Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB vs IFC Markets: XTB was founded in 2002 and is publicly traded, while IFC Markets started in 2006 and is not listed on a stock exchange. Neither broker is a bank. For regulation, XTB holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, and earns a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96/99, which places it in the highly trusted category. IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses, with a Trust Score of 73/99, indicating average risk.
According to ForexBrokers.com, Trust Scores of 90–99 are highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted. In practical terms, XTB’s higher score and greater number of top-tier licenses suggest stronger overall oversight compared with IFC Markets. Always consider regulation and listing status alongside your trading needs when choosing between these brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
XTB is generally priced in line with the industry average for commissions and fees, and it performs better than IFC Markets in this category. Its Standard account uses spread-only pricing, with average EUR/USD spreads of 1 pip based on Q4 2023 data. XTB also offers a commission-based Professional account for eligible clients in the U.K. and Europe, though this option is being phased out and is no longer widely promoted. For most retail traders, the Standard account is usually the simpler and cheaper choice, especially for smaller trade sizes. XTB is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #13 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
IFC Markets is a bit less competitive on pricing overall, with an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips, above the industry average of 1.08. That said, its newer ECN account can bring effective spreads down to around 1.1 pips once the 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade is included, which may appeal to more active traders. IFC Markets also stands out for having no inactivity fees and for offering active trader discounts, which can help lower costs over time. IFC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #33 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
In short, XTB looks stronger for everyday traders who want lower, more straightforward pricing, while IFC Markets may suit traders who can benefit from its ECN pricing and discounts. Both brokers offer ways to reduce costs, but XTB comes out ahead on overall value and ranking in the commissions and fees category.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.06 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.06 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XTB offers a wider range of investments than IFC Markets, making it the stronger choice for traders who want more variety. XTB lists 10,521 tradeable symbols and 71 forex pairs, compared with IFC Markets’ 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and both offer international exchange-traded securities. However, only XTB lets clients buy U.S.-listed shares such as Apple as real, exchange-traded securities, while IFC Markets does not.
XTB also stands out for added choices like copy trading alternatives aside, actual cryptocurrency purchases, and cryptocurrency CFDs, while IFC Markets offers copy trading and crypto CFDs but not delivered crypto. Based on range of investments, XTB earns 5 stars and ranks #14 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets receives 3.5 stars and ranks #32, reflecting XTB’s broader overall product lineup.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10521 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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.
XTB and IFC Markets both give traders a free demo account, a web-based platform, and their own in-house trading platform. Each also lets users place trades directly from charts, which can make it easier to react to market moves quickly. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools review, XTB earns 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers, while IFC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #30.
The main differences are in desktop software and extra features. IFC Markets offers a Windows desktop platform, plus MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and copy trading, while XTB does not provide those options. That makes IFC Markets a stronger pick for traders who want more platform choices, while XTB may appeal more to those who prefer a simpler setup centered on its web platform and built-in tools.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 92 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and IFC Markets both offer iPhone and Android apps, along with price alerts and watchlist syncing between the mobile app and online account. Each app also lets users draw trendlines on charts, and both automatically save those drawings, making it easy to pick up where you left off.
Where XTB stands out is charting depth and overall mobile app quality. Its app includes 104 technical studies, compared with 30 at IFC Markets, and it has a higher Mobile Trading Apps rating of 4.5 out of 5 versus 4 stars for IFC Markets. XTB is also ranked #8 out of 36 brokers for mobile trading apps by ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets sits at #35, giving XTB the edge for traders who want more chart tools and a stronger mobile experience.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 | 104 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and IFC Markets both give traders useful market research tools, including daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positions, and an economic calendar with key global events. Neither broker includes forex news from major sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and neither offers research tools from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
Even with those similarities, XTB stands out for research quality. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers for the Research category at ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars and ranks #31. For traders who want stronger market research support, XTB has the edge.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
XTB is the stronger choice for beginners who want more learning support. It offers forex and CFD education, hosts online educational webinars at least once a month, and provides at least 10 beginner videos as well as 10 advanced videos. That focus is reflected in its 5-star Education rating and its #11 ranking out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets also offers at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos, but it does not provide monthly educational webinars. It is rated 3.5 stars for Education and ranks #25 out of 36, making its learning section less complete overall.
For new traders, the main difference is depth and consistency. XTB gives beginners more ways to learn forex and CFD basics through a wider mix of educational content and regular webinars, while IFC Markets covers some of the same ground but with fewer learning options for ongoing support. If you want more frequent guidance and a larger education library, XTB has the edge; if you only need basic video lessons, IFC Markets may still meet your needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB is better than IFC Markets. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #34.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 |
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XTB offers both actual delivered cryptocurrency purchases and cryptocurrency CFDs, while IFC Markets provides cryptocurrency CFDs only and does not support buying real crypto assets.
For deposits and withdrawals, XTB supports PayPal and Skrill in addition to bank wire transfers (no ACH/SEPA), while IFC Markets supports bank wire transfers but does not offer ACH/SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill.
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 | XTB | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | ||
| 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) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| 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 | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10521 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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 | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Spread-only account | 1.06 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Raw spread account | 1.06 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 92 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | 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 | 104 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | XTB | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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