Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Trading 212 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.
Trading 212 and IFC Markets are both online brokers, each offering distinct regulatory advantages. Trading 212, established in 2004, stands out with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 80, placing it in the "trusted" category. It holds three Tier-1 licenses, considered the gold standard in broker licensing, showcasing a strong regulatory framework. In comparison, IFC Markets, founded in 2006, has a Trust Score of 73, categorizing it as "average risk" according to ForexBrokers.com's ratings. Although it holds one Tier-2 license, it does not possess any Tier-1 licenses like Trading 212, indicating different levels of regulatory oversight. Both companies are privately held and do not operate as banks, offering a clear choice for users prioritizing varied trust levels and regulatory standings.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing Trading 212 and IFC Markets in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers offer different structures that cater to diverse trading preferences. Trading 212 provides two types of accounts: Invest and CFD. While the Invest account targets stock trading with a minimal deposit of 1 euro, the CFD account, designed for CFD trading, requires a 10 euro deposit. Trading 212 promotes a zero-commission trading model; however, traders must consider the spreads when trading CFDs and forex. For example, in April 2025, the average spread for the EUR/USD pair was 2.7 pips, which is notably higher than the industry average. Consequently, Trading 212 may fall short compared to leading competitors in this category. Despite this, it earns a four-star rating from users and is ranked 49th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, IFC Markets presents a competitive alternative with a spotlight on their average EUR/USD spread, marked at 1.44 pips. Although this figure is somewhat above the industry's average of 1.08 pips, IFC Markets offers improved spreads for active traders with its new ECN account, which averages 1.1 pips when factoring in the 0.005% commission on trades. Additional benefits include no inactivity fees and discounts for high-volume traders, enhancing its appeal. Similar to Trading 212, IFC Markets also holds a four-star rating for commissions and fees but surpasses Trading 212 in the rankings, securing the 39th spot out of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
Both Trading 212 and IFC Markets bring unique advantages and potential challenges when it comes to trading costs. While Trading 212's structure may appeal to those prioritizing a lower initial deposit, IFC Markets provides attractive options for active and high-volume traders seeking cost-effectiveness through tighter spreads and discounts. It's essential for traders to consider aspects such as average spreads and account types to select the broker that aligns best with their trading habits and financial goals.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 2.7 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 2.7 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
Trading 212 and IFC Markets both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. However, Trading 212 boasts a significantly larger selection of tradeable symbols, with 7,868 available compared to IFC Markets' 630. When it comes to forex pairs, Trading 212 again leads the way with 146 options, while IFC Markets offers 49. Additionally, Trading 212 provides access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, including popular stocks like Apple. In contrast, IFC Markets does not offer this service, although both platforms allow access to international exchanges such as the London Stock Exchange. When it comes to cryptocurrency, both brokers offer derivative trading but do not offer purchasing of actual cryptocurrencies.
Copy trading is an exciting feature available with IFC Markets, while Trading 212 does not offer this service. Evaluating these factors, Trading 212 receives an impressive 5-star rating for its range of investments, whereas IFC Markets achieves 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 ranks 15th out of 63 brokers for its range of investments, showcasing its broad offerings. Meanwhile, IFC Markets holds the 43rd position, indicating a more limited set of investment opportunities in comparison.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7868 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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.
When comparing Trading 212 and IFC Markets, both platforms offer virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading without financial risk. Each also has developed their own proprietary platforms, catering to users who prefer unique interfaces devised by the brokers themselves. While both brokers provide web-based trading platforms, only IFC Markets goes further with a Windows-based desktop application, satisfying users who favor downloadable software. In terms of widely recognized trading platforms, IFC Markets takes the lead by offering both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, whereas Trading 212 does not support these popular tools.
