Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.com 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.
When evaluating online brokers, it is important to consider their regulatory standings and trust ratings to ensure your investments are in safe hands. Markets.com, established in 1999, has built a strong reputation in the industry with a Trust Score of 93 out of 99, reflecting a highly trusted status according to ForexBrokers.com. This broker holds three highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and one trusted Tier-2 license, which adds to its reliability, although it is neither publicly traded nor a bank.
IFC Markets, which came onto the scene in 2006, holds a Trust Score of 73 out of 99. This score indicates an average risk profile, supported by the broker's single Tier-2 license while lacking any Tier-1 licenses. Like Markets.com, IFC Markets is not listed on a stock exchange and does not operate as a bank. When selecting between these brokers, Markets.com may offer a more secure regulatory framework, making it a noteworthy option for those prioritizing trust and protection in their trading activities.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, IFC Markets edges out Markets.com. IFC Markets earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #40 out of 63 brokers for pricing, while Markets.com holds 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #51 out of 63. That gap suggests IFC Markets offers more attractive overall trading costs for many users.
Markets.com does not provide average spread data, which makes it harder to benchmark its pricing versus competitors. With a 3.5-star rating and a #51 ranking for commissions and fees, its value proposition appears more middle-of-the-pack based on available assessments.
IFC Markets publishes more detail. Its average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips on standard pricing, higher than the industry average of 1.08. However, active traders can do better with the ECN account, where the effective spread drops to about 1.1 pips after the 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. The lack of inactivity fees and the availability of active trader discounts further improve its appeal for frequent traders.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | N/A | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Markets.com vs IFC Markets: Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot and offer cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual coins). Markets.com lists 2,179 tradeable symbols and 57 forex pairs, while IFC Markets has 630 symbols and 49 pairs. Neither broker lets you buy real U.S. exchange-traded stocks like Apple, but IFC Markets does allow trading real international exchange-traded shares (not CFDs), which Markets.com does not. Both platforms offer copy trading.
For range of investments, Markets.com is rated 4 stars and ranks #30 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #44. If you want a wider selection of CFD instruments and slightly more currency pairs, Markets.com is the stronger pick. If you need access to actual international exchange-traded shares (outside the U.S.), IFC Markets stands out.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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.
Markets.com and IFC Markets both deliver a wide range of trading platforms and tools for everyday traders. Each offers a free demo (paper) account, a proprietary in-house platform, a Windows desktop download, and a web-based platform. They also support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), plus copy trading, making it easy to test strategies, trade on familiar software, and explore social features before risking real money.
Key differences show up in charting workflow: IFC Markets lets you place trades directly from charts, while Markets.com does not. Both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, but ForexBrokers.com ranks Markets.com higher (#27 of 63) than IFC Markets (#37 of 63). Indicator counts and watch list field details were not disclosed. If trading from the chart is important, IFC Markets stands out; if third-party rankings matter more to you, Markets.com has a slight edge.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | 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) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Markets.com vs IFC Markets for mobile trading: both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, and watchlists that sync with your online account. Each earns 4 stars for mobile trading apps, but their category rankings differ: Markets.com is ranked 34th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets sits at 53rd.
For charting, Markets.com’s own app does not include built-in technical indicators; you’ll need to use the MT4 app to access MetaTrader’s default studies. IFC Markets’ app includes 30 technical studies out of the box. Both apps let you draw trendlines, but only IFC Markets auto-saves your drawings. If you want built-in indicators and saved annotations, IFC Markets is convenient; if you rely on MT4’s tools or care about a higher category ranking, Markets.com may be the better fit.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Markets.com and IFC Markets both cover the essentials for market research, including daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long vs. short positioning, and an economic calendar for upcoming events. Markets.com goes a step further with forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while IFC Markets does not provide those premium news feeds. Neither broker offers research from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
Based on ForexBrokers.com’s assessments, Markets.com earns 4 stars for Research and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers, whereas IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #41. If high-quality news is important to your trading, Markets.com has the edge; if you mainly want commentary, a calendar, and sentiment data, both brokers can meet your needs.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Markets.com vs IFC Markets: both brokers provide beginner-friendly education focused on forex and CFD trading and meet the common benchmark of at least 10 educational pieces. Each offers at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, giving new traders clear step-by-step lessons plus room to grow. A key difference is live learning: Markets.com runs client webinars at least once a month, while IFC Markets does not. If you prefer interactive sessions to ask questions and see concepts in action, Markets.com has the edge; if you’re happy learning through videos at your own pace, both brokers cover the bases.
How do they stack up in ratings? Markets.com earns 4 stars for Education and is ranked #34 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets earns 3.5 stars yet holds a slightly higher Education ranking at #30 out of 63. In short, Markets.com is a better pick if live webinars matter to you, while both are solid choices for video-based learning on forex and CFD trading.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Markets.com is better than IFC Markets. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 93 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
In a Markets.com vs IFC Markets comparison, neither broker supports buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer trading in cryptocurrency CFDs.
Markets.com vs IFC Markets: both do not offer ACH/SEPA for deposits or withdrawals; IFC Markets does not support PayPal or Skrill but does allow bank wire transfers, while the availability of PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire options at Markets.com—and card options at IFC Markets—was not specified.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC 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) | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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 | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | N/A | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | 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 | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.com | 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.com | 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 |
| Overall | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill