Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs IronFX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
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FOREX.com, established in 1999, stands as a highly trusted online broker with a remarkable Trust Score of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. As a publicly traded entity, FOREX.com is regulated by various top-tier authorities, boasting an impressive seven Tier-1 licenses, which signifies strong reliability for traders. While it isn’t a bank, FOREX.com's extensive regulatory oversight and long-standing presence in the market contribute to its solid reputation among investors.
In contrast, IronFX, founded in 2010, holds a Trust Score of 83 from ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the "trusted" category. While not publicly traded, IronFX is underpinned by three Tier-1 regulatory licenses, reflecting a respectable level of safety and trustworthiness. However, it does not hold any Tier-2 licenses, which are also considered essential for added investor confidence. Both brokers are not banks, yet their regulatory standings highlight a key difference in their market credibility.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FOREX.com and IronFX, traders may find notable differences. FOREX.com, rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, ranks #13 out of 63 brokers for its commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com. Known for its transparency and a variety of account types, FOREX.com offers competitive options, especially outside the U.S., with average spreads of 0.74 pips on the EUR/USD. However, in the U.S., the Standard account bears a higher average spread of 1.4 pips. The RAW account, available in Canada, the U.S., and the European Union, features tighter spreads of 0.13 pips but involves a commission of $7 per standard lot, making it appealing to active traders who receive volume-based discounts. Traders dealing in volumes exceeding $50 million per month may find the costs similar to the Standard account.
IronFX, with a commissions and fees rating of 4 stars and ranked #46 on ForexBrokers.com, presents a different structure. Its Standard variable spread account lists typical spreads of 1.8 pips, though these can vary. IronFX does offer a zero fixed-spread account starting at a low spread but charges a substantial $18 commission per lot, with spreads widening to 3 pips overnight, which can be less cost-effective for certain trading strategies.
The all-in-all comparison suggests that FOREX.com may be more economical and rewarding for high-volume traders due to its rebate offerings and multiple account types. In contrast, IronFX's higher spreads and commission-heavy accounts might prompt traders to evaluate trading frequency and cost objectives carefully. Both brokers offer distinct advantages, but FOREX.com stands out for more competitive pricing, especially for those who can utilize its volume rebates.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 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 it comes to the range of investments offered by online brokers, FOREX.com and IronFX present distinct choices for traders. FOREX.com boasts an impressive array of 5,500 tradable symbols, offering a broad selection for those interested in a wide range of markets. Despite covering a smaller scope with 340 symbols, IronFX manages to slightly outshine FOREX.com in the realm of forex, where it offers 83 tradable currency pairs, just three more than its counterpart. Both platforms provide forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, yet neither offers opportunities to trade exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges directly. Although they don't allow the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, both brokers enable trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. It's also worth pointing out that IronFX supports copy trading, a feature not available with FOREX.com.
In terms of ratings, FOREX.com has earned a commendable 5-star rating for the range of investments it offers. This high rating is reflected in its rank, holding the 7th position out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, IronFX, although offering a reasonable selection, receives a 3.5-star rating and places 51st in the same ranking. These ratings underscore the considerable difference in breadth and accessibility of investment options between the two brokers, with FOREX.com leading in the variety offered to potential traders. Both brokers cater to traders seeking to explore currency markets, yet those aiming for a wider portfolio may find FOREX.com's extensive offerings more attractive.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 83 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools of FOREX.com and IronFX, there are several noteworthy differences. Both brokers offer paper trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice without risk. However, FOREX.com stands out with its proprietary platform developed in-house, while IronFX does not have its own platform. Both brokers provide a Windows-based desktop download and web-based trading platforms, and they support MetaTrader 4. FOREX.com also supports MetaTrader 5, unlike IronFX. A key feature available with IronFX, but not FOREX.com, is copy trading.
In terms of tools, FOREX.com offers significantly more drawing tools for charting, with 239 compared to IronFX's 15. This distinction extends to watch lists as well, with FOREX.com providing 20 columns for customization versus IronFX's 7 columns. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts. These factors contribute to FOREX.com's high rating of 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, ranking it 7th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. IronFX, on the other hand, holds a rating of 3.5 stars and is ranked 61st, indicating that FOREX.com may offer a more comprehensive and flexible trading experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both FOREX.com and IronFX offer convenient mobile trading experiences with apps available for both iPhone and Android users. While both platforms support price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on charts, FOREX.com excels with a standout feature: watchlist symbol syncing. This means that any changes you make are seamlessly reflected across both the mobile app and your online account, providing a more integrated trading experience than IronFX, which lacks this feature.
When it comes to charting capabilities, FOREX.com once again takes the lead, offering 88 technical studies compared to IronFX’s 30. This allows traders on FOREX.com to employ a wider array of analytical tools. Additionally, both apps auto-save drawings on charts, making it easier for traders to work on the go. With a rating of 5 stars, FOREX.com is ranked #3 among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its mobile trading app, reflecting high user satisfaction, while IronFX holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #62, indicating room for improvement in meeting user needs.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 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 comparing FOREX.com and IronFX in terms of market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Additionally, each offers technical analysis tools from Trading Central but does not provide resources from Autochartist or TipRanks. However, FOREX.com stands out by offering a sentiment-based trading tool that gives insight into long and short positions across different currency pairs, a feature that IronFX lacks. Both platforms include economic calendars to keep traders informed about global news events.
The overall ratings for research resources reveal a slight edge for FOREX.com, which scores 4.5 out of 5 stars, compared to IronFX's 4-star rating. By ranking, FOREX.com holds the 9th position out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating a stronger performance in the research category when compared against IronFX, which ranks 28th. This suggests that while both brokers offer valuable research tools, FOREX.com might offer more nuanced insights and options for traders looking to deepen their market analysis.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by FOREX.com and IronFX, both brokers provide a wide range of materials such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. However, FOREX.com differentiates itself by conducting live educational webinars at least once a month, which IronFX does not offer. Both platforms have searchable archives of recorded webinars, ensuring that beginners can access a wealth of information at their convenience. Moreover, while both brokers provide at least 10 beginner-level videos, only FOREX.com extends its video offerings to include advanced topics, catering to more experienced traders as well.
In addition to these resources, both FOREX.com and IronFX supply an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, a valuable tool for those new to trading. Despite some similarities in their educational offerings, FOREX.com receives a higher education rating of 4.5 stars compared to IronFX’s 4 stars. Furthermore, in a ranking by ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com secures the fourth spot in the Education category out of 63 brokers, while IronFX is ranked forty-fourth. This suggests that FOREX.com may be better suited for beginners looking for a comprehensive educational experience.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than IronFX. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 |
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BOTH FOREX.com and IronFX provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives, however, neither platform offers the ability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency.
When comparing the deposit and withdrawal options offered by online brokers, FOREX.com provides ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas IronFX does not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal, but offers Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires.
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 | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 83 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 88 | 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 | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review |
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