My Review of the IFC Markets Platform (April 2025)

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IFC Markets is a CFD broker launched in 2006, offering trading on a wide range of financial instruments via MetaTrader and its own NetTradeX platform. It has a score of 3.6/5 on Trustpilot for a total of 544 reviews, a score that reflects a mixed but not insignificant overall satisfaction.

I have spent the last six months using IFC Markets on a daily basis, either via MetaTrader 5 or the in-house NetTradeX platform. I have compared the spreads, commissions, asset diversity and tools offered with those of other international brokers also accessible from Canada.

In short, I was trying to answer questions like: Is IFC Markets a reliable broker despite its offshore regulation? Is its offer varied enough to allow for a serious diversification strategy? Are the fees competitive for scalping or swing trading? And above all, how does it compare to more established platforms like eToro, XTB or IG?

So, I've thoroughly examined everything: account opening process, management and trading fees, available financial instruments, features, simplicity of the platform (desktop and mobile), trading tools, etc. Below is my in-depth analysis of the broker IFC Markets (compared to other platforms tested).

What to think of IFC Markets?

My general opinion on IFC Markets

After several weeks of testing IFC Markets on MetaTrader and its proprietary NetTradeX platform, I can say that this broker offers a fairly unique trading experience, but one that will not suit everyone. The variety of assets is solid, especially for currencies and CFDs on stocks, indices and commodities, with over 600 instruments available. What I found particularly interesting is the ability to create your own financial instruments via the GeWorko tool, which allows for a very personalized approach to multi-asset trading.

As for platforms, MetaTrader remains a safe bet for traders who prefer familiar environments. But I also took the time to test NetTradeX, which is less common but quite powerful once you get used to it. It offers good ergonomics, efficient graphic tools, and allows you to program complex orders. The trading environment is clean, without visual overload, and the executions are fast. The only downside is that there is no direct compatibility with TradingView.

Regarding fees, IFC Markets applies fixed spreads starting from 1.8 pips on the Standard account, which may seem a bit high compared to some competitors. However, the NetTradeX and MT5 accounts with variable spreads and commission allow for tighter pricing for active traders. There are no fees on deposits or withdrawals, which partially compensates. Overnight fees are typical for a CFD broker.

Finally, in terms of security, regulation is through the British Virgin Islands Financial Services Commission (BVI FSC) and the LFSA in Malaysia. This isn’t the strictest framework, but IFC Markets has been present in the market since 2006, which demonstrates a certain degree of stability. Funds are held in segregated accounts, and negative balance protection is in place for retail clients.

Which trader profiles are best suited to IFC Markets?

=> For technical traders who are looking to build their own portfolio in a creative way. The GeWorko tool allows you to mix several assets into a single composite instrument, which is rare in the market. For those who like to backtest or test custom strategies, the NetTradeX platform offers interesting possibilities.

=> For intermediate or regular traders, comfortable with MetaTrader or ready to explore a different interface. The broker provides access to a good diversity of assets and offers several types of accounts with or without commission, which allows you to adapt the pricing to your trading style.

=> For traders looking for stable spreads. Fixed spreads are an advantage for those who want to avoid sudden widenings in periods of high volatility. This is well suited to those who want to manage their risk precisely, especially in slow scalping or swing trading.

On the other hand, IFC Markets is not ideal for long-term investors wishing to buy stocks or ETFs in cash. It is a 100% CFD broker, so without actual ownership of the assets. In addition, the absence of a Canadian license may deter some who are looking for a stricter regulatory framework.

IFC Markets in a few seconds is:

My review of the security and reliability of the broker IFC Markets

As a trader, I consider IFC Markets to be a reliable player, but located outside of Canada, with more flexible regulations. The broker has been present on the market for almost 20 years, which demonstrates a certain solidity. For Canadian traders, the lack of registration with Canadian regulatory bodies needs to be taken into account, but the funds are well segregated, and negative balance protection is active.

