Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets offer online brokerage services but differ in terms of regulatory standing and trust scores. Established in 2010, ThinkMarkets is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. It holds an impressive five Tier-1 licenses, deemed highly trusted, and two Tier-2 licenses, which are trusted by ForexBrokers.com. This strong regulatory foundation earns ThinkMarkets a high Trust Score of 92, indicating it is highly trusted in the industry.
In contrast, IFC Markets, founded in 2006, also remains privately held and is not a bank. However, it holds no Tier-1 licenses and just one Tier-2 license, resulting in a more moderate Trust Score rating of 73, categorized as average risk. Comparing these factors, ThinkMarkets appears to offer a stronger level of trust and regulatory oversight than IFC Markets.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing online brokers, ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets both hold a 4-star rating for their commissions and fees, though they are ranked differently by ForexBrokers.com. ThinkMarkets is ranked at #47, while IFC Markets stands at #39 out of 63 brokers. This suggests that IFC Markets may offer somewhat more competitive pricing overall.
ThinkMarkets doesn't provide detailed information about its average spreads, making it challenging to assess its competitiveness strictly based on fees. However, IFC Markets offers an average spread of 1.44 pips for EUR/USD, which is higher than the industry average of 1.08 pips, impacting its competitiveness. For active traders, IFC Markets becomes a more viable option with its ECN account, offering an effective spread of 1.1 pips after including the commission of 0.005% on each trade side.
IFC Markets further distinguishes itself by not charging inactivity fees and providing active trader discounts, which can be particularly beneficial for those who trade frequently. Both brokers are reputable choices, but the absence of spread data for ThinkMarkets may lead some traders to lean towards IFC Markets, especially those valuing transparency and additional financial perks for active trading.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
When it comes to the variety of investments available, both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets provide a solid suite of options, yet they each cater to slightly different needs. ThinkMarkets stands out with a vast selection of 4,000 tradeable symbols, including 46 forex pairs available as CFDs or spot contracts. This broker also enables clients to invest in international exchange traded securities, like Vodafone shares listed on the London Stock Exchange. IFC Markets offers fewer tradeable symbols, with a total of 630, yet provides a slightly higher number of forex pairs at 49. Despite both brokers offering CFD trading on cryptocurrencies, neither allows for the purchase of actual delivered cryptocurrency or exchange traded securities on U.S. exchanges. However, they both support copy trading features.
With a rating of 4.5 stars from ForexBrokers.com, ThinkMarkets shines in the Range of Investments category, ranking 22nd out of 63 brokers. Meanwhile, IFC Markets, with a respectable 3.5-star rating, is positioned at 43rd. The broader selection and access to international markets provided by ThinkMarkets may appeal to traders looking for versatility and diverse opportunities, whereas IFC Markets could be suitable for those who favor a streamlined set of options with a focus on forex trading.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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). |
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When it comes to trading platforms and tools, both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets provide comprehensive options for traders looking to make informed decisions. Each broker offers users the convenience of simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, allowing them to test strategies without financial risk. Additionally, both brokers have developed proprietary platforms, alongside the availability of popular options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 for those preferring industry-standard software. Users can access trading platforms through Windows-based desktop downloads or directly via web browser, offering flexibility based on individual preferences. For those interested in social trading, both brokers support copy trading, although DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not part of their offerings.
Charting capabilities reveal a close match between ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets, both providing 15 drawing tools and the option to execute trades directly from stock charts. While they excel in this area, ThinkMarkets offers a more extensive range of fields for watch lists, boasting 15 compared to IFC Markets' 7. Despite these differences, both brokers earn a solid 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, ThinkMarkets is ranked slightly higher at 28th place, compared to IFC Markets' 36th spot out of 63 brokers analyzed by ForexBrokers.com. This subtle distinction may sway traders looking for a more finely-tuned experience to choose ThinkMarkets for their trading needs.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, making trading on the go accessible and convenient. Both apps provide features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, and the option to view charts in various time frames such as daily, weekly, or intraday. Both platforms also support drawing trendlines on charts and automatically saving those drawings, which enhances the user experience for traders who rely on technical analysis.
One key difference is that IFC Markets offers watchlist symbol syncing, allowing changes made on the mobile app to sync with the online account, whereas this feature is missing from ThinkMarkets. ThinkMarkets stands out with a more extensive selection of 94 technical studies for charting, compared to IFC Markets' 30. Despite these differences, both apps are rated 4 out of 5 stars for mobile trading by users. However, ThinkMarkets is ranked #20 by ForexBrokers.com, significantly higher than IFC Markets' #52 ranking, indicating a stronger overall user experience.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 | 94 | 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 ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets, both brokers provide daily market commentary to keep traders updated on recent developments. However, ThinkMarkets edges ahead by delivering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which IFC Markets does not provide. Both brokers lack technical analysis and fundamental research tools from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, but ThinkMarkets offers a sentiment-based trading tool and additional research tools from Acuity Trading, such as the Signal Centre, enhancing its feature set.
Both brokers offer economic calendars to keep traders informed about global economic events. While ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets share a 3.5-star rating for research, they differ in their overall rankings—ThinkMarkets is positioned at #50 while IFC Markets holds a higher spot at #40 according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that, despite some similar offerings, IFC Markets might have a slight advantage in the eyes of industry reviewers. Nonetheless, ThinkMarkets' inclusion of premium news sources and sentiment tools may appeal more to traders looking for varied resources.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets in terms of educational resources for beginners, both brokers offer a substantial amount of learning materials with a focus on forex and CFDs. Each provides at least ten educational pieces, such as articles and videos, to help newcomers grasp trading concepts. However, ThinkMarkets distinguishes itself by hosting monthly online client webinars, which IFC Markets does not provide. Additionally, ThinkMarkets offers a searchable archive of past webinars for users to revisit at their convenience, a feature absent from IFC Markets' offerings. Both brokers cater to different experience levels, providing a range of beginner and advanced educational videos, and also offer an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms.
Despite the comprehensive resources available from both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets, their education ratings are tied at 3.5 stars out of five. However, IFC Markets holds a higher standing compared to ThinkMarkets in the education category, ranked #30 out of 63 brokers assessed by ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets is positioned at #52. This ranking may influence beginner traders seeking a platform with a stronger emphasis on educational support. Overall, both brokers present valuable resources for novice traders, but those prioritizing interactive webinars and easier access to archived educational content may prefer ThinkMarkets.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 ThinkMarkets is better than IFC Markets. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 |
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Both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, focusing instead on cryptocurrency derivatives trading, allowing investors to engage in cryptocurrency markets without owning the underlying assets.
In comparing online brokers ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets regarding their deposit and withdrawal options, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers nor PayPal, while ThinkMarkets offers Skrill and both platforms support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers.
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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary 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 | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ThinkMarkets | 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 | 94 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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