menuclose
Back to Main Menu
ForexBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn How We Make Money

Swissquote vs IFC Markets 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

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

Swissquote
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $1000
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 472
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

Swissquote and IFC Markets are online brokers with very different trust profiles. Swissquote, founded in 1996, is publicly traded and operates as a bank. It holds a 99/99 Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com, which falls in the highly trusted range (90–99). IFC Markets, founded in 2006, is not publicly traded and is not a bank. Its 73/99 Trust Score places it in the average risk range (70–79).

On regulation and licensing, Swissquote has 5 Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) and 2 Tier-2 licenses (trusted). IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. For most traders, this means Swissquote offers wider top-tier regulatory oversight and a stronger safety profile, while IFC Markets has a more limited regulatory footprint.

Feature Swissquote logoSwissquote
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Year Founded info 1996 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Tier-1 Licenses info 5 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 5

Fees

Swissquote and IFC Markets both charge trading costs that sit above the cheapest options in the market, but their pricing models are a bit different. Swissquote, a Swiss banking group, tends to charge a premium for the trust and brand name, with fees varying by entity and account type. In the U.K., its Elite account is the best fit for active traders with at least $10,000 to deposit, offering lower spreads plus a $5 round-turn commission, while less active users may find the Standard account’s EUR/USD spread from 1.3 pips less appealing. Swissquote is rated 3.5/5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #35 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.

IFC Markets is a little more cost-friendly for many traders, especially those who value simpler pricing and no inactivity fee. Its average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips, which is above the industry average, but its ECN account can bring effective costs down to about 1.1 pips after commission. It also offers active trader discounts, which may help frequent traders keep expenses lower. IFC Markets is rated 4/5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #32 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.

Overall, IFC Markets has the edge on commissions and fees, while Swissquote may appeal more to traders who want the added comfort of a Swiss banking name and are willing to pay a bit more for it. For pure trading cost, IFC Markets is the better value of the two, though neither broker is among the very cheapest in the forex market.

Feature Swissquote logoSwissquote
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $1000 $1
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info N/A info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info N/A info 1.1 info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes 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

Swissquote and IFC Markets both give traders access to forex as a CFD or spot contract, plus copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs. Where Swissquote stands out is in the wider mix of investments: it offers 472 tradeable symbols, including 80 forex pairs, while IFC Markets lists 630 tradeable symbols but only 49 forex pairs. Swissquote also lets clients buy actual shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, while IFC Markets supports exchange traded shares on international markets only.

Swissquote also goes further for crypto investors by offering the option to buy actual cryptocurrency, not just a CFD, which IFC Markets does not provide. Overall, Swissquote is rated 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #2 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, compared with IFC Markets at 3.5 stars and #31. If you want a broader choice across shares, forex pairs, and direct crypto ownership, Swissquote has the edge, while IFC Markets still offers a decent selection of markets.

Feature Swissquote logoSwissquote
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 472 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 80 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

Swissquote and IFC Markets both give traders a wide choice of platforms and tools, making either broker a solid fit for active and casual users alike. Each offers a free demo account for practice, a proprietary trading platform, Windows desktop software, a web-based platform, copy trading, and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both brokers also let users trade directly from charts, which can make order placement quicker and easier.

In third-party comparisons, Swissquote comes out ahead in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, with a 4.5-star rating and a ForexBrokers.com ranking of #12 out of 36 brokers. IFC Markets is also well-equipped, but it trails Swissquote with a 4-star rating and a #29 ranking. For traders who want a slightly stronger overall platform experience, Swissquote has the edge, while IFC Markets still offers many of the same core features.

Feature Swissquote logoSwissquote
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 86 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

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

Forex trading apps

Swissquote and IFC Markets both make mobile trading easy with iPhone and Android apps, plus price alerts to help users keep track of stock or forex moves. Each app also includes 30 technical studies, trendline drawing, and automatic saving for chart drawings, so traders can do basic analysis on the go without much hassle.

The main difference is in watchlist syncing and overall app quality. IFC Markets lets watchlists sync between the mobile app and online account, while Swissquote does not. Even so, Swissquote comes out ahead in mobile trading app ratings, with 4.5 out of 5 stars and a ForexBrokers.com ranking of #12 out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at 4 stars and #34 out of 36.

