Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IronFX vs GBE brokers, 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, established in 2010, holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 83, indicating a trusted status in the industry. This broker is not publicly traded nor a bank, but it stands out with three Tier-1 licenses, reflecting high regulatory confidence. These licenses affirm IronFX's commitment to safety and security for traders seeking a reliable platform to manage their investments.
In contrast, GBE Brokers began operations in 2013 and has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 71, categorizing it within the average risk bracket. Like IronFX, GBE Brokers is neither publicly listed nor operates as a bank. However, with a single Tier-1 license, GBE Brokers offers a solid regulatory foundation, although it doesn't match the extensive oversight held by IronFX. Both platforms provide unique offerings, but IronFX's higher trust score and additional licenses may appeal to those prioritizing regulatory assurance.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2013 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Both IronFX and GBE brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but their standings differ: GBE brokers ranks #38 of 63 in the ForexBrokers.com Commissions and Fees category, while IronFX ranks #47 of 63.
IronFX lists a typical spread of 1.8 pips on its Standard variable spread account (no date range provided), and pricing can vary by account type. Its zero fixed-spread account starts at 0.0 pips but charges a $18 per lot commission, with spreads widened to 3 pips overnight. Overall, IronFX’s pricing appeared higher than the industry average in testing.
For GBE brokers, average spread data isn’t available, which makes direct, like-for-like cost comparisons harder. Even so, its 4-star rating and higher category ranking suggest a competitive fee profile relative to peers, though traders may want to confirm current spreads and any commissions before choosing.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1000 |
| 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 | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing IronFX vs GBE brokers for range of investments: GBE brokers lists about 500 tradeable symbols, while IronFX offers around 340. If your focus is forex, IronFX edges ahead with 83 currency pairs versus GBE’s 71. Both brokers support forex trading and offer copy trading. Neither broker provides access to exchange-traded stocks on U.S. or international exchanges. For crypto, both only offer derivatives, not actual coins.
Both brokers earn 3.5 out of 5 stars for range of investments from ForexBrokers.com. In the same category, GBE brokers ranks #45 out of 63 brokers, while IronFX ranks #52. In short: pick GBE brokers for a wider overall selection of instruments, or IronFX if you want a few more forex pairs.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 340 | 500 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 83 | 71 |
| 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). | 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.
IronFX and GBE brokers both offer free demo accounts and rely on third-party platforms rather than building their own. Each provides a Windows desktop download and a web-based platform, plus copy trading. Both support MetaTrader 4 (MT4), but only GBE brokers adds MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which can matter if you want newer features and more asset types. For charting, both let you trade directly from charts and include 15 drawing tools, and their watch lists allow 7 columns/fields.
When it comes to ratings for trading platforms and tools, IronFX earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #62 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while GBE brokers scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #58. In short, both cover the basics well, but choose GBE brokers if you want MT5 alongside MT4; otherwise, the platform and toolsets are largely similar.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| 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.
IronFX and GBE brokers both check the key boxes for mobile trading. Each offers iPhone and Android apps, real-time price alerts, and the ability to build watchlists with live quotes. Charting is equally capable on both, with 30 technical studies, trendline drawing, multiple time frames, and auto-saving of chart annotations. One notable gap: neither broker syncs watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account.
Where they differ is in ratings. For Mobile Trading Apps, ForexBrokers.com rates IronFX at 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks it #63 of 63 brokers, while GBE brokers earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #58 of 63. In short, both apps offer similar tools and features, but GBE brokers gets the higher score, suggesting a smoother overall mobile experience. If watchlist syncing matters to you, however, neither app currently provides it.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing market research at IronFX vs GBE Brokers, both brokers publish daily market commentary and offer an economic calendar. IronFX stands out for streaming forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, and for providing Trading Central tools for analysis. IronFX does not include Autochartist or a sentiment tool. GBE Brokers, on the other hand, lacks top-tier news and doesn’t offer Trading Central or Autochartist, but it does include a sentiment-based tool showing long/short positioning across instruments.
According to ForexBrokers.com, IronFX earns 4 out of 5 stars for research and ranks #29 out of 63 brokers, while GBE Brokers scores 3 stars and ranks #63. If you want premium news and Trading Central analysis, IronFX delivers the more complete market research package; if a straightforward sentiment gauge alongside daily commentary and a calendar meets your needs, GBE Brokers may be enough.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | ||
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing IronFX vs GBE brokers for beginner trading education, IronFX offers more complete self-study resources. IronFX provides at least 10 forex and CFD education pieces, a searchable archive of recorded webinars, 10+ beginner-focused videos, and an investor dictionary with 50+ terms. GBE brokers does not meet the 10-piece education threshold, has no searchable webinar archive, lacks 10 beginner videos, and does not offer a large investing glossary. Neither broker runs monthly live educational webinars, and neither has 10+ advanced-level videos.
For ratings, IronFX earns 4 stars for Education and ranks #44 out of 63 brokers, while GBE brokers receives 3 stars and ranks #64. If you’re a new trader seeking clear, self-paced learning on forex and CFDs, IronFX is the stronger choice; if live classes are your priority, note that neither broker offers monthly educational webinars.
| Feature |
IronFX
|
GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
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 GBE brokers. IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48, while GBE brokers finished with an overall rank of #57.
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
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GBE brokers
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 71 |
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Both IronFX and GBE brokers do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency but do provide options to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing IronFX to GBE brokers, GBE offers more diverse funding options as it supports ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal, unlike IronFX, while both offer Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transfer options for depositing or withdrawing account funds.
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 | GBE brokers | |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
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| Regulation | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 83 | 71 | |
| Year Founded | 2010 | 2013 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 340 | 500 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 83 | 71 | |
| 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). | 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $1000 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Trading Tools | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | |||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IronFX | GBE brokers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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| Trust Score | 83 | 71 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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