IFC Markets Review 2024
Written by BrokerNotes.co
Fact-checked by Steven Hatzakis, Joey Shadeck
Edited by Jeff Anberg
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
In our in-depth analysis of IFC Markets, we found it to be a commendable choice for traders looking for a robust forex and CFD offering. With a solid background in providing diverse trading platforms and educational resources, it stands out as an advantageous platform for many traders.
Overall Rating
Minimum Deposit
Trust Score
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Broad Instrument Offering: IFC Markets provides a moderate range of tradeable instruments, including 49 forex pairs and 630 total tradeable symbols.
- Comprehensive Trading Platforms: It supports multiple trading platforms, including MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, as well as its own proprietary platform.
- Education Focused: Offers both advanced and beginner video education, catering to all levels of traders.
Cons
- Higher Spreads on EUR/USD: The average spread on EUR/USD is slightly higher than the industry average, making it less competitive.
- Not regulated by top-tier authorities: It lacks authorization from top-tier regulatory bodies like ASIC, MiFID, and the FCA.
- Limited Offering of Investments: With a slightly below-average investment offering rating, it may not meet the needs of traders looking for more comprehensive investment options.
Ratings Summary
- Investment Types - 7.0/10
- Commissions & Fees - 7.5/10
- Trading platforms - 7.5/10
- Research - 7.0/10
- Mobile Apps - 7.5/10
- Education - 7.5/10
- Overall - 7.2/10
Can I trust IFC Markets?
We identified that IFC Markets is not publicly traded and lacks authorizations from major regulatory bodies such as ASIC, MiFID, or the FCA, which might be a concern for some investors. According to industry research by ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets is considered "High Risk" with a Trust Score of 67. This indicates a level of reliability that may suit some traders but could be insufficient for those requiring the highest standards of security.
IFC Markets is currently licensed and/or authorised by the following regulatory bodies:
- Tier-1 Regulators - None
- Tier-2 Regulators - None
- Tier-3 Regulators - None
- Tier-4 Regulators - BVI Financial Services Commission (FSC)
Is IFC Markets good for beginners?
Considering that IFC Markets offers both advanced and beginner education videos along with a comprehensive educational program for forex and CFDs, it is a suitable choice for beginners. Our review confirms that its commitment to educating traders makes it a favorable option for those just starting out.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes |
IFC Markets commissions and fees summary
When reviewing the cost-effectiveness of trading with IFC Markets, our analysis indicates that it is an average choice for traders focused on expenses. The average spread for EUR/USD is 1.44, which is higher than the industry average of 1.08, making it slightly less competitive. However, the absence of inactivity fees and the presence of active trader discounts provide some financial benefits. The overall commissions and fees structure is average, suggesting it may be a fitting choice for many, but not all, investors.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Mini | 1.44 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes |
IFC Markets trading platforms and tools
Did you know? Trading platforms comparison
Of the 60+ brokers reviewed on BrokerNotes, 64% offer a proprietary platform, 100% offer a web platform, 91% offer a desktop platform, 11% offer cTrader, 14% offer ZuluTrade, 81% offer MetaTrader 4, and 64% offer MetaTrader 5.
Upon evaluating IFC Markets' suite of trading platforms and tools, we found it to be an average choice for traders. IFC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and offers its own proprietary trading platform, which collectively cater to a broad spectrum of trading preferences and strategies. While the rating for Platforms & Tools is average, suggesting that it meets but does not exceed industry standards, many users will find these options adequate for their trading needs.
Trading platforms offered: IFC Markets supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and a proprietary platform, accommodating a variety of trading styles.
Trading tools: It offers a range of trading tools that can enhance trading efficiency and effectiveness.
Copy trading: IFC Markets offers copy trading, allowing traders to replicate the positions of experienced traders, which is particularly beneficial for beginners.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No |
Mobile trading apps at IFC Markets
The mobile trading apps at IFC Markets are adequate, offering standard functionalities for trading and account management on mobile devices.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|
| Android App | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes |
How do I open an account with IFC Markets?
- Visit the IFC Markets website and locate the registration page.
- Complete the registration form with your personal and financial information.
- Verify your identity and address by submitting the required documents.
