Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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.
Comparing IG and IFC Markets reveals notable differences in their regulatory standing and trust ratings. Founded in 1974, IG is a publicly traded bank that commands a strong presence with 8 Tier-1 licenses, indicative of high trust, and 2 Tier-2 licenses. This positions IG with a stellar Trust Score of 99, reflecting its status as a highly trusted broker. In contrast, IFC Markets, established in 2006, remains a privately owned entity and not a bank. It holds 1 Tier-2 license and lacks Tier-1 certifications, which correlates to a Trust Score of 73, placing it in the average risk category for trustworthiness.
The distinctions between these brokers are also reflected in their market presence and regulatory oversight. IG's long-standing history and extensive regulatory approvals offer clients a heightened sense of security and confidence. Meanwhile, IFC Markets, with fewer licenses and a lower trust score, may appeal to those seeking different services or trading environments. Overall, while both brokers provide online trading solutions, IG's comprehensive regulatory backing offers greater assurances of trust compared to IFC Markets' more moderate framework.
| Feature |
IG
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, IG stands out as a favorable choice for active traders. With a five-star rating and ranked #8 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, IG offers scalable execution and competitive pricing through its Forex Direct accounts. The average spread on these accounts is around 0.62 pips, leading to an all-in cost of about 0.82 pips when factoring in per-trade commissions. For CFD accounts, spreads during regular trading sessions average 0.69 pips, slightly better than the industry standard at the time. IG also provides a tiered rebate program for professional volume traders, offering up to a 20% rebate on costs, effectively bringing down spreads to as low as 0.60 pips for high-volume traders.
In contrast, IFC Markets is awarded a four-star rating and ranked #39 by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees. Although average spread data is not disclosed for IFC Markets, its rating and ranking suggest a more moderate fee structure compared to IG. IG’s advanced Direct Market Access (DMA) account further entices active traders with lower fees through tiered pricing based on trading volume, allowing commissions to drop significantly for those trading in large volumes.
Both brokers provide unique benefits tailored to varying trader needs. IG's competitive fees, particularly for high-frequency traders, make it a strong contender, while IFC Markets offers a balanced approach suitable for those not solely focused on costs. While IG impresses with its range of financial products and scaling options, potential clients should assess their trading volume and style to determine which broker aligns best with their financial goals.
| Feature |
IG
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IG and IFC Markets both cater to investors seeking diverse trading opportunities, but they vary significantly in the breadth of investments they provide. IG offers a staggering 19,537 tradable symbols, including 97 forex pairs, making it a top choice for those looking for a wide range of trading options. In contrast, IFC Markets provides 630 tradable symbols with 49 forex pairs, focusing on a more tailored offering. Both brokers allow forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, though IG's extensive selection sets it apart. For those interested in stocks, IG grants access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international markets, while IFC Markets restricts stock trading to international exchanges only.
When considering additional features, like copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, there are more differences. IFC Markets supports copy trading, a feature IG does not offer, which may be appealing to those who like following the strategies of experienced traders. Both platforms enable trading in cryptocurrency derivatives without the option to purchase actual cryptocurrency. IG’s expansive investment opportunities earn it a 5-star rating and a #4 ranking by ForexBrokers.com in the Range of Investments category, compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars and #43 ranking. Overall, IG stands out for its vast investment choices, making it a more versatile option for investors seeking comprehensive market access.
| Feature |
IG
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 online trading platforms offered by IG and IFC Markets, both brokers provide a comprehensive suite of tools for traders. IG boasts a top-rated platform, scoring five stars for its trading tools and maintaining a strong position at #2 in ForexBrokers.com's rankings. Both IG and IFC Markets offer virtual demo accounts, proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop downloads, and web-based trading options. While IG shines with its extensive charting tools, including 20 drawing implements, IFC Markets is not far behind with 15. However, IG does not support MetaTrader 5 or copy trading, an area where IFC Markets offers options, ranking 36th with a four-star rating.
In terms of chart interaction, both brokers enable trading directly from charts, providing seamless user experiences. IG supports MetaTrader 4 but lacks the newer MetaTrader 5 platform, which IFC Markets provides. For those interested in organizing financial data, IG provides five columns for watch lists, while IFC Markets offers seven, giving users more room for detailed analysis. Despite these differences, both platforms cater to a variety of trading preferences, ensuring a versatile environment for traders at all levels.
| Feature |
IG
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When looking at mobile trading apps, both IG and IFC Markets offer comprehensive features for iPhone and Android users. Each allows you to set stock or forex price alerts and provides watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring seamless integration between your mobile app and online account. Chart analysis is robust on both platforms; however, IG offers 33 technical studies compared to IFC Markets' 30. Both apps enable trendline drawing and support multiple time frames, which includes daily, weekly, or intraday views. Importantly, any drawings you make on charts are auto-saved, and you can create watchlists with real-time quotes on both platforms.
Despite their similarities, IG and IFC Markets differ significantly in user rankings. IG takes the lead with a perfect 5-star rating and is ranked #1 out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, IFC Markets has a 4-star rating and sits at #52 in the same category. This disparity highlights IG as a more user-favored option, possibly due to its slightly advanced charting capabilities and overall integration.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 | 33 | 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 market research offerings of online brokers, IG stands out with a comprehensive suite of services. It provides daily market commentary and top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders receive timely information. IG also integrates tools from Autochartist and offers sentiment-based trading indicators, helping traders make informed decisions. Moreover, it includes market insights from TipRanks and features from Acuity Trading, coupled with a global economic calendar that keeps users abreast of significant events. This commitment to informative resources contributes to its high research rating of 5 stars, positioning it as the second-ranked broker for research according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, IFC Markets also delivers daily market commentary and features a sentiment-based trading tool, alongside an economic calendar. However, it falls short compared to IG in several areas. IFC Marktets does not provide top-tier forex news and lacks research tools from popular providers like Autochartist and Acuity Trading. Additionally, it doesn't offer insights from TipRanks, which might limit some of the comprehensive research capabilities avid traders seek. Consequently, its research support is rated at 3.5 stars, placing it at number 40 in the research rankings by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers.
| Feature |
IG
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, IG and IFC Markets both provide solid foundations with their respective offerings. Both brokers ensure traders have access to at least 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, which include articles, videos, and webinars. They also provide a range of educational videos catering to both novice and seasoned traders. Notably, IG edges out IFC Markets by offering monthly online educational webinars and a searchable library of past sessions, helping beginners stay consistently informed and engaged with the latest market trends and strategies.
Additionally, IG and IFC Markets each provide an investor dictionary that includes more than 50 key trading terms, making learning accessible and practical for newcomers. Despite the similarities in content availability, IG's initiatives in delivering live and archived webinars result in a stronger rating and ranking. With a perfect 5-star rating and a first-place rank among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, IG leads the way in the education category. Meanwhile, IFC Markets, though decent with a 3.5-star rating and a 30th rank, has room for improvement in creating dynamic learning experiences for its users.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 IG is better than IFC Markets. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both IG and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide options to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, IG supports ACH and SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals, whereas IFC Markets does not offer ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal, but does support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, with neither broker supporting 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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0 of 5| Overall Rating | IG | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | 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 | 33 | 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 | IG | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | 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 | IG | 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 | IG Review |
| Overall | IG | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
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