward approach with some unique advantages.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Interactive Brokers and IFC Markets both provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed, but Interactive Brokers stands out by offering forex news from reputable sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas IFC Markets does not. Additionally, Interactive Brokers provides access to research tools from Trading Central and market insights from TipRanks and Acuity Trading, enhancing its appeal to those seeking comprehensive market analysis. IFC Markets, on the other hand, does not feature these advanced research tools, which could be a consideration for traders who rely on extensive data for decision-making.
Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools and economic calendars, helping traders stay updated on global economic events; however, Interactive Brokers' overall research offerings earn higher marks. With a top research rating of 5 stars and a prestigious rank of #3 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, Interactive Brokers clearly excels in providing in-depth market analysis. In contrast, IFC Markets receives a respectable 3.5-star rating and ranks #40, indicating room for enhancement in its research capabilities.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Interactive Brokers and IFC Markets both offer a variety of educational resources tailored for beginners interested in forex and CFDs. Each platform provides at least 10 pieces of educational content, including articles, videos, and more. Additionally, both brokers have over 10 beginner-focused trading videos to help newcomers understand the market. Where Interactive Brokers stands out is with its monthly online educational webinars and a searchable archive of previously recorded sessions, a feature IFC Markets does not offer.
Interactive Brokers extends its educational offerings with advanced video content and an investor dictionary that includes over 50 terms, mirroring IFC Markets' similar features. However, Interactive Brokers' educational resources earn it a 5-star rating and a #3 ranking out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, IFC Markets holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #30. These distinctions highlight Interactive Brokers as a more highly regarded option for quality education among online brokers.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than IFC Markets. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted multi-asset broker with an extensive offering of tradeable global markets. It delivers competitive fees and high-quality research and education, as well as a modern, institutional-grade trading platform suite.
| Feature |
Interactive Brokers
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Interactive Brokers provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies alongside cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas IFC Markets only offers the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives and does not support the buying of actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
In comparing the deposit and withdrawal options of Interactive Brokers and IFC Markets, Interactive Brokers supports ACH, SEPA, and bank wire transfers, but does not offer PayPal, Skrill, or credit card options, whereas IFC Markets offers bank wire and credit card options but lacks support for ACH, SEPA, PayPal, and Skrill payments.
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 | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review |
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| Regulation | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1977 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 9 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8500 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 90 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | 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 | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.59 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.59 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 659 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 155 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 85 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 97 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review |
| Overall | Interactive Brokers | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Interactive Brokers Review |
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