Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 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.
Plus500 and IFC Markets are noteworthy online brokers, each with unique strengths and regulatory standings. Founded in 2008, Plus500 is publicly traded and holds an impressive six Tier-1 licenses, which reflect the highest level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. This substantial regulatory backing contributes to its perfect Trust Score of 99. Despite not being a bank, Plus500 is distinguished by its transparency and reliability, making it a prominent choice for many traders.
In contrast, IFC Markets, established in 2006, is not publicly traded and holds no Tier-1 licenses, instead relying on one Tier-2 license deemed "trusted." With a Trust Score of 73, it is considered to have an average risk level. Despite these differences, IFC Markets still competes in the brokerage industry, particularly appealing to those who prioritize other trading features over high regulatory credentials.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When considering commissions and fees, Plus500's pricing stands slightly above the industry average. It may not match the competitive rates offered by some of the top forex brokers for active traders, such as IG or Saxo. One notable policy is that Plus500 does not provide discounts for retail clients, but it does offer cash rebates for those who qualify as Professional clients. For traders dealing with the EUR/USD currency pair, Plus500 recorded an average spread of 1.5 pips in April 2024, which is higher than the industry norm. Plus500 is rated 4.0 stars out of five for commissions and fees, ranking 25th among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, IFC Markets does not provide specific average spread data, making direct comparisons challenging. Like Plus500, IFC Markets is also rated 4 stars out of five for commissions and fees. However, it is positioned lower in the rankings, coming in at 39th place out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
Both platforms offer unique pricing structures and benefits, with Plus500 providing incentives for professional traders through their rebate program. For traders, especially those looking for cost-efficiency, examining both brokers' offers alongside those of other top-performers might provide a clearer perspective on optimal trading choices.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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.
Plus500 and IFC Markets both offer forex trading through CFDs, but they diverge in the number of available options for investors. Plus500 presents an impressive lineup with 5,500 tradeable symbols, including 65 forex pairs. In comparison, IFC Markets provides a smaller selection, offering 630 symbols and 49 forex pairs. While both brokers allow clients to explore international markets, Plus500 goes a step further by enabling direct investments in U.S. exchange-listed stocks like Apple, a feature not available with IFC Markets. Additionally, Plus500 has an offering for cryptocurrency derivatives, though it lacks copy trading, which IFC Markets does provide.
For those interested in diverse investment options, Plus500 scores higher with a 4.5-star rating for its range of investments, compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. This difference is echoed in their rankings; Plus500 holds the 24th position out of 62 brokers in the Range of Investments category according to ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets trails at 43rd place. While both platforms offer ample opportunities for investment in foreign exchanges and cryptocurrency derivatives, Plus500's broader array of tradeable instruments and access to U.S. stocks gives it an edge for investors seeking a more extensive portfolio.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, Plus500 and IFC Markets both cater to traders with distinct features. Plus500 offers users a proprietary platform that is accessible via web browsers, lacking a Windows-based desktop option. On the other hand, IFC Markets provides both a proprietary platform and Windows desktop download options, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, which Plus500 does not offer. Both brokers include virtual demo accounts for simulated trading, but IFC Markets additionally supports copy trading, a feature absent in Plus500's offerings.
Charting tools vary distinctly between the two, with Plus500 offering more drawing tools, totaling 22, compared to IFC Markets' 15. Despite this, IFC Markets allows direct trading from stock charts, a capability missing from Plus500. Watchlist customization also differs, with Plus500 offering 10 columns for watch lists, more than the 7 offered by IFC Markets. Overall, Plus500 scores a slightly higher rating of 4.5 stars for trading platforms and tools, ranking #14 out of 62 brokers, while IFC Markets receives 4 stars and ranks #36, indicating a preference among users for Plus500's platform features.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and IFC Markets, both platforms offer comprehensive tools for iPhone and Android users, complete with stock and forex price alerts and the ability to sync watchlists with online accounts. Plus500 shines with a broader selection of 110 technical studies for charting, while IFC Markets provides 30. Both apps support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on stock or forex charts. However, IFC Markets offers the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings, unlike Plus500. Both apps allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring traders have critical information at their fingertips.
Plus500 and IFC Markets are highly regarded for their mobile trading capabilities, but there are differences in user ratings and rankings. Plus500 boasts a 4.5-star rating, placing it at #14 out of 62 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category on ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, IFC Markets has a slightly lower rating of 4 stars and a ranking of #52. These differences point to Plus500's stronger appeal among users, particularly for those who value an extensive range of technical studies and overall app performance.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
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 | 110 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing Plus500 and IFC Markets for their market research offerings, both platforms provide daily market commentary, ensuring investors stay informed about current market trends. However, Plus500 stands out with access to Trading Central's technical analysis tools, which IFC Markets does not offer. Both brokers lack forex news from major sources like Bloomberg or Reuters and don't provide research tools from firms such as Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools and comprehensive economic calendars to help traders navigate global financial events. However, Plus500 receives a higher research rating of 4.0 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. Plus500's overall research capabilities are ranked #19 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas IFC Markets is placed at #40. This suggests that Plus500 provides a slightly more enriched research environment for traders looking to enhance their investment decisions.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 comparing the educational resources offered by Plus500 and IFC Markets, both brokers provide a solid foundation for beginners interested in forex or CFDs. Each offers over ten educational pieces such as articles and videos focused on these topics. Plus500 stands out by offering regular online webinars every month, which are not available with IFC Markets. Plus500 also features a searchable archive of these webinars, allowing beginners to revisit past lessons at their convenience. Both platforms offer over ten beginner educational videos to help new traders get started, along with advanced videos for more experienced traders.
IFC Markets, however, distinguishes itself with a comprehensive investor dictionary that includes definitions of over 50 investment-related terms, a feature not provided by Plus500. In terms of ratings, Plus500 earns 4.0 stars for education, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars. Despite these differences, IFC Markets surprisingly ranks slightly higher at #30 in the education category by ForexBrokers.com, compared to Plus500's rank of #31. Both brokers bring valuable educational tools to the table, catering to the needs of aspiring traders with varied offerings.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than IFC Markets. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
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Both Plus500 and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both Plus500 and IFC Markets allow deposits and withdrawals via Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, Plus500 distinguishes itself by also supporting PayPal and Skrill, options that IFC Markets does not offer, whereas neither broker supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | 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) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | 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 | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. |
| Cost | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | 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 | 110 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
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