Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo 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 comparing online brokers Saxo and IFC Markets, it's clear that Saxo, established in 1992, stands out with a stellar Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. Unlike IFC Markets, which was founded in 2006 and has a Trust Score of 73, Saxo also operates as a bank, enhancing its reputation in financial markets. Saxo holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, whereas IFC Markets does not hold any Tier-1 licenses. Both brokers have one Tier-2 license, which is seen as trusted but not as reliable as Tier-1.
Neither Saxo nor IFC Markets are publicly traded, with Saxo's status as a bank further contributing to its exceptional standing. The significant presence of Tier-1 licenses for Saxo places it in the "highly trusted" category, while IFC Markets' single Tier-2 license reflects a more average risk level. For those seeking a broker with a substantial trust factor, Saxo emerges as a compelling choice, providing oversight and security that are key factors in the financial trading world.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
Saxo offers excellent pricing, notably advantageous for active and high-volume traders, and those maintaining large account balances. The average spread for EUR/USD as of November 2023 was 1.1 pips for Classic accounts, 1.0 pips for Platinum accounts, and 0.9 pips for VIP accounts. While the Platinum and VIP pricing aligns with industry averages, the Classic account's spread is slightly higher. Saxo's commission structure is fee-free except for traders executing less than 50,000 units monthly, who are charged a $3 ticket fee per side. Saxo's innovative account tiering, including the award-winning VIP account, presents lucrative savings opportunities. Ranked 9th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Saxo earns a stellar 5-star rating for its commissions and fees.
On the other hand, IFC Markets provides spreads averaging 1.44 pips for the EUR/USD, slightly above the industry standard. Its new ECN account offers more favorable spreads, averaging 1.1 pips after a 0.005% commission on both trade sides. These rates cater to more active traders seeking narrow margins. IFC Markets also enhances trader value by offering active trader discounts and waiving inactivity fees. Despite these benefits, IFC Markets ranks 39th out of 63 brokers as evaluated by ForexBrokers.com and is rated 4 stars for its commissions and fees.
In summary, Saxo stands out with remarkably low spreads primarily benefiting high-volume traders, while IFC Markets appeals to active traders with its ECN account structure. Saxo's flexible upgrade pathways and fee waivers for higher-tier accounts reinforce its 5-star rating, underscoring its leading market position. Meanwhile, IFC Markets provides competitive options to manage trading costs, albeit with slightly less favorable spreads in its basic offerings.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments offered by Saxo and IFC Markets, Saxo stands out as a more comprehensive choice. Saxo provides access to an impressive 70,000 tradeable symbols and 190 forex pairs, making it an excellent option for investors seeking variety in their investment portfolio. In contrast, IFC Markets offers a narrower selection with 630 tradeable symbols and 49 forex pairs. Both brokers allow forex trading as CFD or spot contracts and provide cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Additionally, Saxo offers the opportunity to trade in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase stocks like Apple or Vodafone, while IFC Markets only permits trading on international exchanges. Both brokers support copy trading, but Saxo's more extensive investment options earn it a rating of 5 stars for the range of investments, placing it at #3 in the category according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, IFC Markets receives 3.5 stars and ranks #43, highlighting the broader appeal and diverse offerings of Saxo for global investors.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 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) | 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.
Saxo and IFC Markets both provide traders with comprehensive platforms and a suite of trading tools. Users of either broker can take advantage of simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, while each also offers a proprietary platform developed in-house. Traders can access both desktop and web-based platforms, making it easy to manage trades from any computer. A notable difference lies in their platform offerings: while Saxo does not provide MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), IFC Markets supports both, making it a suitable choice for those preferring these popular platforms.
When it comes to charting tools, Saxo stands out with 20 drawing tools, compared to 15 offered by IFC Markets. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, offering seamless execution for chart-focused traders. In terms of watch list columns, Saxo allows for extensive customization with 60 fields, in contrast to the 7 fields available with IFC Markets. This array of features has positioned Saxo as a leader in trading platforms, earning a 5-star rating and a top rank on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets holds a respectable 4-star rating and a ranking of 36 among its peers.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Saxo and IFC Markets offer strong contenders, accessible on both iPhone and Android devices. Users of either platform can enjoy the convenience of stock or forex price alerts to stay informed of market movements. The syncing of watchlists between mobile app and online account is smooth in both offerings, providing seamless transitions and updates from one device to another.
Saxo shines with an array of 64 technical studies for charting enthusiasts, significantly more than IFC Markets' 30. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and enjoy the security of auto-saving drawn charts. Real-time quotes in watchlists enhance the user experience across the board. However, Saxo stands out with a 5-star rating for its mobile trading apps, ranking 2nd out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets holds a 4-star rating and ranks 52nd in the same category. Saxo's advanced features and higher rating make it a top choice for mobile traders seeking an enhanced trading experience.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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 Saxo and IFC Markets for their market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and a comprehensive economic calendar featuring global news events. However, Saxo clearly stands out with its access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while IFC Markets lacks this feature. Additionally, Saxo equips its users with advanced technical analysis tools from Autochartist, a level of service not available with IFC Markets. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools to help traders gauge market movements, but Saxo's overall market research capabilities earn it higher recognition.
Saxo's exceptional research offerings have earned it a top rank and a five-star rating from ForexBrokers.com, securing the first position out of 63 compared brokers. On the other hand, IFC Markets, while having decent features, is rated 3.5 stars and is positioned at #40 in the same ranking. Both brokers do not provide services from Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, highlighting a common gap in their offerings. Yet, Saxo's access to premium news sources and technical tools gives it a noticeable edge for traders seeking comprehensive market insights.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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 the educational resources offered by Saxo and IFC Markets, it's clear that both brokers provide a wealth of materials for beginner traders. Saxo and IFC Markets each offer a solid foundation of over ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs. Additionally, both platforms provide a comprehensive suite of beginner and advanced educational videos, as well as a helpful investor dictionary with definitions of more than 50 investing terms. However, Saxo stands out by offering monthly online educational webinars and maintaining a searchable archive of past webinars, which IFC Markets does not provide.
In terms of educational quality, Saxo earns an impressive 5-star rating, securing the 13th spot among 63 brokers as rated by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, IFC Markets, with a 3.5-star rating in the Education category, is ranked 30th out of 63 brokers. These differences highlight Saxo's superior commitment to providing a more comprehensive educational experience for beginners. Saxo's richer collection of resources, including its regular and archived webinars, makes it a more appealing choice for those starting their trading journey.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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 Saxo is better than IFC Markets. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Saxo is an exclusive multi-asset broker with brilliant research and a superb trading platform experience – as well as a stunning selection of over 40,000 securities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Saxo and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they each provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Saxo and IFC Markets provide Visa or Mastercard and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but neither offers ACH, SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill as available transaction methods.
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 | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 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) | 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 | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 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 | Saxo | 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 | Saxo | 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 | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | 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 | Saxo | 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 | Saxo Review |
| Overall | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill