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Plus500 vs IFC Markets 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Plus500 vs IFC Markets, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Plus500
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: €50 info
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 5500 info
IFC Markets
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $1
  • Trust Score: 73
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 630

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.

Regulation

Plus500 vs IFC Markets: both are online brokers, with IFC Markets founded in 2006 and Plus500 in 2008. Plus500 is publicly traded, while IFC Markets is not, and neither company is a bank. On ForexBrokers.com’s 0–99 Trust Score scale—where 90–99 is highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted—Plus500 scores 99 (highly trusted) and IFC Markets scores 73 (average risk).

Regulation also sets them apart. Plus500 holds 6 Tier-1 licenses and 4 Tier-2 licenses, signaling wide oversight by top-tier regulators. IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. If strong, multi-jurisdiction regulation and a top Trust Score matter to you, Plus500 offers a higher-rated profile, while IFC Markets presents a more limited regulatory footprint.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Year Founded info 2008 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 4 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 2 5

Fees

Comparing commissions and fees, both Plus500 and IFC Markets price slightly above the industry’s lowest-cost brokers. Plus500 is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars and ranks #24 of 63 for Commissions and Fees on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #32 of 63. Both feature above-average EUR/USD spreads, but they take different approaches for active traders.

Plus500’s EUR/USD spread averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry average. Pricing is a bit above average overall, and it trails leaders for active trader pricing. Plus500 doesn’t offer retail discounts, though Professional clients may qualify for cash rebates.

IFC Markets lists an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips versus an industry average of 1.08. Active traders can improve costs via the ECN account, where the effective spread is about 1.1 pips after a 0.005% commission charged on both sides of the trade. IFC Markets also forgoes inactivity fees and offers active trader discounts, which can further reduce ongoing costs for frequent traders.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info €50 info $1
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.3 info 1.1 info
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

Comparing Plus500 vs IFC Markets for range of investments: both support forex trading, either as CFDs or spot contracts. Plus500 lists about 5,500 tradeable symbols versus IFC Markets’ 630, and offers 65 forex pairs compared with 49 at IFC. Both let you trade cryptocurrency via CFDs, but neither offers actual crypto purchases. For exchange-traded shares (not CFDs), Plus500 provides access to both U.S. and international markets, while IFC Markets offers international shares only and no U.S. stock dealing. IFC Markets includes copy trading; Plus500 does not.

Based on ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 scores 4.5/5 for Range of Investments and ranks 17th out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets scores 3.5/5 and ranks 31st. If you want the widest selection and access to U.S. stocks, Plus500 has the edge; if copy trading is a priority, IFC Markets may fit better.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes info Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 5500 info 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 65 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes info 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account.

Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.

Trading platforms and tools

Plus500 and IFC Markets both provide free demo accounts and their own in-house trading platforms. Plus500 focuses on a streamlined web-based platform and does not offer a Windows desktop download, while IFC Markets gives you both a browser platform and a Windows desktop app. IFC Markets also supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and includes copy trading, whereas Plus500 does not support MT4/MT5 and does not offer copy trading. Both brokers include charting tools, but only IFC Markets lets you place trades directly from a chart.

For Trading Platforms and Tools, Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #29. If you want a simple, web-first experience with a practice account, Plus500 is a strong pick. If you prefer a Windows desktop platform, MetaTrader support, copy trading, and chart-based order entry, IFC Markets fits better.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info No Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 115 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info No Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

Both Plus500 and IFC Markets offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with handy features like price alerts for stocks and forex and watchlist syncing across devices and the web. That means updates you make on your phone carry over to your account everywhere.

If you care about charting tools, Plus500 offers more built-in indicators (115 vs. IFC Markets’ 30). Both apps let you draw trendlines, but only IFC Markets auto-saves your drawings; Plus500 does not. In overall app quality, Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 4 stars and ranks #34.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 115 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info No Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

Plus500 and IFC Markets both cover the basics for market research. Each broker provides daily market commentary, a useful economic calendar, and a sentiment tool that shows the ratio of long vs. short positions. Neither platform streams forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, and both lack extras such as Autochartist, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading tools.

The key difference is that Plus500 includes Trading Central, adding more in-depth technical analysis that IFC Markets does not offer. Reflecting this gap, Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #17 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #30. If you want stronger built-in analysis, Plus500 is the better fit; if you only need core features, IFC Markets covers the essentials.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info No No
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central info Yes No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

Plus500 vs IFC Markets for beginner education: both brokers cover forex and CFD basics with on-demand video lessons, including at least 10 beginner-focused videos and 10+ advanced videos for when you’re ready to go deeper. A key difference is live learning—Plus500 runs client webinars at least once a month, which is great if you prefer real-time instruction and Q&A, while IFC Markets does not offer monthly educational webinars.

According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education, while IFC Markets scores 3.5. In the same category, IFC Markets is ranked #25 out of 63 brokers, with Plus500 at #26. If you value frequent live webinars to support your early learning, Plus500 has the edge; if webinars aren’t essential, IFC Markets’ video library can still cover the basics.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Webinars info Yes info No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than IFC Markets. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #33.

Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.

Feature Plus500 logoPlus500
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Plus500 or IFC Markets?

Plus500 vs IFC Markets: neither online broker allows you to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFD trading.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Plus500 vs IFC Markets: both brokers do not support ACH/SEPA but do support bank wire transfers; Plus500 uniquely offers PayPal and Skrill while IFC Markets does not, and information on Visa/Mastercard availability was not provided.

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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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Overall Rating Plus500 IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Winner check_circle
Review Plus500 Review
Broker Screenshots Plus500 IFC Markets
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
Plus500 mobile app charts. Plus500 trading platform EURUSD Plus500 web platform market news analysis articles. Plus500 webinars with Corellian Academy YouTube video playlist
Regulation Plus500 IFC Markets
Trust Score info 99 73
Year Founded info 2008 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 6 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 4 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 2 5
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) Plus500 IFC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info Yes
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info Yes
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) Plus500 IFC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info Yes
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info Yes info
India (SEBI Authorised) info Yes
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments Plus500 IFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes info Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 5500 info 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 65 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info No No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes info 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account.
Cost Plus500 IFC Markets
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.3 info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.3 info 1.1 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info No Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding Plus500 IFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info €50 info $1
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info No No
Trading Platforms Plus500 IFC Markets
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info No Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No Yes
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools Plus500 IFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 115 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info No Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading Plus500 IFC Markets
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 115 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info No Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research Plus500 IFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info No No
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central info Yes No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education Plus500 IFC Markets
Webinars info Yes info No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs Plus500 IFC Markets
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes info Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review Plus500 Review
Overall Plus500 IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 4.5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 4.0/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Winner check_circle
Review Plus500 Review
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