=> In my opinion, IFC Markets offers an acceptable level of security for self-directed traders but may not be suitable for those looking for an ultra-regulated broker with Canadian coverage.

My opinion on the fees, spreads and commissions applied to IFC Markets

What I quickly noticed at IFC Markets is the desire to offer clear and relatively competitive fees depending on the account type. I tested the two main options available: the NetTradeX account and the MetaTrader account, and each has its specificities according to your trading profile.

The MetaTrader account is attractive for its access to fixed spreads, with no additional commission on major pairs, which simplifies the calculation of order costs. On the other hand, the NetTradeX account relies on variable spreads, often tighter, but with very low commissions starting from 0.1% or even fixed on certain asset classes.

Let's now look in detail at the broker's fee schedule.

What are the account fees?

When testing IFC Markets, I found their fee structure to be quite reasonable for a CFD broker. There are no hidden fees for account management or opening, which is a plus. Only withdrawals may be a bit expensive depending on the method used, especially if you choose a standard wire transfer outside of Canada. However, the account remains active as long as you log in once a year, which limits the risk of inactivity fees.

The minimum deposit is set at 1,000 JPY, which is approximately $6 to $7 CAD depending on the current exchange rate. This is one of the lowest thresholds on the market, which allows you to start without taking too much risk. The demo account is also available for free, and the base currencies offered include EUR, USD, JPY and CHF.

Trader Tip

If you use currencies other than those of the account, remember to do the conversion yourself via a service like Wise or Revolut to avoid the conversion fees sometimes higher with the broker. And to avoid inactivity fees, a simple annual login is enough: set an alert so you don't forget.

What are the fees on stocks and ETFs?

At IFC Markets, it is not possible to invest directly in stocks or ETFs in the spot market. All instruments are available only via CFDs, which implies that you do not actually own the securities. For those looking to invest directly in the stock or ETF markets, I recommend looking at brokers like DEGIRO or Trade Republic, which offer traditional securities accounts with access to the spot markets.

What are the fees on cryptocurrencies?

IFC Markets does not offer crypto trading as competitive as specialized exchanges like Binance or Kraken, mainly due to wider spreads on certain pairs. It remains practical if you want to expose a portion of your crypto portfolio via CFDs, without creating a dedicated wallet, but it is not ideal for active trading or HODL. Staking is not currently available, and there is no internal crypto wallet on the platform.

What are the CFD fees?

I found the CFD fees at IFC Markets to be generally reasonable, especially when comparing the spreads to those of other, more well-known brokers. For Forex, spreads start at 1.8 pips, which is average for STP brokers without commission. This is a good thing for traders who want to avoid fixed fees. Commodity and index CFDs are also well-positioned, although overnight fees can quickly accumulate if you hold a position for too long.

Trader Tip

Use NetTradeX accounts to better optimize your multi-asset trades, particularly through personalized portfolios (GeWorko), which allow you to create original CFD combinations while controlling costs.

My opinion on the assets & markets available on IFC Markets

IFC Markets does not offer direct investment but only trading via CFDs. This allows you to easily position yourself on a wide variety of markets, while using leverage, but it also means that you never really own the assets. This is suitable for a purely speculative approach.

Diversity is the name of the game with over 600 instruments covering currencies, stocks, commodities, indices and cryptos. I found the presence of bond CFDs interesting, especially the ability to create your own asset portfolios with the GeWorko tool. This opens the way to more advanced strategies that are difficult to access elsewhere.

For traders looking for variety, particularly in Forex and indices, IFC Markets perfectly fulfills its role. However, for long-term investors wishing to build a real portfolio of stocks or ETFs, it is better to go through a dedicated broker like Trade Republic or DEGIRO.

My opinion on the platform

I found the trading environment offered by IFC Markets to be quite comprehensive, especially with the NetTradeX option, a proprietary platform that remains intuitive even for novice traders. The order types are varied and cover all the standard needs. Personally, I also appreciated using MetaTrader 4, especially for its EAs and technical indicators, even if the interface is a bit dated.

