Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Questrade 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.
Questrade, founded in 2000, is not listed on any stock exchange and does not operate as a bank. This online broker is notable for holding two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com. With a Trust Score of 86, Questrade is considered a trusted platform under the rating system. These factors make it a reliable choice for individuals seeking a well-regulated online trading experience.
On the other hand, IFC Markets began its operations in 2006 and, like Questrade, is not publicly traded nor functions as a bank. It holds one Tier-2 license, classified as trusted but not as highly as Tier-1. With a Trust Score of 73, IFC Markets is perceived as having average risk compared to Questrade. This score indicates that while it offers certain regulatory measures, potential traders may want to consider the difference in trust ratings when choosing between these two online brokers.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | ||
| Bank | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Questrade offers a trading environment with target spreads on the popular EUR/USD currency pair starting at 1.9 pips. This rate is notably steeper when compared to the industry average, potentially leading to higher trading costs for clients. In terms of overall value, Questrade holds a rating of 3 out of 5 stars in commissions and fees, positioned at a relatively low #58 ranking among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets, on the other hand, provides a more competitive offering for the EUR/USD with an average spread of 1.44 pips. While higher than the industry benchmark of 1.08 pips, IFC Markets introduces cost-effective solutions for active traders through its ECN account, which achieves effective spreads of 1.1 pips after including the 0.005% commission per trade side. Additional benefits such as zero inactivity fees and active trader discounts further enhance its appeal. Achieving a 4-star rating, IFC Markets ranks at #39 among 63 brokers in the same category.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | $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 | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | ||
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | ||
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing Questrade and IFC Markets for their range of investment options, Questrade stands out with a more diverse selection. Questrade offers a substantial 641 tradeable symbols, including 110 forex pairs, as well as exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This allows clients to buy shares from companies like Apple and Vodafone. In addition to traditional stocks, Questrade provides access to cryptocurrency derivatives, though not to actual cryptocurrencies. Questrade earns a 5-star rating for its offerings, ranking #11 out of 63 brokers for its wide range of investments.
In contrast, IFC Markets offers 630 tradeable symbols and 49 forex pairs, which is slightly fewer than Questrade. While it allows investments in international equities, it does not provide access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges like Apple shares. However, IFC Markets supports copy trading and also provides cryptocurrency derivatives, similar to Questrade. Despite these options, IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars for its range of investments, ranking #43 out of 63 brokers. This demonstrates a more limited selection compared to Questrade's broader offerings.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | ||
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Questrade and IFC Markets offer a range of options suitable for traders at various levels. Questrade and IFC Markets each provide simulated (paper) trading through free virtual demo accounts, helping beginners practice without financial risk. Both brokers offer proprietary platforms developed in-house, along with Windows-based desktop and web-based browser platforms. However, IFC Markets stands out by supporting MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while Questrade features alternative options like DupliTrade for social trading. Moreover, IFC Markets integrates copy trading into its suite, broadening its appeal among users seeking automated strategies. Both brokers support trading directly from stock charts, providing ease of use for active traders.
In terms of features tailored to customization and technical analysis, Questrade outdoes IFC Markets with 52 watch list columns compared to IFC's 7, allowing for more detailed market tracking. In addition, Questrade equips traders with 20 drawing tools for charting, surpassing IFC Markets' offering of 15. Despite varying strengths in certain areas, both platforms have earned a commendable four-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools, according to industry reviews. Questrade slightly edges ahead, ranking at #34 compared to IFC Markets' #36 in the Trading Platforms and Tools category according to ForexBrokers.com. Trading options remain robust, but individual preferences in specific tools and features will ultimately determine the best fit for each trader's needs.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
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 | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 7 |
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Both Questrade and IFC Markets provide comprehensive mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility on the go. Each app offers essential features such as real-time price alerts for stocks and forex, and the capability to create watchlists that sync with their web platforms. They also allow traders to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames on charts, and automatically save drawings for seamless analysis. Questrade, however, stands out by offering 64 technical studies in its charting tools compared to IFC Markets' 30, giving users a wider array of analytical options.
In terms of user ratings and industry rankings, both platforms received four out of five stars for their mobile app experiences. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, Questrade is ranked 34 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets is positioned at 52. This suggests that while both apps are well-regarded, Questrade may be slightly more favored among users for its mobile trading intricacies and features.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
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 | 64 | 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.
When comparing the market research offerings of Questrade and IFC Markets, both brokers have their strengths but cater to different needs. IFC Markets provides daily market commentary and features a sentiment-based trading tool to help traders understand market dynamics through long or short position ratios. Meanwhile, Questrade lacks these particular offerings but compensates with its integration of Autochartist and Trading Central tools, which are invaluable for technical analysis and fundamental research. Additionally, Questrade partners with TipRanks to enhance its market research resources. Both platforms offer an economic calendar to keep clients informed of global events impacting markets.
Despite their unique offerings, Questrade and IFC Markets both hold a research rating of 3.5 stars. However, in terms of ranking among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets stands at #40, while Questrade is positioned at #51. This suggests that while both brokers provide decent research tools, IFC Markets may have a slight edge in broader research offerings, possibly making it a more resource-rich choice for traders prioritizing sentiment data and regular market insights.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | ||
| Autochartist | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by Questrade and IFC Markets, both platforms provide essential learning materials to help newcomers in the forex and CFD markets. Each offers a collection of more than ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, or archived webinars tailored to these subjects. However, Questrade and IFC Markets differ in their approach to webinars. Questrade maintains a searchable archive of past webinars, which can be a valuable resource for learning at your own pace, whereas IFC Markets does not have this feature. Both brokers offer an extensive selection of beginner-friendly educational videos, ensuring novices have access to the core concepts necessary for trading.
On the advanced education front, IFC Markets takes the lead by offering over ten videos aimed at experienced traders, a resource not currently offered by Questrade. Furthermore, IFC Markets supports an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, again distinguishing itself from Questrade. Both platforms are rated equally for education with 3.5 stars, but IFC Markets slightly surpasses Questrade in ranking, coming in at 30th compared to Questrade's 36th position among 63 brokers. This suggests that, while both are competent, IFC Markets might offer a bit more for traders seeking a deeper dive into complex topics.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Questrade is better than IFC Markets. Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Regulated in both the U.S. and Canada, Questrade is a trusted full-service multi-asset broker now offering forex and CFDs alongside its stock trading services for active and passive investors. While its scope of educational resources and in-house research is limited, Questrade has an impressive platform lineup.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 |
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Both Questrade and IFC Markets allow investors to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
Both Questrade and IFC Markets support Visa or Mastercard and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing account funds, yet neither offer ACH, SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill as payment 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 | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | |||
| Bank | |||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | |||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | |||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | |||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | |||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | |||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | |||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | |||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | |||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | |||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | |||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | |||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | ||
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | ||
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | |||
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers |
| Cost | Questrade | 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 | ||
| Inactivity Fee | |||
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes |
| Funding | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | |||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | |||
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers |
| Trading Platforms | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | ||
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | ||
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | ||
| cTrader | |||
| DupliTrade | Yes | ||
| ZuluTrade |
| Trading Tools | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Questrade | 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 | 64 | 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 | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | ||
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | |||
| Autochartist | Yes | ||
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | ||
| TipRanks | Yes | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | |||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | ||
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | ||
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Questrade | 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 | Questrade Review |
| Overall | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review |
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