Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group 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.
XM Group and IFC Markets differ in overall trust and oversight. XM Group holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, which is considered highly trusted (90–99), while IFC Markets scores 73, placing it in the average-risk range (70–79).
On regulation, XM Group has 4 Tier-1 licenses and 3 Tier-2 licenses, indicating wider supervision by leading authorities. IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. XM Group was founded in 2009 and IFC Markets in 2006; neither broker is publicly traded or a bank.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 5 |
When comparing commissions and fees, XM Group and IFC Markets both have room for improvement, but IFC Markets comes out slightly ahead. XM Group is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #34 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees. Its standard account spreads are considered expensive, and average spreads are not published for the commission-based XM Zero account, which makes direct cost comparison harder for traders.
IFC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #32 out of 36 brokers in the same category. Its average EUR/USD spread is 1.44, which is above the industry average of 1.08, so it is not the cheapest option for casual traders. However, active traders may find better value with the new ECN account, where the effective spread is 1.1 pips after the 0.005% commission on both sides of the trade. The broker also does not charge inactivity fees and offers active trader discounts, which can help reduce overall trading costs.
Overall, IFC Markets has the edge on fees thanks to its better star rating, slightly higher ranking, and added cost-saving features for active clients. XM Group may still appeal to some traders, but its lack of published average spreads on XM Zero and its costly standard account make it less appealing from a fee standpoint.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
XM Group offers a wider range of investments than IFC Markets, making it the stronger choice for traders who want more variety. Both brokers support forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, copy trading, and cryptocurrency CFDs, but XM Group lists far more tradeable symbols overall, with 1,429 compared with IFC Markets’ 630. XM Group also offers more forex pairs, at 55 versus 49, and it gives clients access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges as well as international exchanges, while IFC Markets does not offer U.S.-listed shares as exchange-traded securities.
When it comes to international shares, both brokers provide access, but XM Group still stands out for its broader selection. Neither broker lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency, only crypto CFDs. Based on range of investments, XM Group earns a higher rating at 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #19 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while IFC Markets scores 3.5 stars and ranks #31. Overall, XM Group is the better fit for investors looking for a larger and more varied product lineup.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1429 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
XM Group and IFC Markets both give traders a wide set of platform choices, including free demo accounts, Windows desktop downloads, web-based platforms, copy trading, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5. Each broker also lets you place trades straight from a chart, which can make it easier to act quickly when you see a setup. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, both brokers are rated 4 out of 5 stars, with XM Group ranked #27 out of 36 and IFC Markets ranked #29 out of 36.
The main difference is that IFC Markets offers its own in-house trading platform, while XM Group does not. For traders who want a broker-built platform in addition to the standard MetaTrader options, IFC Markets has the edge here. If you prefer a broker that focuses on the same core tools but without a proprietary platform, XM Group is still a strong choice.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XM Group and IFC Markets both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, so traders can manage their accounts on the go with either broker. Each app includes price alerts, watchlist syncing with the client’s online account, 30 technical studies for charting, and the ability to draw trendlines. Both brokers also earn a 4-star rating for mobile trading apps, making them fairly even in overall app quality and key features.
The main difference is that IFC Markets’ mobile app auto-saves chart drawings, while XM Group’s does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s mobile trading apps ranking, XM Group places higher at #26 out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets at #34. For traders who want a similar set of tools on mobile, both brokers are a solid match, but XM Group has the better ranking and IFC Markets has the edge on saving chart drawings automatically.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XM Group comes out ahead of IFC Markets for market research overall. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, a sentiment tool, and an economic calendar, so traders can keep track of news, crowd positioning, and upcoming events. However, XM Group adds an edge with forex news from major outlets such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, plus Trading Central research tools, while IFC Markets does not offer these extras.
That difference shows up in independent ratings as well. XM Group is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Research and is ranked #8 out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, compared with IFC Markets at 3.5 out of 5 stars and #30 out of 36. In short, both brokers cover the basics, but XM Group offers a wider and more useful set of research resources for traders who want more market insight.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to learn the basics, XM Group has a clear edge over IFC Markets in education. XM Group offers forex and CFD learning material, runs online educational client webinars at least once a month, and provides a wide set of beginner and advanced videos. That helps new traders build knowledge step by step, with more chances to learn through live sessions and video lessons. XM Group’s education is also rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #5 out of 36 brokers for education at ForexBrokers.com.
IFC Markets also gives beginners useful video lessons, including at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos, but it does not offer monthly educational webinars. It also falls behind XM Group in overall education quality, with a 3.5-star rating and a #25 ranking out of 36 brokers. For learners who want more regular guidance and a wider learning setup, XM Group appears to be the stronger choice.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XM Group is better than IFC Markets. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #16, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #33.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
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IFC Markets
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 |
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XM Group and IFC Markets do not support purchasing actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both brokers offer cryptocurrency CFD trading for investors seeking crypto price exposure without owning the underlying asset.
XM Group vs IFC Markets: both do not support ACH/SEPA or PayPal; XM Group supports Skrill while IFC Markets does not; both allow bank wire transfers; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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 | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 5 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1429 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 2 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | XM Group Review |
| Overall | XM Group | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review |
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