Core Spreads
ifc markets
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Overview
Core Spreads was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in London, while ifc markets was established in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. Core Spreads serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; ifc markets has 60,000+. The minimum deposit is $1 at Core Spreads and $250 at ifc markets.
| Feature | Core Spreads | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Regulation | Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) | 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 | 2014 | 2016 |
| Country | London | Cyprus |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 60,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between Core Spreads and ifc markets, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Core Spreads has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $1 (vs $250 at ifc markets). Neither broker charges withdrawal fees. ifc markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; Core Spreads does not. Core Spreads charges deposit fees; ifc markets does not. Overall, Core Spreads scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | Core Spreads | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $1 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
Core Spreads offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while ifc markets supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. Core Spreads edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | Core Spreads | 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, Web Trader, 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 Core Spreads and ifc markets compare. Both provide video tutorials. Both integrate third-party research tools. The two brokers are evenly matched on educational content.
| Feature | Core Spreads | 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. Core Spreads 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 | Core Spreads | 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 Core Spreads and ifc markets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Core Spreads supports 2 languages and ifc markets supports 8, giving ifc markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | Core Spreads | 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 |