ForexBrokers.com is committed to the highest ethical standards and reviews services independently. Learn How We Make Money

Interactive Brokers vs IronFX 2025

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025

In this head to head comparison of Interactive Brokers vs IronFX, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

Interactive Brokers
5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 99
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 8500
IronFX
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $50
  • Trust Score: 83
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 340

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.

Regulation

Interactive Brokers, founded in 1977 and publicly traded, stands out as a highly trusted online broker with an impressive Trust Score of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. It holds nine Tier-1 licenses, making it a strong choice for those prioritizing regulatory safety. While not a bank, Interactive Brokers reassures investors through its extensive regulatory coverage and transparency.

IronFX, established in 2010, is not publicly traded and carries a Trust Score of 83, placing it in the 'trusted' category. The broker holds three Tier-1 licenses but lacks Tier-2 licenses. Although IronFX offers a trustworthy option for traders, it does not match the regulatory strength seen with Interactive Brokers.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
IronFX logoIronFX
Year Founded info 1977 2010
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 9 3
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1

Fees

When it comes to commissions and fees, Interactive Brokers and IronFX present distinct offerings for forex traders. Interactive Brokers stands out with its competitive pricing structure, receiving a top rating of 5 out of 5 stars and ranking second out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category on ForexBrokers.com. While Interactive Brokers does not publish average forex spreads, information from Q3 2024 indicates an average spread of 0.19 pips for EUR/USD, translating to an all-in spread of 0.59 pips after commission. Forex commissions begin at 0.00002 (0.2 basis points) of the trade value, with a $2 minimum per order, dropping further with higher trading volumes.

IronFX, on the other hand, tends to have higher spreads compared to the industry average, which may impact cost-effectiveness for traders. A standard variable spread account at IronFX lists typical spreads at 1.8 pips, although details are not provided for specific date ranges. For traders opting for a zero fixed-spread account, initial spreads start at zero with an $18 per lot commission, with increased spreads of up to 3 pips overnight. This pricing approach results in IronFX receiving a rating of 4 stars and ranking 47th among 63 brokers in this category.

In summary, while Interactive Brokers delivers more competitive pricing for forex enthusiasts, particularly those with high trading volumes, IronFX's structure may appeal to traders with different priorities despite its higher spread costs. With Interactive Brokers' efficient aggregating of prices from leading interbank forex dealers, traders may find it to be a cost-effective choice, while IronFX could suit those seeking distinct account structures.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
IronFX logoIronFX
Minimum Deposit info $0 $50
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.59 info 1.2
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.59 info N/A
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes Yes
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

Featured Offers


Range of investments

Interactive Brokers and IronFX each offer investors a variety of investment options tailored to different trading styles, but their offerings significantly differ in breadth. Interactive Brokers boasts an impressive array of 8,500 tradeable symbols, including 90 forex pairs, empowering traders with a diverse suite of investment opportunities. These encompass exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing for the direct purchase of major stocks like Apple and Vodafone, and the acquisition of actual cryptocurrencies. This wide selection has earned Interactive Brokers a top rating of 5 stars for their range of investments and the distinction of being ranked #1 by ForexBrokers.com.

Conversely, IronFX provides a more limited range of investment options with 340 tradeable symbols and 83 forex pairs. While it offers forex trading as a CFD or spot contract and provides access to cryptocurrency derivatives, it lacks the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies or exchange traded securities on major international exchanges. However, IronFX distinguishes itself with the provision of copy trading services, appealing to those who prefer automated trading strategies. Despite these offerings, IronFX's investment range receives a 3.5-star rating and is ranked #51 by ForexBrokers.com, making Interactive Brokers the preferable choice for those seeking extensive investment capabilities.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
IronFX logoIronFX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 8500 340
Forex Pairs (Total) info 90 83
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

When it comes to choosing a trading platform, Interactive Brokers and IronFX provide different offerings tailored to diverse trading needs. Interactive Brokers shines with its proprietary platform, offering comprehensive trading tools including 85 drawing tools and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. This platform is also accessible on both Windows-based desktops and web browsers. However, it does not support MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5), nor does it offer copy trading. On a positive note, Interactive Brokers stands out with an extensive 659 columns for its watch lists and holds a high ForexBrokers.com ranking for trading platforms, placing third out of 63. Furthermore, traders can practice their strategies via a free virtual demo account.