Feature Swissquote logoSwissquote
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 No Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

Swissquote and IFC Markets both give traders daily market commentary and an economic calendar, so each broker covers the basics well when it comes to staying on top of market events. Swissquote goes further by offering forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental analysis. IFC Markets does not include those news or Autochartist features, but it does stand out with a sentiment tool that shows the split between long and short positions across currency pairs and other instruments.

Overall, Swissquote has the stronger market research offering, with a 4.5-star Research rating and a #15 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets is still useful for basic research needs, but its selection is narrower, earning a 3.5-star rating and a #30 ranking. For traders who want more third-party news and analysis, Swissquote has the edge; for those who value sentiment data, IFC Markets has one feature Swissquote lacks.

Feature Swissquote logoSwissquote
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
Client sentiment data info No 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

For beginners looking to learn forex and CFD trading, Swissquote has the edge over IFC Markets in education. Swissquote offers forex and CFD learning materials, runs online educational webinars at least once a month, and provides 10 or more beginner videos as well as 10 or more advanced videos. It is also rated 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #19 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, which points to a stronger overall learning experience for new traders.

IFC Markets also gives beginners a useful set of learning tools, including at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, but it does not offer monthly educational webinars. While it is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks #25 out of 36 brokers, its education offering is not as complete as Swissquote’s. For a beginner who wants more live learning support and a wider range of forex and CFD education, Swissquote is the better choice.

Feature Swissquote logoSwissquote
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Webinars info Yes 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 Swissquote is better than IFC Markets. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #33.

Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.

Feature Swissquote logoSwissquote
IFC Markets logoIFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trading Fees 3.5/5 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 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Swissquote or IFC Markets?

Online brokers Swissquote and IFC Markets both offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but only Swissquote also lets you buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, whereas IFC Markets does not.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Swissquote vs IFC Markets: for deposit and withdrawal methods, Swissquote supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers, while IFC Markets offers bank wires only and does not support ACH/SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.

More Comparisons

Swissquote vs Interactive Brokers Swissquote vs FXCM Swissquote vs IG Swissquote vs FP Markets Swissquote vs Exness Swissquote vs AvaTrade IFC Markets vs Saxo IFC Markets vs Capital.com IFC Markets vs IG IFC Markets vs City Index IFC Markets vs HYCM (Henyep Capital Markets) IFC Markets vs Swissquote

Show all



announcementPlease 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

↓×
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxActivTrades
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAvaTrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBlackBull Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCity Index
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCMC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxEightcap
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxExness
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFOREX.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFP Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXCM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFxPro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHFM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIFC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIG
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIUX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOANDA
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOcta
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPepperstone
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPlus500
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxQuestrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSaxo
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSpreadex
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSwissquote
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTickmill
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrading 212
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVantage
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXM Group
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXTB

Compare

0 of 5
× Swissquote
× IFC Markets
Sponsored

+ Add Broker

Close Menu ×

navigate_before navigate_next
Overall Rating Swissquote IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 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 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Winner check_circle
Review Swissquote Review
Broker Screenshots Swissquote IFC Markets
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
Swissquote CFXD mobile app watchlist light mode. Swissquote CFXD web platform dark mode. Swissquote YouTube videos market analysis research. Swissquote educational course learning center
Regulation Swissquote IFC Markets
Trust Score info 99 73
Year Founded info 1996 2006
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info Yes No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 5 1
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 5
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) Swissquote IFC Markets
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info No
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info Yes
Japan (FSA Authorised) info No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info Yes
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) Swissquote IFC Markets
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info Yes
India (SEBI Authorised) info No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info
Investments Swissquote IFC Markets
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 472 630
Forex Pairs (Total) info 80 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info 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 Swissquote IFC Markets
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info N/A info 1.44 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info N/A info 1.1 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes No
Order execution: Agency info Yes Yes
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding Swissquote IFC Markets
Minimum Deposit info $1000 $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 Yes No
Trading Platforms Swissquote IFC Markets
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes Yes
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools Swissquote IFC Markets
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 86 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading Swissquote 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 No Yes
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research Swissquote IFC Markets
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes No
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info No Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education Swissquote IFC Markets
Webinars info Yes No
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs Swissquote IFC Markets
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review Swissquote Review
Overall Swissquote IFC Markets
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 3.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 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 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 73
Winner check_circle
Review Swissquote Review
arrow_upward

close
navigate_before navigate_next