On the other hand, the lack of direct integration of market signals or copy trading may deter less experienced traders who are looking to rely on ready-made strategies. The tools are available, but require a minimum of technical knowledge to take full advantage of them.

Trader Tip

Use NetTradeX to create customized portfolios (including via GeWorko technology) and test your asset combinations before going live. The tool is powerful, especially for multi-asset or sector trading.

Customer reviews: what users think of IFC Markets

IFC Markets has an average rating of 3.6/5 on Trustpilot, based on a total of 544 verified reviews. User opinion is divided, with a majority of positive feedback regarding the trading experience and reliability of the platform, but also some criticisms regarding customer support or withdrawal management.

Among the positive feedback, the stability of the platforms, the good execution of orders, and the variety of available assets, particularly on CFDs, are regularly mentioned. Several users also mention the responsiveness of customer service by email or chat in simple cases.

On the criticism side, several recent reviews report difficulties with withdrawals or difficult communication with support in the event of a technical or administrative problem. Some users also believe that swap-related fees or leverage conditions should be better detailed upon registration.

Examples of customer reviews:

C.L (January 4, 2024)
« The platform is stable and the spreads are correct, but I gave it 4 stars because I had to wait 3 days for a withdrawal. »

N.O (February 18, 2024)
« Good broker overall, but the NetTradeX platform is less well known so it took me a while to understand all the features. »

A.M (March 11, 2024)
« I had an issue with an overnight position and found the support not very responsive. That said, they responded to me within 48 hours. »

Account opening, deposits and withdrawals on IFC Markets

Account Opening

Opening an account with IFC Markets is quick and straightforward. I tested the entire process: from registration to validation of my documents, it took no more than 24 hours. The procedure is well-guided, which simplifies getting started, even if you have never used an online broker before.

Here are the main steps to follow:

• Access the online form from the official IFC Markets website.
• Complete your personal information and choose the account type and platform.
• Answer a few questions about your trading experience (regulatory formality).
• Submit the requested supporting documents.
• Wait for validation (usually within 24 hours).
• Access your client area to test in demo mode or make a first deposit.

Good to know

You can open multiple accounts under the same user profile, which allows you to test different account types (NetTradeX, MT4) or currencies without having to re-register.

IFC Markets Deposits and Withdrawals

I found the deposit and withdrawal system at IFC Markets to be really flexible. The wide selection of methods, including cryptocurrencies and Perfect Money, offers real convenience, especially for traders outside the euro zone. The minimum deposit of just $1 is extremely rare, which allows you to test the platform at a very low cost. Withdrawals are generally processed within 1 to 3 business days, depending on the method chosen.

Trader Tip

If you use e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller, you'll benefit from faster withdrawal processing than with a bank transfer. This can make a real difference if you trade often and want to secure your winnings quickly.

Account Types Available on IFC Markets

IFC Markets offers several types of accounts to accommodate different trader profiles, whether for starting with little capital or for using more advanced strategies with leverage, algorithmic trading, or no swaps. Each account can be opened on the NetTradeX, MetaTrader 4, or MetaTrader 5 platforms, with specific conditions depending on the platform and the chosen currency.

Please note

Accounts can be opened in micro or standard, with leverage up to 1:50 depending on the regulation. The Islamic version is accessible on request upon registration or via customer service after account validation.

Conclusion: Should you invest with IFC Markets?

After several weeks of testing, I can say that IFC Markets is a reputable platform, especially if you are looking for a multilingual broker with a flexible account structure, reasonable spreads, and the possibility of trading in micro-lots. What I particularly appreciated was the diversity of platforms (NetTradeX, MT4 and MT5) as well as access to over 600 instruments, including customized combinations via GeWorko technology.

Customer support is available 24/7 and in French, which is quite rare in the world of online trading. The ability to start with only $1 is also a great asset if you are a beginner or want to test a low-risk strategy.

In summary, IFC Markets may not be the most innovative or feature-rich platform, but it is a reliable solution for traders who want a simple, flexible, and multilingual offering with transparent fees.

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.