Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill vs iFOREX, 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.
Established in 2014, Tickmill is a relative newcomer to the online brokerage scene, while iFOREX has a longer history, being founded in 1996. Both brokers are privately owned and are not banks, aligning with standard financial industry practices. When it comes to regulatory strength, Tickmill holds a stronger position with 2 Tier-1 and 2 Tier-2 licenses, compared to iFOREX's 1 Tier-1 license and lack of Tier-2 licenses. This indicates a broader regulatory footprint for Tickmill, providing added peace of mind for investors concerned about financial oversight and security.
In terms of trustworthiness, according to ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill scores an 86 out of 99, placing it in the "trusted" category. On the other hand, iFOREX receives a Trust Score of 75, which falls under the "average risk" category. This comparison highlights Tickmill as a more trusted choice, offering enhanced investor security assurances through its regulatory credentials and trust score, despite both companies being fairly similar in other aspects such as their private ownership and lack of banking status.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 1996 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When evaluating online brokers Tickmill and iFOREX based on their commissions and fees, traders will find some significant differences. Tickmill sets itself apart by offering two main account types: the Classic and the Raw account. The Classic account is commission-free, with traders only incurring the bid/ask spread. However, average spreads here are higher, recorded at 1.76 pips as of August 2023. In contrast, the Raw account, which took over from the Pro account, features a commission of $3 per side or $6 per standard lot. With this structure, traders benefit from inclusion in some of the most competitive spreads available. For instance, as of October 2023, Tickmill advertised a typical spread of 0.11 pips for EUR/USD on the Raw account. Despite the increase in commission, Tickmill maintains a top position for active traders by combining low spreads with efficient costs.
iFOREX, on the other hand, presents limited information regarding its average spread data, making a direct comparison difficult. However, it is noteworthy that Tickmill receives a higher star rating with a perfect 5 out of 5 for commissions and fees, while iFOREX stands at 3 out of 5 stars. This difference underscores Tickmill's superior approach in terms of fee structures and the value it provides to its traders compared to iFOREX.
Additionally, when considering the rankings from ForexBrokers.com, Tickmill is positioned impressively at #4 out of 62 brokers for the Commissions and Fees category. iFOREX, however, ranks much lower at #60, indicating a clear preference for Tickmill among traders looking for cost-efficient trading opportunities. Overall, these details highlight Tickmill as the more favorable option for traders prioritizing low trading costs.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing Tickmill and iFOREX in terms of their investment offerings, both platforms allow traders to engage in forex trading through CFDs. Tickmill provides access to 725 tradeable symbols, including 63 forex pairs, while iFOREX offers slightly more with 750 tradeable symbols and a broader selection of 88 forex pairs. However, neither broker offers direct investment in securities on U.S. or international exchanges, such as buying shares of Apple or Vodafone. While both brokers allow trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, neither offers the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies for delivery.
In terms of additional features, Tickmill supports copy trading, which may appeal to those interested in following the strategies of others. On the other hand, iFOREX does not provide this feature. Despite these differences, both brokers receive an identical rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars for their range of investments. When ranked by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers, Tickmill comes in at #42, while iFOREX holds a slightly better rank at #41, reflecting a marginal difference in their standing within the industry.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 750 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 88 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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). | 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 the trading platforms and tools of Tickmill and iFOREX, several key differences come to light, making each appealing to different types of traders. Tickmill shines with its offering of both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which are well-regarded for their comprehensive analysis tools and flexibility. Additionally, Tickmill provides a simulated trading environment through a free demo account, ideal for beginners or those looking to test strategies without financial risk. On the contrary, iFOREX opts for a proprietary platform, which means it's developed in-house and may cater to specific trading styles. However, iFOREX does not offer a demo account, potentially posing a barrier for those who are new to trading or want to practice without stakes.
