First Trade
ifc markets
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Overview
First Trade was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in USA, while ifc markets was established in 2016 and is based in Cyprus. First Trade holds licences including Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), while ifc markets is regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) among others. First Trade serves 10,000+ clients worldwide; ifc markets has 60,000+. The minimum deposit is $5 at First Trade and $250 at ifc markets.
| Feature | First Trade | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $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 | 2008 | 2016 |
| Country | USA | Cyprus |
| Clients | 10,000+ | 60,000+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between First Trade and ifc markets, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. ifc markets has a lower barrier to entry with a minimum deposit of $250 (vs $5 at First Trade). First Trade charges withdrawal fees while ifc markets does not, a notable advantage for frequent withdrawers. ifc markets applies inactivity fees on dormant accounts; First Trade does not. First Trade charges deposit fees; ifc markets does not. Overall, First Trade scores higher on fees in our assessment.
| Feature | First Trade | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $5 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | Yes | No |
| Inactivity Fees | No | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | Yes | No |
| CFD Fees | No | Yes |
Platforms
First Trade offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, while ifc markets supports MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. First Trade edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | First Trade | 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 | 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 First Trade and ifc markets compare. First Trade runs regular live webinars; ifc markets does not. Both provide video tutorials. First Trade publishes daily market commentary; ifc markets does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. First Trade maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. First Trade scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | First Trade | ifc markets |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | Yes | No |
| Weekly Webinars | Yes | No |
| Daily Commentary | Yes | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. First Trade 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 | First Trade | 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 First Trade and ifc markets offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. First Trade supports 2 languages and ifc markets supports 8, giving ifc markets broader global reach. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | First Trade | 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 |