Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Capital.com 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.
Capital.com, established in 2016, and IFC Markets, founded in 2006, serve as noteworthy options for online trading, albeit with differing trust considerations. Capital.com holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 87, categorizing it as a trusted broker. This online broker is fortified with three Tier-1 licenses, which adds to its overall credibility, along with one Tier-2 license. On the other hand, IFC Markets holds a Trust Score of 73, placing it in the average risk category. It lacks Tier-1 licenses but is supported by one Tier-2 license, suggesting a more cautious stance for potential traders.
Neither Capital.com nor IFC Markets are publicly traded or operate as banks, marking a similarity in their operational pathways. However, Capital.com's regulatory standing is notably stronger due to its substantial Tier-1 licenses, potentially offering greater peace of mind for those seeking trusted online trading services. Conversely, IFC Markets' lesser regulatory credentials may suggest its suitability for traders who can navigate higher risks in exchange for different trading conditions or offerings.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | ||
| Bank | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
Capital.com offers competitive pricing that slightly surpasses the industry standard. It provides options for universal accounts catering to retail traders and professional accounts for those qualifying as elective professional traders, with the caveat that professional clients do not enjoy the same regulatory protections as retail clients. The average spread for the EUR/USD pair is notably low at 0.67 pips, which was confirmed to be 0.6712 in April 2024. This makes Capital.com an attractive option for those seeking cost-effective forex trading. Capital.com is rated at 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #3 out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, IFC Markets presents an average spread for the EUR/USD pair at 1.44, higher than the industry average of 1.08, and thus, slightly less competitive. However, for active traders, IFC Markets offers an ECN account where effective spreads improve to 1.1 pips, accounting for a 0.005% commission on both trade sides. Furthermore, IFC Markets does not charge inactivity fees and offers discounts for active trading, adding financial incentives for frequent traders. For its commissions and fees, IFC Markets holds a 4-star rating and ranks #39 among 63 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 1.1 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | ||
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments offered by Capital.com and IFC Markets, it's clear that both platforms cater to forex trading enthusiasts with options to trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts. However, Capital.com provides a broader selection, boasting 5,585 tradeable symbols and 125 forex pairs. In contrast, IFC Markets offers a more limited 630 tradeable symbols and 49 forex pairs. For those interested in exchange-traded securities, particularly on international exchanges like the London Stock Exchange, IFC Markets offers the option to invest directly, whereas Capital.com does not. Both brokers provide the ability to engage in cryptocurrency derivatives but not in buying actual cryptocurrencies.
Additionally, investors considering social trading may find IFC Markets appealing as it offers copy trading capabilities—a service not available on Capital.com. Regarding overall investment range, Capital.com garners a 4.5-star rating, outperforming IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Capital.com ranks at #22, while IFC Markets is positioned at #43 among 63 brokers. This comparison highlights Capital.com's diverse range of investments and higher popularity, making it a favorable option for traders seeking extensive choices in tradeable symbols and forex pairs. Meanwhile, IFC Markets may cater to those prioritizing direct international stock investments and copy trading.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5585 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | ||
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | ||
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of Capital.com and IFC Markets, both brokers offer a wide array of features tailored to cater to traders of all levels. Capital.com provides a user-friendly environment with a free virtual demo account, a proprietary platform developed in-house, and compatibility with MetaTrader 4 (MT4). Although the broker does not offer MetaTrader 5 (MT5), it does stand out in charting capabilities by providing 60 drawing tools, allowing for greater customization. Users can make trades directly from stock charts and benefit from a comprehensive watch list with 11 columns. This feature-rich experience has earned Capital.com a 4.5-star rating for its trading platforms and tools, ranking it as the 10th best choice among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, IFC Markets also offers robust tools, including a proprietary platform and a free virtual demo account. It supports both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) for adaptable trading options. Despite providing fewer drawing tools in comparison to Capital.com, with only 15 available, IFC Markets does support copy trading, which can be advantageous for those who prefer to mirror the strategies of successful traders. The broker enables trading directly from stock charts and offers a slightly more limited watch list with 7 columns. These features collectively contribute to a 4-star rating and a ranking of 36th in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com, presenting a solid choice for those who highly value platform versatility and options.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | ||
| ZuluTrade | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 97 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Capital.com and IFC Markets offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, providing a convenient way to engage with the markets on the go. These apps are equipped with features like price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines on stock or forex charts. Users can explore various time frames, such as daily or intraday, and benefit from 30 technical studies within the apps’ charting tools. However, Capital.com stands out by providing an intuitive feature that syncs watchlist symbols across mobile and online platforms. This means any changes made in one place will automatically update in the other, keeping your investments in sync wherever you are.
When it comes to user satisfaction and rankings, Capital.com edges out IFC Markets by achieving a 4.5-star rating for its mobile app, in contrast to IFC Markets’ 4-star rating. In terms of industry recognition, Capital.com is ranked 11th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, significantly higher than IFC Markets, which holds the 52nd position. Ultimately, both apps provide a comprehensive suite of trading features, but Capital.com’s better user experience and higher industry rankings may make it a more appealing choice for mobile trading enthusiasts.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Capital.com and IFC Markets both provide daily market commentary, ensuring traders are well-informed with regular insights into market trends. However, Capital.com stands out with forex news sourced from top-tier outlets such as Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature not available through IFC Markets. Both brokers equip traders with sentiment-based trading tools to gauge long and short positions, and they offer comprehensive economic calendars to streamline tracking major global financial events. Despite these similarities, Capital.com further enhances its research offerings by delivering market insights from TipRanks, heightening its appeal to those seeking detailed analysis.
When it comes to ratings and rankings in the research domain, Capital.com receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars, indicating a more favorable perception among users. Additionally, Capital.com is ranked #14 out of 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com for research capabilities, whereas IFC Markets is positioned at #40. This suggests that for traders prioritizing research, Capital.com may provide a slightly more comprehensive and reliable set of tools and news features compared to IFC Markets.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | |
| Autochartist | ||
| Trading Central (Recognia) | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available to beginners from Capital.com and IFC Markets, both brokers provide a variety of content to help new traders get started. Capital.com excels with its extensive range of forex and CFDs education, offering at least 10 educational pieces including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, it hosts monthly client webinars, which are archived for easy access. Beginners can benefit from over 10 video tutorials tailored specifically for them, alongside advanced content for more experienced traders. Furthermore, Capital.com features a comprehensive investor dictionary, explaining over 50 investing terms, and receives a strong education rating of 4.5 stars, ranking it 8th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets similarly supports novice traders with at least 10 forex and CFDs-focused educational resources, such as articles and videos. It also offers over 10 beginner-friendly videos and a dictionary of 50-plus investment terms. However, details about its webinar offerings and archived content are not specified. IFC Markets has an education rating of 3.5 stars and is positioned at 30th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. While both platforms provide substantial educational material, Capital.com stands out with its enhanced offerings and higher overall educational ranking.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | ||
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Capital.com is better than IFC Markets. Capital.com finished with an overall rank of #10, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Capital.com stands out for its quality research, strong educational content, and innovative web platform. Capital.com holds fewer regulatory licenses and offers a narrower range of markets than some of the best brokers, but still significantly outperforms the industry average.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 73 |
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Capital.com and IFC Markets both offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform provides the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency.
Capital.com provides a variety of transaction options including PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas IFC Markets also supports Visa/Mastercard and bank wires, without information on ACH, SEPA transfers, 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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| Trust Score | 87 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Capital.com Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Capital.com | IFC Markets | |
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