Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets vs iFOREX, 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.
ThinkMarkets and iFOREX are two online brokers that differ significantly in terms of their trust and regulatory standing. Founded in 2010, ThinkMarkets is a relatively newer player in the financial market. Despite this, it holds 5 Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, and 2 Tier-2 licenses according to ForexBrokers.com. ThinkMarkets has a Trust Score of 92 out of 99, placing it in the category of highly trusted brokers. It is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank, which is similar to iFOREX.
Founded in 1996, iFOREX has a longer history but has a slightly less favorable regulatory backing with only 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. It holds an average-risk Trust Score of 75 out of 99 as per ForexBrokers.com. Like ThinkMarkets, iFOREX is not publicly traded and is not a banking institution. When comparing these brokers, ThinkMarkets stands out with a higher trust rating and more regulatory approvals, hinting at a stronger position in terms of safety and reliability for potential investors.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
For commissions and fees, ThinkMarkets earns 4 out of 5 stars and is ranked #48 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX receives 3 out of 5 stars and ranks #62 out of 63. This suggests ThinkMarkets may offer comparatively better pricing overall. However, average spread data is not available for either broker, so a direct, apples-to-apples comparison of typical trading costs isn’t possible from published averages.
Because average spreads aren’t provided, consider checking each broker’s live bid/ask prices, any per-trade commissions by account type, overnight financing (swap) rates, and possible non-trading fees such as deposits, withdrawals, or inactivity. These items collectively determine your real trading costs.
If keeping costs low is your priority, ThinkMarkets’ higher star rating and stronger ranking indicate a potential edge over iFOREX, but the best choice can still depend on the instruments you trade and your account setup. Review each broker’s current fee schedule and test live or demo pricing before deciding.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts [DELETED] | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) [DELETED] | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing ThinkMarkets vs iFOREX for range of investments: ThinkMarkets offers far more overall choice with about 4,000 tradeable symbols, while iFOREX lists around 750. That said, currency traders may notice iFOREX provides more forex pairs (88) than ThinkMarkets (46). Both brokers support forex trading via CFDs/spot and both offer cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither lets you buy actual (delivered) crypto.
When it comes to real shares, ThinkMarkets offers exchange-traded securities on select international exchanges (not CFDs), whereas iFOREX does not; neither broker offers real U.S.-listed shares. ThinkMarkets also supports copy trading, which iFOREX lacks. Reflecting this breadth, ForexBrokers.com rates ThinkMarkets 4.5/5 and ranks it #24 of 63 for Range of Investments, while iFOREX earns 3.5/5 and ranks #42.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 750 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 88 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). | 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.
Comparing ThinkMarkets vs iFOREX for trading platforms and tools: ThinkMarkets offers a free demo (paper) account, while iFOREX does not. Both brokers provide a proprietary in-house platform and a web-based platform you can use in your browser. If you prefer a downloadable Windows desktop platform, only ThinkMarkets has one. Both brokers let you place trades directly from a chart, making it easier to act on your analysis.
On third-party platforms and social features, ThinkMarkets supports copy trading as well as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5); iFOREX does not offer copy trading or MT4/MT5. In ForexBrokers.com testing, both earned 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools, but ThinkMarkets ranked higher overall (#28 of 63) compared with iFOREX (#55 of 63).
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade [DELETED] | ||
| ZuluTrade [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 57 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields [DELETED] |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
ThinkMarkets and iFOREX both offer iPhone and Android apps, but their tools differ. ThinkMarkets supports price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, 94 technical studies, drawing trendlines, and auto-saving chart drawings. iFOREX does not offer price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, trendlines, or auto-save for drawings, and it doesn’t disclose how many technical studies are available. Neither broker syncs watchlists between the app and the web platform. Details about switching between multiple chart time frames weren’t provided for either app.
Both apps earned 4 out of 5 stars, yet their standings differ: ForexBrokers.com ranks ThinkMarkets at #20 out of 63 brokers, while iFOREX sits at #56. In short, ThinkMarkets is better suited to traders who want fuller charting and alert features on mobile, while iFOREX is more bare-bones for basic on-the-go account checking.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | ||
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
ThinkMarkets and iFOREX both deliver daily market commentary, an economic calendar, and sentiment tools that show how traders are positioned. The biggest difference is news and third‑party research: ThinkMarkets streams forex news from top-tier outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, while iFOREX does not. For analytics add‑ons, neither broker includes Autochartist, but iFOREX offers Trading Central, whereas ThinkMarkets does not. ThinkMarkets includes tools from Acuity Trading (e.g., Signal Centre). iFOREX does not list TipRanks or Acuity Trading support.
Both brokers earn a 3.5 out of 5 star Research rating. In ForexBrokers.com’s Research category, iFOREX ranks slightly higher at 49th out of 63, compared with ThinkMarkets at 51st. In short, news-focused traders may prefer ThinkMarkets for its premium headlines, while traders who want Trading Central’s analysis may lean toward iFOREX.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
ThinkMarkets vs iFOREX for beginner education: both brokers provide at least 10 beginner-friendly trading videos focused on forex and CFDs. ThinkMarkets goes further with monthly live client webinars and 10+ advanced videos for experienced traders. iFOREX does not offer monthly webinars and doesn’t reach the 10+ mark for advanced videos. According to ForexBrokers.com, both score 3.5 out of 5 stars for Education, with ThinkMarkets ranked #52 of 63 and iFOREX #53.
If you want a video-based start, either broker works; if you prefer live teaching and a clearer path into advanced topics, ThinkMarkets has the edge. Details about searchable webinar archives, investor dictionaries, or broader libraries of written lessons weren’t specified, so visit each broker’s education center to confirm the depth of their forex and CFD education before deciding.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | ||
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) [DELETED] | ||
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) [DELETED] |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ThinkMarkets is better than iFOREX. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
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iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 75 |
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Both ThinkMarkets and iFOREX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
ThinkMarkets vs iFOREX deposit and withdrawal comparison: neither broker supports ACH or SEPA; PayPal is unavailable at ThinkMarkets but available at iFOREX; both brokers support Skrill and 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 | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 750 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 88 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). | 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 | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 57 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | ThinkMarkets | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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