FBS 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 - FBS or IFC Markets?
Our pick: FBS
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - FBS looks preferable to IFC Markets.
FBS scored 4.3/5 and ranks 21 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 FBS suitable for?
FBS is suitable for beginners thanks to educational materials, as well as for experienced traders who value MetaTrader and reliability.
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 FBS and IFC Markets
| Broker | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 2005 |
| Regulated in Countries | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:3000 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | FBS Review | IFC Markets Review |
FBS Review
FBS is a reliable choice for traders who value a secure and regulated trading environment, complemented by a robust selection of educational resources and trading tools. It is particularly well-suited for those new to trading or looking to expand their knowledge and experienced traders focusing on a diverse range of assets. Despite its limitations in account types and currency options, FBS's strengths in providing competitive trading conditions and comprehensive support make it a commendable broker for a broad spectrum of traders.
Pros and Cons of FBS
Pros
- Regulated by major international organizations.
- Low spreads and commissions.
- Wide range of trading assets.
- Extensive database of educational materials and analytical tools.
- Support for various trading platforms.
Cons
- Limited choice of trading accounts.
- Limited choice of account currency.
FBS 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 | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2007 | 2005 |
| Regulated in Countries | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia |
| Regulators | BFSC BFSC CySEC CySEC ASIC ASIC FSCA FSCA | BVIFSC BVIFSC LFSA LFSA |
FBS
FBS is a reliable and regulated broker, overseen by several international bodies, ensuring client security and transparency.
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 | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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|
FBS
The account opening process at FBS is fast, clear, and relatively simple, although the verification procedure may take some time.
IFC Markets
Opening an account with IFC Markets is relatively simple and convenient.
Account Types
| Broker | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
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| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:3000 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
FBS
FBS offers only one trading account but with additional services.
Pros
- Availability of demo accounts for practice.
- The possibility of automated trading.
Cons
- Lack of investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading).
- Insufficient variety of trading accounts.
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 | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Spread | from 0.7 points | from 0.4 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 0.9 | 1.4 |
| Commission per Lot |
FBS
FBS's commissions are average for the market.
Pros
- Low spreads.
Cons
- Possible withdrawal fees in the absence of trading activity.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers competitive spreads, but high swaps can make long-term trading difficult.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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FBS
FBS offers many deposit and withdrawal methods with high flexibility and accessibility.
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 | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 43 | 53 |
| Precious Metals | 8 | 7 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 4 |
| Indices | 11 | 12 |
| Stocks | 480 | 461 |
| Cryptocurrency | 5 | 14 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 16 |
| ETF | - | 4 |
FBS
FBS provides a broad spectrum of trading assets, albeit with a limited selection of stocks and cryptocurrencies.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers extensive financial instruments, providing flexibility for traders' diverse strategies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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|
FBS
FBS has a wide choice of trading platforms, meeting the needs of different traders.
IFC Markets
The IFCM platforms include MT4, MT5, and the proprietary NetTradeX terminal, offering a broad selection with advanced features.
Analytics
| Broker | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
FBS
FBS offers extensive and high-quality analytical tools that contribute to effective trading.
IFC Markets
IFCM provides a comprehensive analytical toolkit but lacks automated updates for economic news and some tools for self-analysis.
Education
| Broker | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
FBS
FBS provides comprehensive educational materials suitable for traders at all levels.
IFC Markets
The wealth and quality of educational resources presented by IFCM set the broker apart from competitors.
Customer Support
| Broker | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Messenger
Viber
Line
Telegram
Whatsapp
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Skype
Twitter
LinkedInFBS
The technical support of FBS operates 24/7, is multilingual, and offers prompt problem resolution.
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 FBS and IFC Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
FBS stands out as the better overall pick, while IFC Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
FBS scored 4.3/5 and ranks 21 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: FBS or IFC Markets?
FBS comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 21) versus IFC Markets (score 4.3/5, position 25).
Which broker is better for beginners: FBS or IFC Markets?
FBS 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) — FBS 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 FBS and IFC Markets?
FBS: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, FBS Trader. IFC Markets: NetTradeX, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with FBS and IFC Markets?
FBS: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, 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 FBS and IFC Markets?
FBS: Standard. 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 FBS and IFC Markets?
FBS: Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, SticPay, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro. IFC Markets: Volet, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — FBS 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.
