Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BlackBull Markets 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.
Founded in 2014, BlackBull Markets is an online broker that, while not publicly traded or a bank, is recognized for its trustworthiness in the trading community. According to ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets holds one Tier-1 license, which is highly trusted, and the platform has a Trust Score rating of 78 out of 99, categorizing it as average risk. This score suggests a stable and reliable trading environment, especially for traders who value regulatory oversight.
Established much earlier in 1996, iFOREX also provides online brokerage services and operates similarly as a private company without bank status. The firm holds one Tier-1 license, placing it among brokers with a certain level of credibility, but its Trust Score rating of 75 indicates average risk according to ForexBrokers.com. Like BlackBull Markets, iFOREX is not listed on any stock exchange. Both brokers offer trading platforms suitable for those prioritizing regulated structures but still involve some risk typical for brokerage businesses.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
BlackBull Markets and iFOREX offer differing approaches to trading commissions and fees. BlackBull Markets provides three distinct account types, each catering to different trader needs. The Standard account is attractive for newcomers as it is commission-free with no minimum deposit, although it comes with higher spreads. The Prime account, however, stands out with its lower spreads, featuring an average spread of 0.16 pips on the EUR/USD, translating to an all-in cost of 0.76 pips. However, this account requires a minimum deposit of $2,000 and charges a commission of $6 per 10,000 traded. For more serious traders, the ECN Institutional account demands a $20,000 deposit but offers the lowest commissions at $4 per round turn. This setup has earned BlackBull Markets a commendable rating of 4.5 stars and a ranking of #18 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its commissions and fees.
On the other hand, iFOREX offers limited transparency regarding its commissions and fees, as average spread data is unavailable. This lack of detailed information might make it challenging for traders to estimate trading costs precisely. Consequently, iFOREX ranks much lower in comparison to BlackBull Markets, with a rating of 3 stars and a position of #60 out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests that while the platform might have appealing features, it is not as cost-competitive for traders prioritizing low commissions and fees.
In summary, BlackBull Markets and iFOREX present traders with different financial commitments based on their requirements and priorities. While BlackBull Markets offers varied account options catering to differing financial commitments and a clear cost structure, iFOREX's less transparent fee system may not be as appealing for budget-conscious traders. Prospective users tend to gravitate towards BlackBull Markets for a more comprehensive understanding of trading costs, reflecting its superior performance in industry ratings.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of investments available, BlackBull Markets stands out with its extensive offering. With a staggering 26,000 tradeable symbols, it provides a broad selection like never before. BlackBull Markets caters to diverse investment needs by offering both forex spot contracts and CFDs, with 72 forex pairs to trade. Clients can purchase U.S. and international exchange-traded securities, all while benefiting from the addition of cryptocurrency derivatives. Furthermore, BlackBull Markets enhances the trading experience by allowing copy trading, making it a well-rounded choice for both individual and professional traders. This comprehensive selection has earned it a solid 5-star rating for the range of investments and a high rank of #6 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
iFOREX, on the other hand, offers a somewhat limited range of investment options in comparison. With 750 tradeable symbols and a focus on forex trading, it does provide forex CFDs and spot contracts, featuring a slightly higher number of 88 forex pairs. iFOREX presents cryptocurrency derivatives as well, although clients cannot purchase U.S. or international exchange-traded securities through the platform. Unlike BlackBull, it does not offer copy trading services. Given these constraints, iFOREX holds a rating of 3.5 stars for its range of investments and ranks #41 by ForexBrokers.com, indicating room for growth in its investment offerings.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 750 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 88 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
When comparing BlackBull Markets and iFOREX, there are notable differences in their trading platforms and tools. BlackBull Markets provides a comprehensive trading experience with its offer of both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. The broker excels in accessibility, featuring a simulated trading option via a free virtual demo account and a Windows-based desktop platform. Traders who prefer flexibility will appreciate its web-based platform and support for copy trading, including integration with ZuluTrade. For charting tools, BlackBull provides a substantial edge with 60 drawing tools, allowing traders to analyze market trends effectively. This combination of features earned BlackBull Markets a 4-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools, placing it at #28 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
iFOREX, on the other hand, shines with its proprietary platform tailored to its specific offerings. While it lacks a free demo account and desktop download option, iFOREX compensates with an intuitive web-based platform. The platform provides direct stock chart trading capability and is equipped with 9 columns for watch lists, offering a detailed view for monitoring asset performance. Although it doesn’t support MetaTrader platforms or copy trading through ZuluTrade, its proprietary tools may appeal to traders looking for a streamlined experience. iFOREX also scored a 4-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools but ranks lower at #54 according to ForexBrokers.com, making it a potential choice for those who prefer proprietary platforms over the industry-standard MetaTrader options.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 57 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 25 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both BlackBull Markets and iFOREX provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, but there are significant differences in their features that can influence your trading experience. BlackBull Markets stands out by offering stock and forex price alerts, which are absent in the iFOREX app. Additionally, BlackBull Markets enables watchlist symbol syncing between mobile and online accounts, allowing seamless updates across devices, a feature that iFOREX does not provide. For charting, BlackBull Markets offers 30 technical studies, trendline drawing capabilities, and the flexibility to view multiple time frames, with the auto-save function for drawings. Meanwhile, iFOREX does not offer these advanced charting features.
