Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA 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.
OANDA and IFC Markets are both well-regarded online brokers, but they have different backgrounds and regulatory standings. Founded in 1996, OANDA has established itself with a high Trust Score of 93 out of 99, placing it in the category of highly trusted brokers. OANDA boasts seven Tier-1 licenses, indicating strong regulatory oversight. Meanwhile, IFC Markets, founded a decade later in 2006, is rated with a Trust Score of 73, marking it as average risk in terms of trust, and holds one Tier-2 license, with no Tier-1 licenses to enhance its regulatory profile.
Both OANDA and IFC Markets are privately owned and are not publicly traded on any stock exchange. Additionally, neither broker operates as a bank. These differences in regulatory compliance and history can be crucial factors for traders when selecting a platform that aligns with their safety and security expectations.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
OANDA and IFC Markets both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but they rank differently: OANDA is #35 of 63, while IFC Markets is #40 of 63. OANDA’s standard spreads are on the higher side, averaging 1.61 pips on EUR/USD (July 2024). Its Core pricing lowers the spread to around 0.4 pips but adds a $5 per side commission per $100,000 traded (about $10 per round turn), bringing the all-in cost to roughly 1.4 pips—slightly cheaper than OANDA’s default pricing, though it requires a $10,000 minimum deposit. By comparison, IFC Markets lists an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips (above the 1.08 industry average), and its ECN account can deliver about 1.1 pips effective cost after a 0.005% commission on both sides.
Beyond headline spreads, OANDA allows ultra-small trade sizes (down to 1 unit) and offers volume-based rebates of $5–$17 per million in select regions, plus TradingView subscription reimbursements. It also publishes trailing average spreads to aid pricing transparency, though not on a fixed time window. IFC Markets stands out with no inactivity fees and adds active-trader discounts, which can help frequent traders manage costs.
Bottom line: If you can meet OANDA’s $10,000 minimum, its Core pricing narrows the gap and can undercut its own standard pricing, but IFC Markets’ ECN option may be cheaper for active traders at around 1.1 pips effective cost. Ratings and rankings for commissions and fees: OANDA — 4/5 stars, ranked #35 of 63; IFC Markets — 4/5 stars, ranked #40 of 63.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.69 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
OANDA vs. IFC Markets: Both brokers let you trade forex either as CFDs or via spot contracts. OANDA lists 4,172 tradeable instruments and 69 currency pairs, while IFC Markets offers 630 instruments and 49 pairs. Both support copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, but only OANDA also lets you buy actual crypto. For stocks, OANDA offers exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, whereas IFC Markets offers exchange-traded shares on international exchanges but not on U.S. markets.
According to ForexBrokers.com, OANDA earns 4 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 28th out of 63 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at 3.5 stars and 44th. In short, OANDA provides a broader selection across assets, while IFC Markets delivers a smaller lineup that still covers popular markets and copy trading.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
Comparing OANDA vs IFC Markets for trading platforms and tools, both brokers check the key boxes for most traders. Each offers a free demo (paper) account, an in-house proprietary platform, and both Windows desktop and web-based platforms. You’ll also find MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) support at both, plus copy trading options. ZuluTrade is not available with either broker, and DupliTrade availability isn’t specified. If you like placing orders right from charts, both OANDA and IFC Markets make that possible.
For charting depth, the exact counts of technical indicators and drawing tools aren’t listed, but watchlists differ slightly: OANDA offers 6 fields while IFC Markets provides 7. In expert reviews, each earns 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, yet OANDA ranks higher overall (#15 of 63) compared with IFC Markets (#37 of 63) according to ForexBrokers.com. Choose IFC Markets if you want an extra watchlist field, or consider OANDA if third-party rankings matter more to you.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 [DELETED] | ||
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
OANDA and IFC Markets both deliver mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android. Each app supports price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and charting with 30 technical studies, multiple time frames, trendline drawing, and auto‑saved annotations. The standout difference is watchlist syncing: IFC Markets syncs watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, while OANDA does not.
In third‑party assessments, OANDA earns 5 stars and ranks #7 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets earns 4 stars and ranks #53. If you want a higher‑rated mobile trading experience, OANDA is the stronger pick; if syncing watchlists across devices is a must, IFC Markets has the edge. Both apps cover core needs for forex and CFD trading on the go.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both OANDA and IFC Markets publish daily market commentary and include an economic calendar and a sentiment tool that shows long and short positions. The key differences are in depth and sources: OANDA provides forex news from top-tier outlets such as Bloomberg and Reuters, while IFC Markets does not. OANDA also offers Autochartist research tools; neither broker includes Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
According to ForexBrokers.com, OANDA earns 5 stars for Research and ranks #4 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #41. If you want richer in-platform research—especially real-time news and Autochartist analysis—OANDA is the stronger pick. If you mainly need daily commentary, sentiment data, and an economic calendar, IFC Markets covers the basics.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
OANDA and IFC Markets both deliver beginner-friendly forex and CFD education with at least 10 learning pieces, plus large libraries of beginner and advanced videos. Each broker also provides an investor dictionary with 50+ terms. Where they differ is live learning: OANDA hosts monthly client webinars and offers a searchable archive of past sessions, while IFC Markets does not run webinars or provide a recorded webinar archive.
These extras help explain the gap in ratings. OANDA holds a 5-star Education score and ranks #19 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared with IFC Markets at 3.5 stars and #30. If you want ongoing live coaching and on-demand replays, OANDA is the stronger pick; if you mainly want self-paced videos and a glossary, both brokers can meet that need.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that OANDA is better than IFC Markets. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 |
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When comparing OANDA and IFC Markets for cryptocurrency trading, OANDA provides the ability to buy both actual cryptocurrencies and derivatives, while IFC Markets only offers cryptocurrency derivatives.
OANDA provides a variety of options for depositing and withdrawing funds, including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas IFC Markets supports Visa or Mastercard and bank wires but lacks ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Skrill as options.
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 | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review |
| Broker Screenshots | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4172 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 69 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.69 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.69 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 [DELETED] | |||
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | |||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | 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 | OANDA Review |
| Overall | OANDA | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review |
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