IFC Markets vs XM 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 - IFC Markets or XM?
Our pick: XM
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - XM looks preferable to IFC Markets.
XM scored 4.7/5 and ranks 2 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 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.
Who is XM suitable for?
Broker XM is suitable for both novice traders, thanks to educational materials, and experienced traders who value a variety of instruments.
Comparison Table of IFC Markets and XM
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2005 | 2009 |
| Regulated in Countries | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Seychelles |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.4 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Review | IFC Markets Review | XM Review |
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:
XM Review
XM broker offers a wide range of services, making it an attractive option for various traders. With over 1500 trading instruments, extensive educational resources, and numerous trading platforms, XM is ideally suited for beginners and experienced traders. Novice traders will particularly appreciate the accessible educational materials and low entry threshold, while professionals will find the competitive spreads and diversity of instruments appealing.
Pros and Cons of XM
Pros
- Wide range of trading assets.
- Extensive educational resources.
- Tight spreads on the Ultra Low account.
- Many analytical materials.
- Commission-free deposits and withdrawals.
Cons
- Inactivity fee.
- Standard account has a higher spread than the market average.
XM is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Reliability
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 4.2/5 | 5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2005 | 2009 |
| Regulated in Countries | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia | Belize, Cyprus, Australia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Seychelles |
| Regulators |
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.
XM
XM is a reliable and well-regulated broker with licenses in key jurisdictions. Segregated accounts, negative balance protection, and a compensation fund make it a safe choice for traders.
Pros
- Licenses from ASIC, CySEC, DFSA, and other regulators
- Segregation of client funds
- Negative balance protection and compensation scheme
Account Opening
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
IFC Markets
Opening an account with IFC Markets is relatively simple and convenient.
XM
Opening an account with XM is fast and convenient: registration takes only a few minutes, the interface is intuitive, and document requirements are standard.
Pros
- Fast online registration
- Clear and straightforward KYC process
- Ability to open demo and additional accounts
Account Types
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
|
|
| Minimum Deposit |
|
|
| Spread | from 0.4 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:1000 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
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.
XM
XM broker offers various account types to satisfy the needs of different traders, from beginners to professionals.
Pros
- A wide choice of accounts for different experience levels
- Flexible trading conditions (leverage, deposit)
- Specialized accounts for stock trading
Cons
- No ECN or STP accounts
Commissions
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Spread | from 0.4 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| Commission per Lot |
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers competitive spreads, but high swaps can make long-term trading difficult.
XM
XM’s fees can be considered competitive: the Ultra Low account offers reduced spreads, while the absence of deposit and withdrawal fees lowers overall costs. With active trading, the conditions are attractive.
Pros
- Reduced spreads on the Ultra Low account
- No deposit or withdrawal fees
- Ability to lower costs through rebates
Cons
- Above-average spreads on the Standard account
- Inactivity fee applies
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
|
|
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.
XM
The broker offers convenient deposit and withdrawal methods with zero commission but lacks cryptocurrency support.
Pros
- Zero commission for deposits and withdrawals
- A minimum limit of only 5 dollars
- Quick processing of withdrawal requests
Cons
- No cryptocurrency deposit/withdrawal options
Markets and Products
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Forex | 53 | 55 |
| Precious Metals | 7 | 3 |
| Energy Carriers | 4 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 16 | 8 |
| Indices | 12 | 50 |
| Stocks | 461 | 1307 |
| ETF | 4 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 14 | 58 |
IFC Markets
IFC Markets offers extensive financial instruments, providing flexibility for traders' diverse strategies.
XM
The broker offers a wide range of markets and products, including over 1500 items.
Pros
- A large selection of currency pairs
- Access to CFDs on various assets
- The ability to trade cryptocurrencies
Trading Platforms
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
IFC Markets
The IFCM platforms include MT4, MT5, and the proprietary NetTradeX terminal, offering a broad selection with advanced features.
XM
XM offers various versions of MT4 and MT5 platforms, providing flexibility in trading.
Pros
- Availability on various devices (PC, Mac, mobile)
- MultiTerminal for managing multiple accounts
- WebTrader for browser-based trading
Cons
- No alternatives to MetaTrader
Analytics
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
IFC Markets
IFCM provides a comprehensive analytical toolkit but lacks automated updates for economic news and some tools for self-analysis.
XM
XM’s analytics are well structured and deeply integrated into the platform. Trading Central, market sentiment tools, calendars, and calculators make them useful for both active trading and careful pre-trade analysis.
Pros
- Trading Central integration and XM in-house analysis
- Economic calendar, corporate events, and calculators
- Clear market sentiment tools
Education
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
IFC Markets
The wealth and quality of educational resources presented by IFCM set the broker apart from competitors.
XM
XM's educational materials are extensive and varied, suitable for all experience levels.
Pros
- A wide range of materials: webinars, videos, seminars
- Available in different languages
- Daily online sessions with experts
Customer Support
| Broker | IFC Markets | XM |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 5/5 |
| Email Support |
|
|
| Hotline Phones |
|
|
| Social Media |
Skype
Telegram
Whatsapp
Messenger
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTubeIFC Markets
Customers highly rate the technical support of IFC Markets for its rapid and professional service, though it is unavailable 24/7.
XM
XM’s customer support operates reliably 24/7, offering multiple contact channels and multilingual assistance. Most issues are resolved quickly and professionally, which supports the broker’s high service rating.
Pros
- 24/7 support via chat, email, phone, and messengers
- Multilingual assistance
- Strong knowledge of products and procedures
Comparisons of IFC Markets and XM with other brokers
Conclusion
XM stands out as the better overall pick, while IFC Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
XM scored 4.7/5 and ranks 2 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: IFC Markets or XM?
XM comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.7/5, position 2) versus IFC Markets (score 4.3/5, position 26).
Which broker is better for beginners: IFC Markets or XM?
XM 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) — IFC Markets or XM?
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 IFC Markets and XM?
IFC Markets: NetTradeX, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5. XM: MetaTrader 5, MetaTrader 4, WebTrader. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with IFC Markets and XM?
IFC Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Cryptocurrency. XM: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by IFC Markets and XM?
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. XM: Standard, Micro, XM Ultra Low, Shares. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by IFC Markets and XM?
IFC Markets: Volet, WebMoney, Perfect Money, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. XM: Neteller, Skrill, SticPay, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — IFC Markets or XM — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