Both brokers support web-based trading platforms, offering convenience and accessibility for traders. Tickmill further extends its versatility with a Windows-based desktop platform, whereas iFOREX does not provide this option. Regarding analytical tools, iFOREX offers more drawing tools (25) compared to Tickmill's 15, which might appeal to traders focusing on chart analysis. Both enable trading directly from stock charts and maintain a user-friendly interface, with Tickmill offering 7 columns for watch lists and iFOREX providing 9. Despite these differences, both brokers achieve a 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, Tickmill is notably higher ranked (#32) compared to iFOREX (#54) in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting a modest edge in this competitive field.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 57 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 25 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Tickmill and iFOREX offer iPhone and Android mobile trading apps, making them accessible for traders on the go. Tickmill stands out by providing stock and forex price alerts, a feature that is missing from the iFOREX app. Neither broker offers watchlist symbol syncing, meaning changes made in mobile watchlists won't sync with online accounts. When it comes to charting, Tickmill provides 30 technical studies, allowing traders to analyze market trends extensively, while iFOREX lacks this feature. Additionally, Tickmill allows users to draw trendlines and view different time frames on charts, with the app automatically saving any drawings made. This functionality is not available on the iFOREX app.
Both brokers have their strengths, but Tickmill offers some advanced tools that could benefit active traders, especially those looking for detailed technical analysis. Tickmill's capability to create watchlists with real-time quotes gives it another edge over iFOREX, which does not offer this feature. Despite these differences in features, both apps hold a respectable four-star rating for their mobile trading capabilities. However, Tickmill is ranked higher than iFOREX by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at #31 out of 62 brokers compared to iFOREX's rank of #55, indicating a generally more favorable reception from users and critics alike.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both Tickmill and iFOREX provide daily market commentary, which can aid traders in staying informed. However, there are notable differences in the offerings between the two platforms. Tickmill stands out by delivering forex news from premier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, whereas iFOREX does not provide news from these top-tier outlets. Although neither broker uses tools from Autochartist, iFOREX compensates by including technical analysis tools from Trading Central, which Tickmill lacks. Both brokers offer sentiment-based trading tools that display the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments.
An area where Tickmill surpasses iFOREX is in its partnership with Acuity Trading, offering research tools like the Signal Centre, an advantage not available to iFOREX users. Further enhancing their research capabilities, both platforms provide comprehensive economic calendars. In terms of ratings, Tickmill boasts a higher research rating of 4 stars, compared to iFOREX's 3.5 stars. Significantly, Tickmill is ranked #21 out of 62 brokers for research by ForexBrokers.com, while iFOREX trails behind at #48, indicating a stronger research offering from Tickmill overall.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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, Tickmill stands out by offering a wealth of content for new traders interested in forex or CFDs. Tickmill provides a range of educational articles, videos, and archived webinars specifically focused on forex and CFDs, making it easier for beginners to dive into the trading world. They host online client webinars at least once a month, and these are archived for future reference, allowing users to learn at their own pace. Furthermore, they offer over ten beginner-friendly videos to help new traders understand the basics. Tickmill also supports advanced traders with a collection of educational videos and offers an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 trading terms, making it a comprehensive learning resource for investors at various levels.
On the other hand, iFOREX presents a more limited selection of educational options for novice traders. Although they do provide a collection of beginner educational videos, they lack the broader resources that Tickmill offers, such as regular webinars, archived webinar access, and a detailed investor dictionary. iFOREX does not provide the same level of advanced educational content that might benefit experienced traders. While Tickmill is rated 4 out of 5 stars for education, iFOREX receives a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars, indicating a gap in their educational offerings. Overall, Tickmill ranks higher in the education category compared to iFOREX, being placed 15th out of 62 brokers while iFOREX ranks 53rd as reviewed by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
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 iFOREX. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while iFOREX finished with an overall rank of #52.
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
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iFOREX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 75 |
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Both Tickmill and iFOREX do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Tickmill and iFOREX do not offer ACH or SEPA transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, but they both support PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, providing multiple convenient options for their users.
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 | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 75 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 1996 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 750 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 88 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). | 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 | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | No | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 57 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 25 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Tickmill | iFOREX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | iFOREX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 75 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review |
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