Comparison of ActivTrades and IFC Markets
| Feature | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant, Market |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | BVIFSC, LFSA, CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), NetTradeX |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:400 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, JPY, BTC |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Webmoney, Volet.com, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), Ethereum (ETH) |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✔ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities, Cryptocurrencies |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | IFC Markets Review |
About ActivTrades
ActivTrades is a well-regarded Forex and CFD broker known for its robust trading platforms, extensive range of financial instruments, and strong regulatory compliance. Established in 2001, ActivTrades serves clients globally, offering access to major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker provides multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its proprietary ActivTrader platform, catering to both desktop and mobile users. ActivTrades is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, ensuring a secure and trustworthy trading environment. Additionally, the broker offers a variety of account types to accommodate different trading styles and experience levels, complemented by comprehensive educational resources and responsive customer support. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and efficient withdrawal processes, ActivTrades stands out as a reliable choice for both novice and experienced Forex traders.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple reputable financial authorities
- Offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary ActivTrader platform
- Provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more
- Extensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis tools available
- Offers tight spreads across numerous trading instruments
- Multilingual support available through various channels
Cons
- Maximum leverage available might be lower than what some experienced traders seek
- The proprietary ActivTrader platform offers fewer customization options
About IFC Markets
IFC Markets is a globally recognized forex and CFD broker renowned for its commitment to providing a secure and user-friendly trading environment. Established with a focus on transparency and regulatory compliance, IFC Markets offers a diverse range of trading instruments, including major and exotic currency pairs, commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. Traders can access the platform through popular interfaces like MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary NetTradeX, catering to both novice and experienced investors. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and a suite of educational resources, IFC Markets strives to empower traders with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the dynamic financial markets effectively.
Pros
- Licensed and regulated by reputable financial authorities
- Offers a wide array of assets
- Access to MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and a proprietary trading paltform
- Comprehensive educational materials
- Responsive and multilingual customer service available through various channels
Cons
- Services may not be available in certain countries due to regulatory limitations
- High swaps
ActivTrades & IFC Markets Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | IFCMARKETS CORP, IFC MARKETS LIMITED, IFCM Cyprus Ltd |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | British Virgin Islands, Malaysia, Cyprus |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | BVIFSC, LFSA, CySEC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Pro | Standard Floating |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $1000 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Min Spread | 0.5 | 0.4 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | 30% | 10% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 100% |
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | — | ECN |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0 |
| Fee | — | $10 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
Fix Spread Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard Fixed |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Fixed |
| Execution | — | Instant |
| Min Spread | — | 1.8 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
Cent Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Micro |
| Min Deposit | — | $1 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Instant |
| Min Spread | — | 0.4 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:400 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
Crypto Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard Crypto |
| Min Deposit | — | $1000 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.4 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:200 |
| Stop Out | — | 10% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, JPY, BTC |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Webmoney, Volet.com, Perfect Money, Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), Ethereum (ETH) |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), NetTradeX |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | - |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 53 |
Indices | 31 | 12 |
Stocks | 1035 | 461 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 14 |
Bonds | 6 | 0 |
Metals | 3 | 7 |
Energies | 7 | 4 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 16 |
ETFs | 75 | 4 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | IFC Markets |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | support@ifcmarkets.com |
Phone | +12426035200 | +442039661649 |
Telegram | — | Telegram |
Facebook | — | |
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and IFC Markets, ActivTrades comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
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Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.