Focus Markets vs IFC Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers Focus Markets and IFC Markets. Find out which broker is best for you.
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 - Focus Markets or IFC Markets?
Our pick: IFC Markets
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - IFC Markets looks preferable to Focus Markets.
IFC Markets scored 4.3/5 and ranks 29 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is Focus Markets suitable for?
Focus Markets is suitable for experienced Forex/CFD traders who trade via MT5 and independently use external analytics.
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 Focus Markets and IFC Markets
| Broker | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2006 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | Focus Markets Review | IFC Markets Review |
Focus Markets Review
Focus Markets is a broker aimed primarily at independent Forex and CFD traders who value access to popular markets, the familiar MetaTrader 5 platform, and a clear trading account structure. It is not the most versatile option for beginners who need strong education, regular analytics, and a wide selection of services within the broker’s ecosystem.
Focus Markets is best suited to experienced traders who already use external analytics sources, make trading decisions independently, and are looking for a broker for active CFD trading. For beginner clients, the broker may be less convenient due to its weak educational base and limited support in making trading decisions.
Pros and Cons of Focus Markets
Pros
- More than 700 CFD instruments are available, including Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
- MetaTrader 5 is supported with WebTrader, mobile versions, Expert Advisors, and one-click trading.
- The broker does not charge internal fees for deposits and withdrawals.
- Various deposit methods are available: cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets.
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts.
- No MetaTrader 4, cTrader, or proprietary trading platform.
- Weak analytics: no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party analytical services.
- No educational materials for beginners.
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 | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2019 | 2006 |
| Regulated in Countries | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia |
| Regulators |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets combines a regulated Australian division with international structures in Mauritius and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Client protection depends on the legal entity.
Pros
- There is a division supervised by ASIC.
- The group’s international structure is disclosed.
Cons
- No compensation fund.
- No information about additional funds insurance.
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 | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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Focus Markets
Opening an account with Focus Markets is convenient and fairly fast: registration is completed online, the questionnaire is clear, and document verification usually takes up to 24 business hours.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- Clear 3-step questionnaire.
- Wide selection of account base currencies.
Cons
- Mandatory KYC verification is required.
- Additional documents may be requested.
- No instant activation of a live account.
IFC Markets
Opening an account with IFC Markets is relatively simple and convenient.
Account Types
| Broker | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 3.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:500 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ account lineup covers traders’ basic needs, but remains limited: only Standard and Raw are available, with no cent, Islamic, or fixed-spread account.
Pros
- Standard and Raw accounts are available.
- 30-day demo account.
- Trader copy trading is available.
Cons
- No cent account.
- No Islamic account.
- No fixed-spread account.
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 | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Spread | from 0 points | from 0.4 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$3.50 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ fees are average: spreads and swaps on Standard are typical for the market, the Raw commission is $3.5 per lot per side, and withdrawals are free of broker fees.
Pros
- No withdrawal fee from the broker.
Cons
- An account inactivity fee may apply.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers competitive spreads, but high swaps can make long-term trading difficult.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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Focus Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Focus Markets are convenient: many methods are available, there are no internal fees, and withdrawal times are usually 1–3 business days.
Pros
- Cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets are available.
- No internal broker fees.
- Most deposits are processed quickly.
Cons
- Withdrawals are reviewed by the finance department.
- Fees from banks and providers may apply.
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 | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 50 | 53 |
| Precious Metals | 5 | 7 |
| Energy Carriers | 3 | 4 |
| Indices | 8 | 12 |
| Stocks | 500 | 461 |
| Cryptocurrency | 140 | 14 |
| Soft Commodities | - | 16 |
| ETF | - | 4 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers a wide selection of CFD instruments: Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- More than 700 instruments.
- Leverage up to 1:500.
Cons
- No real stocks or ETFs.
- No soft commodities.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers extensive financial instruments, providing flexibility for traders' diverse strategies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers the reliable and functional MT5 platform, but the selection is limited: there is no MT4, cTrader, or proprietary broker platform.
Pros
- MetaTrader 5 is available.
- WebTrader and mobile versions are available.
Cons
- No MetaTrader 4.
- No cTrader.
- No proprietary platform.
IFC Markets
The IFCM platforms include MT4, MT5, and the proprietary NetTradeX terminal, offering a broad selection with advanced features.
Analytics
| Broker | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 4.5/5 |
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ analytics are weak: there are no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party services such as Trading Central or Autochartist.
Cons
- No market reviews.
- No trading signals.
- No analytics from third-party providers.
IFC Markets
IFCM provides a comprehensive analytical toolkit but lacks automated updates for economic news and some tools for self-analysis.
Education
| Broker | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 2/5 | 5/5 |
Focus Markets
Education at Focus Markets is poorly developed: instead of a full knowledge base, the broker offers only an FAQ, with no courses, webinars, video lessons, or market analysis materials.
Pros
- There is an FAQ on key questions.
Cons
- No educational courses.
- No webinars or video lessons.
- No materials on strategies or market analysis.
IFC Markets
The wealth and quality of educational resources presented by IFCM set the broker apart from competitors.
Customer Support
| Broker | Focus Markets | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones | — |
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| Social Media | — |
Skype
Telegram
Whatsapp
Messenger
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTubeFocus Markets
Focus Markets’ technical support is basic: online chat, email, and an FAQ are available, with a 24/5 schedule, but there are few contact channels and limited public feedback on service quality.
Pros
- Online chat is available on the website.
- Support operates 24/5.
Cons
- No clearly specified social networks or messengers.
- Limited number of public reviews.
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 Focus Markets and IFC Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
IFC Markets stands out as the better overall pick, while Focus Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
IFC Markets scored 4.3/5 and ranks 29 in our rating; Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: Focus Markets or IFC Markets?
IFC Markets comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 29) versus Focus Markets (score 3.8/5, position 60).
Which broker is better for beginners: Focus Markets or IFC Markets?
IFC 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) — Focus 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 Focus Markets and IFC Markets?
Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. IFC Markets: NetTradeX, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with Focus Markets and IFC Markets?
Focus Markets: 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 Focus Markets and IFC Markets?
Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. 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 Focus Markets and IFC Markets?
Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. IFC Markets: Volet, WebMoney, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — Focus 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.