IronFX, on the other hand, also provides web-based and Windows desktop trading platforms, yet it doesnโ€™t offer a proprietary platform. IronFX supports MT4 and includes copy trading features, catering to traders looking for social trading options. However, IronFX lags behind with only 15 drawing tools and a limited seven columns for its watch lists. While IronFX also provides a virtual demo account for practice, its overall rating for trading platforms and tools is 3.5 stars, and it is ranked 61st by ForexBrokers.com. For traders prioritizing comprehensive tools and charting capabilities, Interactive Brokers seems to be the more robust choice, whereas IronFX may appeal to those interested in MT4 and copy trading functionalities.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
IronFX logoIronFX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No No
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 155 30
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 85 15
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 659 7
View More

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

For traders seeking a mobile platform, both Interactive Brokers and IronFX offer iPhone and Android apps that include essential features such as real-time quotes and price alerts. Interactive Brokers stands out with its superior offering of 97 technical studies for charting, eclipsing IronFX's 30 technical studies. Both platforms support drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames on charts. However, IronFX has a minor advantage by auto-saving chart drawings, while Interactive Brokers does not.

In the realm of syncing capabilities, Interactive Brokers provides seamless watchlist synchronization between mobile and online platforms, a feature IronFX lacks. This syncing ability makes Interactive Brokers a more integrated choice for traders who use multiple devices. This is perhaps reflected in their ratings, with Interactive Brokers receiving 5 stars and ranking 4th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, IronFX, with a 3.5-star rating, finds itself near the bottom at the 62nd spot. Choosing between the two, Interactive Brokers seems to offer a more comprehensive and higher-rated mobile trading experience.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
IronFX logoIronFX
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 97 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info No Yes
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

When it comes to market research, both Interactive Brokers and IronFX provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. For technical analysis, each broker offers tools from Trading Central, but neither utilizes Autochartist. Interactive Brokers stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool showing long or short positions across various instruments, an advantage IronFX lacks. Additionally, Interactive Brokers provides market research from TipRanks and tools from Acuity Trading, which IronFX does not offer. Both brokers include an economic calendar to keep investors informed about global news events.

In terms of overall research quality, Interactive Brokers receives a 5-star rating, significantly ahead of IronFX's 4-star rating. This reflects in their rankings as well, with Interactive Brokers securing the 3rd spot out of 63 brokers for research, while IronFX ranks 28th. These distinctions highlight Interactive Brokers as a more comprehensive choice for traders who prioritize in-depth research tools and expert insights. The broker's extensive features cater to traders looking for a wide range of analytical tools to make informed decisions, thereby offering a competitive edge over IronFX.ย 

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
IronFX logoIronFX
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central (Recognia) info Yes Yes
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes No
TipRanks info Yes No
Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) info Yes No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

When it comes to educational resources for beginners, Interactive Brokers and IronFX both provide a substantial base with over 10 educational articles, videos, and archived webinars dedicated to forex and CFDs. However, Interactive Brokers takes it a step further by offering monthly online educational client webinars, whereas IronFX does not. Both brokers provide a valuable archive of recorded webinars that learners can access at their convenience.

Interactive Brokers shines in offering in-depth educational video content with resources tailored for both beginners and advanced traders, unlike IronFX, which lacks extensive advanced trading videos. Additionally, both brokers supply an investor dictionary with comprehensive definitions of over 50 investing terms. As a testament to its all-rounded educational offerings, Interactive Brokers scores 5 stars and ranks as the third best out of 63 brokers in the education category according to ForexBrokers.com. IronFX follows with a 4-star rating, placed at 44th. Overall, Interactive Brokers stands out as a more comprehensive choice for those seeking a rich educational platform.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
IronFX logoIronFX
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Interactive Brokers is better than IronFX. Interactive Brokers finished with an overall rank of #2, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.

Interactive Brokers is a highly trusted multi-asset broker with an extensive offering of tradeable global markets. It delivers competitive fees and high-quality research and education, as well as a modern, institutional-grade trading platform suite.

Feature Interactive Brokers logoInteractive Brokers
IronFX logoIronFX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 83
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with Interactive Brokers or IronFX?

