IC Markets Free VPS Hosting

IC Markets runs a sponsored hosting arrangement, meaning the broker picks up the cost on your behalf once you clear the monthly activity threshold. You do not pay the hosting provider directly for as long as your account stays qualified.

Two separate options are on the table. The first is IC VPS, which is IC Markets’ own server product, co-located inside Equinix data centres with a direct cross-connection to the broker’s trading infrastructure. It comes in three tiers, each with different hardware specs. The second is a partnership with ForexVPS, a third-party provider sitting in the same Equinix facilities, which activates in roughly five minutes and ships with MetaTrader 4 already installed.

Both keep your setup running around the clock, so Expert Advisors and any open strategies stay active regardless of what happens on your end. A power cut, an internet drop, or simply closing your laptop will not interrupt anything.

How to Qualify for Free VPS at IC Markets

Eligibility comes down to one condition: how much you trade each calendar month. IC Markets pools the volume across all your live accounts, so you are not required to hit the threshold on any single one.

Only two asset classes count toward the tally: forex currency pairs and precious metals, specifically gold (XAU/USD) and silver (XAG/USD). Trades on indices, oil, crypto CFDs, equities, or bonds are excluded from the calculation regardless of how many lots you put through them.

Lots are measured on a round-turn basis, meaning a position must be fully closed to count. The figure resets at the start of each new month rather than rolling across a trailing 30-day window.

The three IC VPS tiers and the monthly activity each one requires:

Source: Specs and thresholds are taken directly from IC Markets’ official VPS page. Per their stated terms, falling below the required lot count for two consecutive months results in automatic cancellation without prior notice.

How to Apply for the Free VPS

Once you have cleared the volume threshold in a given month, the process to claim the service is short:

1. Log in to your IC Markets client area and visit secure.icmarkets.com/Vps to submit your application.
2. Wait up to 24 hours for the application to be reviewed. Once accepted, your login credentials (IP address, port number, and password) are sent to your registered email address.
3. Connect via Remote Desktop and set up your preferred platform. For ForexVPS, MetaTrader 4 is already installed on arrival. For IC VPS, you install your platform of choice after logging in.

There is nothing to do while you are still building toward the lot count. The application only becomes available after you have met the requirement for that calendar month.

What Happens If You Miss a Month

Missing the lot count in a single month does not end your access. IC Markets’ terms state that the sponsored subscription is cancelled only after two back-to-back months below the threshold. You should receive an email alert before anything gets cut off, which gives you time to either trade up to the required level or switch to a paid arrangement.

If you were already paying for a VPS plan and then cleared the threshold for the first time, the broker takes over the cost from that point. No refunds are issued for previous payments. The server itself stays the same, keeping the same IP and configuration, so there is no interruption or need to reinstall anything.

IC VPS vs ForexVPS: Which One to Pick

Both sit inside Equinix data centres and connect directly to IC Markets’ trade execution servers, putting latency at around 1ms for each. The main differences come down to setup speed, platform preference, and how much resource you need.

ForexVPS is the faster option to get running. It activates in about five minutes, MetaTrader 4 arrives pre-loaded, and the support desk operates via live chat around the clock in multiple languages. It works well for traders who want to be operational the same day and primarily use MT4.

IC VPS suits those who want a tiered setup that scales with activity. The three hardware configurations (Standard, Pro, and Premium) let you match server resources to how aggressively you are trading. It is also the better fit if you run MT5 or cTrader, since those require a manual install on either option anyway.

Why Bother with a VPS at All

A VPS is simply a remote Windows server that runs your trading software independently of your own machine. The practical benefit is continuity. Your positions, pending orders, and any automated strategies stay active through a power cut, a dropped connection, or a system restart on your end.

The second reason is proximity. Hosting a platform on a server inside the same Equinix building as IC Markets’ matching engines shortens the physical distance an order has to travel. For most manual traders that difference is negligible, but for algo setups and anyone scalping tight timeframes, the reduction in round-trip time matters. Running the same strategy from a home broadband connection in a different country introduces latency that a co-located server does not.

The third reason is simply reliability. Consumer-grade PCs are not designed to run unattended for weeks without hiccup. A dedicated server environment handles that far better, which means fewer unexpected disconnections and fewer missed order executions.

Most Common Questions

Can volume be combined across multiple accounts?

Yes. IC Markets totals the lot count across every live account registered under your client profile. Two Raw Spread accounts and a Standard account all feed into the same monthly figure.

Do demo account trades count toward the threshold?

No. Only live account activity is included in the calculation. Demo trades are not counted regardless of volume.

Does the account type affect eligibility: Raw Spread versus Standard?

IC Markets does not differentiate between account types for VPS qualification purposes. Both Raw Spread and Standard account holders are eligible, provided they reach the required lot count through forex pairs or precious metals.

Can I get a refund for VPS payments made before qualifying?

No. The broker covers costs from the point of qualification going forward. Payments made before that date are not refunded. The server itself stays intact through the transition, so there is no disruption to your setup.

Does IC Markets offer a VPS trial?

IC Markets has provided a free ForexVPS trial for Global clients in the past. Trial availability changes over time, so it is worth checking the broker’s VPS page directly for whatever is currently active.

Which platforms are supported?

MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and cTrader all run on both VPS options. ForexVPS has MT4 loaded by default. For MT5 or cTrader, you do a one-time install after connecting to the server.

The Bottom Line

The Standard tier entry point of 15 lots per month puts this within realistic range for most active retail traders, not just high-volume accounts. If your strategy already produces that kind of monthly turnover in forex or metals, the sponsored service is effectively a free infrastructure benefit sitting there waiting to be claimed.

The most important thing to get right before applying is confirming that your lot count actually comes from qualifying instruments. Traders who focus heavily on indices or commodities sometimes assume their full volume counts, then find the application rejected. Keep the calculation simple: forex pairs and precious metals only, closed trades, per calendar month.

For anyone running automated strategies and not yet using a dedicated server, the combination of broker-covered costs and direct data centre connectivity makes this worth setting up properly rather than continuing to run from a home machine.