Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Plus500 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.
When comparing online brokers Plus500 and IronFX, several key differences in their regulatory standings and trust ratings come to light. Plus500, founded in 2008, is a public company, while IronFX, established in 2010, remains privately held. This distinction emphasizes Plus500's transparency and accountability to shareholders. Plus500 boasts a perfect Trust Score of 99, as rated by ForexBrokers.com, signifying a highly trusted status. This broker holds six Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, enhancing its credibility in the trading community. In comparison, IronFX has a Trust Score of 83, categorized as trusted, with three Tier-1 licenses and no Tier-2 licenses, suggesting a more conservative regulatory footprint.
While neither Plus500 nor IronFX operates as a bank, Plus500's range of licenses and public trading status offer clients a strong sense of security and trust. In contrast, IronFX's lesser number of licenses and private standing might appeal to traders with different preferences. Understanding these regulatory distinctions can guide potential users in choosing the broker that best fits their needs and expectations when navigating the online trading landscape.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commission and fees structure of Plus500 and IronFX, Plus500 stands out with a 4.0-star rating for its pricing, although it ranks behind top forex brokers like IG and Saxo in active trader pricing. Plus500's spreads for the EUR/USD averaged 1.5 pips in April 2024, slightly higher than the industry standard. A potential perk for traders is the possibility of qualifying for cash rebates, provided you're designated as a Professional client. Despite its higher costs, Plus500 is positioned at #25 out of 63 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com.
IronFX, on the other hand, earns a 4-star rating for its pricing, although there is room for improvement as its spreads generally exceed the industry average. The typical spread for their Standard variable account is 1.8 pips, but these can vary with no specified date range. The zero fixed-spread account, while starting with a 0-pip spread, involves a $18 per lot commission, with spreads widening to 3 pips overnight. This flexibility might appeal to some traders, yet IronFX is ranked #47 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees.
In conclusion, both brokers offer competitive opportunities but with distinct differences in their pricing models. Plus500 may appeal to those eligible for Professional client status seeking rebates, while traders evaluating IronFX might need to weigh the benefits of varying account types against potential higher spreads and additional commission fees.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 online brokers, Plus500 and IronFX present distinct advantages. Plus500 stands out with a substantial 5,500 tradeable symbols, including access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. This broker allows clients to invest directly in popular companies like Apple and Vodafone. Additionally, Plus500 provides 65 forex pairs and offers cryptocurrency derivatives, although it doesn’t support buying actual cryptocurrencies. Despite not offering copy trading, Plus500’s wide investment selection earns it a 4.5-star rating, ranking #24 among 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, IronFX offers a more limited total of 340 tradeable symbols. However, it exceeds Plus500 in forex trading by providing access to 83 currency pairs and offers both spot contracts and CFDs for forex trading. IronFX lacks the option to invest directly in exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, which may limit those looking to diversify across markets. On the plus side, IronFX supports copy trading, a feature absent from Plus500. For cryptocurrency enthusiasts, IronFX offers cryptocurrency derivatives but no actual purchases. Despite these offerings, IronFX has a 3.5-star rating and ranks at #51 for Range of Investments.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 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) | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 comparing online brokers Plus500 and IronFX, each offers unique trading platforms and tools that cater to different needs. Plus500 stands out with its in-house developed, web-based trading platform, including a free virtual demo account for simulated trading. While it lacks a Windows-based desktop platform, Plus500 impresses with 22 drawing tools for charting and a robust watch list system with 10 columns. Though it does not support MetaTrader 4 or 5, Plus500 still earns a high rating of 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, ranking #14 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
On the other hand, IronFX delivers a diverse platform lineup with support for a Windows-based desktop download trading platform and MetaTrader 4, alongside copy trading capabilities. Like Plus500, IronFX provides a free virtual demo account and a web-based trading platform. Despite having fewer drawing tools (15) and a smaller watch list capacity (7 columns), IronFX allows traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, enhancing its functionality. However, with a 3.5-star rating for trading platforms and tools and a #61 ranking, IronFX falls short when compared to Plus500 in this category.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Plus500 and IronFX, both platforms offer comprehensive iPhone and Android applications that support stock and forex price alerts, allowing users to stay up to date with market movements. Plus500 stands out with their convenient feature where watchlists can sync between the mobile app and online account. This could be a valuable asset for traders who frequently switch devices, as changes made in one location will reflect in the other. In terms of charting capabilities, Plus500 offers a significant edge with 110 technical studies, compared to IronFX's 30 studies. Both apps let users draw trendlines and use multiple time frames, yet Plus500’s app does not auto-save chart drawings like IronFX does.
