Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC 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 1989, CMC Markets stands out in the online brokerage scene with a 99 Trust Score rating from ForexBrokers.com, classifying it as highly trusted. The company is publicly traded, although not a bank, and benefits from holding five Tier-1 licenses, alongside one Tier-2 license. These factors contribute significantly to its reputation as a secure choice for traders seeking reliable market access.
In contrast, iFOREX, which was established in 1996, operates with a Trust Score of 75, indicating an average risk level. Unlike CMC Markets, iFOREX is not publicly traded, nor is it a bank, and it possesses only one Tier-1 license without any Tier-2 licenses. While it provides trading services, potential users may find CMC Markets a more regulated alternative for secure trading activities.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When evaluating online brokers, CMC Markets stands out in terms of commissions and fees. CMC Markets earned the top spot in our 2025 Annual Awards for their competitive pricing and low spreads, boasting a 5-star rating. In terms of spreads, CMC Markets offers an attractive average of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD, showcasing its notable performance above the industry average. Their active trader program, Price Plus Scheme, provides opportunities for discounts based on trading volumes, presenting a clear advantage for high-volume traders. Their FX Active pricing model introduces an innovative commission-based structure with a $2.50 fee per side and zero minimum spreads, reinforcing CMC Markets as a leader in cost-effective trading.
In contrast, iFOREX is rated 3 stars for its commissions and fees and is ranked at #60 out of 62 brokers. Unlike CMC Markets, iFOREX does not provide transparent average spread data, making it challenging for potential clients to gauge trading costs accurately. This lack of transparency can be a significant drawback for traders who prioritize clear cost structures and competitive pricing. Due to these factors, iFOREX trails significantly behind in the Commissions and Fees category.
Overall, for traders seeking transparency and competitive pricing, CMC Markets emerges as the superior choice, earning the #1 ranking in the Commissions and Fees category. Their comprehensive programs and clear fee structures provide value that iFOREX, positioned near the bottom of the rankings, fails to match. With CMC Markets’ focus on maintaining low costs through innovative offerings, it positions itself well for traders who are cost-conscious and looking for top-tier brokerage services.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When choosing between CMC Markets and iFOREX for online trading, the available range of investments can be a significant factor. CMC Markets shines with an impressive 11,925 tradable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, offering extensive market exposure for varied trading strategies. Their advantage extends further with access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing investors to directly purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, CMC Markets supports copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, although it doesn't offer actual cryptocurrency acquisition. This broad selection has earned CMC Markets a five-star rating and a commendable 9th place ranking in the Range of Investments category from ForexBrokers.com.
iFOREX, on the other hand, provides a more streamlined range of 750 tradable symbols and 88 forex pairs, making it a suitable choice for traders seeking a more focused selection. However, iFOREX does not offer exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, nor does it support copy trading. Similar to CMC Markets, iFOREX provides access to cryptocurrency derivatives without the delivery of actual cryptocurrencies. Despite these limitations, iFOREX maintains a respectable 3.5-star rating and is ranked 41st among 62 brokers for the Range of Investments category according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 750 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 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.
CMC Markets distinguishes itself as a strong choice in the trading platform arena by offering a variety of features tailored to both new and experienced traders. Notably, it provides a free virtual demo account, allowing newcomers to practice trading without financial risk. CMC Markets also supports multiple platforms, including its proprietary platform, both for web and Windows-based desktops. With MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 available, it caters to users seeking advanced charting and trading capabilities. An impressive array of 40 drawing tools and 11 watch list fields further enhances the user experience. In addition, CMC offers copy trading, a feature absent from many competitors, including iFOREX. All these strengths contribute to CMC Markets' 5-star rating and a high placement of #4 in the trading platforms and tools category by ForexBrokers.com.
