My Review of the IFC Markets Platform (May 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 rating of 3.6/5 on Trustpilot for a total of 544 reviews, a score that reflects a mixed but not negligible overall satisfaction.

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

In summary, I was trying to answer questions like: Is IFC Markets a reliable broker despite its offshore regulation? Is its offering 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 scrutinised everything: account opening process, management and trading fees, available financial instruments, functionalities, simplicity of the platform (desktop and mobile) and trading tools, etc. Below is my in-depth analysis of the broker IFC Markets (compared to the 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 personalised approach to multi-asset trading.

Regarding platforms, MetaTrader remains a reliable choice for traders who prefer familiar environments. However, 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, effective graphic tools, and allows you to program complex orders. The trading environment is clean, without visual overload, and executions are fast. The only downside is that there is no direct compatibility with TradingView.

In terms of fees, IFC Markets applies fixed spreads 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 partly compensates. Overnight fees are typical for a CFD broker.

Finally, in terms of security, the regulation is via 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 stability. Funds are held in segregated accounts, and negative balance protection is in place for retail clients.

Which types of traders is IFC Markets suitable for?

=> For technical traders who are looking to build their own portfolio creatively. 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 variety 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 asset for those who want to avoid sudden widenings during periods of high volatility. This is well suited for 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 shares or ETFs in cash. This is a 100% CFD broker, therefore without actual ownership of the assets. In addition, the absence of a South African license may deter some who are looking for a stricter regulatory framework.

IFC Markets in a few seconds is:

My opinion on the security and reliability of the broker IFC Markets

As a trader, I see IFC Markets as a reliable player but located outside the Eurozone, with more flexible regulations. The broker has been present in the market for nearly 20 years, which demonstrates a certain solidity. For South African traders, the absence of FSCA registration remains 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 independent traders but will not be suitable for profiles looking for an ultra-regulated broker with South African 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 type of account. I tested the two main options available: the NetTradeX account and the MetaTrader account, and each has its own specificities depending on 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. No hidden fees for account management or opening, which is appreciated. Only withdrawals may be a bit expensive depending on the method used, especially if you choose a traditional transfer outside of South Africa. 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 R120 to R140 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 free of charge, 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 at 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 on a cash basis. All instruments are available only via CFDs, which implies that one does 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 classic securities accounts with access to cash markets.

What are the fees on cryptocurrencies?

IFC Markets doesn't offer crypto trading as competitively as specialized exchanges like Binance or Kraken, mainly due to wider spreads on certain pairs. It remains convenient if you want to expose a portion of your crypto portfolio via CFDs, without creating a dedicated wallet, but it's not ideal for active trading or HODLing. Staking isn't available at this time, and there's no internal crypto wallet within the platform either.

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 better-known brokers. On 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. CFDs on commodities and indices are also well-positioned, although overnight fees can quickly accumulate if you keep a position open for too long.

Trader Tip

Use NetTradeX accounts to better optimise your multi-asset trades, particularly via custom 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. It 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 paves the way for more advanced strategies, which 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 looking 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, an in-house 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 looking to rely on ready-made strategies. The tools are present, but require a minimum of technical knowledge to take full advantage of them.

Trader tip

Use NetTradeX to create custom 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, out of a total of 544 verified reviews. User opinion is divided, with the majority of positive feedback concerning the trading experience and the reliability of the platform, but also some criticism of customer support and withdrawal management.

Among the positive feedback, we regularly find the stability of the platforms, good order execution, and the variety of assets available, particularly on CFDs. A number of users also mention the responsiveness of customer service by email or chat in simple cases.

On the critical side, several recent reviews point to difficulties with withdrawals or difficult communication with support in the event of technical or administrative problems. Some users also feel that swap fees and leverage conditions should be more clearly explained at the time of registration.

Clients' reviews:

C.L (4 January 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 (18 February 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 (11 March 2024)
"I had a problem with an overnight position and found the support not very responsive. That said, they responded within 48 hours."

Account opening, deposits and withdrawals on IFC Markets

Opening an Account

Opening an account with IFC Markets is quick and straightforward. I tested the entire process: between registration and 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).
• Send the requested supporting documents.
• Wait for validation (usually within 24 hours).
• Access your client area to test in demo 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 choice of methods, including cryptocurrencies and Perfect Money, offers real convenience, especially for traders outside the euro zone. The minimum deposit of only $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 bank transfers. 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 suit different trader profiles, whether to start with little capital or to use more advanced strategies with leverage, algorithmic trading or without swap. Each account can be opened on the NetTradeX, MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5 platforms, with specific conditions depending on the platform and the currency chosen.

Note

Accounts can be opened in micro or standard, with leverage up to 1:400 depending on the jurisdiction. 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, decent spreads, and the ability to trade 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 custom combinations via GeWorko technology.

Customer support is available 24/7, which is a definite advantage in the online trading world. The possibility of starting with only $1 is also a major plus if you are starting out 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.