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 | N/A | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Markets.com vs IFC Markets on range of investments: Markets.com lists 2,179 tradeable symbols versus 630 at IFC Markets. Markets.com also offers 57 forex pairs against IFC’s 49. Both brokers let you trade forex as CFDs or spot, and both support copy trading. Neither sells actual cryptocurrencies, but each offers crypto derivatives.
For share dealing, neither broker offers exchange-traded U.S. stocks (for example, Apple on NASDAQ). IFC Markets does offer exchange-traded shares on select international exchanges, while Markets.com does not. Based on ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com earns 4 stars and ranks 30th of 63 for range of investments; IFC Markets earns 3.5 stars and ranks 44th.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | 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.
Markets.com and IFC Markets both check the core boxes for trading platforms and tools. Each broker offers a free demo (paper) account, a proprietary platform built in-house, and access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). You can trade on Windows desktop or through a web browser with either broker, and both support copy trading. Neither supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
Where they differ is in charting and layout. IFC Markets offers 15 drawing tools and lets you place trades directly from charts, while Markets.com offers 4 drawing tools and does not support chart trading. Watchlists are slightly more flexible at IFC Markets (7 columns) versus Markets.com (6 columns). Indicator counts were not specified for either broker. Both earn 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools; according to ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com ranks #27 of 63 brokers in this category, while IFC Markets ranks #37.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Markets.com and IFC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with price alerts, real-time watchlists, and watchlist syncing between the app and your online account. Each app lets you draw trendlines on forex and stock charts. The key differences are in charting depth: IFC Markets includes 30 technical indicators, supports multiple time frames (intraday to weekly), and auto-saves your chart drawings. Markets.com’s own app does not include built-in technical studies and does not offer multiple time frames or auto-save for drawings; however, if you use Markets.com via MetaTrader 4, you can access MT4’s default indicators.
Both brokers earn 4 stars for Mobile Trading Apps. In ForexBrokers.com’s rankings, Markets.com places #34 out of 63, while IFC Markets ranks #53. Choose IFC Markets if you value more indicators, flexible time frames, and saved chart annotations on mobile. Choose Markets.com if you want an easy mobile experience with synced watchlists and alerts—and you’re comfortable relying on MT4 for technical studies if needed.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing Markets.com and IFC Markets in terms of educational resources for beginners, both brokers bring unique strengths to the table. Markets.com offers monthly online educational client webinars, which is a valuable feature for those seeking live interaction and learning experiences. They also provide a solid collection of beginner videos, making it easier for new traders to grasp essential trading concepts. However, Markets.com falls short in offering a dedicated forex or CFDs education section and does not provide an investor dictionary, which can be crucial for newcomers trying to understand investing terminology.
On the other hand, IFC Markets excels in providing a comprehensive range of educational materials, with over 10 pieces focused solely on forex and CFDs. This makes it an attractive choice for beginners who prefer a more self-paced learning approach. Additionally, IFC Markets has an investor dictionary, which is a helpful resource for understanding investment terms. Nonetheless, the lack of monthly webinars may be a downside for those who thrive on live educational sessions. In terms of rankings, both brokers are closely matched, with Markets.com rated slightly higher at 4 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars, but ranked lower overall on ForexBrokers.com for the Education category.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | 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
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 |
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While neither Markets.com nor IFC Markets allows the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency, both offer the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Markets.com and IFC Markets do not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transactions, but Markets.com stands out by offering Skrill as an option for deposits and withdrawals, whereas both platforms accept Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers.
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 | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| 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/Central Bank 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. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | 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 | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.com | 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 | ||
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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