Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM 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.
FXCM and IFC Markets are both well-established online brokers, with FXCM having been founded in 1999, and IFC Markets entering the scene in 2006. FXCM is publicly traded, adding an extra layer of transparency for investors, while IFC Markets is privately held. Neither company operates as a bank, which is something potential investors often consider when evaluating their options.
When it comes to trust and regulation, FXCM stands out with a high Trust Score of 95 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, backed by four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. In comparison, IFC Markets has a Trust Score of 73, reflecting an average risk profile with no Tier-1 licenses, but holding one Tier-2 license. These factors are crucial for investors aiming to assess the security and reliability of their chosen online broker.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing FXCM and IFC Markets in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers share a four-star rating. FXCM stands out with a slightly better ranking at 24 out of 62 brokers in this category, compared to IFC Markets' position at 39. FXCM's forex trading costs are a bit above the industry standard. For most accounts, the average spread for trading EUR/USD in May 2024 was 0.78 pips, which varies based on location. Some regions, like St. Vincent and the Grenadines, experience even higher spreads, while those using commission-based accounts saw spreads as low as 0.28 pips, excluding commissions. With active trader discounts, spreads can be further reduced, although participation in this program depends on your country's eligibility.
FXCM offers an Active Trader Rebate Program, which could be advantageous for high-volume traders. This program offers tiered rebates based on trading volume, ranging from $5 to $25 per million traded. However, other brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets may provide more competitive rates for active traders. For example, while FXCM's basic commission-based spreads start at 0.28 pips, the effective spread, including commissions, often rises to around 0.74 pips.
Participation requirements for FXCM's Active Trader program can differ according to the FXCM Group entity managing your account. In the U.K., accessing lower commissions requires maintaining a $25,000 account balance and trading at least $50 million in volume monthly. Successfully meeting these criteria may qualify traders for a lower commission per side, translating to an effective spread of 0.78 pips. Depending on the trading volume and discount tier, even greater savings are possible. Information on IFC Markets' average spreads is not readily available, which can make direct comparisons challenging, but both brokers offer competitive options within their specific pricing models.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FXCM and IFC Markets both provide a platform for forex trading, offering this service as a contract for difference (CFD) or spot contract. However, IFC Markets outshines FXCM with the number of tradeable symbols available, offering 630 compared to FXCM's 440. When it comes to forex pairs, IFC Markets again holds a slight edge, providing 49 pairs versus FXCM's 43. However, neither broker offers clients the ability to trade actual shares on U.S. exchanges, which means you can't directly invest in companies like Apple via these brokers.
In a rare distinction, IFC Markets does allow trading of exchange-traded securities on international markets, such as purchasing Vodafone shares, a feature FXCM doesn't offer. Both brokers cater to those interested in the cryptocurrency market but restrict clients to trading derivatives rather than actual cryptocurrencies. Copy trading is supported by both platforms, providing an avenue for traders to follow and imitate successful strategies. Despite these offerings, FXCM and IFC Markets are rated similarly for their range of investments at 3.5 stars each, though IFC Markets is slightly ahead in industry rankings, holding the 43rd spot against FXCM's 47th among 62 brokers assessed by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of FXCM and IFC Markets, both brokers present a range of features designed to enhance the user experience. Each offers a proprietary platform developed in-house and provides access to MetaTrader 4 (MT4) for traders who prefer a familiar interface. While FXCM does not provide MetaTrader 5 (MT5), IFC Markets does, giving it an edge in this particular offering. Additionally, both companies support simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts and have Windows-based desktop and web-based trading platforms. Fans of copy trading will find both brokers accommodating, as FXCM supports ZuluTrade and IFC Markets offers no support for DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
In terms of charting tools, IFC Markets slightly outpaces FXCM, offering 15 drawing tools compared to FXCM's 10. However, FXCM provides more flexibility with 13 columns in its watch list feature, compared to IFC Markets' 7. Both brokers allow users to trade directly from stock charts, which enhances immediacy and efficiency. Despite IFC Markets providing more advanced technical options with MT5, FXCM still holds a higher user rating of 5 stars versus IFC Markets' 4 stars, ranking 6th out of 62 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category according to ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets ranks 36th. This indicates stronger overall user satisfaction with FXCM's platform offerings and trading tools in this context.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of FXCM and IFC Markets, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android devices, providing traders with flexibility and convenience. Both apps enable users to receive stock or forex price alerts and sync watchlists between the mobile app and online account. This synchronization ensures a seamless experience regardless of where changes are made. FXCM leads in the number of technical studies offered for charting, with 59 available, compared to IFC Markets' 30. Both brokers support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts, catering to various trading strategies.
In terms of usability, both apps automatically save chart drawings and allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. These features contribute to an efficient trading process on the go. However, FXCM's mobile app is rated slightly higher with 4.5 stars compared to IFC Markets' 4 stars. Additionally, FXCM holds a better ranking, securing the 16th spot out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, while IFC Markets ranks 52nd. This reflects FXCM's edge in overall user satisfaction and app performance.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 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.
When comparing FXCM and IFC Markets for market research offerings, FXCM stands out as a comprehensive choice. It provides daily market commentary and delivers forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. FXCM also features a sentiment-based trading tool to gauge trader positions and offers insights from the reputable TipRanks. Additionally, FXCM includes advanced tools from Trading Central and maintains an economic calendar detailing global financial events. With a 4.5-star rating and ranked #11 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM proves to be a well-rounded choice for traders seeking depth in market analysis.
In contrast, IFC Markets also supplies daily market commentary and maintains an economic calendar. However, it lacks forex news from premium news sources and does not feature tools from Autochartist or Trading Central. Although it does offer a sentiment-based trading tool, it does not provide insights from TipRanks, setting it apart from FXCM. With a 3.5-star rating and a #40 ranking by ForexBrokers.com in research, IFC Markets offers functional but more limited resources for those looking to explore the financial markets.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For those just stepping into the world of forex and CFD trading, both FXCM and IFC Markets provide a range of educational resources aimed at beginners. FXCM shines with its comprehensive offerings, including at least 10 educational materials like articles, videos, and archived webinars centered on forex and CFDs. They also stand out for their monthly online educational client webinars and a searchable archive of these sessions, making learning accessible and flexible for their users. Additionally, FXCM offers over 10 beginner-friendly videos, an extensive investor dictionary, and plenty of advanced educational content. This well-rounded approach has earned them a solid 4.5-star rating in education from ForexBrokers.com, securing the 14th spot out of 62 brokers in the Education category.
On the other hand, IFC Markets also provides a minimum of 10 educational resources targeting forex and CFDs, with a solid selection of beginner-focused videos and an investor dictionary boasting definitions for over 50 investing terms. However, the absence of monthly webinars and a searchable archive of past sessions limits their educational reach slightly. With a 3.5-star education rating, IFC Markets is ranked 30th among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. While both brokers cater well to beginners, FXCM has a slight edge with its broader array of interactive and accessible learning tools, making it a more attractive option for those eager to deepen their understanding of trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| 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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than IFC Markets. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 |
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Both FXCM and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do allow trading of cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers FXCM and IFC Markets regarding funding options, FXCM supports a wider range of methods, offering ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wires, while IFC Markets only accepts Visa/Mastercard and bank wires.
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 | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| 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). |
| Cost | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXCM Review |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review |
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