Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Vantage 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.
Vantage and IFC Markets are established online brokers, with Vantage founded in 2009 and IFC Markets in 2006. Both companies operate privately and are not affiliated with any banks. When it comes to regulatory credentials that inspire trust, there's a notable difference between the two. Vantage holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are typically seen as highly reliable, and one Tier-2 license. In contrast, IFC Markets has no Tier-1 licenses but does hold one Tier-2 license.
ForexBrokers.com rates brokers based on their trust score, which reflects the security of their regulatory frameworks. Vantage achieves a strong trust score of 90 out of 99, placing it in the highly trusted category. Meanwhile, IFC Markets has a trust score of 73, which falls into the average risk bracket. This comparison highlights how Vantage offers a more assured trading environment based on regulatory oversight, making it a preferred choice for clients prioritizing trust and safety.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
When comparing the commission and fee structures of Vantage and IFC Markets, Vantage offers three distinct account types with varying pricing models. The Standard STP account has average spreads of 1.30 pips on EUR/USD, while the commission-based RAW ECN account boasts a spread of 0.15 pips plus a $6 round-turn commission. For those who qualify, the PRO ECN account offers the most competitive rates with a $4 round-turn commission. Vantage's active trader program provides rebates ranging from $2 to $8 per standard lot based on trading volume, although this is only applicable to the Standard account, which has the highest spread among the three options.
In contrast, IFC Markets does not provide specific average spread data, making it challenging to compare directly with Vantage’s offerings. However, IFC Markets is still considered competitive, albeit not on par with Vantage, which ranks higher for commissions and fees. While Vantage earns 4.5 stars and ranks 19th out of 62 brokers, IFC Markets also maintains solid credibility with a 4-star rating and a 39th-place ranking in the same category.
Ultimately, those seeking different account structures for competitive spreads and commission rates may find Vantage favorable, especially with its robust active trader program and tiered rebates. IFC Markets offers a simpler fee structure, which might appeal to traders prioritizing transparency over lower-cost spreads. Both brokers offer credible services, but Vantage’s offerings are more nuanced with its account variety and rebate incentives.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | 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 Vantage and IFC Markets, both online brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, providing investors with flexibility in currency trading. Vantage boasts a larger array of tradeable symbols, with 1000 options, compared to the 630 provided by IFC Markets. Vantage also leads in the number of tradeable forex pairs with 61 pairs available, surpassing IFC Markets’ offering of 49 pairs. However, neither broker offers clients the ability to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, and only IFC Markets allows purchasing international securities like shares of Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange.
Both Vantage and IFC Markets provide options for copy trading, making them appealing to beginners looking to replicate successful trading strategies. However, neither platform enables the purchase of actual cryptocurrency, focusing instead on cryptocurrency derivatives. Despite similarities in their offerings, IFC Markets scores slightly better in the Range of Investments category, ranked #43 compared to Vantage's #50 out of 62 brokers. Yet, both platforms receive the same rating of 3.5 stars for their investment range, making them comparably equipped for diverse trading needs.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Vantage and IFC Markets offer a comprehensive suite to cater to diverse trading needs. Each broker provides a proprietary platform, alongside popular options like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ensuring traders have access to familiar and efficient tools. Additionally, both brokers offer simulated trading with free demo accounts, Windows-based desktop platforms, and web-based platforms for flexible access. While copy trading is supported by both Vantage and IFC Markets, Vantage takes a slight edge by including DupliTrade in its offerings, a feature not available with IFC Markets.
Traders with a keen eye for detail will appreciate that both Vantage and IFC Markets offer 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. Their watch lists are equally detailed, offering seven columns or fields. This attention to user-friendly charting and tracking capabilities is reflected in their four-star ratings for their trading platforms and tools. However, in a comparison of specific rankings among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, Vantage holds a higher position at #21 compared to IFC Markets at #36, indicating a slightly higher regard for the overall platform offerings by Vantage.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 | Yes | 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 Vantage and IFC Markets offer mobile trading apps that cater to iPhone and Android users. These apps provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and the display of multiple timeframes, like daily or weekly, on stock or forex charts. Each also offers 30 technical studies for charting and supports the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. Both apps auto-save drawings on charts, ensuring users don’t lose their work.
However, there are notable differences between the two. Perhaps the most significant is that IFC Markets allows watchlist symbol syncing, meaning any changes made on the mobile app or online account automatically update on the other platform. Vantage lacks this syncing capability. Despite these differences, both apps have received a solid 4-star rating for mobile trading. When looking at rankings, Vantage is positioned higher at #27 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared to IFC Markets, which is ranked at #52.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 it comes to market research offerings, Vantage leads the way with a rich collection of tools and resources. Both Vantage and IFC Markets provide daily market commentary and feature an economic calendar to keep traders informed of important events. However, Vantage distinguishes itself by delivering forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas IFC Markets does not offer this feature. Additionally, Vantage includes powerful technical analysis tools from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, which are absent from IFC Markets' offerings. Both platforms do provide a sentiment-based trading tool, but Vantage’s superior features translate into a higher research rating of 4 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars.
The rankings by ForexBrokers.com further highlight the research capabilities of these brokers, with Vantage standing at #21 out of 62 brokers, far ahead of IFC Markets, which is positioned at #40. While neither broker offers tools from Acuity Trading or market research from TipRanks, Vantage’s access to a broader array of expert analysis and news ensures traders have an edge. In summary, for those prioritizing extensive market research and renowned news sources, Vantage offers an all-encompassing platform that ranks well above IFC Markets in this category.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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 it comes to supporting beginners with educational resources, both Vantage and IFC Markets provide a solid foundation for those looking to dive into forex and CFD trading. Vantage steps up by offering over ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars with a focus on forex and CFDs. They also conduct regular online educational webinars, at least once a month, and maintain a searchable archive of these sessions, making it easy for learners to revisit and consolidate their knowledge at their own pace. Similarly, IFC Markets offers robust educational content with over ten pieces focused on forex and CFDs, but they don't provide regular webinars or an archive, which may limit a beginner's ability to engage with live content.
Both Vantage and IFC Markets cater to various skill levels, providing over ten beginner-focused educational videos alongside advanced content designed for more experienced traders. They each include an investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, helping traders build a solid understanding of industry vocabulary. Vantage's educational resources are rated at four stars and are ranked #24 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets follows closely with a 3.5-star rating, coming in at #30 on the same list. Overall, Vantage seems to have a slight edge, especially with their commitment to webinars and easily accessible archived content.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 Vantage is better than IFC Markets. Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45.
Vantage rounds out its MetaTrader platform suite offering with support for multiple social trading platforms, content powered by Trading Central and a proprietary mobile app. However, Vantage trails industry leaders in key areas such as research and education.
| Feature |
Vantage
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IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 73 |
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Both Vantage and IFC Markets do not offer the ability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Vantage and IFC Markets, both offer Visa or Mastercard and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals, but Vantage stands out by providing additional options like PayPal and Skrill, which are not available with IFC Markets, while neither 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 | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review |
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| Regulation | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 90 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 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 | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 61 | 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 | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $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 | Vantage | 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | Vantage | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 90 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review |
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