Interactive Brokers allows users to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas IronFX only offers the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Interactive Brokers supports ACH and SEPA transfers and bank wires for account transactions, while IronFX facilitates Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but does not support ACH or SEPA transfers, and neither platform supports PayPal.




announcementPlease note:

We review each brokerโ€™s overall global offering โ€“ a โ€œYesโ€ 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

×
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxActivTrades
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxACY Securities
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAdmirals
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAlpari
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxATFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAvaTrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxAxi
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBDSwiss
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxBlackBull Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCapital.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCharles Schwab
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCity Index
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxCMC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxDooPrime
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxEarn
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeasyMarkets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxEightcap
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxeToro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxExness
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFinecoBank
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFOREX.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFP Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXCM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXGT.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXOpen
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFXPrimus
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxFxPro
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxGBE brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHFM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxHYCM (Henyep Capital Markets)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIFC Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxiFOREX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIG
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxInteractive Brokers
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIronFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxIUX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLegacyFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxLibertex (Forex Club)
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMarkets.com
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMarkets4you
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMoneta Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxMultiBank
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOANDA
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxOcta
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPepperstone
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxPlus500
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxQuestrade
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxRoboForex
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSaxo
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSpreadex
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxSwissquote
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxThinkMarkets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTickmill
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTMGM
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTopFX
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrade Nation
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxTrading 212
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVantage
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxVT Markets
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXM Group
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXTB
  • check_box_outline_blankcheck_boxXtrade

Compare

0 of 5
Overall Rating Interactive Brokers IronFX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 83
Winner check_circle
Review Interactive Brokers Review
Broker Screenshots Interactive Brokers IronFX
Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) info
Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) info
Research Gallery (click to expand) info
Education Gallery (click to expand) info
Regulation Interactive Brokers IronFX
Trust Score info 99 83
Year Founded info 1977 2010
Publicly Traded (Listed) info Yes No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 9 3
Tier-2 Licenses info 2 0
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) Interactive Brokers IronFX
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes Yes
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info Yes No
Japan (SFC Authorised) info Yes No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info Yes No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info Yes No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) Interactive Brokers IronFX
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No No
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No No
UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) info Yes No
India (SEBI Authorised) info Yes No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info No No
Investments Interactive Brokers IronFX
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 8500 340
Forex Pairs (Total) info 90 83
U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) info Yes No
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No Yes
Cryptocurrency (Physical) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (Derivative) info 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 Interactive Brokers IronFX
Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard info 0.59 info 1.2
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 0.59 info N/A
Active Trader or VIP Discounts info Yes Yes
Inactivity Fee info No No
Execution: Agency Broker info Yes Yes
Execution: Market Maker info No Yes
Funding Interactive Brokers IronFX
Minimum Deposit info $0 $50
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info No No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info No Yes
Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) info No Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
ACH or SEPA Transfers info Yes No
Trading Platforms Interactive Brokers IronFX
Proprietary Platform info Yes No
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Social Trading / Copy Trading info No Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info No Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info No No
cTrader info No No
DupliTrade info No No
ZuluTrade info No No
Trading Tools Interactive Brokers IronFX
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Watchlists - Total Fields info 659 7
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 155 30
Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) info 85 15
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading Interactive Brokers IronFX
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist info Yes Yes
Watchlist Syncing info Yes No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 97 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave info No Yes
Mobile Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research Interactive Brokers IronFX
Daily Market Commentary info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info No No
Trading Central (Recognia) info Yes Yes
TipRanks info Yes No
Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs info Yes No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education Interactive Brokers IronFX
Education (Forex or CFDs) info Yes Yes
Client Webinars info Yes No
Client Webinars (Archived) info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes No
Investor Dictionary (Glossary) info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs Interactive Brokers IronFX
GBP/USD info Yes Yes
USD/JPY info Yes Yes
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF info Yes Yes
USD/CAD info Yes Yes
NZD/USD info Yes Yes
AUD/USD info Yes Yes
Review Interactive Brokers Review
Overall Interactive Brokers IronFX
Overall Rating info 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Commissions & Fees 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Platforms & Tools 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 5/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 99 83
Winner check_circle
Review Interactive Brokers Review
arrow_upward

close