Alfa Forex
ifc markets
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Overview
Alfa Forex was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Cyprus, while ifc markets was established in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. Alfa Forex holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while ifc markets is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Alfa Forex serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; ifc markets has 60,000+. The minimum deposit is $0 at Alfa Forex and $250 at ifc markets.
| Feature | Alfa Forex | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $250 |
| Regulation | Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), Pepperstone Markets Limited is incorporated in The Bahamas (number 177174 B), Licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) number SIA-F259 |
| Founded | 2011 | 2016 |
| Country | Cyprus | Cyprus |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 60,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Alfa Forex and ifc markets, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Alfa Forex has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $0 (vs $250 at ifc markets). Alfa Forex charges withdrawal fees while ifc markets does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. Both brokers charge inactivity fees on dormant accounts, worth noting if you trade infrequently. Overall, Alfa Forex scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Alfa Forex | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $0 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Alfa Forex offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while ifc markets supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Alfa Forex supports social and copy trading features, which ifc markets does not offer. Alfa Forex edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Alfa Forex | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | Yes | No |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4 | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, Tablet & Mobile apps |
Education & Research
Education and research tools help traders at every level make more informed decisions, and here's how Alfa Forex and ifc markets compare. Both provide video tutorials. Both integrate third-party research tools. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Alfa Forex | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | No |
| Weekly Webinars | No | No |
| Daily Commentary | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Alfa Forex accepts 2 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card), while ifc markets supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). ifc markets uniquely supports PayPal and Skrill and Neteller among the two brokers. ifc markets scores higher on deposit and withdrawal flexibility.
| Feature | Alfa Forex | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | No | Yes |
| Skrill | No | Yes |
| Neteller | No | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both Alfa Forex and ifc markets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Alfa Forex supports 2 languages and ifc markets supports 8, giving ifc markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Alfa Forex | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, and Chinese | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |