Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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 Tickmill and IFC Markets, it's important to look at their regulatory standing and trust ratings. Tickmill, founded in 2014, has made a significant mark in the financial landscape with a Trust Score of 86 out of 99, according to ForexBrokers.com. This score places Tickmill in the 'trusted' category. Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted, and two Tier-2 licenses. In contrast, IFC Markets, which was established in 2006, holds a Trust Score of 73, indicating an average risk and has no Tier-1 licenses but one Tier-2 license available. Neither Tickmill nor IFC Markets are publicly traded, nor do they operate as banks, offering similar foundations but varying levels of regulatory confidence.
The distinction in regulatory credentials between Tickmill and IFC Markets is clear, as Tickmill demonstrates a stronger regulatory footing with its Tier-1 licenses, contributing to its higher trust rating. While both brokers provide online trading services, the licensing and trust metrics offer potential clients a basis to assess the comparative security and reliability of these two financial entities. As these factors are crucial for traders, the differences in trust scores and legal authorizations are notable, providing insight into the brokers' adherence to regulatory standards and overall investor protection.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When evaluating Tickmill and IFC Markets for their commissions and fees, Tickmill emerges as a highly competitive option, especially for active traders. It offers two main accounts: the commission-free Classic account and the new Raw account, which replaced the Pro account. The Classic account does not charge commissions but has higher average spreads at 1.76 pips. Conversely, the Raw account offers much tighter spreads, cited at 0.11 pips for EUR/USD, although the all-in cost comes to about 0.71 pips when the $3 per side commission is factored in. Despite the increase in commission rates, Tickmill remains a top choice with a 5-star rating for commissions and fees and ranks #4 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, IFC Markets' commission and fee structure is less transparent, as specific average spread data is not readily available. However, it offers a competitive environment with a 4-star rating for commissions and fees. Despite this, it ranks significantly lower at #39 out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com, suggesting that while it is a solid choice, it does not match the low-cost trading experience provided by Tickmill.
Tickmill's appeal lies in its low barriers to entry and competitive trading conditions, making it favorable for both new and experienced traders. Its Raw account, with a $100 minimum deposit and attractive spreads, offers a high degree of flexibility, particularly advantageous for algorithmic trading. IFC Markets, while satisfactory in its offerings, doesn't quite reach the same standard as Tickmill in terms of cost-effectiveness and trader-friendly policies.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 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.
When comparing Tickmill and IFC Markets for their range of investments, both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts. Tickmill outshines IFC Markets with 725 tradeable symbols, while IFC Markets boasts 630. In terms of forex pairs, Tickmill provides access to 63, surpassing IFC Markets' offering of 49. Neither broker offers the chance to trade exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but IFC Markets has an edge by allowing trades on international exchanges, unlike Tickmill.
Both Tickmill and IFC Markets enable copy trading, a useful feature for those who prefer mimicking successful traders. However, neither platform supports buying actual cryptocurrencies, sticking to derivatives instead. When it comes to ratings, both receive 3.5 stars for their range of investments. Interestingly, Tickmill holds a slight advantage in industry rankings, securing the 42nd spot, one place ahead of IFC Markets at 43rd, in a list of 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 Tickmill and IFC Markets, both brokers offer virtual demo accounts, letting traders practice with no risk. However, a key distinction is that Tickmill doesn't provide its own proprietary platform, relying instead on popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and 5. In contrast, IFC Markets develops its own trading software. Both platforms accommodate trading from a web browser or a Windows-based desktop application, ensuring flexible access for users. Furthermore, both also support copy trading, although neither provides options like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Each broker offers 15 drawing tools for charting, and traders can place orders directly from stock charts.
Looking at the tools available for monitoring trades, Tickmill and IFC Markets both offer watch lists with seven columns, ensuring traders can keep tabs on multiple assets at once. Despite similarities, Tickmill edges out slightly in platform ratings, receiving four stars and ranking #32 in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com, compared to IFC Markets' rank of #36, though both hold a competent four-star rating. For those seeking a wide range of platforms without proprietary options, Tickmill may be preferable, while traders interested in a broker's custom platform might lean towards IFC Markets.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Tickmill and IFC Markets provide comprehensive mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. They both offer valuable features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and an array of 30 technical studies for chart analysis. Users can view different time frames like daily or weekly on either app while benefiting from auto-saving features for their chart drawings. Creating a watchlist with real-time quotes is also supported on both platforms, providing traders with the flexibility they need to keep up with market changes on the go.
Despite these similarities, there are some differences between the two. IFC Markets integrates watchlist symbol syncing, which allows instant updates across a client’s mobile app and online account. Tickmill, lacking this feature, requires separate management of watchlists on each platform. Both brokers receive a 4-star rating for their mobile trading apps, though Tickmill ranks higher overall at #31 compared to IFC Markets at #52 among 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. Thus, while both apps provide a solid trading experience, Tickmill’s slightly better overall ranking may appeal to users prioritizing industry recognition.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 | 30 | 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 Tickmill and IFC Markets for their market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and a tool that shows trader sentiment across various instruments. Tickmill stands out with its inclusion of forex news from top sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, which IFC Markets lacks. Additionally, Tickmill offers research tools from Acuity Trading, including Signal Centre, adding more depth to its informational resources.
Both brokers provide economic calendars to keep traders informed of important global economic events. However, Tickmill's research capabilities are rated slightly higher with 4 out of 5 stars compared to 3.5 stars for IFC Markets. According to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill is ranked 21st out of 62 brokers in the Research category, while IFC Markets sits at the 40th position. Overall, Tickmill offers a more comprehensive market research experience, making it a favored choice for traders seeking detailed insights.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Tickmill and IFC Markets provide a solid foundation, offering a variety of articles, videos, and webinars on forex and CFDs. Tickmill stands out with regular monthly webinars and a searchable archive, giving new traders the chance to learn at their own pace. On the other hand, IFC Markets does not offer monthly webinars or an archive of past sessions, which can be a notable limitation for some learners. Both brokers supply over 10 beginner-focused videos, accommodating those who are just starting their trading journey. Additionally, they each have comprehensive investor dictionaries with over 50 terms to help users become familiar with the trading landscape.
Despite their shared commitment to educational content, Tickmill earns a higher rating of 4 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. Tickmill's resources rank them 15th out of 62 brokers for education, according to ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets, while still impressive, ranks 30th. These differences highlight Tickmill's stronger focus on interactive and accessible learning options, which may be more beneficial for those who value engaging and diverse educational formats.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 Tickmill is better than IFC Markets. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #44.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 |
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Both Tickmill and IFC Markets do not offer the option to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Tickmill and IFC Markets, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers, Tickmill offers PayPal and Skrill for deposits and withdrawals whereas IFC Markets does not, and both brokers allow transactions through Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | 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) | 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) | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | 30 | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review |
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