Meanwhile, iFOREX provides an in-house developed web-based trading platform that serves traders' needs, though it lacks a Windows desktop version and MetaTrader support. Without a virtual demo account or the option for copy trading, new traders might find iFOREX less accommodating for exploring without risk. Charting options include 25 drawing tools and direct trading from stock charts, adequate but less extensive than CMC Markets. Supported by 9 watch list fields, iFOREX's platform is competent but doesn’t reach the feature richness seen in rival platforms. Consequently, iFOREX garners a 4-star rating and ranks #54 among 62 brokers reviewed for trading platforms and tools according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating room for improvement.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
| Proprietary 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 | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 57 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 25 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both CMC Markets and iFOREX provide mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, making it convenient for traders to access their platforms on the go. However, CMC Markets sets itself apart with features like real-time stock and forex price alerts, which iFOREX lacks. Users of CMC Markets can enjoy seamless syncing of watchlists between their mobile app and online account, allowing for efficient monitoring and adjustments, a feature not available with iFOREX.
When it comes to charting tools, CMC Markets offers a comprehensive selection of 29 technical studies and allows users to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on their charts. These advanced features are absent from iFOREX's mobile app. Additionally, CMC Markets supports watchlists with real-time quotes and automatically saves chart drawings, enhancing the trading experience. Rated five stars for its mobile trading apps, CMC Markets ranks high, positioned at #5 out of 62 brokers. In comparison, iFOREX, rated four stars, ranks at #55, highlighting the more advanced functionality and user satisfaction offered by CMC Markets.
| Feature |
CMC 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 | 29 | 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 the market research offerings of online brokers CMC Markets and iFOREX, several key distinctions emerge. Both platforms provide daily market commentary, helping traders stay informed with the latest developments. However, only CMC Markets delivers forex news from renowned sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring that clients have access to some of the most reliable financial information available. In terms of technical analysis, CMC Markets partners with Autochartist, offering valuable research tools that aid in decision-making, whereas iFOREX does not utilize this tool. On the other hand, iFOREX incorporates resources from Trading Central, known for its technical analytics, a feature not available with CMC Markets. Both brokers provide sentiment-based trading tools and maintain an economic calendar to track global news events.
Despite some overlaps in their market research functionalities, CMC Markets distinguishes itself with a higher research rating of 5 stars and is positioned 6th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its comprehensive research capabilities tailored to traders' needs. Conversely, iFOREX holds a research rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 48th, indicating potential areas for enhancement. While both brokers offer essential tools and commentary to support trading strategies, CMC Markets’ integration with top-tier news sources and dedicated analysis tools positions it as a more robust option for traders seeking in-depth market insights.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | 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.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, CMC Markets stands out by offering a comprehensive set of tools designed to enhance trading knowledge. Beginner traders can benefit from more than 10 educational pieces that focus on forex and CFDs, along with a rich selection of over 10 beginner-specific videos. Additionally, CMC Markets provides an investor dictionary, comprising definitions of over 50 essential investing terms, and access to a searchable archive of past webinars. These resources, alongside advanced trading videos, contribute to their high rating of 5 stars in education and a commendable 10th place ranking out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, iFOREX caters to beginners with at least 10 educational videos, but it falls short in several areas compared to CMC Markets. Although iFOREX provides some educational content, it lacks the breadth seen in its competitor, without meeting the 10-piece mark in forex or CFDs education and lacking a searchable webinar archive or investor dictionary. As a result, iFOREX’s educational offerings earn a moderate 3.5-star rating and a lower placement of 53rd on ForexBrokers.com’s list. This suggests that while iFOREX does offer some resources for beginners, CMC Markets provides a more comprehensive educational experience for new traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 CMC Markets is better than iFOREX. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
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iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 |
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Both CMC Markets and iFOREX do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets provides various deposit and withdrawal options, including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas iFOREX offers PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacks ACH and SEPA transfer options.
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 | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 750 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 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 | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary 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 | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 57 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 25 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | CMC 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 | 29 | 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 | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 | CMC 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 | CMC Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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