- Once your account is verified, make a deposit using one of the accepted funding methods.
- Begin trading by accessing one of the provided trading platforms.
What can I trade at IFC Markets?
IFC Markets provides a diverse trading environment with 49 forex pairs and 630 total tradeable symbols, compared to the industry average of 3,623 tradeable symbols. While the number of forex pairs is suitable for most traders, the total number of tradeable symbols is significantly below industry standards, which might limit the trading opportunities for some investors.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes |
| Spread Betting | No |
Account funding at IFC Markets
IFC Markets supports various funding methods including bank wires and credit cards, although it does not support all popular eWallet options like Neteller and PayPal. This could limit some traders' ability to fund their accounts conveniently.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
|---|---|
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No |
| Neteller (Deposit/Withdraw) | No |
About IFC Markets
IFC Markets was founded in 2006 and has since developed a steady platform for forex and CFD trading. Although not listed and lacking top-tier regulatory oversight, the broker has established a reputation for providing a range of educational resources and trading tools, catering primarily to retail traders. The availability of multiple trading platforms including MetaTrader versions and a proprietary platform, combined with no inactivity fees and options for active trader discounts, make it a compelling choice for certain trader demographics.
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Methodology
At BrokerNotes.co, our data-driven online broker reviews are based on our extensive testing of brokers, platforms, products, technologies, and third-party trading tools. Our product testing extends to the quality and availability of educational content, market research resources, and the accessibility and capabilities of mobile platforms and trading apps. We also dive into each broker’s trading costs, such as VIP rebates, inactivity fees, custody fees, bid/ask spreads, and other fee-based data points.
Steven Hatzakis, an industry veteran with decades of experience in the forex market, leads the BrokerNotes research team. All BrokerNotes content is researched, fact-checked, and edited by the research team.
All websites and web-based platforms are tested using the latest version of the Google Chrome browser. Our Desktop PCs run Windows 11, and we use MacBook Pro laptops running the latest version of macOS to test trading on the go. We test mobile apps and products using iPhones running iOS 17 and Samsung devices running Android OS 14.
Note: The online brokers on our site provide the ability to trade forex in one or more ways, such as non-deliverable spot forex (i.e., rolling spot contracts), contracts for difference (CFD), or other derivatives such as futures. The availability of specific markets or features will depend on your country of residence and the broker's applicable brand or entity that services your account(s).
AI disclaimer
We use proprietary AI technology to assist in some aspects of our content production. However, our scores, ratings, and rankings of online brokers are based on our in-depth product testing and thousands of hand-collected data points. Learn more about our AI Policy and How We Test.
Forex Risk Disclaimer
There is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities. With respect to margin-based foreign exchange trading, off-exchange derivatives, and cryptocurrencies, there is considerable exposure to risk, including but not limited to, leverage, creditworthiness, limited regulatory protection and market volatility that may substantially affect the price, or liquidity of a currency or related instrument. It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable, or that they will not result in losses. Learn more about foreign exchange risk.
About the Editorial Team
BrokerNotes.co provides unbiased forex broker reviews and ratings to help traders and investors find the best broker for their needs. All content is researched, fact-checked, and edited by our research team and all ratings and rankings are based on the team’s in-depth product testing.
Steven Hatzakis is the Global Director of Research for BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. Steven previously served as an Editor for Finance Magnates, where he authored over 1,000 published articles about the online finance industry. A forex industry expert and an active fintech and crypto researcher, Steven advises blockchain companies at the board level and holds a Series III license in the U.S. as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).
Joey Shadeck is the Content Strategist and Research Analyst for BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. He holds dual degrees in Finance and Marketing from Oakland University, and has been an active trader and investor for close to ten years. An industry veteran, Joey obtains and verifies data, conducts research, and analyzes and validates our content.
Jeff Anberg is a Staff Editor at BrokerNotes.co and ForexBrokers.com. Along with years of experience in media distribution at a global newsroom, Jeff has a versatile knowledge base encompassing the technology and financial markets. He is a long-time active investor and engages in research on emerging markets like cryptocurrency. Jeff holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature with a minor in Philosophy from San Francisco State University.