Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of CMC Markets vs IronFX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
When comparing online brokers CMC Markets and IronFX, several factors set them apart. Established in 1989, CMC Markets is a publicly traded platform known for its strong regulatory standing, holding five Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. This has earned CMC Markets a perfect Trust Score of 99 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, highlighting it as a highly trusted broker. Although not a bank, its presence on a stock exchange and extensive regulation credentials make it a resilient choice for traders.
In contrast, IronFX, founded in 2010, is not publicly traded and holds three Tier-1 licenses with no Tier-2 licenses. It boasts a Trust Score of 83, marking it as a trusted broker but with some room for improvement compared to CMC Markets. Both brokers offer secure platforms for trading without being associated with banks, yet CMC Markets has a longer track record and more extensive regulatory oversight, making it a more established option in the trading community.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
CMC Markets stands out as a market leader in commissions and fees, having secured the top spot in the Commissions and Fees category at our 2025 Annual Awards. This recognition reflects its consistent ability to provide low spreads across all customer segments and account types. For instance, CMC Markets offers an average spread of 0.61 pips on the EUR/USD pair, which is impressively competitive. For active traders, the recently introduced Price Plus Scheme allows traders to receive trading cost discounts based on collected Trading Points, rewarding those with higher trading volumes. Moreover, the FX Active pricing structure combines low commissions with spreads starting at zero, enhancing its affordability for traders in various regions.
In contrast, IronFX has room for improvement in its pricing strategy, as its spreads often surpass the industry average. For their standard variable spread account, IronFX typically offers spreads around 1.8 pips, though this can vary across different account types. With the zero fixed-spread account, though initial spreads start at zero, a commission of $18 per lot is applied, and overnight spreads expand to 3 pips. This demonstrates IronFX’s less competitive pricing structure compared to CMC Markets.
Overall, CMC Markets is highly rated for its pricing, achieving a five-star rating for commissions and fees and ranking #1 out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, IronFX holds a four-star rating and is ranked #46 in the same category, signifying that while it offers a satisfactory service, CMC Markets remains the superior choice for traders seeking lower costs.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing CMC Markets to IronFX in terms of their available range of investments, CMC Markets stands out with an impressive offering. CMC Markets provides access to 11,925 tradeable symbols, including 156 forex pairs, and allows trading in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This means you can invest in major companies like Apple and Vodafone directly. On the other hand, IronFX offers 340 tradeable symbols, including 83 forex pairs, but does not support buying exchange-traded securities of companies listed on U.S. or international markets.
Both CMC Markets and IronFX allow forex trading as a CFD or spot contract and offer copy trading functions. For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, neither platform facilitates the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, but they both provide the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives. When rated by ForexBrokers.com, CMC Markets shines with a five-star rating for its range of investments, ranking 9th out of 63 brokers, whereas IronFX holds a 3.5-star rating, positioned at 51st. This analysis highlights CMC Markets as a more extensive and versatile choice for traders seeking a broader range of investment options.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 83 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When it comes to trading platforms and tools, CMC Markets distinguishes itself with a highly rated offering, earning a perfect score of five stars. It provides a comprehensive suite of options, including a proprietary platform and support for both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, giving traders flexibility in their choice of tools. CMC Markets also features a Windows-based desktop platform, a web-based option, and a demo account for simulated trading. With 11 columns for watch lists and 40 drawing tools available for charting, it’s clear that CMC Markets prioritizes an intuitive and powerful user experience. The ability to trade directly from a stock chart further enhances its appeal, solidifying its high ranking at number four out of 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com.
IronFX, on the other hand, provides a solid but less expansive range of trading platform options, which include a web-based platform and a downloadable desktop platform. While it does support MetaTrader 4, it lacks MetaTrader 5 and its own proprietary platform. IronFX also offers a demo account for practice trading, and while it supports copy trading, it does not integrate with features like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. With only 15 drawing tools for charting and seven columns for watch lists, its platform may feel more limited compared to competitors. Rated at 3.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, IronFX ranks much lower, at number 61 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating there may be room for improvement in its offerings.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of CMC Markets and IronFX, both platforms offer key features such as apps for iPhone and Android, price alerts for stock and forex, and the ability to draw trend lines on charts. CMC Markets stands out for its advanced synchronization capabilities; it allows users to sync their watchlist symbols between the mobile app and their online accounts, which is particularly convenient for those who frequently switch between devices. IronFX, however, lacks this feature, which might be a point of consideration for traders seeking seamless integration across platforms.
Technical analysis enthusiasts will find both apps equally resourceful, as CMC Markets offers 29 technical studies compared to IronFX's 30. Both platforms support multiple time frames on charts and auto-save chart drawings. Users can create watchlists with real-time quotes on both apps as well. However, CMC Markets tops the charts with an impressive 5-star rating for its mobile trading experience and claims the 5th rank among 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's evaluation. In contrast, IronFX has a 3.5-star rating and is placed at 62nd, suggesting a more limited user experience compared to CMC Markets. These distinctions make CMC Markets a more attractive option for users prioritizing a highly rated and seamlessly integrated trading app.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When evaluating the market research capabilities between CMC Markets and IronFX, both offer daily market commentary and provide forex news from respected sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. However, their offerings diverge when it comes to specialized tools. CMC Markets stands out by offering tools under Autochartist which help with technical and fundamental analysis. They also provide a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments. On the other hand, IronFX provides research tools from Trading Central, which include technical analytics. Both brokers supply an economic calendar showcasing global news events that affect economies worldwide, although neither uses resources from TipRanks or Acuity Trading.
In terms of ratings, CMC Markets earns a stellar reputation with a 5-star rating for research and ranks 6th out of 63 brokers as assessed by ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, IronFX receives a 4-star rating and holds the 28th position in the same category. While both brokers equip traders with informative resources, CMC Markets appears to offer a slightly richer suite of tools for in-depth market analysis, making it a favored choice for those prioritizing research capabilities in their trading decisions.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners exploring the educational offerings of CMC Markets and IronFX, both brokers provide a solid starting point with more than ten educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs. These resources come in various formats, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Both CMC Markets and IronFX offer a searchable archive of these past webinars, but unfortunately, neither hosts live educational webinars monthly. For those just starting out, each platform provides at least ten beginner-friendly educational videos covering essential trading topics.
When it comes to more advanced education, CMC Markets stands out by offering over ten advanced trading videos, a feature IronFX does not match. Both brokers include a glossary with definitions for over 50 trading terms, aiding newcomers in mastering trading jargon. Rated at five stars for education, CMC Markets secures the 10th spot out of 63 brokers in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, while IronFX, rated at four stars, ranks 44th. This reflects CMC Markets’ broader range of resources that cater to both beginners and more seasoned traders.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that CMC Markets is better than IronFX. CMC Markets finished with an overall rank of #4, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
CMC Markets is well-trusted across the globe, and delivers a terrific trading experience thanks to its excellent pricing and selection of over 12,000 tradeable instruments.
| Feature |
CMC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 |
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Both CMC Markets and IronFX do not provide the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency but offer the ability to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives.
CMC Markets provides more versatile funding options compared to IronFX, including ACH and SEPA transfers and PayPal, while both offer Visa or Mastercard and bank wires; however, only IronFX supports Skrill.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 1989 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 11925 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 156 | 83 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.61 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.51 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 79 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 40 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 29 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
| Overall | CMC Markets | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | CMC Markets Review |
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