Updated September 29, 2026 · BrokerCue Editorial Team
EC Markets vs iFOREX
What sets them apart
| Compare |  EC Markets |  iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10Lower | $100 |
| Markets | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto, MetalsCovers more | Stocks, ETFs, Forex, CFDs, Crypto |
| Regulators | SIPC | CySEC, BVI FSC |
| Investor protection | SIPC up to USD 500,000 | EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App | IFOREX App |
| Maximum retail leverage | 1:1000 | 1:30 EU, 1:400 offshore |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 80% |
| Deposit and withdrawal fees | Not confirmed | No broker deposit fee; $20 EEA wire withdrawal fee may apply |
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Key differences
- Regulators: only EC Markets offers SIPC.
- Regulators: only iFOREX offers CySEC, BVI FSC.
- iFOREX is licensed in 1 more country.
- Minimum deposit is lower at EC Markets: $10 vs $100.
- Markets: only EC Markets offers Metals.
- Platforms: only EC Markets offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, EC Markets App.
- Platforms: only iFOREX offers IFOREX App.
- Features: only iFOREX offers Crypto, Demo account.
Our verdict on each
EC Markets
EC Markets suits active traders who want retail leverage of 1:1000 across forex, CFDs, stocks and crypto in one account. The US entity behind the brand, RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC, sits under SIPC up to USD 500,000, so the safety side is easier to check than with an offshore-only broker.
iFOREX
iFOREX suits European traders who want forex, CFDs, crypto, shares and ETFs in a single commission-free account, and who put regulation and predictable costs above a small opening deposit. The EU entity sits under CySEC, with investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 for accounts taken there.
Score breakdown
| Area | EC Markets | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0HigherThe $10 minimum deposit sits below the €4.64 site median, so the cost of opening an account is low. | 8.8Opening deposit of $100 and inactivity charge of $15 sit above the site medians of €4.64 and €0. |
| Offer | 9.5Higher | 8.7 |
| Trust | 8.6 | 9.5Higher |
Availability and regulation
| Country | EC Markets | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | Not confirmed | CySEC 143/11 |
| United States | SIPC SIPC member 71021 | Not confirmed |
| Virgin Islands, British | Not confirmed |
Also worth a look
ActivTrades has minimum deposit at $0, against $10 for EC Markets and $100 for iFOREX.
ActivTrades reviewHow they place
| Ranking | EC Markets | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Stock and ETF brokers | 138 of 471 | 141 of 471 |
| Forex brokers | 58 of 147 | 61 of 147 |
| Low-spread forex brokers | 56 of 145 | 59 of 145 |
| CFD brokers | 47 of 122 | 51 of 122 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | EC Markets | iFOREX |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Mobile app | Crypto, Demo account, Mobile appCovers more |
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | Commission free |
| Legal entity | RB INTERNATIONAL MARKETS (USA) LLC | iCFD Limited |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1996 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | EC Markets | iFOREX | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum deposit | $10below the median | $100above the median | $25 |
| Stock trade fee | Not confirmed | $0at the median | $0 |
| Inactivity fee | Not confirmed | $15above the median | $0 |
| Retail accounts that lose money | Not confirmed | 80%highest quarter | 72.05% |
Median across 134 listed brokers.
Pros and cons
EC Markets
Pros
- One account spans stocks, etfs and forex, so you are not locked into a single asset class.
- You can trade on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App, with the mobile app listed under mobile app.
Cons
- Retail leverage of 1:1000 magnifies losses, and on the site's forex list 72.13% of retail accounts lose money.
- The $10 entry point sits above CFI's $0 and Vantage's $5, so the cheapest way in is elsewhere.
iFOREX
Pros
- Stock trade fee of $0, ranking 1 of 161 brands on that cost.
- Regulated by CySEC and BVI FSC, with iCFD Limited as the named EU entity.
- EU investor protection of EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 for accounts taken in the EU.
Cons
- Minimum deposit of $100 ranks 148 of 213, so the entry point is high.
- Support runs on help centre only.
- Inactivity fee of $15 ranks 42 of 56.
Who each suits
EC Markets
Who it suits
- Active traders who want 1:1000 retail leverage on forex and CFDs
- US-based investors who want protection stated at SIPC up to USD 500,000
- Newcomers who can start at $10 and learn on MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and EC Markets App
Who should look elsewhere
- CFI, if you want to open an account with no minimum at $0
- Vantage, if the entry deposit matters more than the market list, since it starts at $5
- eToro, if you trade futures, which its market list stocks, etfs and forex covers
iFOREX
Who it suits
- Traders who want stocks, etfs and forex in a single account and can fund $100, while Vantage opens at $5.
- EU clients who prefer CySEC oversight and EU ICS up to EUR 20,000 to the route run by the BVI FSC.
- Savers happy to work from iFOREX App and practise on a demo account first.
Who should look elsewhere
- Small starters: CFI opens at $0 and Vantage at $5, both below iFOREX's $100.
- Broader market seekers: eToro lists stocks, etfs and forex, adding futures to iFOREX's stocks, etfs and forex.
- Traders who want phone or chat support, since support runs on help centre only.
Questions about each
EC Markets
What is the minimum deposit at EC Markets?+
The minimum deposit is $10 to fund an account. That sits above the €4.64 site median, so it is a low entry point rather than the lowest one available. Anyone starting small should confirm which account the deposit applies to before adding funds.
Is money held at EC Markets protected?+
Protection is stated as SIPC up to USD 500,000, under the SIPC scheme named in the brand's licences. That figure is the scheme's stated ceiling rather than a promise of returns, and the scheme's own terms set the conditions, so read them before depositing.
iFOREX
What does it cost to trade a stock?+
The stock trade fee is $0. iFOREX runs a commission free pricing model, so there is no per-trade commission layered on top, and the account covers stocks, etfs and forex. The cost side of the ledger is the deposit and any inactivity charge, not the trade itself.
How much do I need to deposit to open an account?+
The minimum deposit is $100. That puts iFOREX towards the dearer end of the field: it ranks 148 of 213 brands on minimum deposit. CFI opens at $0 and Vantage at $5, so a lighter entry is available elsewhere.
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