CMC Markets vs IFC Markets Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - CMC Markets or IFC Markets?
Our pick: CMC Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - CMC Markets looks preferable to IFC Markets.
CMC Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 15 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas IFC Markets has 4.3/5 and ranks 25.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is CMC Markets suitable for?
Broker CMC Markets is suitable for all traders thanks to its reliability, low commissions, and excellent trading platform.
Who is IFC Markets suitable for?
IFC Markets is suitable for traders looking for various trading instruments and platforms but may not be ideal for those who require an ECN account.
Comparison Table of CMC Markets and IFC Markets
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 2005 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | CMC Markets Review | IFC Markets Review |
CMC Markets Review
CMC Markets has been a reliable CFD and Forex broker in the business for a long time. Top-tier financial authorities regulate the company, offers an excellent trading platform, and has low commission fees.
We believe it is an excellent choice for beginners and experienced traders. CMC Markets is a good option if you are seeking a trustworthy broker with extensive experience.
Pros and Cons of CMC Markets
Pros
- Low trading fees.
- Wide range of markets and products.
- Access to the popular MetaTrader 4 and CMC Markets platforms.
- Extensive analytical materials.
- Comprehensive educational materials.
Cons
- Limited account options.
- Inactivity fee.
- No online chat.
CMC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
IFC Markets Review
IFC Markets is a reliable and licensed broker, offering a broad spectrum of trading instruments and platforms for investors of various experience levels. With multilingual support and extensive educational resources, the company aims to provide its clients with a comfortable and efficient trading environment.
IFC Markets could be a suitable choice for investors seeking a variety of trading instruments and platforms.
Pros and Cons of IFC Markets
Pros
- A wide range of trading assets.
- Variety of trading platforms.
- Educational materials for traders of all experience levels.
- Tools for creating synthetic tools are available.
Cons
- High swaps.
IFC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 1988 | 2005 |
| Regulated in Countries | United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Arab Emirates | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia |
| Regulators | FCA FCA BaFin BaFin FMA FMA KNF KNF FSAN FSAN CNMV CNMV CIRO CIRO ASIC ASIC NZ FMA NZ FMA MAS MAS DFSA DFSA | BVIFSC BVIFSC LFSA LFSA |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets demonstrates a high level of regulation and protection of client funds.
Pros
- Regulation in multiple countries.
- Adherence to CASS rules to protect client funds.
- Compensation through FSCS in case of financial problems.
IFC Markets
The broker demonstrates high reliability, confirmed by multi-jurisdictional regulation and professional indemnity insurance.
Pros
- Multi-jurisdictional regulation.
- Insurance against professional liability.
Cons
- Lack of regulation in countries with stricter requirements.
Account Opening
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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CMC Markets
The account opening process is standard but has some limitations.
Pros
- No minimum deposit requirement.
- Clear and transparent registration process.
Cons
- Requirement to provide extensive information.
- Restrictions for residents of certain countries.
IFC Markets
Opening an account with IFC Markets is relatively simple and convenient.
Account Types
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:30 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
CMC Markets
Accounts meet basic needs but do not offer a wide selection.
Pros
- Availability of a demo account.
Cons
- No cent or Islamic accounts.
- No accounts with fixed spreads.
- No investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading).
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers a good selection of accounts that meet the requirements of various categories of traders, though there are some limitations.
Pros
- A wide selection of trading accounts.
- Swap-free accounts for Islamic traders.
- PAMM accounts available.
Cons
- Absence of STP and ECN accounts.
Commissions
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 4.7/5 | 3/5 |
| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.4 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.7 | 1.4 |
| Commission per Lot |
CMC Markets
The broker offers competitive spreads and does not charge fees for depositing/withdrawing.
Pros
- No deposit or withdrawal fees.
- Competitive spreads and swaps.
- Cashback on trading commissions.
Cons
- Monthly inactivity fee.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers competitive spreads, but high swaps can make long-term trading difficult.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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CMC Markets
The broker offers flexibility and transparency in transactions.
Pros
- No fees for deposits or withdrawals.
- Fast processing of withdrawal requests.
Cons
- Some competitors offer more payment methods.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets provides numerous methods for depositing and withdrawing funds without additional commissions, ensuring convenience and savings for traders.
Pros
- Wide choice of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- No broker commissions on financial transactions.
Cons
- Withdrawals can only be made through the same method as deposits.
- Withdrawal requests may take up to 2 business days to process.
Markets and Products
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.4/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 336 | 53 |
| Precious Metals | 19 | 7 |
| Energy Carriers | 45 | 4 |
| Soft Commodities | 58 | 16 |
| Indices | 99 | 12 |
| Stocks | 10099 | 461 |
| ETF | 1200 | 4 |
| Bonds | 71 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 336 | 14 |
CMC Markets
CMC Markets offers various trading instruments for multiple markets but with limited maximum leverage.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers extensive financial instruments, providing flexibility for traders' diverse strategies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
CMC Markets
The broker provides two powerful and flexible trading platforms.
Pros
- Availability of the popular MetaTrader 4 platform.
- Proprietary platform with extensive functionality and customization options.
Cons
- The proprietary platform may be complex for beginners.
- Lack of MetaTrader 5 platform.
IFC Markets
The IFCM platforms include MT4, MT5, and the proprietary NetTradeX terminal, offering a broad selection with advanced features.
Analytics
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers extensive analytical resources that assist traders in decision-making.
Pros
- Comprehensive commentary and forecasts from experts.
- Technical and fundamental analysis.
- News from Reuters and economic calendar.
IFC Markets
IFCM provides a comprehensive analytical toolkit but lacks automated updates for economic news and some tools for self-analysis.
Education
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
CMC Markets
The broker offers extensive and quality educational resources for traders of all levels.
Pros
- A wide range of educational forms: seminars, webinars, video conferences, courses.
- Classes conducted by leading traders and guest experts.
- Most materials are available for free to company clients.
IFC Markets
The wealth and quality of educational resources presented by IFCM set the broker apart from competitors.
Customer Support
| Broker | CMC Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Skype
Telegram
Whatsapp
Messenger
InstagramCMC Markets
CMC Markets provides quality technical support operating 24/5, with prompt and professional responses.
Pros
- Support available 24/5.
- Prompt and professional responses.
Cons
- Lack of online chat for instant communication.
IFC Markets
Customers highly rate the technical support of IFC Markets for its rapid and professional service, though it is unavailable 24/7.
Comparisons of CMC Markets and IFC Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
CMC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while IFC Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
CMC Markets scored 4.4/5 and ranks 15 in our rating; IFC Markets has 4.3/5 and ranks 25.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: CMC Markets or IFC Markets?
CMC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.4/5, position 15) versus IFC Markets (score 4.3/5, position 25).
Which broker is better for beginners: CMC Markets or IFC Markets?
CMC Markets is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — CMC Markets or IFC Markets?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with CMC Markets and IFC Markets?
CMC Markets: MetaTrader 4, CMC Markets. IFC Markets: NetTradeX, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with CMC Markets and IFC Markets?
CMC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. IFC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by CMC Markets and IFC Markets?
CMC Markets: CFD. IFC Markets: NetTradeX Standard Fixed, NetTradeX Standard Floating, NetTradeX Beginner Fixed, NetTradeX Beginner Floating, MT4 Standard Fixed, MT4 Micro Fixed, MT5 Standard Floating, MT5 Micro Floating. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by CMC Markets and IFC Markets?
CMC Markets: PayPal, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Online banking. IFC Markets: Volet, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — CMC Markets or IFC Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
