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 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of IFC Markets and IronFX, traders will notice some distinct differences. IFC Markets has an average spread of 1.44 for the EUR/USD pair, which is slightly above the industry average of 1.08. However, their new ECN account offers effective spreads that can go as low as 1.1 pips, thanks to a 0.005% commission on both sides of a trade. Additionally, IFC Markets does not impose inactivity fees and offers discounts for active traders, providing extra financial incentives. These factors contribute to its solid reputation, earning IFC Markets a 4-star rating and a #39 ranking out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees, according to ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, IronFX shows room for improvement in terms of pricing. The broker lists a typical spread of 1.8 pips for its Standard variable spread account, with variations across different account types. For their zero fixed-spread account, the spreads start at zero but include an $18 per lot commission, and spreads may increase to 3 pips overnight. Despite these higher spreads, IronFX mirrors IFC Markets with a 4-star rating but is slightly lower in the rankings, positioned at #46 out of 63 brokers in the commissions and fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
| 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 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 comparing the range of investments offered by IFC Markets and IronFX, both brokers provide forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. IFC Markets stands out with a greater variety of tradeable symbols, offering 630 compared to IronFX’s 340. However, IronFX gives access to more forex pairs, with 83 options against IFC Markets' 49. Neither broker allows the purchase of U.S. exchange-traded securities, such as Apple shares, yet IFC Markets extends this option internationally, like acquiring Vodafone shares, while IronFX does not.
In terms of additional features, both brokers provide copy trading options for those looking to mimic other traders' strategies. When it comes to cryptocurrency, IFC Markets and IronFX offer access to cryptocurrency derivatives but not the actual cryptocurrencies. Both are rated 3.5 stars for their range of investments. However, IFC Markets holds a slightly higher rank at #43 compared to IronFX's #51 according to ForexBrokers.com, reflecting a subtle edge in the variety and breadth of investments offered.
| 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 (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 evaluating the trading platforms and tools of IFC Markets and IronFX, both brokers offer virtual demo accounts to allow traders to practice without financial risk. IFC Markets stands out with its proprietary platform, while IronFX uses third-party software. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop and web-based platforms, catering to various trader preferences. IFC Markets supports both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, whereas IronFX only offers MetaTrader 4. Both platforms support copy trading, but they do not offer DupliTrade or ZuluTrade services.
In terms of charting tools, both brokers provide 15 drawing tools, and traders can execute trades directly from stock charts. The watch lists at both brokers feature seven columns, offering a detailed overview of asset performance. Despite these similarities, IFC Markets slightly edges ahead with a 4-star rating in trading platforms and tools, compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets ranks 36th out of 63 brokers, whereas IronFX ranks 61st, indicating a favorable position for IFC Markets in platform reliability and functionality.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary 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 |
| 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.
Both IFC Markets and IronFX offer iPhone and Android apps that cater to mobile traders, providing features like real-time quotes, stock or forex price alerts, and the ability to draw trendlines on charts. While both brokers equip their mobile trading apps with 30 technical studies and allow viewing different time frames on charts, IFC Markets distinguishes itself with watchlist symbol syncing, enabling seamless changes between the mobile app and online account—an advantage not available with IronFX.
Additionally, both platforms ensure you can save your chart drawings automatically, enhancing user convenience. In terms of app ratings, IFC Markets edges ahead with a 4-star rating compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars. For those interested in broker rankings from ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets holds the #52 spot among 63 brokers, while IronFX is ranked at #62. Whether it's syncing capabilities or user satisfaction, exploring the nuances between these apps can guide traders in making informed decisions.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | 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 the market research offerings of IFC Markets and IronFX, both provide daily market commentary and maintain an economic calendar of global news events, keeping traders informed of potential market-moving events. However, the two brokers diverge significantly in their research resources and tools. IronFX stands out by delivering forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, while IFC Markets lacks such premium news services. Additionally, IronFX integrates with Trading Central for advanced technical analytics, a feature IFC Markets does not offer. On the flip side, IFC Markets gives traders access to a sentiment-based trading tool that helps understand the market dynamics with ratios of long and short positions, a feature IronFX does not include.
Despite their strengths, both brokers have areas for improvement. Neither provides research tools from Autochartist, and while IronFX seems to integrate tools from Acuity Trading, specific offerings are not clearly defined. When evaluating their overall research quality, IronFX achieves a higher rating of 4 stars out of 5, compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. This assessment is reflected in their global rankings for research, with IronFX positioned at #28 out of 63 brokers, surpassing IFC Markets at #40 according to ForexBrokers.com. For traders prioritizing comprehensive research and access to premium tools and news sources, IronFX appears to offer a more well-rounded solution.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners provided by IFC Markets and IronFX, both online brokers offer valuable materials for learning forex and CFDs. Both platforms provide a minimum of ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars. However, IFC Markets stands out by offering at least ten advanced educational videos tailored for experienced traders, giving beginners the opportunity to grow their knowledge as they progress. In contrast, IronFX lacks this level of advanced video content but compensates by offering a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, which can be a helpful tool for ongoing learning.
Additionally, both IFC Markets and IronFX provide an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, making it easier for newcomers to understand trading jargon. Despite these offerings, neither broker hosts monthly live webinars, which may limit the interactive learning experience for users. Rating-wise, IronFX edges slightly ahead with a 4-star education rating compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars, although IFC Markets ranks higher at 30th place for the education category on ForexBrokers.com, as opposed to IronFX's 44th place. This suggests both platforms are valuable but offer different strengths in their educational approaches.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | 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 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
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IronFX
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|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 83 |
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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.
Both IFC Markets and IronFX do not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal for deposits or withdrawals, but while both brokers offer Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, IronFX additionally supports Skrill, unlike IFC Markets.
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 | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
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| 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/Central Bank 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 (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 | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.1 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary 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 | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | IFC Markets | 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 | 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 | 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 | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Yes | Yes | |
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| Overall | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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