Creating a watchlist with real-time quotes is another advantage BlackBull Markets holds over iFOREX, which lacks this functionality. Both platforms have received a rating of 4 stars for their mobile trading apps, but they differ in their rankings among 62 brokers—BlackBull Markets is ranked #30, while iFOREX is at #55, indicating a preference towards BlackBull’s offerings in the mobile trading category. Whether you prioritize alert systems, advanced charting features, or real-time data access, BlackBull Markets offers an enriched mobile trading experience compared to iFOREX.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing BlackBull Markets and iFOREX regarding market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and maintain an up-to-date economic calendar featuring global news events. However, when it comes to additional research tools, there are clear differences. BlackBull Markets stands out by offering technical analysis tools from Autochartist, along with a sentiment-based trading tool to gauge long or short positions across various instruments. These tools can enhance traders' understanding of market trends and sentiments.
iFOREX, on the other hand, includes tools from Trading Central, giving traders access to technical analytics and research. Despite these offerings, neither broker delivers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, nor do they provide market research from TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading. Overall, BlackBull Markets receives a higher research rating of 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #18 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, compared to iFOREX's 3.5-star rating and #48 ranking, suggesting that BlackBull Markets may offer a slightly more comprehensive research experience.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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.
BlackBull Markets and iFOREX both offer educational resources to help beginners get started with trading, but BlackBull Markets outshines iFOREX in several key areas. BlackBull Markets provides a comprehensive suite of educational materials, including at least ten articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. In addition to these resources, BlackBull Markets hosts monthly educational webinars and offers a searchable archive of past sessions. For those just starting out, the platform delivers at least ten beginner-friendly educational videos and goes a step further by offering advanced content specifically tailored for experienced traders. BlackBull Markets also provides an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms to help clarify complex subjects.
In comparison, iFOREX does offer educational support with ten beginner videos, but it lacks some of the additional resources. The platform does not offer the same breadth of content, such as monthly webinars or an archive of past webinars, nor does it provide the same level of advanced video tutorials. Moreover, iFOREX does not include an investor dictionary to aid new traders in understanding financial jargon. Overall, BlackBull Markets receives a higher education rating of 4 stars thanks to its wide-ranging educational content, while iFOREX trails slightly with a rating of 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets is ranked 29th out of 62 brokers for education, placing it significantly ahead of iFOREX, which ranks 53rd.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that BlackBull Markets is better than iFOREX. BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.
BlackBull Markets is a plain-vanilla MetaTrader broker with a growing range of products and support for a handful of third-party social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 75 |
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Both BlackBull Markets and iFOREX do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both BlackBull Markets and iFOREX do not support ACH or SEPA transfers for deposits or withdrawals, and both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires as options, only iFOREX provides the convenience of PayPal for its users.
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 | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
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| Regulation | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 78 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 750 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 88 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 57 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 25 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | BlackBull Markets | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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