For those interested in social or copy trading, IFC Markets provides this feature while Trading 212 does not. Both brokers excel in chart navigation, offering the ability to trade directly from the chart itself. When it comes to chart analysis, Trading 212 offers more drawing tools with 20 options compared to IFC Markets’ 15. In terms of watch list customization, IFC Markets offers more flexibility with seven customizable columns as opposed to Trading 212’s five. Both brokers are highly rated with four stars for their trading platforms and tools, yet Trading 212 holds a higher ranking by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at 20th out of 63 brokers, compared to IFC Markets' 36th place.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Trading 212 and IFC Markets, both platforms provide essential tools for online trading on iPhone and Android devices. They both support customizable watchlists, real-time quotes, and price alerts for stocks and forex, ensuring that traders have up-to-date information at their fingertips. The apps are designed to enhance users' trading experience by offering seamless syncing of watchlists between devices and online accounts, allowing for easy management of investments on the go. Trading 212 edges out in terms of charting features, offering a broader range of 104 technical studies compared to IFC Markets' 30. Both apps allow drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames, catering to traders' technical analysis needs.
In terms of usability, both apps auto-save drawings on charts, ensuring that technical analysis is readily available upon reopening the app. With a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, both Trading 212 and IFC Markets deliver a reliable mobile trading experience as per reviews. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 holds a higher rank at #17 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, compared to IFC Markets, which is ranked at #52. This might suggest that Trading 212 provides a more comprehensive toolset, appealing to traders looking for advanced charting capabilities.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
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 | 104 | 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 Trading 212 and IFC Markets, both have their strengths in market research offerings. Trading 212 stands out by providing forex news sourced from top-tier platforms like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring users receive high-quality information. They also offer tools to gauge market sentiment, allowing traders to see the ratio of long and short positions across various currency pairs and other instruments. Additionally, an economic calendar is available, presenting current and upcoming global news events. However, Trading 212 does not offer daily market commentary or tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, and lacks market research from TipRanks or Acuity Trading. With a research rating of 3.5 stars, Trading 212 is ranked #44 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, IFC Markets excels by offering daily market commentary, a valuable resource for traders looking to stay updated on market movements. Like Trading 212, IFC Markets also provides a sentiment-based trading tool and an economic calendar keeping traders informed about global events. However, their offering is limited when it comes to forex news from high-profile sources and lacks research tools from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading. Despite these limitations, IFC Markets matches Trading 212 with a 3.5-star research rating but holds a slightly higher ranking at #40 by ForexBrokers.com. Both platforms offer essential research tools but cater to different trader preferences.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | 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) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Trading 212 and IFC Markets provide a solid range of materials to help new traders get started. Each of these online brokers offers more than 10 educational pieces, such as articles and videos, on topics like forex and CFDs. For those who prefer learning through videos, beginners will find at least 10 beginner-level educational videos available from both brokers. Advanced traders aren't left out either, as both platforms also offer over 10 advanced-level videos, ensuring a thorough educational journey no matter your skill level. Additionally, both Trading 212 and IFC Markets support learning with an investor dictionary containing definitions of at least 50 essential investing terms.
Unique to Trading 212 is a searchable archive of past client webinars, making it easier for learners to revisit valuable sessions, whereas IFC Markets does not offer this feature. Neither broker hosts live webinars on a monthly basis. According to ForexBrokers.com, Trading 212 is rated slightly higher in the education category with a ranking of #20 out of 63 brokers, compared to IFC Markets, which stands at #30. Both brokers have an equal education rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. This places Trading 212 slightly ahead in terms of educational ranking, although both platforms are generally well-equipped to support beginner traders.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 Trading 212 is better than IFC Markets. Trading 212 finished with an overall rank of #31, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Best known for its mobile trading app, Trading 212 offers an easy-to-use trading platform suite for CFD and share trading, as well as a large variety of forex pairs. However, despite its well-designed platform and wide range of symbols, its lack of advanced trading tools and flat research offerings hamper Trading 212’s bid to be considered a top broker.
| Feature |
Trading 212
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 73 |
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Both Trading 212 and IFC Markets do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing investors to engage in the cryptocurrency market without owning the actual assets.
Trading 212 distinguishes itself by offering ACH, SEPA transfers, and PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, while both Trading 212 and IFC Markets provide Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, but neither supports Skrill as a funding method.
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 | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 80 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2004 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Trading 212 | 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) | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7868 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 146 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 2.7 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 2.7 | 1.1 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €1 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 54 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Trading 212 | 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 | 104 | 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 | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | 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 | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 | Trading 212 | 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 | Trading 212 Review |
| Overall | Trading 212 | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Trading 212 Review |
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