Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro 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.
Founded in 2007, eToro is a well-established online broker that offers a seamless trading experience with a high level of trust. It is publicly traded and holds three Tier-1 licenses alongside one Tier-2 license. Achieving a Trust Score of 96 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, eToro is highly trusted in the industry, catering to both novice and seasoned traders alike. Though not a bank, its status as a publicly listed company adds to its transparency and reliability in the financial market.
IronFX, established in 2010, also holds three Tier-1 licenses, highlighting a commitment to security and reliability. However, it does not possess any Tier-2 licenses and is not publicly traded, setting it apart from its competitor, eToro. With a Trust Score of 83 out of 99, IronFX is considered a trusted option, though slightly less so when compared to eToro's higher rating. Both eToro and IronFX provide secure trading environments, but potential investors may find eToro offers additional peace of mind due to its more established presence and public listing.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers eToro and IronFX, several key differences emerge that can influence trader decisions. eToro operates as a market-maker broker and offers a typical variable spread of 1 pip on the EUR/USD pair, which is somewhat above the industry average. However, most retail traders are drawn to eToro not for its spreads, but for its unique social copy trading features. The broker provides a VIP club membership for accounts with balances ranging from $5,000 to $250,000, offering perks like access to Trading Central, discounted withdrawal and deposit fees, and dedicated account management. eToro achieves a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, ranking 22nd out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, IronFX's pricing suggests room for improvement, as its typical spread for a Standard variable spread account is 1.8 pips, which is higher than the market average. Account types at IronFX offer different spreads; for instance, a zero fixed-spread account starts at no spread but involves an $18 per lot commission, with spreads widening to 3 pips overnight. IronFX receives a 4-star rating in this category and holds the 46th position out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com's rankings.
In summary, while both brokers have their strengths and areas for enhancement when it comes to commissions and fees, eToro sets itself apart with a wider array of account benefits and features that go beyond just pricing. Meanwhile, IronFX may appeal to those prioritizing varied account options, although its spreads might deter cost-sensitive traders.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments offered by eToro and IronFX, several differences come to light. eToro provides access to an extensive selection of 5,461 tradeable symbols, including 55 forex pairs, while IronFX offers a more modest 340 symbols, with a broader selection of 83 forex pairs. For investors seeking diversity, eToro stands out with the opportunity to buy exchange-traded securities, such as Apple shares on U.S. exchanges and Vodafone shares on international exchanges. On the other hand, IronFX does not provide access to such exchange-traded securities. Both platforms enable trading in cryptocurrency derivatives, but only eToro allows customers to purchase actual cryptocurrencies.
eToro further enhances its range of investments with features like copy trading, which is also available on IronFX, allowing users to replicate the strategies of successful traders. In terms of ratings, eToro receives a 5-star score for its comprehensive investment offerings, holding the 10th spot out of 63 brokers in the "Range of Investments" category by ForexBrokers.com. Conversely, IronFX is evaluated at 3.5 stars and occupies the 51st position, indicating a less diverse range of offerings compared to eToro.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 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) | Yes | 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by eToro and IronFX, eToro stands out with its proprietary platform and web-based trading options, providing users with a unique experience tailored to their needs. While both brokers offer free virtual demo accounts, eToro does not provide a downloadable desktop platform, unlike IronFX, which offers a Windows-based desktop solution along with the popular MetaTrader 4. Additionally, eToro supports copy trading as a central feature, allowing traders to mimic the trades of successful investors easily. However, IronFX matches this by also offering copy trading functionality through their services.
Charting features are another area of differentiation, with eToro offering over 160 drawing tools compared to IronFX’s 15, providing traders with more flexibility and creativity. Where IronFX shines is in offering direct trading from stock charts, a feature not available with eToro. In terms of usability and tracking, IronFX offers one more column for watch lists, but eToro excels in overall platform rating with 4.5 stars compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars. The strong functionality and user-friendly experience contribute to eToro’s higher ranking, placing it at #8 among 63 brokers in the Trading Platforms and Tools category according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas IronFX ranks at #61.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both eToro and IronFX offer options for iPhone and Android users, along with stock or forex price alerts to keep traders informed on the go. One standout feature of eToro is its ability to sync watchlists between the mobile app and the client's online account, ensuring seamless updates across platforms -- a functionality absent in IronFX's offering. While IronFX allows users to draw trendlines on charts, eToro provides a higher number of technical studies, boasting 104 compared to IronFX's 30, which benefits traders who rely on in-depth charting tools for their decision-making processes.
eToro achieves an edge with its 4.5-star rating in mobile trading apps compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars, reflecting a higher user satisfaction. This is further highlighted by its ranking of #10 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, whereas IronFX trails significantly at #62. Although both platforms allow viewing of multiple time frames and the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, only IronFX automatically saves drawings on charts. Ultimately, eToro seems to offer a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience for traders seeking a mobile solution.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing eToro and IronFX in terms of market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary, keeping traders informed about the latest market movements. However, IronFX gains an edge with access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature that eToro lacks. Both platforms integrate with Trading Central, offering technical analysis tools to assist traders. While eToro offers a sentiment-based trading tool, which gives insights into the ratio of long vs. short positions, this is missing from IronFX’s suite of tools. Additionally, eToro offers market research from TipRanks, another feature not available with IronFX.
Both eToro and IronFX provide users with an economic calendar showcasing upcoming global events, aiding traders in planning their strategies around key announcements. In terms of ratings and rankings, eToro slightly outperforms IronFX, earning 4.5 stars and ranking 13th out of 63 brokers for research on ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, IronFX comes in with 4 stars and ranks 28th. These ratings reflect eToro's more comprehensive array of research tools and resources.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources offered by eToro and IronFX, beginners in online trading will find notable differences. Both platforms provide over ten educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, offering a selection of articles, videos, and archived webinars. While each broker has a searchable archive of client webinars, eToro surpasses IronFX by offering regular monthly webinars. This live interaction can be invaluable for novice traders looking to deepen their understanding of the market. Moreover, eToro stands out by providing a suite of at least ten advanced videos, catering to both newcomers and those seeking to elevate their trading expertise.
Both platforms offer an extensive investment dictionary with over 50 terms, serving as a handy reference tool for learners. However, eToro's dedication to education is more highly recognized, securing a 4.5-star rating compared to IronFX's 4-star rating. Additionally, eToro is ranked 5th by ForexBrokers.com in the Education category, a significant lead over IronFX's 44th place. The difference in rankings highlights eToro's more comprehensive approach to equipping beginners with the knowledge they need to succeed in the trading world.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | 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 eToro is better than IronFX. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 83 |
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eToro allows users to buy both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas IronFX offers only cryptocurrency derivatives, providing a broader trading scope for those interested in actual digital assets on eToro.
When comparing online brokers, eToro stands out for offering a wider range of payment options including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, while IronFX offers fewer options, supporting Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not provide ACH, SEPA transfers, or PayPal as deposit or withdrawal methods.
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 | eToro | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5461 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 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) | Yes | 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 | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 104 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 161 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | 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 | 104 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | 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 | eToro | 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 | eToro Review |
| Overall | eToro | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review |
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