Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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 Tickmill and IFC Markets, it's important to look at their regulatory standing and trust ratings. Tickmill, founded in 2014, has made a significant mark in the financial landscape with a Trust Score of 86 out of 99, according to ForexBrokers.com. This score places Tickmill in the 'trusted' category. Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, and two Tier-2 licenses. In contrast, IFC Markets, which was established in 2006, holds a Trust Score of 73, indicating an average risk and has no Tier-1 licenses but one Tier-2 license available. Neither Tickmill nor IFC Markets are publicly traded, nor do they operate as banks, offering similar foundations but varying levels of regulatory confidence.
The distinction in regulatory credentials between Tickmill and IFC Markets is clear, as Tickmill demonstrates a stronger regulatory footing with its Tier-1 licenses, contributing to its higher trust rating. While both brokers provide online trading services, the licensing and trust metrics offer potential clients a basis to assess the comparative security and reliability of these two financial entities. As these factors are crucial for traders, the differences in trust scores and legal authorizations are notable, providing insight into the brokers' adherence to regulatory standards and overall investor protection.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing Tickmill and IFC Markets in terms of commissions and fees, Tickmill generally stands out for its favorable trading conditions, especially for active traders. Tickmill offers two account types: the Classic and the newly introduced Raw account. The Classic account is commission-free, with traders only paying the bid/ask spread, but it comes with a higher average spread of 1.76 pips as of August 2023. On the other hand, the Raw account, which requires a minimum deposit of $100, boasts lower spreads, starting from 0.11 pips for the EUR/USD pair. Despite the recent increase in commission fees to $3 per side, or $6 per standard lot, the all-in trading cost remains competitive at 0.71 pips, thanks to Tickmill's low average spreads. Tickmill earns a 5-star rating and is ranked #4 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its attractive commissions and fees.
Conversely, IFC Markets offers a slightly less competitive trading environment, mainly due to higher average spreads. Traders can expect a typical spread of 1.44 pips for the EUR/USD, which is above the industry average. However, IFC Markets does provide a more attractive option for active traders through its ECN account, with spreads narrowing to 1.1 pips when factoring in the 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. This setup can be attractive for those seeking to minimize trading costs. Additionally, the broker does not charge inactivity fees and provides discounts for active traders, adding some appeal for frequent traders. With these factors, IFC Markets receives a 4-star rating and is ranked #39 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category.
Overall, while both brokers have their strengths, Tickmill tends to offer more competitive pricing, particularly for traders who prioritize low spread and cost-effective trading. Its strong performance in the Commissions and Fees category is evidenced by its higher ranking and star rating compared to IFC Markets. For traders who value tighter spreads and lower costs, Tickmill remains a compelling option.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
Tickmill and IFC Markets both offer a range of investment options, allowing traders to engage in forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. Tickmill stands out with 725 tradeable symbols and 63 forex pairs, while IFC Markets offers 630 tradeable symbols and 49 forex pairs. A notable difference is in their offerings on international exchanges, where IFC Markets provides access to exchange-traded securities, such as Vodafone shares, something Tickmill does not offer.
Both platforms are equipped for copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, expanding traders' options without allowing the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Each broker is rated 3.5 stars for their range of investments, with Tickmill slightly ahead in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, positioned at #42 compared to IFC Markets at #43. This positions both brokers closely in terms of the variety and accessibility of investment products available to their users.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
Both Tickmill and IFC Markets provide traders with a range of tools and platforms to enhance their trading experience. Each offers a simulated trading environment with a free virtual demo account, allowing users to practice strategies before engaging in live markets. While Tickmill does not have a proprietary platform, IFC Markets offers one developed in-house for its users. Both brokers support popular trading platforms, MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, and offer Windows-based desktop and web-based browser platforms for optimal access and flexibility. Traders keen on copy trading can find this feature on both platforms, although neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
When it comes to charting tools, both Tickmill and IFC Markets match up evenly, providing 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. Their watch lists are equally comprehensive, offering 7 columns or fields for customization. Despite their capabilities, neither broker offers a significant edge in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, with both receiving a solid 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill holds a slight ranking advantage, positioned at 32 out of 63 brokers, compared to IFC Markets which ranks 36th. Overall, both offerings are comparable, making either a viable choice depending on specific requirements like the need for a proprietary platform.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Tickmill and IFC Markets, both brokers cater to iPhone and Android users, ensuring smooth access to trading on the go. Both apps offer essential features such as stock or forex price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Charting tools in both apps include 30 technical studies and capabilities like trendline drawing and multiple time frame views, alongside the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings. However, IFC Markets distinguishes itself by syncing watchlist symbols with users' online accounts, a feature not available with Tickmill.
Despite offering many similar features, users have assigned both Tickmill and IFC Markets a rating of 4 stars for their mobile apps. Yet, Tickmill holds a higher rank, positioned at #32 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to IFC Markets, which stands at #52. This higher ranking suggests that while both deliver efficient mobile trading experiences, users might find Tickmill's app slightly more satisfactory overall.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 | 30 | 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 it comes to market research, both Tickmill and IFC Markets deliver daily market commentary to keep traders informed. However, Tickmill stands out by providing forex news from highly reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, while IFC Markets does not offer news from these top-tier outlets. Both brokers support sentiment-based trading tools that display the proportion of long or short positions across various instruments, enhancing traders' decision-making abilities.
Tickmill offers an additional edge with research tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre, unlike IFC Markets. Both brokers provide economic calendars that outline significant global news events. Overall, Tickmill earns a research rating of 4 stars and an impressive 22nd place ranking among 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, surpassing IFC Markets, which holds a 3.5-star rating and 40th place ranking.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Tickmill and IFC Markets provide a good foundation with at least 10 pieces of educational content focused on forex and CFDs. These resources include articles, videos, and webinars, catering to a variety of learning preferences. Tickmill takes a step further by offering monthly online educational webinars and a searchable archive of past webinars, ensuring learners can revisit topics as needed. IFC Markets, on the other hand, does not offer online webinars or an archive of recorded sessions, which might limit the interactive learning experience for some users.
Both brokers equip novice traders with educational videos tailored to their needs, along with advanced content for more seasoned participants. An investor dictionary with over 50 terms is available through both platforms, making the learning process easier for new investors. Tickmill's educational offerings are rated higher with 4 out of 5 stars and stand at a better position of #15 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, IFC Markets holds a rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked at #30. This suggests that while both brokers are committed to education, Tickmill may offer a more comprehensive learning experience for those starting out in online trading.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 Tickmill is better than IFC Markets. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 |
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Both Tickmill and IFC Markets do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Tickmill and IFC Markets, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers, Tickmill offers PayPal and Skrill for deposits and withdrawals whereas IFC Markets does not, and both brokers allow transactions through Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | 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) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | 30 | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review |
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