Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IFC Markets vs GBE brokers, 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.
When comparing IFC Markets and GBE Brokers, several key factors differentiate these online trading platforms. IFC Markets, established in 2006, holds a Tier-2 license, indicating a trusted regulatory status within the industry. Despite lacking Tier-1 licenses, IFC Markets maintains a Trust Score of 73 out of 99, thanks to its singular Tier-2 accreditation. As neither a publicly traded company nor a bank, IFC Markets is independently operated, offering clients a moderate level of reassurance with an average risk rating from ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, GBE Brokers, founded in 2013, holds one coveted Tier-1 license, suggesting a higher level of regulatory compliance. Despite this, GBE Brokers has a slightly lower Trust Score of 71, which categorizes it similarly as an average risk investment option. Like IFC Markets, GBE Brokers is not publicly traded and operates independently from any banking institution. This comparison highlights that while GBE Brokers may offer a slight edge in licensing, both platforms sit within an average level of trust, providing reasonable safety for those looking to trade online.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When considering online brokers, both IFC Markets and GBE brokers provide competitive options for investors focused on commissions and fees, though specific average spread data is unavailable for both. IFC Markets shines with a strong reputation, earning a 4-star rating for its commissions and fees structure. It ranks as the 39th best out of 62 brokers in this category according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating a solid but not top-tier position in the market for cost-conscious traders.
Similarly, GBE brokers also achieve a 4-star rating for their commissions and fees, reflecting a favorable balance of cost and accessibility. They hold a slightly better ranking than IFC Markets, positioned as the 36th broker among 62 competitors. This ranking suggests GBE brokers are slightly more appealing to those prioritizing fee structures in their trading decisions.
While both brokers are rated equally with 4 stars, the slight edge in ranking for GBE brokers may attract investors who prioritize fees in their trading strategies. Choosing between these brokers could ultimately depend on other factors such as platform features, customer service, and specific trading needs beyond just the cost of commissions and fees.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 it comes to comparing IFC Markets and GBE Brokers for their range of investment options, both offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. However, IFC Markets boasts a broader selection with 630 tradeable symbols compared to GBE Brokers' 500. On the other hand, GBE Brokers shines in forex trading by offering 71 tradeable forex pairs, ahead of IFC Markets' 49 pairs. While neither broker provides the opportunity to invest in U.S. exchange-listed securities, IFC Markets offers access to international stocks, such as Vodafone, a feature absent in GBE Brokers.
Both trading platforms enable users to engage in copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither allows for the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, both brokers receive 3.5 stars for their range of investments. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets is slightly ahead, positioned at #43, while GBE Brokers follows closely at #44. Overall, each platform has its strengths and specific offerings appealing to different investor needs.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 71 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, both IFC Markets and GBE Brokers offer a range of features suited for traders of all levels. IFC Markets provides a comprehensive experience with its proprietary platform, giving traders access to unique features not found elsewhere. Additionally, both brokers offer the widely used MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, as well as the convenience of a web-based platform for trading directly from a browser. Desktop enthusiasts will appreciate that both brokers support Windows-based desktop platforms. Notably, both IFC Markets and GBE Brokers also offer paper trading accounts, enabling users to practice without financial risk. For those interested in copy trading, both brokers include this option as part of their offerings.
Charting tools are comparable between the two brokers; each offers 15 drawing tools, so traders can successfully analyze market movements. Both allow direct trading from stock charts, helping traders act quickly on emerging opportunities. When forming watch lists, traders on both platforms can utilize seven columns for a detailed overview of their chosen investments. With four-star ratings for their trading platforms and tools, IFC Markets and GBE Brokers stand out as strong choices for many traders. However, when reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets edges out GBE Brokers, ranking #36 out of 62 brokers compared to GBE Brokers' #57 ranking, suggesting a slight preference among reviewers for IFC Markets in this category.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IFC Markets and GBE brokers both provide fully functional mobile trading apps for both iPhone and Android users, ensuring traders can manage their investments on the go. Both platforms allow users to receive stock or forex price alerts, create real-time watchlists, draw trendlines, and explore different chart time frames. Additionally, both mobile apps auto-save chart drawings, making it easy for traders to track changes and strategies over time. However, a notable distinction is that IFC Markets allows watchlist symbol syncing with watchlists on a user's online account, providing seamless integration between devices, whereas GBE brokers does not offer this feature.
In terms of charting capabilities, both IFC Markets and GBE brokers offer 30 technical studies, providing ample analytical tools for traders. Despite the similarities in functionality, there is a slight difference in recognition, as IFC Markets holds a higher ranking at #52 compared to GBE brokers' #57 ranking in the Mobile Trading Apps category according to ForexBrokers.com. Both platforms share a similar overall rating of four out of five stars, indicating a competitive alignment in user satisfaction. This comparison highlights that while both apps are well-equipped, those who prioritize syncing their data across devices may find IFC Markets more appealing.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| 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.
When comparing IFC Markets and GBE Brokers, both platforms offer daily market commentary and sentiment-based trading tools for those interested in understanding the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs. Both brokers provide access to an economic calendar, allowing traders to keep track of important global economic events. However, neither IFC Markets nor GBE Brokers offer forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg or Reuters, nor do they provide tools from companies like Autochartist, Trading Central, or Acuity Trading.
IFC Markets receives a slightly higher research rating, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars, while GBE Brokers holds a 3-star rating. This difference in ratings is reflected in their respective rankings on ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets is ranked at #40 out of 62 brokers in the research category, showcasing a stronger position compared to GBE Brokers, which is ranked at #61. These rankings highlight that both brokers deliver essential market research features, yet IFC Markets edges out as the preferred choice for research resources among the two.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| 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, IFC Markets holds an advantage over GBE brokers. IFC Markets provides a range of educational materials, surpassing the minimum requirement of 10 pieces such as articles, videos, and webinars on forex or CFDs. Additionally, they offer over 10 beginner-focused educational videos, making it easier for newcomers to get a solid start in trading. They also have more than 10 advanced educational videos for seasoned traders seeking to deepen their expertise. A helpful feature from IFC Markets is their investor dictionary, containing definitions for at least 50 investing terms, which can be a valuable tool for those new to the trading world.
GBE brokers, on the other hand, fall short in providing a broad selection of educational resources. They do not meet the threshold of offering 10 educational pieces primarily focused on forex or CFDs. Also, they lack beginner and advanced educational video content, as well as an investor dictionary. Neither broker offers online educational webinars or a searchable archive of webinars. In terms of educational ratings, IFC Markets is rated at 3.5 stars and ranks 30th among 62 brokers, whereas GBE brokers receive a 3-star rating and are positioned last at 62nd in the Education category according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 IFC Markets is better than GBE brokers. IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #44, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #56.
IFC Markets is a well-established broker that has been in operation for 17 years. Forex traders at IFC Markets gain access to multiple trading platforms, a growing range of tradeable markets, and a balanced offering of research and educational content. However, IFC Markets’ Trust Score suffers due to the broker’s limited range of regulatory licenses.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
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GBE brokers
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| Trust Score | 73 | 71 |
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Both IFC Markets and GBE brokers allow users to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
Comparing online brokers, IFC Markets and GBE Brokers, you'll find that while both offer Visa/Mastercard and bank wires for depositing and withdrawing funds, GBE Brokers additionally provides ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, and Skrill options, which IFC Markets does not.
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 | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
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| Regulation | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 71 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| 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 Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IFC Markets | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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