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.
XM Group and IFC Markets differ in overall trust and oversight. XM Group holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, which is considered highly trusted (90–99), while IFC Markets scores 73, placing it in the average-risk range (70–79).
On regulation, XM Group has 4 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, indicating wider supervision by leading authorities. IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. XM Group was founded in 2009 and IFC Markets in 2006; neither broker is publicly traded or a bank.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 5 |
Here’s how XM Group and IFC Markets compare on commissions and fees. XM Group earns 3.5/5 stars and ranks #34 out of 63 brokers for the Commissions and Fees category on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 4/5 stars and ranks #32.
XM Group’s Standard account spreads are on the expensive side. For the commission-based XM Zero account, average spreads aren’t published, which makes it harder to gauge typical costs or compare them to peers.
IFC Markets lists an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips—above the 1.08 industry average—so its standard pricing is slightly less competitive. Active traders can reduce costs via the new ECN account, where effective spreads are about 1.1 pips after the 0.005% commission is applied to both the buy and sell sides of a trade. The lack of inactivity fees and the availability of active trader discounts can further improve overall pricing.
| 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 vs IFC Markets: For range of investments, XM Group offers a wider selection with 1,429 tradeable instruments and 55 forex pairs, compared with IFC Markets’ 630 instruments and 49 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading (as CFDs or spot), provide copy trading, and offer cryptocurrency CFDs—but neither lets you buy actual crypto.
When it comes to share dealing, XM Group lets clients buy exchange-traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, while IFC Markets offers exchange-traded shares on international markets only (no U.S. shares). Reflecting this breadth, XM Group is rated 4.5/5 for Range of Investments and ranks 19th out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, whereas IFC Markets earns 3.5/5 and ranks 31st.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1429 | 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
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 5 |
| 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) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1429 | 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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