Comparison of FBS and IFC Markets
| Feature | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | STP | MM |
| Dealing | A-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant, Market |
| Regulation | BFSC, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA | BVIFSC, LFSA, CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), FBS Trader | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), NetTradeX |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:3000 | 1:400 |
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR | USD, EUR, JPY, BTC |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, SticPay, Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Webmoney, Volet.com, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), Ethereum (ETH) |
| Inactivity Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | €20 000 | €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✔ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✔ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities, Cryptocurrencies |
| Review | FBS Review | IFC Markets Review |
About FBS
FBS is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker, established in 2009, known for catering to both beginner and experienced traders. Regulated by reputable authorities such as CySEC (Cyprus) and the FSC (Belize), FBS provides a secure trading environment with a wide range of instruments, including forex, stocks, metals, and cryptocurrencies. The broker offers the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, enabling traders to benefit from advanced tools and automated trading options. One of FBS's standout features is its high leverage of up to 1:3000, which appeals to traders seeking higher exposure with smaller capital. The broker also offers regular bonuses, promotions, and a free demo account to practice trading strategies. However, FBS's services are not available in some key regions like the US, and its educational resources may not be as extensive compared to other brokers. Despite these drawbacks, FBS remains a popular choice for its user-friendly interface, low minimum deposit requirements, and competitive trading conditions.
Pros
- Regulated by CySEC and FSC for a secure trading environment
- Support for MT4 and MT5 platforms with advanced tools
- High leverage options of up to 1:3000
- Low minimum deposit requirements, ideal for beginners
- Regular promotions, bonuses, and a free demo account for practice
Cons
- Customer support availability may vary by region
- Services are not available in key regions like the US
About IFC Markets
IFC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker renowned for its commitment to providing a secure and user-friendly trading environment. Established with a focus on transparency and regulatory compliance, IFC Markets offers a diverse range of trading instruments, including major and exotic currency pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Traders can access the platform through popular interfaces like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary NetTradeX, catering to both novice and experienced investors. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and a suite of educational resources, IFC Markets strives to empower traders with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the dynamic financial markets effectively.
Pros
- Licensed and regulated by reputable financial authorities
- Offers a wide array of assets
- Access to MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and a proprietary trading paltform
- Comprehensive educational materials
- Responsive and multilingual customer service available through various channels
Cons
- Services may not be available in certain countries due to regulatory limitations
- High swaps
FBS & IFC Markets Regulation
| Feature | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Companies | FBS Markets Inc, Tradestone Limited, Intelligent Financial Markets Pty Ltd, TRADE STONE SA (PTY) LTD | IFCMARKETS CORP, IFC MARKETS LIMITED, IFCM Cyprus Ltd |
Countries | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia, Cyprus |
Regulators | BFSC, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA | BVIFSC, LFSA, CySEC |
Investor Protection | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | €20 000 | €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard Floating |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.4 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | Standard | — |
| Min Deposit | $5 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.7 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:3000 | — |
| Stop Out | 20% | — |
| Margin Call | 40% | — |
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | — | ECN |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0 |
| Fee | — | $10 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
Fix Spread Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard Fixed |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Fixed |
| Execution | — | Instant |
| Min Spread | — | 1.8 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
Cent Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Micro |
| Min Deposit | — | $1 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Instant |
| Min Spread | — | 0.4 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:400 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
Crypto Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard Crypto |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.4 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR | USD, EUR, JPY, BTC |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, Perfect Money, SticPay, Bitcoin (BTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Litecoin (LTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT) | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Webmoney, Volet.com, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), Ethereum (ETH) |
Inactivity fee | ||
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), FBS Trader | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), NetTradeX |
Execution Speed | 30 ms | - |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 43 | 53 |
Indices | 11 | 12 |
Stocks | 480 | 461 |
Cryptocurrencies | 5 | 14 |
Bonds | 0 | 0 |
Metals | 8 | 7 |
Energies | 3 | 4 |
Soft Commodities | 0 | 16 |
ETFs | 0 | 4 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | FBS | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Email | support@fbs.com | support@ifcmarkets.com |
Phone | +35722010970 | +442039661649 |
Telegram | Telegram | Telegram |
Facebook | — | |
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | ||
Twitter | — |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing FBS and IFC Markets, FBS comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
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Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.