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 | 2 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Vantage offers a variety of account options that can cater to different trading needs. If you opt for Vantage’s Standard STP account, you will face typical spreads of 1.30 pips on the EUR/USD for spread-only trading. On the other hand, their RAW ECN account features an average spread of 0.15 pips plus a commission of $6 per round turn, totaling 0.75 pips on average. For those qualifying as wholesale clients or meeting the funding threshold under Vantage's Cayman Islands entity, the PRO ECN account offers the best pricing with a $4 per round turn commission. Vantage also supports active traders with a rebate program on the Standard account, though this option carries the highest spreads.
In comparison, IFC Markets does not provide average spread data, making it challenging to directly evaluate its fee structure against Vantage. While specific numbers for IFC Markets are scant, it's worth noting that both brokers rank differently in industry evaluations. Vantage earns a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, securing the 18th spot out of 62 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com rankings. Conversely, IFC Markets holds a 4-star rating, placing it at the 39th position in the same category.
Ultimately, the choice between Vantage and IFC Markets might come down to your specific needs and trading style. Vantage offers more transparent data on typical spreads and a tiered account structure that might appeal to both beginners and active traders who can navigate its account requirements. Meanwhile, IFC Markets might appeal to those less concerned about immediate transparency in average spreads but still seeking competitive pricing options.
| 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 | 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 Vantage and IFC Markets, both brokers provide a variety of investment options, yet they differ in certain areas. Vantage boasts an array of 1,000 tradeable symbols, which is higher than IFC Markets’ offering of 630 symbols. Among these, Vantage offers 57 forex pairs, slightly more than IFC Markets’ 49 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, sticking to crypto CFDs and not actual crypto purchases. Additionally, both platforms offer copy trading, allowing investors to emulate successful strategies.
However, if you're interested in international exchange-traded securities, IFC Markets has the edge as it enables clients to purchase shares like those of Vodafone on international exchanges, whereas Vantage does not offer this option. Neither broker supports trading U.S. exchange-traded securities such as Apple stocks. In terms of ratings, both brokers receive 3.5 stars for their range of investments, yet IFC Markets slightly outranks Vantage in this category with a rank of 43 compared to Vantage’s 50, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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.
Both Vantage and IFC Markets provide comprehensive trading platforms and tools designed to cater to online traders of various skill levels. Each broker offers a virtual demo account, allowing users to practice trading in a simulated environment without risking real money. Vantage and IFC Markets also provide proprietary platforms, which means they have each developed custom trading software to meet their client's needs. Both brokers support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms and have downloadable Windows-based desktop applications as well as web-based browser platforms for convenient access. When it comes to copy trading, both offer services, but Vantage goes a step further by also providing DupliTrade and ZuluTrade options, which IFC Markets does not.
In terms of charting tools, each platform offers an equal number of drawing tools, allowing for detailed technical analysis, and both offer the ability to trade directly from a stock chart. Traders will find that both brokers provide seven fields for watch lists, enabling a robust data view to track potential trades. Ratings for trading platforms and tools are similar, with both receiving a solid four-star evaluation. However, Vantage edges ahead in industry rankings, positioned at #15 compared to IFC Markets at #36 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This slight advantage may appeal to traders prioritizing platform performance and innovative tools in their trading journey.
| 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 | Yes | 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 provide strong options for mobile trading through their iPhone and Android apps. Each platform lets users receive price alerts for stocks and forex, and offers 30 different technical studies for analyzing charts. They both also support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames, from daily to intraday. Additionally, both apps auto-save chart drawings and allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes.
One key difference is that IFC Markets enables watchlist syncing between the mobile app and the online account, while Vantage does not. User ratings reflect satisfaction with both options, with each receiving four out of five stars for their mobile trading apps. However, in rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Vantage is higher at #26 compared to IFC Markets at #52. This suggests that while both are well-regarded, Vantage may offer certain advantages in the overall mobile trading experience.
| 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 comparing Vantage and IFC Markets for market research features, both brokers provide daily market commentary and economic calendars to keep traders informed of global news events. However, Vantage takes a lead in certain areas by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, which IFC Markets does not provide. Furthermore, Vantage provides access to tools from Trading Central, known for its technical analytics, while IFC Markets lacks this feature. Both platforms do offer sentiment-based trading tools to show long or short positions across different currency pairs.
Vantage is rated higher for research, earning a commendable 4-star rating, in comparison to IFC Markets' 3.5-star rating. Among a field of 62 brokers, Vantage ranks 24th and IFC Markets ranks 40th in the research category according to ForexBrokers.com. While neither broker offers tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, Vantage's access to premium news sources and superior analytical tools makes it a stronger choice for thorough market research.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | 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 comparing the educational resources offered by Vantage and IFC Markets, beginners will find a well-rounded selection of tools at their disposal with both online brokers. Vantage excels in offering comprehensive forex and CFD education, providing a vast array of learning materials, which includes articles, videos, and archived webinars. Importantly, Vantage conducts monthly online educational webinars and provides access to an archive of these sessions, allowing learners to revisit past topics at their convenience. Meanwhile, IFC Markets also provides a solid foundation in forex and CFD education but does not offer monthly webinars or an archive of recorded sessions, which might limit learning opportunities for those who prefer this format.
Both Vantage and IFC Markets ensure beginners have access to beginner and advanced educational videos, making it easier for traders to progress from novice to experienced. An investor dictionary is available with both brokers, featuring definitions of over 50 investment terms to aid in understanding trading jargon. When it comes to ratings, Vantage edges ahead with a four-star rating in educational offerings, compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. Additionally, in rankings among 62 brokers, Vantage is placed at number 27, while IFC Markets is positioned slightly lower at number 30. These rankings reflect the overall quality and accessibility of the educational resources each broker provides.
| 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 #44.
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
|
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| 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 | 2 | 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) | 57 | 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 | No | 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 | Yes | 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 | No | 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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