Circle Markets
ifc markets
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Overview
Circle Markets was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in New Zealand, while ifc markets was established in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. Circle Markets holds licences including Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), while ifc markets is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. Circle Markets serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; ifc markets has 60,000+. The minimum deposit is $100 at Circle Markets and $250 at ifc markets.
| Feature | Circle Markets | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Regulation | 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 | 2007 | 2016 |
| Country | New Zealand | Cyprus |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 60,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Circle Markets and ifc markets, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Circle Markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $100 (vs $250 at ifc markets). Circle Markets charges withdrawal fees while ifc markets does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. ifc markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Circle Markets does not. Circle Markets charges deposit fees; ifc markets does not. Overall, Circle Markets scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Circle Markets | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $100 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Circle Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while ifc markets supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Circle Markets edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Circle Markets | 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 | Desktop, Tablet & Mobile apps | 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 Circle Markets and ifc markets compare. Circle Markets runs regular live webinars; ifc markets does not. Both provide video tutorials. Circle Markets publishes daily market commentary; ifc markets does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. Circle Markets maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. Circle Markets scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | Circle Markets | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | No | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. Circle Markets 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 | Circle Markets | 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 Circle Markets and ifc markets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Circle Markets supports 2 languages and ifc markets supports 8, giving ifc markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Circle Markets | 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 |