Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IG 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.
IG, established in 1974, is a well-regarded online broker known for its high level of trust and regulatory compliance. It is publicly traded and operates as a bank, offering a secure environment for investors. IG holds an impressive eight Tier-1 licenses, which are the most trustworthy according to ForexBrokers.com. Additionally, it has two Tier-2 licenses. With a perfect Trust Score of 99, IG is categorized as highly trusted, indicating an exceptional level of safety for its clients.
In comparison, IronFX, founded in 2010, is not publicly traded and is not a bank. Despite being a newer player in the industry, IronFX holds three Tier-1 licenses, suggesting a strong commitment to safety and security. However, it does not possess any Tier-2 licenses. With a Trust Score of 83, IronFX is considered trusted by ForexBrokers.com, offering a solid option for those seeking a reliable broker, albeit at a level below the trust rating of IG.
| Feature |
IG
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing IG and IronFX in terms of commissions and fees, IG stands out for its competitive pricing, particularly for active traders. IG offers scalable execution and various account options, such as the Forex Direct account, which provides more attractive pricing for high-volume traders. For example, IG's Forex Direct account offers spreads that averaged 0.62 pips for EUR/USD in July 2023, with total costs rising to 0.82 pips when factoring in all commissions. IG's spread performance slightly beats the industry average, particularly with its active trader rebate program offering discounts of up to 20% for those trading substantial volumes. On top of that, IG's DMA account offers direct market access with tiered pricing and a base commission starting at $60 per million for lower volume traders.
IronFX, while offering a variety of account types, generally presents higher spreads compared to those of IG and the industry average. For instance, IronFX’s Standard variable spread account reports spreads from 1.8 pips. Its zero fixed-spread account could present some savings in certain conditions but incurs a significant commission of $18 per lot, and spreads can expand to 3 pips overnight. This pricing model might not be as appealing for those accustomed to more competitive spread and commission structures.
In terms of ratings, IG performs exceptionally well, earning a five-star rating for its commissions and fees, and achieving the rank of #8 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. IronFX, on the other hand, has a four-star rating and is ranked at #47 in the same category. Therefore, for traders prioritizing competitive fees and commission structures, IG may offer more appealing options compared to IronFX.
| Feature |
IG
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | 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.
IG vs. IronFX: both brokers offer forex as CFDs and spot contracts, but the range of investments differs a lot. IG lists 19,537 tradeable symbols and 97 currency pairs, while IronFX offers 340 symbols and 83 pairs. IG also lets you buy actual exchange-traded shares in the U.S. and on international markets (not just CFDs), whereas IronFX does not provide real share dealing.
For crypto, IG supports both buying real cryptocurrencies and trading crypto derivatives; IronFX offers only crypto derivatives, not direct coin purchases. IronFX includes copy trading, which IG does not. Reflecting these differences, IG earns 5 stars and ranks 4th out of 63 brokers for Range of Investments, while IronFX scores 3.5 stars and ranks 52nd. If you want the widest market choice and access to real stocks and crypto, IG is the stronger fit; if you prefer copy trading alongside a more focused lineup, IronFX may suit your needs.
| Feature |
IG
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 83 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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.
IG and IronFX both offer free demo (paper) accounts, plus web and Windows desktop platforms. IG adds a proprietary, in-house platform alongside MetaTrader 4 (MT4), while IronFX supports MT4 but has no in-house platform. Neither broker supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5), DupliTrade, or ZuluTrade. For social features, IronFX includes copy trading; IG does not. According to ForexBrokers.com, IG earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, whereas IronFX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #62.
On charting, both brokers let you trade directly from charts. IG provides 20 drawing tools versus 15 at IronFX; watchlists offer 5 columns on IG and 7 on IronFX. The exact number of built-in indicators wasn’t specified for either broker. In short, IG stands out for its highly rated, proprietary platform paired with MT4, while IronFX appeals if you want copy trading and more watchlist fields.
| Feature |
IG
|
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) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
IG and IronFX both deliver iPhone and Android apps with price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, multi-time-frame charts, trendline drawing, and auto-saved annotations. IG edges ahead on charting depth with 33 technical studies versus IronFX’s 30. A key difference is watchlist syncing: IG syncs symbols between the mobile app and your online account, while IronFX does not, which can matter if you switch devices or trade on desktop and mobile.
Independent reviews back up the gap in experience: IG’s mobile trading apps earn 5 stars and rank #1 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IronFX scores 3.5 stars and ranks #63. If you value cross-device watchlist sync and a slightly wider set of indicators, IG is the stronger pick; if you mainly need core alerts and charting on both iOS and Android, both platforms cover the basics.
| Feature |
IG
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 33 | 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.
IG and IronFX both cover the basics of market research: daily market commentary, an economic calendar, and forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. Their toolkits differ. IG includes Autochartist for technical and fundamental ideas, plus a sentiment tool that shows the long/short ratio across instruments. IronFX does not offer Autochartist or a sentiment gauge, but it does provide Trading Central research. IG also features TipRanks and tools from Acuity Trading (Signal Centre), while IronFX’s access to those providers isn’t specified.
Independent ratings reflect these differences. For Research, IG is rated 5 out of 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 63 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while IronFX earns 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #29. In short, IG suits traders who want wide third-party insights and sentiment data alongside daily news, whereas IronFX appeals to those who value Trading Central with staple commentary and an economic calendar.
| Feature |
IG
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing educational resources for forex and CFD traders, IG and IronFX offer distinct strengths. IG provides a wealth of learning opportunities for beginners, including over 10 educational materials, frequent online webinars, and a comprehensive library of past webinars. This broker also offers a wide range of beginner-focused educational videos and an investor dictionary with over 50 terms. Additionally, IG supports advanced traders with a selection of videos designed for those with more experience. As a result, IG is highly regarded for its educational offerings, earning a top rating of 5 stars and being ranked number one in education among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
IronFX also excels in delivering educational content with over 10 pieces dedicated to forex and CFDs. This broker ensures that beginner traders have access to at least 10 introductory videos and a dictionary with more than 50 investing terms. However, it doesn't provide monthly webinars or a selection of advanced educational videos aimed at seasoned traders. While IronFX offers a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, its educational resources receive a slightly lower rating of 4 stars, ranking 44th in the education category by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers. Overall, both IG and IronFX present valuable learning tools, but IG is more comprehensive and better suited for both novice and advanced traders.
| Feature |
IG
|
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 IG is better than IronFX. IG finished with an overall rank of #1, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
IG offers the ultimate comprehensive trading package, featuring excellent trading and research tools, industry-leading education, and an extensive range of tradeable markets.
| Feature |
IG
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IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 |
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IG provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency along with cryptocurrency derivatives, while IronFX offers only cryptocurrency derivatives without the ability to buy the actual cryptocurrency.
IG supports ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires for depositing or withdrawing funds, while IronFX offers Visa or Mastercard and bank wires, but includes Skrill instead of ACH/SEPA transfers or PayPal.
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 | IG | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
| Broker Screenshots | IG | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | IG | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 1974 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 8 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IG | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IG | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | IG | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 19537 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 97 | 83 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | IG | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.82 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IG | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | £250.00 | $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 | IG | 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) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IG | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 5 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 33 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IG | 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 | 33 | 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 | IG | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | ||
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IG | 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 | IG | 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 | IG Review |
| Overall | IG | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | IG Review |
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