Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IronFX vs FXOpen, 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.
IronFX and FXOpen are both private online trading brokers that are not listed on stock exchanges and do not operate as banks. Despite being relatively newer to the industry, having been founded in 2010, IronFX holds a slightly higher standing with a Trust Score of 83 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, indicating a trusted status. The company boasts three Tier-1 licenses, which is a mark of high trust in the online trading space.
Established earlier in 2003, FXOpen carries a Trust Score of 76 out of 99, noting an average risk level. The broker holds two Tier-1 licenses, underscoring its commitment to maintaining a secure and trustworthy trading environment. Neither broker has Tier-2 licenses, and this information might help investors make informed decisions based on their trust preferences.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
IronFX and FXOpen both provide competitive options in online trading, though there are differences in their commissions and fees. IronFX's pricing may leave something to be desired, as its Standard variable spread account lists a typical spread of 1.8 pips, which is higher than the industry average. The zero fixed-spread account starts at no spread but incurs an $18 per lot commission, with spreads widening to 3 pips overnight. Despite these rates, IronFX earns a 4-star rating out of five for its commissions and fees.
In comparison, FXOpen does not publicly provide average spread data for its accounts, leaving some uncertainty for potential users. However, FXOpen also holds a 4-star rating for commissions and fees, aligning with IronFX. While lacking detailed spread information, FXOpen still manages to maintain a presence in the competitive landscape of online trading platforms.
When it comes to rankings, IronFX is positioned at #47 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees, according to ForexBrokers.com. FXOpen slightly edges out its competitor, being ranked at #45. This slight advantage indicates a marginally better standing in the eyes of ForexBrokers.com reviewers, despite both brokers having identical star ratings for their fee structures.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
IronFX and FXOpen both allow forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. However, IronFX stands out with a greater selection of tradeable symbols, offering 340 compared to FXOpen's 87 options. This broader choice extends to forex pairs as well, with IronFX providing 83 options compared to the 25 pairs available through FXOpen. Neither broker offers the ability to buy exchange-traded securities from U.S. or international markets directly, nor do they support purchasing actual cryptocurrencies, but both provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives. Additionally, both platforms offer investors the option of copy trading.
When considering the range of investments, IronFX generally fares better with a rating of 3.5 stars out of five, while FXOpen earns 3 stars. This difference in ratings is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where IronFX is placed at #51 out of 63 brokers, ahead of FXOpen's position at #62. For investors seeking a wider array of choices, IronFX appears to offer more diversified investment options than FXOpen.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 340 | 87 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 83 | 25 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing online brokers IronFX and FXOpen, both offer an array of trading platforms and tools to support traders of all levels. Each broker provides a free virtual demo account, allowing newcomers and seasoned traders to practice skills without risking real funds. They also feature support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular trading platform widely used by traders globally. Both IronFX and FXOpen offer downloadable platforms for Windows, web-based platforms for browser trading, and copy trading services. However, FXOpen distinguishes itself by supporting MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and ZuluTrade, while IronFX does not offer these options. When it comes to charting, both brokers provide 15 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from a stock chart, offering traders comprehensive features for technical analysis. Additionally, they both offer seven columns for creating watch lists to keep an eye on multiple market variables effectively.
Despite their similar offerings in trading tools, FXOpen tends to edge out IronFX in several crucial areas. Both brokers lack proprietary platforms and the integration of DupliTrade, but FXOpen still offers a slightly more enhanced toolset with the inclusion of MetaTrader 5 and ZuluTrade, contributing to a higher rating of 4 stars versus IronFX’s 3.5 stars for trading platforms and tools. According to a ForexBrokers.com assessment, FXOpen ranks at #53 out of 63 brokers, showcasing a modestly higher ranking compared to IronFX’s #61 position, suggesting that FXOpen might be a slightly more favorable choice for traders seeking a well-rounded online trading experience.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both IronFX and FXOpen provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring traders can access their accounts from anywhere. They both offer essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames directly on stock or forex charts. While they each present 30 technical studies for charting, IronFX stands out by automatically saving drawings made on charts, a feature not available on FXOpen's app. However, neither broker supports watchlist symbol syncing, which means changes made in one location won't reflect in the other. This can be a consideration for users who frequently switch between devices.
Both brokers allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, providing traders with up-to-date market conditions. In terms of user ratings, FXOpen scores a commendable 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading app, which is higher than IronFX's 3.5-star rating. Regarding rankings by ForexBrokers.com, FXOpen is positioned at #54 out of 63 brokerages, whereas IronFX trails at #62. These insights can be valuable for traders focusing on app performance and reviews when choosing between these two options.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IronFX and FXOpen both offer daily market commentary and deliver forex news sourced from reputable outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, ensuring traders stay informed with timely updates. However, they differ in their use of research tools: while FXOpen lacks offerings from companies like Autochartist and Trading Central, IronFX provides technical analytics through Trading Central, giving its users an analytical advantage when examining the market.
Though neither broker offers sentiment-based tools or research resources from Acuity Trading and TipRanks, both IronFX and FXOpen make up for this by providing economic calendars for tracking global news events. In terms of overall research capability, IronFX has received a higher rating, earning 4 stars compared to FXOpen’s 3. Furthermore, IronFX ranks significantly better in the Research category by ForexBrokers.com, placing 28th out of 63 brokers, while FXOpen ranks 63rd, highlighting IronFX's stronger emphasis on research offerings.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Finding the right educational resources is key for beginners who are diving into the world of online trading. When comparing IronFX and FXOpen, IronFX stands out as a better choice for educational support aimed at newcomers. IronFX offers a comprehensive library of over ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars, all focused on forex and CFDs. This commitment to education is further enhanced with a searchable archive of recorded webinars and a selection of more than ten beginner-focused trading videos. Additionally, IronFX provides an investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, which can be a valuable tool for those just starting. On the education rating scale, IronFX scores four out of five stars, making it a strong contender for those looking to learn the ropes.
In contrast, FXOpen’s offerings are less extensive. While they do provide an investor dictionary similar to IronFX, they lack in other key areas. FXOpen does not meet the minimum requirement of providing ten educational pieces on forex or CFDs, nor do they have a searchable archive of recorded webinars. The absence of at least ten beginner educational videos also makes FXOpen a less favorable option for those new to trading. The broker receives a lower education rating of three stars and is ranked 58 out of 63 brokers for education by ForexBrokers.com. These factors make FXOpen less appealing to beginners compared to IronFX, which is ranked 44 in the same category.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | 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 IronFX is better than FXOpen. IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48, while FXOpen finished with an overall rank of #54.
IronFX has come a long way to rebuild its brand, acquiring multiple regulatory licenses to improve its Trust Score, and creating balanced educational material. That said, pricing is an area where IronFX has room to further improve as spreads appeared higher than the industry average.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 76 |
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Both IronFX and FXOpen provide traders with the opportunity to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies.
Both IronFX and FXOpen lack ACH and SEPA transfer options and do not support PayPal for funding accounts, but they both provide Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for deposits and withdrawals.
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 | IronFX | FXOpen | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | IronFX | FXOpen | |
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| Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
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| Regulation | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 83 | 76 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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) | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 340 | 87 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 83 | 25 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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). |
| Cost | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.2 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IronFX | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | IronFX | FXOpen | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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