Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Questrade 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.
When comparing Questrade and IFC Markets, both are private online brokers and are not affiliated with any banking institutions. Established in 2000, Questrade holds a strong reputation with two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, according to ForexBrokers.com. This contributes to its Trust Score of 86, positioning it in the ‘trusted’ category. Meanwhile, IFC Markets, founded in 2006, holds one Tier-2 license, marking it as a ‘trusted’ broker as well, but with a slightly lower Trust Score of 73, indicating an average risk level.
While neither Questrade nor IFC Markets is publicly traded, they each provide robust brokerage services within the market. Questrade's regulatory advantage with Tier-1 licenses gives it a higher trust factor among users seeking a reliable trading partner. IFC Markets, although holding fewer regulatory accolades, remains a viable option for those who weigh trust levels and regulatory standings differently. Overall, potential clients will find distinct differences in their regulatory standings that may influence their decision between these two brokers.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the fees and commissions of Questrade and IFC Markets, potential investors should consider both the star ratings and rankings by ForexBrokers.com. Questrade, with a three-star rating, offers a target spread on the EUR/USD at 1.9 pips. This spread is above the industry average, potentially making it a costlier option for frequent traders. Consequently, it ranks 57th out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category.
Conversely, IFC Markets garners a slightly higher four-star rating. Although specific average spread data for IFC Markets isn't available, it still achieves a better ranking compared to Questrade. It sits at the 39th position out of 62 brokers, suggesting a more favorable fee structure and potentially lower trading costs for its users.
Overall, while both brokers offer compelling features, IFC Markets appears to position itself as a more cost-effective choice for traders prioritizing lower fees and commissions, as indicated by its more advantageous ranking and star rating.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
Questrade and IFC Markets both provide opportunities for forex trading, offering both CFDs and spot contracts. Questrade allows users access to 641 tradeable symbols, surpassing IFC Markets' 630. When it comes to forex pairs, Questrade boasts a significant advantage with 110 available pairs compared to IFC Markets' 49. Additionally, Questrade supports exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, enabling clients to invest directly in companies like Apple, a feature not available at IFC Markets. Both platforms, however, offer access to exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, giving traders the opportunity to invest in firms such as Vodafone.
Neither Questrade nor IFC Markets offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies, though both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives. IFC Markets sets itself apart by offering copy trading, a capability Questrade lacks. In terms of ratings, Questrade scores a full 5 stars for its range of investments, clearly leading IFC Markets, which holds a 3.5-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Questrade is ranked 11th out of 62 brokers for their investment range, while IFC Markets is placed at 43rd, highlighting the broader variety of trading options available with Questrade.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 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 |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing Questrade and IFC Markets, both brokers offer a solid range of trading platforms and tools that cater to various trader preferences. They each provide a proprietary platform and support both simulated trading through virtual demo accounts. Users can enjoy trading on Windows-based desktop platforms or opt for web-based browser alternatives with either broker. However, while Questrade lacks support for popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), IFC Markets provides access to both, making it attractive for traders who prefer these widely-used systems. On the other hand, Questrade offers DupliTrade for those interested in strategy automation, a feature not available with IFC Markets.
When it comes to tools for charting, both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, with Questrade slightly ahead in terms of drawing tools, offering 20 compared to IFC Markets' 15. Notably, Questrade excels in its watch list capabilities with 52 configurable columns, compared to just 7 provided by IFC Markets. Although neither broker supports ZuluTrade, IFC Markets includes copy trading features that Questrade does not offer. Both brokers are rated four stars out of five for their trading platforms and tools by ForexBrokers.com. However, Questrade ranks 34th, slightly higher than IFC Markets, which stands at 36th out of 62 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Questrade and IFC Markets, both platforms deliver commendable features for traders looking to manage their investments on the go. Available on both iPhone and Android devices, each app offers stock or forex price alerts to keep you informed about the latest market movements. A notable feature common to both is the ability to sync watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the user’s online account, ensuring seamless updates across platforms. Additionally, both apps allow users to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames on charts, and create watchlists with real-time quotes, catering to those who require real-time data access and analysis tools. Both mobile trading apps have auto-save functionality for any chart drawings, enhancing the user experience.
One area where Questrade distinguishes itself is in the number of technical studies available, offering 64 compared to IFC Markets' 30. Yet, both brokers are rated equally with 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading apps. In terms of ranking by ForexBrokers.com, Questrade holds a higher position at #34 compared to IFC Markets at #52 out of 62 brokers. This suggests that while both apps perform well, Questrade might appeal more to users due to its broader range of technical analysis features.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
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 | 64 | 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 the market research offerings of Questrade and IFC Markets, their differences become apparent. IFC Markets stands out by providing daily market commentary to keep traders informed, while Questrade does not offer this feature. On the other hand, Questrade excels in providing advanced technical analysis tools, leveraging renowned companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, which IFC Markets lacks. However, when it comes to sentiment-based trading tools, IFC Markets offers insights into trader sentiment ratios, something not available through Questrade. Both platforms ensure traders aren't left in the dark about global economic events by offering an economic calendar, though neither sources forex news from top-tier providers like Bloomberg or Reuters.
Both Questrade and IFC Markets are rated 3.5 out of 5 for their research capabilities, indicating balanced evaluations in this aspect. However, a ranking by ForexBrokers.com places IFC Markets at #40, ahead of Questrade, which is positioned at #51 out of 62 brokers. This suggests that while both brokers offer valuable research tools, IFC Markets might be slightly more favored in the broader market landscape.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | 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 forex or CFDs, both Questrade and IFC Markets provide beginners with over ten educational pieces like articles and videos, making it easier to get started in online trading. However, if you're looking for interactive learning through monthly webinars, neither broker offers this feature. On the bright side, Questrade does give users access to a searchable archive of previous webinars, whereas IFC Markets does not.
For those just starting, both platforms offer more than ten beginner videos to help you get up to speed. However, IFC Markets might suit more advanced users better since it provides at least ten advanced trading videos and an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, tools not found at Questrade. While Questrade and IFC Markets both score 3.5 stars for education, IFC Markets ranks slightly higher at #30 compared to Questrade’s #36 in ForexBrokers.com's education category, making it a slightly stronger contender for comprehensive educational support.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | 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 Questrade is better than IFC Markets. Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Regulated in both the U.S. and Canada, Questrade is a trusted full-service multi-asset broker now offering forex and CFDs alongside its stock trading services for active and passive investors. While its scope of educational resources and in-house research is limited, Questrade has an impressive platform lineup.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Questrade and IFC Markets do not provide the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency but do offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives, allowing traders to engage in cryptocurrency trading without owning the actual assets.
Both Questrade and IFC Markets provide Visa or Mastercard and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing funds, but neither broker supports ACH, SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill for transactions.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | 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) | No | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 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 |
| Cost | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Questrade | 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 | 64 | 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 | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Questrade | 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 | Questrade Review |
| Overall | Questrade | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill