Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Saxo 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 online brokers Saxo and IFC Markets, it's clear that Saxo, established in 1992, stands out with a stellar Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. Unlike IFC Markets, which was founded in 2006 and has a Trust Score of 73, Saxo also operates as a bank, enhancing its reputation in financial markets. Saxo holds an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust, whereas IFC Markets does not hold any Tier-1 licenses. Both brokers have one Tier-2 license, which is seen as trusted but not as reliable as Tier-1.
Neither Saxo nor IFC Markets are publicly traded, with Saxo's status as a bank further contributing to its exceptional standing. The significant presence of Tier-1 licenses for Saxo places it in the "highly trusted" category, while IFC Markets' single Tier-2 license reflects a more average risk level. For those seeking a broker with a substantial trust factor, Saxo emerges as a compelling choice, providing oversight and security that are key factors in the financial trading world.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Saxo offers highly competitive pricing for active and high-volume traders, particularly those able to maintain large account balances. Saxo's Platinum and VIP accounts benefit from lower spreads that align closely with industry averages, offering 1.0 and 0.9 pips on the EUR/USD pair, respectively. The entry-level Classic account, with average spreads starting at 1.1 pips, may be less cost-effective compared to the higher-tier accounts. Notably, Saxo recently reduced the minimum deposit for its Classic account to $0, making it more accessible to new customers. Importantly, Saxo charges no commissions on forex trades unless the trading volume falls below 50,000 units per month, in which case a small ticket fee applies. Rated 5 stars for its commissions and fees, Saxo holds an impressive #9 ranking out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets, while lacking specific average spread data, provides a competitive offering with a 4-star rating for commissions and fees. This reflects a satisfactory balance of cost-effectiveness and service. Nonetheless, it stands at #39 in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com, suggesting there may be brokers with more appealing fee structures in the market for certain traders. Without detailed spread information, potential IFC Markets clients should carefully evaluate their trading needs and compare other brokers to ensure they find the best fit in terms of costs.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | 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.
When examining online brokers, Saxo provides an impressive range of investment options compared to IFC Markets. Saxo offers an extensive selection of 70,000 tradeable symbols, which include 190 forex pairs, giving investors a broad spectrum of opportunities for diversification. In contrast, IFC Markets offers 630 tradeable symbols and 49 forex pairs, which, while comprehensive, are significantly fewer than Saxo's offerings. Both brokers allow forex trading as a CFD or spot contract and provide cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither enables the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
Saxo also excels in giving clients access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, meaning investors can buy stocks like Apple and Vodafone directly. On the other hand, IFC Markets only offers international exchange-traded securities, limiting direct access to U.S. stocks. Both brokers feature copy trading options. Overall, Saxo earns a higher rating of five stars for the range of investments, ranking third on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets has a rating of 3.5 stars and ranks 43rd. This makes Saxo a more suitable choice for those seeking extensive investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 offered by Saxo and IFC Markets, both brokers feature proprietary platforms and provide simulated (paper) trading with a virtual demo account. Saxo and IFC Markets each support Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms, ensuring accessibility across devices. For those interested in copy trading, both brokers have it available; however, they diverge when it comes to popular third-party platforms. IFC Markets supports both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while Saxo does not offer either. Neither broker features DupliTrade or ZuluTrade integrations.
Saxo offers an impressive array of 60 columns for customizing watch lists and allows trading directly from stock charts, offering 20 drawing tools for enhanced charting analysis. IFC Markets, while also supporting chart-based trading, provides 15 drawing tools and seven columns for watch lists. In terms of technical indicators, both brokers stay discreet. With these features in mind, Saxo earns a top-tier rating of 5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, ranking first among 62 brokers, whereas IFC Markets holds a four-star rating, positioning at number 36.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | 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 | 60 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Saxo and IFC Markets both offer comprehensive mobile trading solutions, catering to iPhone and Android users. Their mobile apps enable traders to set stock and forex alerts, sync watchlists with online accounts, and provide real-time quote watchlists. Users will find the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, with each platform offering the convenience of auto-saving chart drawings. However, Saxo distinguishes itself with 64 technical charting studies compared to IFC Markets' 30, providing a more detailed analysis for traders.
When it comes to performance and user satisfaction, Saxo excels, achieving a perfect 5-star rating from users and securing the #2 position out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps according to ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, IFC Markets receives a respectable 4-star rating, ranking at #52 in the same category. For traders seeking a top-ranking mobile trading experience with extensive charting capabilities, Saxo's app proves to be more highly regarded, while IFC Markets still offers a solid alternative.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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 Saxo and IFC Markets, there are several notable differences. Both platforms provide daily market commentary, keeping traders informed with timely insights. However, Saxo gains an edge by delivering forex news sourced from prestigious outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, which IFC Markets does not offer. Additionally, Saxo incorporates technical analysis tools from Autochartist, unlike IFC Markets. Both platforms provide sentiment-based trading tools that offer insights into long or short positions among various instruments, as well as economic calendars that list significant global events. Neither company offers research tools from Trading Central, Acuity Trading, or market research from TipRanks.
Saxo stands out with a top research rating of 5 stars and holds the number one position among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. By comparison, IFC Markets has a research rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked at number 40 by the same source. This difference highlights Saxo's superior market research features and resources, making it a favored choice among professionals seeking comprehensive analysis tools.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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 | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both Saxo and IFC Markets offer educational resources tailored for beginners interested in forex or CFDs trading. Saxo impresses with a comprehensive selection, including more than ten articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs education. Additionally, Saxo hosts monthly educational webinars and provides a searchable archive of these sessions, which is a valuable tool for continuous learning. IFC Markets, on the other hand, matches Saxo in providing over ten educational pieces and beginner videos but falls short by not offering monthly webinars or an archive of past sessions for further exploration.
When considering diverse educational materials, both platforms provide a range of beginner and advanced videos along with a dictionary featuring over fifty investing terms. However, Saxo’s commitment to monthly webinars and accessible archived content contributes to a higher rating of five stars, compared to IFC Markets’ 3.5-star rating. This distinction in educational resources is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Saxo is positioned at #13, while IFC Markets holds the #30 spot out of 62 brokers. For newcomers seeking robust educational support and interactive learning opportunities, Saxo demonstrates a more comprehensive offering.
| Feature |
Saxo
|
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 Saxo is better than IFC Markets. Saxo finished with an overall rank of #3, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
Saxo is an exclusive multi-asset broker with brilliant research and a superb trading platform experience – as well as a stunning selection of over 40,000 securities.
| Feature |
Saxo
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 |
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Both Saxo and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they each provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Saxo and IFC Markets provide Visa or Mastercard and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but neither offers ACH, SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill as available transaction methods.
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 | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 1992 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 70000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 190 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 60 | 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 | Saxo | 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 | Saxo | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Saxo | 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 | Saxo | 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 | Saxo Review |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Saxo Review |
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