For traders who prioritize real-time data, both platforms facilitate the creation of watchlists with live quotes. However, in terms of user ratings and industry rankings, Plus500 outshines IronFX with a 4.5-star rating, compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, Plus500 is ranked 14th among 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, while IronFX holds the 62nd position. This comprehensive evaluation suggests that Plus500’s app generally offers more extensive features and is more highly regarded by users and experts alike.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 110 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of Plus500 and IronFX, both brokers provide daily market commentary to assist traders in making informed decisions. However, IronFX takes the lead in this aspect by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature not available with Plus500. Both platforms leverage Trading Central's technical analytics tools to support traders but do not provide tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading, nor do they collaborate with TipRanks for market research.
Plus500 distinguishes itself by offering a sentiment-based trading tool, which gives an overview of the market mood across various instruments, a feature not found with IronFX. Both brokers provide an economic calendar to help traders track significant global events. Despite similar offerings, Plus500 ranks higher at number 19 out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com, compared to IronFX's rank of 28. Both have a solid research rating of 4.0 stars, but Plus500's distinct features give it an edge in overall market research support.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, both Plus500 and IronFX provide a solid foundation. Plus500 stands out by offering a comprehensive selection of educational materials, including online webinars held at least once a month, which IronFX doesn't provide. Each platform boasts over 10 educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, ensuring traders have access to articles, videos, and archived webinars. Furthermore, both brokers feature a searchable archive of past webinars and at least 10 beginner-friendly videos that cover essential trading topics.
For traders looking for advanced educational content, Plus500 is a step ahead, offering more than 10 specialized videos for experienced traders, while IronFX does not cater to this group. However, IronFX distinguished itself with an extensive investor dictionary containing definitions of more than 50 investing terms, a tool missing in Plus500's resources. Ranked by ForexBrokers.com as #31 for their educational offerings, Plus500 is slightly ahead of IronFX, which stands at #44. Both brokers share an educational rating of 4 out of 5 stars, reflecting their commitment to equipping traders with the necessary tools to succeed in the trading world.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Plus500 is better than IronFX. Plus500 finished with an overall rank of #14, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
Plus500 is a trusted global brand that offers an easy-to-use trading platform for online traders, alongside access to a thorough selection of CFDs. Share trading is available, but only via its Plus500 Invest product offering.
| Feature |
Plus500
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 |
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Both Plus500 and IronFX do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
In comparing online brokers Plus500 and IronFX, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers; however, Plus500 enables PayPal transactions while IronFX does not, both platforms allow Skrill and major credit card (Visa/Mastercard) transactions, as well as bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing 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 | Plus500 | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Plus500 | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | Plus500 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2008 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 6 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Plus500 | 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) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Plus500 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | Plus500 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 65 | 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) | 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). Non-CFD share trading at Plus500 is only available through the Plus500 Invest account. | 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 | Plus500 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.5 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.5 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Plus500 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | €100 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Plus500 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Plus500 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 10 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 114 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 22 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Plus500 | 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 | 110 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Plus500 | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Plus500 | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Plus500 | 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 | Plus500 Review |
| Overall | Plus500 | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Plus500 Review |
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