Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ThinkMarkets 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.
ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets offer online brokerage services but differ in terms of regulatory standing and trust scores. Established in 2010, ThinkMarkets is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. It holds an impressive five Tier-1 licenses, deemed highly trusted, and two Tier-2 licenses, which are trusted by ForexBrokers.com. This strong regulatory foundation earns ThinkMarkets a high Trust Score of 92, indicating it is highly trusted in the industry.
In contrast, IFC Markets, founded in 2006, also remains privately held and is not a bank. However, it holds no Tier-1 licenses and just one Tier-2 license, resulting in a more moderate Trust Score rating of 73, categorized as average risk. Comparing these factors, ThinkMarkets appears to offer a stronger level of trust and regulatory oversight than IFC Markets.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing the commission and fee structures of online brokers ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets, both brokers offer similar experiences. ThinkMarkets earns a solid four-star rating for its commission and fee approach. However, without available average spread data, it's challenging to provide a deeper analysis of its cost competitiveness. In terms of rankings, ThinkMarkets stands in the 48th position out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets also holds a commendable four-star rating for its commissions and fees. Like ThinkMarkets, average spread data for IFC Markets is not readily available, leaving a gap in detailed cost evaluation. Despite this, IFC Markets boasts a slightly higher ranking, coming in 39th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets offer competitive commission and fee structures with each securing an identical four-star rating. However, IFC Markets holds a modest edge in ranking, suggesting it might be marginally more favorable for cost-conscious traders.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets each offer a comprehensive range of investment options, with both providing forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. When it comes to the breadth of symbols available for trading, ThinkMarkets outshines IFC Markets by offering an impressive 4,000 tradeable symbols compared to IFC Markets' 630. However, IFC Markets slightly edges ahead in forex pairs, providing 49 compared to ThinkMarkets' 46. Despite neither broker permitting the direct purchase of exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, they both enable investment in international securities, offering the chance to buy shares such as Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange.
In addition to their currency offerings, both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets cater to cryptocurrency enthusiasts by supporting the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, though actual cryptocurrency purchases aren't available. For those interested in mirrored trading strategies, both platforms offer copy trading services. ThinkMarkets holds a higher rating for their range of investments, scoring 4.5 stars, and is ranked #21 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, IFC Markets has a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #43. This makes ThinkMarkets a more appealing choice for investors seeking a larger selection of tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets present robust trading platforms that cater to various trader needs. Both brokers offer simulated trading options with free virtual demo accounts, allowing new and experienced traders alike the opportunity to practice without financial risk. Each broker has developed their own in-house platform, along with support for the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 software, ensuring a versatile trading experience. Additionally, both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets provide web-based platforms as well as Windows desktop downloads, enhancing accessibility. Copy trading features are available through both brokers, though options like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not supported by either.
Charting tools and customization are comparable between the two brokers, with each offering the ability to trade directly from charts and supporting 15 drawing tools. However, a notable difference in their services is in the watch list columns, where ThinkMarkets offers 15 fields compared to IFC Markets' 7. Both brokers are rated four stars for their trading platforms and tools, with ThinkMarkets ranked slightly higher at #27 compared to IFC Markets at #36 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. This distinction suggests that while both provide strong platforms, ThinkMarkets offers a slightly enhanced user experience in platform tools and functionality.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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) | 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 | 15 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, allowing users to easily trade on the go. Both platforms provide handy features like stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and viewing multiple time frames on charts. They also auto-save any drawings you make on stock or forex charts, adding convenience for traders. A standout feature for IFC Markets is its watchlist symbol syncing, which ThinkMarkets lacks. This function lets watchlists seamlessly sync between the mobile app and online account, so any changes made in one location are reflected in the other.
When it comes to technical studies, ThinkMarkets offers an impressive selection of 94, compared to IFC Markets' 30. Both apps allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. Customer satisfaction is similar for both, with each app receiving a solid 4-star rating. However, in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, ThinkMarkets holds a stronger position at #20 out of 62, while IFC Markets is ranked at #52. This suggests that while both apps are well-regarded, ThinkMarkets might offer a few more features and conveniences for the mobile trader.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | 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.
Both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets provide essential tools for traders, including daily market commentary and forex news. However, while ThinkMarkets delivers forex news from acclaimed sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, IFC Markets does not feature news from such high-profile providers. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools to display long and short positions across various instruments, and they also provide users with an economic calendar to track global news events. However, neither company uses technical analysis tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, nor market research from TipRanks. Despite these similarities, ThinkMarkets offers additional research support from Acuity Trading’s Signal Centre, a feature IFC Markets lacks.
In terms of research quality, both brokers receive a 3.5-star rating, but they differ in rankings. IFC Markets holds a higher position, ranking 40th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while ThinkMarkets comes in at 50th. This suggests that, despite offering similar research tools and resources, IFC Markets is perceived slightly better in the research aspect within the industry, likely providing a more balanced experience for traders looking for comprehensive insights and analysis tailored to financial markets.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets, both brokers provide a decent selection of materials for beginners looking to dive into forex and CFDs. Each platform offers more than ten educational articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on these topics, catering to various learning styles. Additionally, both brokers have curated beginner and advanced video content to help traders at different levels of experience. However, where ThinkMarkets stands out is its provision of monthly live webinars and a searchable archive of past sessions, which IFC Markets currently does not offer.
ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets also feature investment dictionaries with extensive term definitions, which are handy for new traders. Both companies are rated 3.5 stars for education, yet their rankings differ considerably. ThinkMarkets ranks 52nd out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets holds a better position at 30th place. This ranking suggests IFC Markets may offer a slightly more favorable educational experience, although ThinkMarkets excels with its interactive webinar offerings. Both platforms have strengths that can support a beginner's journey in trading.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
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 ThinkMarkets is better than IFC Markets. ThinkMarkets finished with an overall rank of #27, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
ThinkMarkets has multiple regulatory license and offers a proprietary trading platform, as well as the entire MetaTrader suite. The broker has made progress in key areas, such as research and education, and the range of markets available, although trails behind the best brokers in these categories.
| Feature |
ThinkMarkets
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 |
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Both ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, focusing instead on cryptocurrency derivatives trading, allowing investors to engage in cryptocurrency markets without owning the underlying assets.
In comparing online brokers ThinkMarkets and IFC Markets regarding their deposit and withdrawal options, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers nor PayPal, while ThinkMarkets offers Skrill and both platforms support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ThinkMarkets | 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) | No | 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) | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 4000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.1 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 15 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 94 | 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 | ThinkMarkets | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ThinkMarkets | 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 | ThinkMarkets | 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 92 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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