Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Libertex 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.
Libertex and IFC Markets are both private brokers that are not listed on a stock exchange and are not banks. Libertex was founded in 1997, while IFC Markets started in 2006. In terms of regulation, each broker holds one Tier-1 license, which ForexBrokers.com considers highly trusted. Libertex also has one Tier-2 license, while IFC Markets does not have any Tier-2 licenses.
On ForexBrokers.com’s Trust Score scale, Libertex scores 79 out of 99, placing it in the average-risk range, while IFC Markets scores 73 out of 99, which is also in the average-risk range. That means both brokers have a similar level of trust overall, though Libertex has a slightly higher rating and a stronger regulatory profile thanks to its extra Tier-2 license.
| Feature |
Libertex
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1997 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
Libertex is generally the cheaper choice for forex trading costs, especially on its own platform. Its latest published EUR/USD spread was 0.3 pips, though that figure is based on a single recent trading day, so it should be seen as a guide rather than a fixed average. On the Libertex platform, forex trading uses a spread-plus-commission model at 5 euros per side, or 10 euros round turn, per 100,000 units; on MT4 and MT5, the commission is higher at 6 euros per side. Libertex is rated 4 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #21 out of 36 brokers in this category.
IFC Markets is a bit less competitive on standard pricing, with an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips, above the industry average of 1.08. Its ECN account can improve the cost picture for active traders, with an effective spread of 1.1 pips after the 0.005% commission charged on both sides of a trade. A helpful plus is that IFC Markets does not charge inactivity fees, and it also offers active trader discounts. IFC Markets is rated 4 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #33 out of 36 brokers in this category.
Overall, Libertex looks more attractive for lower trading costs, especially if you use its proprietary platform and qualify for one of its deposit-based fee discounts. IFC Markets may still appeal to traders who want an ECN-style setup or value the lack of inactivity fees, but its standard spread pricing is higher. For most cost-conscious traders, Libertex has the edge on commissions and fees.
| Feature |
Libertex
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.3 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Libertex and IFC Markets both give traders access to forex as CFDs or spot contracts, as well as copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. Libertex stands out for its larger overall selection, with 1,573 tradeable symbols compared with 630 at IFC Markets. It also offers 46 forex pairs, while IFC Markets lists a slightly higher 49 pairs.
Where the two brokers differ most is in stock access. Neither broker lets clients buy U.S. exchange-traded shares directly, but IFC Markets does offer real shares on international exchanges, while Libertex does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments category, Libertex scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #25 out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #32, making Libertex the stronger choice overall for investment variety.
| Feature |
Libertex
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1573 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 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.
Libertex and IFC Markets both give traders a similar mix of platform choices and tools. Each broker offers a free demo account, web-based trading, a Windows desktop platform, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the ability to trade directly from charts. The main difference is that IFC Markets also provides a proprietary platform built in-house, while Libertex does not. For everyday traders, this means both brokers cover the core needs well, but IFC Markets adds an extra platform option for those who want something beyond MetaTrader and browser trading.
When it comes to Trading Platforms and Tools, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars by ForexBrokers.com. Libertex is ranked #26 out of 36 brokers in this category, while IFC Markets is ranked #30, giving Libertex a slight edge in the overall comparison. Still, both brokers appear to offer a solid setup for charting, research, and order entry, making them a reasonable choice for traders who want flexible access across desktop, web, and mobile-friendly platform types.
| Feature |
Libertex
|
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) | 43 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Libertex and IFC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with helpful features like price alerts and watchlist syncing between the app and online account. In this area, the two brokers are similar for everyday use, making it easy to track markets and stay updated while trading on the go. Both apps are also rated 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading.
The main difference shows up in charting tools. IFC Markets gives mobile users more flexibility, with 30 technical studies, trendline drawing, and auto-saving for chart drawings, while Libertex offers none of those chart tools in its app. That gap is reflected in ForexBrokers.com’s ranking for mobile trading apps, where Libertex places #27 out of 36 brokers and IFC Markets ranks #35.
| Feature |
Libertex
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Libertex and IFC Markets both give traders useful market research features, but Libertex has a slight edge overall. Both brokers offer a sentiment tool that shows whether more traders are buying or selling, plus an economic calendar to track major global events. Neither broker includes research from Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. Libertex stands out with daily forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and it also offers Trading Central tools such as Technical Analytics. IFC Markets does not provide these same news or Trading Central features, though it does include daily market commentary.
In ForexBrokers.com’s research ratings, Libertex scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks 25th out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks 31st. For shoppers comparing broker research tools in plain terms, Libertex offers a stronger mix of news and analysis, while IFC Markets covers the basics well but with fewer advanced research options.
| Feature |
Libertex
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to beginner-friendly learning tools, IFC Markets gives new traders more to work with than Libertex. IFC Markets offers at least 10 beginner trading videos and at least 10 advanced videos, while Libertex does not meet those video-based education marks. Neither broker offers monthly educational webinars, and both fall short of the standard for forex or CFDs education measured by at least 10 dedicated learning pieces on those topics.
In overall education ratings, Libertex is scored higher at 4 out of 5 stars, compared with 3.5 out of 5 stars for IFC Markets. Even so, IFC Markets ranks better for Education on ForexBrokers.com, placing #25 out of 36 brokers versus Libertex at #33. For beginners who want more video lessons, IFC Markets may be the better fit, while Libertex still holds a slightly stronger overall education score.
| Feature |
Libertex
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | No | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Libertex is better than IFC Markets. Libertex finished with an overall rank of #32, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #34.
Libertex is a low-cost CFD broker with one of the deepest crypto lineups we have tested, at 109 crypto CFDs across 1,573 total symbols. Pricing is competitive and MetaTrader 4 and 5 run alongside a clean proprietary platform. Education and research are thin, and the mobile app has no charting indicators.
| Feature |
Libertex
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IFC Markets
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 79 | 73 |
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Libertex and IFC Markets both do not offer the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but each does provide cryptocurrency CFDs for traders looking to speculate on crypto price movements without owning the underlying asset.
Libertex offers a broader range of funding options than IFC Markets, supporting ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires, while IFC Markets supports only bank wires and does not offer ACH/SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill for deposits and withdrawals.
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 | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Libertex Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 79 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1997 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | ||
| 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) | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1573 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 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 | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.3 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.3 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Libertex | 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 | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 43 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | No | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 0 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Libertex | 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 | Libertex Review |
| Overall | Libertex | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 79 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Libertex Review |
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