Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group 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.
Founded in 2009, XM Group is a well-regarded online broker known for its stability and reliability. With a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, XM Group falls within the highly trusted range. This confidence is bolstered by its four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, making XM Group a strong option for those seeking a secure trading environment. As XM Group is not publicly traded nor a bank, it focuses its expertise on providing consistent, high-quality brokerage services.
In contrast, IFC Markets, established in 2006, has a more modest reputation with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 73, categorized as average risk. While it doesn’t possess any Tier-1 licenses, it does hold a single Tier-2 license, which indicates a level of trust. Similar to XM Group, IFC Markets is neither a publicly traded company nor a bank, concentrating its efforts on delivering accessible trading options. While XM Group appears more secure in terms of regulation and trust, IFC Markets offers an alternative for traders considering different factors when choosing their online broker.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
XM Group and IFC Markets both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but IFC Markets ranks slightly higher (#32 of 63) than XM Group (#34 of 63) on ForexBrokers.com. In practice, IFC Markets tends to look more appealing to active traders thanks to its ECN pricing option, while XM Group’s standard spreads are on the higher side and its commission-based XM Zero account lacks published average spreads.
XM Group: Standard account spreads are described as expensive, which can increase trading costs for many users. Transparency is also limited for the commission-based XM Zero account, since average spreads aren’t published. Rating: 4/5 stars; Ranking for Commissions and Fees: #34 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
IFC Markets: The average EUR/USD spread is 1.44 pips—higher than the 1.08-pip industry average—so its classic pricing is only moderately competitive. However, the new ECN account brings effective spreads down to about 1.1 pips after a 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. The lack of inactivity fees and availability of active trader discounts can further lower overall costs. Rating: 4/5 stars; Ranking for Commissions and Fees: #32 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XM Group and IFC Markets both let you trade forex either as CFDs or spot, and each supports copy trading. XM Group offers a larger range of investments overall, with 1,394 tradeable symbols and 55 forex pairs, compared with IFC Markets’ 630 symbols and 49 pairs. Both brokers provide cryptocurrency CFDs but do not offer direct, delivered crypto purchases.
If you want access to exchange-traded shares, XM Group stands out by offering stocks listed on U.S. exchanges as well as international markets. IFC Markets offers exchange-traded shares on international markets only, not U.S. stocks. Reflecting these differences, XM Group earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #19 of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, while IFC Markets scores 3.5/5 stars and ranks #31. In short, choose XM Group for a bigger menu and U.S. share dealing; IFC Markets suits traders who can forgo U.S. stocks and are comfortable with a smaller lineup.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
XM Group and IFC Markets both make it easy to get started with a free demo (paper trading) account, and each supports web-based and Windows desktop trading. You’ll find MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) at both brokers, along with copy trading and the ability to place orders directly from charts. IFC Markets also offers its own proprietary platform for traders who want an in-house experience, while XM Group focuses on the popular MetaTrader suite. Both provide charting tools and watch lists to help you track markets.
For trading platforms and tools, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars from ForexBrokers.com. In the category ranking out of 63 brokers, XM Group places #27 and IFC Markets comes in at #29. If you prefer an in-house platform alongside MT4/MT5, IFC Markets may appeal; if you’re happy with the familiar MetaTrader environment across web and desktop, XM Group is a strong pick.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Comparing the mobile trading apps from XM Group and IFC Markets is straightforward. Both brokers offer iPhone and Android apps, price alerts for forex and CFDs, and watchlist syncing so changes made on mobile reflect in your online account. Charting is similar too: each app includes 30 technical studies and lets you draw trendlines. The key difference is chart drawings: IFC Markets auto-saves your annotations, while XM Group does not, which could matter if you rely on saved chart work between sessions.
In terms of quality scores, both apps earn 4 stars for Mobile Trading Apps. Looking at rankings on ForexBrokers.com, XM Group places higher at #26 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets ranks #34. If auto-saving chart drawings is important, IFC Markets has the edge; otherwise, the two apps deliver comparable mobile trading experiences.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XM Group vs IFC Markets for market research: both deliver daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long/short ratios, and an economic calendar. XM Group adds forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones and includes Trading Central’s technical research—two clear advantages. IFC Markets does not provide top-tier news or Trading Central.
Neither broker offers Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools. In testing by ForexBrokers.com, XM Group earned 5 stars and ranked #8 of 63 for Research, while IFC Markets received 3.5 stars and ranked #30. If you want deeper news and technical insight, XM Group is the stronger choice; if you only need core commentary, sentiment, and a calendar, both can work.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing XM Group and IFC Markets for beginner-friendly forex and CFD education, both brokers deliver plenty of learning content. Each offers at least 10 beginner videos plus at least 10 advanced videos, so newcomers can start with basics and move into more complex topics at their own pace. XM Group also runs client webinars at least once a month, giving beginners the chance to ask questions and learn in real time, while IFC Markets does not host monthly educational webinars.
When it comes to quality, XM Group earns 5 stars for Education and ranks #5 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its strong learning experience for new traders. IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #25, still offering a solid library of on-demand videos but with fewer live learning options. If you want regular webinars alongside a deep catalog of videos, XM Group is the better pick; if you prefer to learn through video on your own schedule, IFC Markets can work well.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XM Group is better than IFC Markets. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #16, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #33.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
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IFC Markets
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 |
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XM Group and IFC Markets do not support purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both brokers offer cryptocurrency CFD trading for investors seeking crypto price exposure without owning the underlying asset.
XM Group vs IFC Markets: both do not support ACH/SEPA or PayPal; XM Group supports Skrill while IFC Markets does not; both allow bank wire transfers; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Overall | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
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