ActivTrades vs IFC Markets Comparison: Which Is Better for Traders?
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - ActivTrades or IFC Markets?
Our pick: ActivTrades
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - ActivTrades looks preferable to IFC Markets.
ActivTrades scored 4.3/5 and ranks 25 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas IFC Markets has 4.3/5 and ranks 26.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is ActivTrades suitable for?
ActivTrades is suitable for beginners who value simplicity and educational materials and experienced traders who prefer MetaTrader and a wide range of instruments.
Who is IFC Markets suitable for?
IFC Markets is suitable for traders looking for various trading instruments and platforms but may not be ideal for those who require an ECN account.
Comparison Table of ActivTrades and IFC Markets
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2000 | 2005 |
| Regulated in Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | ActivTrades Review | IFC Markets Review |
ActivTrades Review
ActivTrades is suitable for beginner traders who value simplicity and intuitive trading platforms, as well as a variety of educational materials to improve their skills. Moreover, this broker can be a suitable option for experienced traders who prefer to trade various instruments and use the powerful features of the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingView platforms.
However, for traders with more specific requirements, such as a variety of trading accounts or individual conditions for professional traders, ActivTrades may be less attractive.
Pros and Cons of ActivTrades
Pros
- Wide range of trading assets.
- A wide variety of trading platforms.
- Extensive training materials including webinars, videos, articles and guides.
- Professional Support Team.
Cons
- Lack of diversity in trading accounts.
ActivTrades is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
IFC Markets Review
IFC Markets is a reliable and licensed broker, offering a broad spectrum of trading instruments and platforms for investors of various experience levels. With multilingual support and extensive educational resources, the company aims to provide its clients with a comfortable and efficient trading environment.
IFC Markets could be a suitable choice for investors seeking a variety of trading instruments and platforms.
Pros and Cons of IFC Markets
Pros
- A wide range of trading assets.
- Variety of trading platforms.
- Educational materials for traders of all experience levels.
- Tools for creating synthetic tools are available.
Cons
- High swaps.
IFC Markets is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2000 | 2005 |
| Regulated in Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia |
| Regulators |
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ActivTrades
ActivTrades - highly regulated, transparent broker with a good reputation. International regulation and client fund protection make it a reliable choice.
IFC Markets
The broker demonstrates high reliability, confirmed by multi-jurisdictional regulation and professional indemnity insurance.
Pros
- Multi-jurisdictional regulation.
- Insurance against professional liability.
Cons
- Lack of regulation in countries with stricter requirements.
Account Opening
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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ActivTrades
The account opening process at ActivTrades is quite accessible for most traders, but verification can take a significant amount of time.
IFC Markets
Opening an account with IFC Markets is relatively simple and convenient.
Account Types
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0.4 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:400 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers 2 trading accounts suitable for most traders, but some options are missing.
Pros
- Availability of an Islamic account.
Cons
- No STP/ECN accounts.
- Lack of fixed spread accounts.
- Investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading) are not offered.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers a good selection of accounts that meet the requirements of various categories of traders, though there are some limitations.
Pros
- A wide selection of trading accounts.
- Swap-free accounts for Islamic traders.
- PAMM accounts available.
Cons
- Absence of STP and ECN accounts.
Commissions
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.7/5 | 3/5 |
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0.4 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1 | 1.4 |
| Commission per Lot |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers average commissions with tight spreads, but high swap rates and inactivity fees.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers competitive spreads, but high swaps can make long-term trading difficult.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers a variety of convenient methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
Pros
- Diversity of payment systems.
- Most transactions are commission-free.
- Fast processing of requests.
Cons
- No options for using cryptocurrencies.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets provides numerous methods for depositing and withdrawing funds without additional commissions, ensuring convenience and savings for traders.
Pros
- Wide choice of deposit and withdrawal methods.
- No broker commissions on financial transactions.
Cons
- Withdrawals can only be made through the same method as deposits.
- Withdrawal requests may take up to 2 business days to process.
Markets and Products
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 49 | 53 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 7 |
| Energy Carriers | 7 | 4 |
| Soft Commodities | 9 | 16 |
| Indices | 31 | 12 |
| Stocks | 1035 | 461 |
| ETF | 75 | 4 |
| Bonds | 6 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 12 | 14 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers a wide range of trading instruments, providing access to all major markets, making it attractive to various traders.
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers extensive financial instruments, providing flexibility for traders' diverse strategies.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers diverse trading platforms, each catering to different trading needs, combining efficiency, advanced features, and user-friendly interfaces.
Pros
- Multiple platforms including MT4, MT5, ActivTrader, and TradingView integration.
- Advanced tools and features for comprehensive market analysis.
- Customization options and social trading aspects in TradingView.
IFC Markets
The IFCM platforms include MT4, MT5, and the proprietary NetTradeX terminal, offering a broad selection with advanced features.
Analytics
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades provides extensive analytical resources, including market analysis, economic calendar, technical analysis tools, trading signals, and ideas.
IFC Markets
IFCM provides a comprehensive analytical toolkit but lacks automated updates for economic news and some tools for self-analysis.
Education
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers high-quality and diverse educational materials that will be useful for traders of any level.
IFC Markets
The wealth and quality of educational resources presented by IFCM set the broker apart from competitors.
Customer Support
| Broker | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
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| Social Media |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Skype
Telegram
Whatsapp
Messenger
InstagramActivTrades
ActivTrades' technical support is commendable for its professionalism, diverse communication channels, and 24/5 availability.
Pros
- Highly professional and knowledgeable staff.
- Multiple contact options including phone, chat, and email.
- 24/5 availability.
IFC Markets
Customers highly rate the technical support of IFC Markets for its rapid and professional service, though it is unavailable 24/7.
Comparisons of ActivTrades and IFC Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
ActivTrades stands out as the better overall pick, while IFC Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
ActivTrades scored 4.3/5 and ranks 25 in our rating; IFC Markets has 4.3/5 and ranks 26.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: ActivTrades or IFC Markets?
ActivTrades comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 25) versus IFC Markets (score 4.3/5, position 26).
Which broker is better for beginners: ActivTrades or IFC Markets?
ActivTrades is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — ActivTrades or IFC Markets?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with ActivTrades and IFC Markets?
ActivTrades: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ActivTrader, TradingView. IFC Markets: NetTradeX, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with ActivTrades and IFC Markets?
ActivTrades: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. IFC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by ActivTrades and IFC Markets?
ActivTrades: Individual, Pro. IFC Markets: NetTradeX Standard Fixed, NetTradeX Standard Floating, NetTradeX Beginner Fixed, NetTradeX Beginner Floating, MT4 Standard Fixed, MT4 Micro Fixed, MT5 Standard Floating, MT5 Micro Floating. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by ActivTrades and IFC Markets?
ActivTrades: Neteller, Skrill, AstroPay, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. IFC Markets: Volet, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — ActivTrades or IFC Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
