Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
XTB vs IFC Markets: XTB was founded in 2002 and is publicly traded, while IFC Markets started in 2006 and is not listed on a stock exchange. Neither broker is a bank. For regulation, XTB holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, and earns a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 96/99, which places it in the highly trusted category. IFC Markets holds 1 Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses, with a Trust Score of 73/99, indicating average risk.
According to ForexBrokers.com, Trust Scores of 90–99 are highly trusted, 80–89 trusted, 70–79 average risk, 60–69 high risk, and below 59 not trusted. In practical terms, XTB’s higher score and greater number of top-tier licenses suggest stronger overall oversight compared with IFC Markets. Always consider regulation and listing status alongside your trading needs when choosing between these brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2006 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
XTB is generally priced in line with the industry average for commissions and fees, and it performs better than IFC Markets in this category. Its Standard account uses spread-only pricing, with average EUR/USD spreads of 1 pip based on Q4 2023 data. XTB also offers a commission-based Professional account for eligible clients in the U.K. and Europe, though this option is being phased out and is no longer widely promoted. For most retail traders, the Standard account is usually the simpler and cheaper choice, especially for smaller trade sizes. XTB is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #13 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
IFC Markets is a bit less competitive on pricing overall, with an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips, above the industry average of 1.08. That said, its newer ECN account can bring effective spreads down to around 1.1 pips once the 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade is included, which may appeal to more active traders. IFC Markets also stands out for having no inactivity fees and for offering active trader discounts, which can help lower costs over time. IFC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #33 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
In short, XTB looks stronger for everyday traders who want lower, more straightforward pricing, while IFC Markets may suit traders who can benefit from its ECN pricing and discounts. Both brokers offer ways to reduce costs, but XTB comes out ahead on overall value and ranking in the commissions and fees category.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 1.1 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
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XTB offers a much wider range of investments than IFC Markets, with 10,900 tradeable symbols compared with 630. It also provides 71 forex pairs, versus 49 at IFC Markets. Both brokers support forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, and both offer crypto CFDs, but neither lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency. XTB also gives access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, while IFC Markets offers international shares only.
One key difference is copy trading: IFC Markets offers it, while XTB does not. Even so, XTB scores higher for range of investments, earning 5 stars and a #14 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with IFC Markets’ 3.5 stars and #32 ranking. For investors who want the broader selection of markets and symbols, XTB is the stronger choice overall.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10900 | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | 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.
XTB and IFC Markets both give traders several ways to get started, including free demo accounts, as well as their own in-house platforms, web trading, and Windows desktop downloads. Both brokers also let users trade directly from a stock chart, which can make order entry quicker and easier. In independent reviews, XTB stands out slightly ahead, with a 4.5-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools and a #9 ranking out of 36 brokers, compared with IFC Markets’ 4-star rating and #30 ranking.
The biggest differences come down to advanced trading extras. IFC Markets supports copy trading and offers both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, while XTB does not. For traders who want access to the MetaTrader platform family or social-style trading features, IFC Markets has the edge. XTB may be the better fit for users who prefer a highly rated proprietary platform and a more streamlined platform lineup.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
XTB and IFC Markets both make it easy to trade on the go, with iPhone and Android apps, price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. XTB stands out for its stronger charting tools, offering 39 technical studies in its mobile app compared with 30 at IFC Markets. In addition, XTB’s mobile app is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #8 out of 36 brokers for mobile trading apps, while IFC Markets is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #35.
One key difference is watchlist syncing. IFC Markets lets you sync watchlists between the mobile app and your online account, so changes update in both places, while XTB does not offer this feature. For traders who want better chart depth and a higher-rated app, XTB has the edge. For those who value watchlist syncing across devices, IFC Markets may be the better fit.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
XTB and IFC Markets both give traders daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positioning, and an economic calendar for tracking upcoming global events. Neither broker offers research from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. The biggest difference is that XTB also provides forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while IFC Markets does not.
Overall, XTB has the stronger market research offering. It is rated 5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #9 out of 36 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com Research category. IFC Markets, by comparison, is rated 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #31 out of 36, making XTB the better choice for traders who want deeper and more up-to-date market information.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
XTB is the stronger choice for beginners who want more learning support. It offers forex and CFD education, hosts online educational webinars at least once a month, and provides at least 10 beginner videos as well as 10 advanced videos. That focus is reflected in its 5-star Education rating and its #11 ranking out of 36 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. IFC Markets also offers at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos, but it does not provide monthly educational webinars. It is rated 3.5 stars for Education and ranks #25 out of 36, making its learning section less complete overall.
For new traders, the main difference is depth and consistency. XTB gives beginners more ways to learn forex and CFD basics through a wider mix of educational content and regular webinars, while IFC Markets covers some of the same ground but with fewer learning options for ongoing support. If you want more frequent guidance and a larger education library, XTB has the edge; if you only need basic video lessons, IFC Markets may still meet your needs.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB is better than IFC Markets. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #34.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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IFC Markets
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 |
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Both online brokers XTB and IFC Markets do not support buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do offer cryptocurrency CFD trading, enabling traders to speculate on crypto price movements without owning the underlying assets.
For deposits and withdrawals, XTB supports PayPal and Skrill in addition to bank wire transfers (no ACH/SEPA), while IFC Markets supports bank wire transfers but does not offer ACH/SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill.
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 | XTB | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | IFC Markets | |
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| Regulation | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2006 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 5 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | ||
| 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) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| 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 | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 10900 | 630 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.92 | 1.44 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 1.1 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $1 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | IFC Markets | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | XTB | IFC Markets | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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