ifc markets
lightspeed
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Overview
ifc markets was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Cyprus, while lightspeed was established in 2014 and is based in USA. Both brokers are regulated by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), among other authorities. ifc markets serves 60,000+ clients worldwide; lightspeed has 142,500+. Both brokers share the same minimum deposit of $250.
| Feature | ifc markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $250 |
| Regulation | 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 | 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-F269 |
| Founded | 2016 | 2014 |
| Country | Cyprus | USA |
| Clients | 60,000+ | 142,500+ |
Fees
Fees are a critical factor when choosing between ifc markets and lightspeed, directly affecting your bottom line as a trader. Both require a minimum deposit of $250. lightspeed charges withdrawal fees while ifc markets does not, giving ifc markets an edge for frequent withdrawers. Both brokers charge inactivity fees on dormant accounts, worth noting if you trade infrequently. The two brokers are broadly comparable on fee structure.
| Feature | ifc markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | $250 | $250 |
| Withdrawal Fees | No | Yes |
| Inactivity Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Deposit Fees | No | No |
| CFD Fees | Yes | No |
Platforms
ifc markets offers MT5, cTrader, while lightspeed supports MT4, MT5, cTrader. Both brokers provide mobile trading apps for iOS and Android. lightspeed supports social and copy trading features, which ifc markets does not offer. lightspeed edges ahead on platform breadth and functionality in our scoring.
| Feature | ifc markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| MT4 | No | Yes |
| MT5 | Yes | Yes |
| cTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Windows App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | MT4, MT5, Mac, ZuluTrade, Web Trader, cTrader, 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 ifc markets and lightspeed compare. lightspeed runs regular live webinars; ifc markets does not. Both provide video tutorials. lightspeed publishes daily market commentary; ifc markets does not. Both integrate third-party research tools. lightspeed maintains an archive of past webinars for on-demand viewing. lightspeed scores higher overall in education and research.
| Feature | ifc markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Forex Education | Yes | Yes |
| CFD Education | No | Yes |
| Weekly Webinars | No | Yes |
| Daily Commentary | No | Yes |
| Trading Central | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
Deposits & Withdrawals
Convenient deposit and withdrawal options reduce friction for traders, especially important when managing positions across time zones. ifc markets accepts 5 of the tracked payment methods (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller), while lightspeed supports 5 (bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller). Both brokers support the same set of payment methods.
| Feature | ifc markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Transfer | Yes | Yes |
| Credit Card | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill | Yes | Yes |
| Neteller | Yes | Yes |
Support
Responsive customer support matters most when you're locked out of your account or need urgent help with a trade. Both ifc markets and lightspeed offer live chat support. Both provide phone support. Email support is available at both brokers. Both brokers offer support in 8 languages. Both brokers are comparable on support quality.
| Feature | ifc markets | lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Live Chat | Yes | Yes |
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Languages | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic | English, Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Arabic |