Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IFC 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.
IFC Markets and IronFX, both established trading platforms, offer distinct features for investors seeking online brokers. Founded in 2006, IFC Markets operates privately without bank status and holds one Tier-2 license. It attains a Trust Score of 73, aligning it with average risk according to ForexBrokers.com standards. Despite being well-established, IFC Markets does not possess any Tier-1 licenses, which are highly regarded for their credibility and trustworthiness.
In contrast, IronFX, launched in 2010, also remains a private entity without bank affiliation. Significantly, IronFX distinguishes itself by securing three Tier-1 licenses, indicating a strong level of trust. With no Tier-2 licenses, it achieves a Trust Score of 83, reflecting a trusted status. Both platforms aren't publicly traded but provide varying levels of regulatory assurance, with IronFX holding a competitive edge in regulatory confidence.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
IFC Markets charges an average EUR/USD spread of 1.44 pips, which is higher than the industry average of 1.08 pips, so its standard pricing is slightly less competitive. That said, active traders can find better value on IFC Markets’ ECN account, where the effective spread is about 1.1 pips after factoring in the 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. IFC Markets does not charge inactivity fees and offers active-trader discounts. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars; Ranking for Commissions and Fees: #40 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
IronFX lists a typical EUR/USD spread of 1.8 pips on its Standard variable account—higher than the industry average—with no stated date range, and pricing varies by account. Its zero fixed-spread account can start at 0.0 pips but adds a $18 per lot commission, and spreads are widened to 3 pips overnight. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars; Ranking for Commissions and Fees: #47 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
Comparing the two, IFC Markets generally offers lower average spreads than IronFX on like-for-like accounts, and its ECN option can be cost-effective for frequent traders once commissions are included. Both earn 4-star fees ratings, but IFC Markets ranks higher overall (#40 vs. IronFX’s #47) in the Commissions and Fees category.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
IFC Markets and IronFX both let you trade forex via CFDs or spot, but their overall product lineups differ. IFC Markets lists about 630 tradable symbols, compared to roughly 340 at IronFX. When it comes to currency pairs, IronFX offers more choice with 83 pairs versus 49 at IFC Markets. Despite these contrasts, both brokers receive a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating for Range of Investments.
For exchange-traded securities, neither broker offers direct access to U.S. stocks, but IFC Markets does provide access to select international shares, while IronFX does not. Both support copy trading and let you trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither lets you buy actual crypto. In ForexBrokers.com’s Range of Investments rankings (out of 63 brokers), IFC Markets is placed at #44 and IronFX at #52.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 83 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | 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.
IFC Markets and IronFX both make it easy to practice with a free demo (paper) account and offer web and Windows desktop platforms, copy trading, and trading directly from charts. Each supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while only IFC Markets adds MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and an in‑house proprietary platform. That extra platform choice can appeal if you want more flexibility alongside standard MT4 access.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, ForexBrokers.com rates IFC Markets at 4 stars and IronFX at 3.5 stars, with IFC Markets ranked #37 of 63 brokers versus IronFX at #62. In short, both cover the basics well—demo trading, MT4, web and desktop access—but traders who want MT5 or a broker-built platform may lean toward IFC Markets, while IronFX suits those who are fine sticking with MT4 and standard platform options.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IFC Markets and IronFX both provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, with key features traders expect: real-time watchlists, price alerts, 30 charting studies, trendline drawing, and auto-saving of chart annotations. A notable difference is watchlist syncing: IFC Markets syncs your symbols between the app and your online account, while IronFX does not. Our source did not confirm whether either app supports switching among multiple time frames (such as intraday, daily, or weekly) within the mobile charts.
In our ratings, IFC Markets earns 4 stars and is ranked #53 of 63 for Mobile Trading Apps by ForexBrokers.com, while IronFX earns 3.5 stars and ranks #63 of 63. If syncing watchlists across devices matters to you—or you want an app with a slightly higher score—IFC Markets has the edge. If you mainly need core features like alerts, real-time quotes, and basic charting with 30 studies, both apps can meet those needs.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
IFC Markets and IronFX both publish daily market commentary and provide an economic calendar. The key differences show up in third‑party research: IronFX streams top‑tier forex news (e.g., Bloomberg, Reuters, Dow Jones) and offers Trading Central insights, while IFC Markets lacks both. Neither broker integrates Autochartist. IFC Markets does include a sentiment tool that shows long/short positioning across instruments, whereas IronFX does not. IFC Markets does not offer TipRanks or Acuity Trading tools; IronFX’s use of TipRanks or Acuity Trading isn’t specified.
In independent testing by ForexBrokers.com, IronFX earned 4 stars for Research and ranked #29 out of 63 brokers, while IFC Markets received 3.5 stars and ranked #41. If you want institutional‑style news and Trading Central analysis, IronFX has the edge; if you value a built‑in sentiment gauge alongside daily commentary and an economic calendar, IFC Markets is worth a look.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Comparing IFC Markets vs IronFX for beginner education: both brokers provide at least 10 beginner-friendly videos that cover forex and CFD basics. If you plan to grow your skills over time, IFC Markets offers at least 10 advanced trading videos, while IronFX does not. Neither broker hosts monthly educational webinars, and details about searchable webinar archives or an investor dictionary aren’t specified.
In terms of scores, IronFX holds a 4-star Education rating, while IFC Markets is rated 3.5 stars. However, in ForexBrokers.com’s Education rankings out of 63 brokers, IFC Markets is placed at #30 and IronFX at #44. For beginners who want clear video lessons, both work well; pick IFC Markets if you want more advanced video material later, or IronFX if you prefer its higher star rating. Consider checking each broker’s learning center for the latest articles and recorded content.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that IFC Markets is better than IronFX. IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #45, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
IFC Markets is a well-established broker that has been in operation for 17 years. Forex traders at IFC Markets gain access to multiple trading platforms, a growing range of tradeable markets, and a balanced offering of research and educational content. However, IFC Markets’ Trust Score suffers due to the broker’s limited range of regulatory licenses.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 73 | 83 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both IFC Markets and IronFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, however, they do provide the option to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.
IFC Markets vs IronFX: both brokers do not support ACH/SEPA or PayPal and both accept bank wire transfers, IronFX additionally supports Skrill while IFC Markets does not, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 73 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
| Regulation | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 83 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | 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 | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 |
| Trading Tools | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | ||
| Client sentiment data | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | No | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | IFC 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 [DELETED] | |||
| Review |
| Overall | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 73 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill