Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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 XTB and IronFX, both have their distinct advantages, particularly regarding their regulatory standings and trustworthiness. Founded in 2002, XTB is a publicly traded company which indicates a level of transparency and accountability. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, a marker of high trust, and also has two Tier-2 licenses, boosting its reliability with regulators. XTB's Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com is an impressive 96 out of 99, signifying it as a highly trusted broker. Additionally, XTB is not classified as a bank.
On the other hand, IronFX, which entered the market in 2010, is not listed on any stock exchange. While it is also not a bank, it holds three Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. However, it has no Tier-2 licenses. IronFX's Trust Score is 83 out of 99, ranking it as a trusted broker but trailing behind XTB in terms of perceived trustworthiness.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees between XTB and IronFX, XTB generally offers a more cost-effective deal, especially for retail forex traders. XTB provides two account types: a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Professional account, although the latter is being phased out. The average spread for XTB's Standard account on popular currency pairs like the EUR/USD is about 1 pip, which is in line with industry norms. For active traders who qualify as elective professionals in the EU, XTB offers the Lower Spread Group, rebating a portion of the spread by up to 30% based on trading volumes. With a 4.5-star rating and ranked #11 out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, XTB stands out favorably in this category.
In contrast, IronFX's pricing could use some improvement. The typical spread for their Standard variable spread account is around 1.8 pips, slightly above the industry average. They offer a zero fixed-spread account starting at zero spread, but this comes with an $18 commission per lot, and the spreads widen to 3 pips overnight. IronFX, meanwhile, receives a 4-star rating and stands at #46 in the commissions and fees category according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating room for optimization compared to its competitors like XTB.
Retail traders might prefer XTB's Standard account for its competitive pricing and potential spread rebates, especially as the Professional account is becoming less available. While IronFX offers a range of account types, including a zero fixed-spread account, the higher commissions and overnight widened spreads might make it less attractive for cost-conscious traders. Overall, XTB's more favorable star rating and ranking suggest a better value proposition in terms of commissions and fees when choosing between these two brokers.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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 it comes to the range of investments, XTB outshines IronFX with a variety of trading options. XTB provides access to a remarkable 7,184 tradeable symbols, allowing clients to explore a vast selection of markets. In contrast, IronFX offers only 340 symbols. Both platforms facilitate forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, with IronFX offering a slightly larger selection of forex pairs—83 as opposed to XTB's 71. For those interested in exchange traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, XTB stands out, allowing users to purchase actual shares like Apple and Vodafone. IronFX, however, does not offer this feature.
For investors interested in cryptocurrencies, both XTB and IronFX provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives, though not the actual cryptocurrencies themselves. A noticeable difference arises in the offering of copy trading services, which is available through IronFX but not XTB. Despite this, XTB's extensive investment range has earned it a 5-star rating and the #14 rank out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, IronFX receives a 3.5-star rating and holds the #51 rank in the same category. The broader range of securities and higher rankings make XTB a compelling choice for investors seeking diversity in their trading portfolios.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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). | 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 the trading platforms and tools offered by XTB and IronFX, several distinctions can be noted. Both brokers provide the opportunity to practice simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, ensuring a safe learning environment for beginners. XTB stands out with its in-house developed proprietary platform and a Windows-based desktop download option. While it does not support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, it provides comprehensive web-based trading capabilities. On the technical front, XTB edges out IronFX with 32 drawing tools compared to IronFX's 15, and it allows for direct trading from stock charts. Watch lists on XTB contain up to 8 fields, one more than IronFX. Despite lacking copy trading features, XTB’s platform is highly rated, earning 4.5 stars for its overall performance and ranking 9th by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers.
IronFX, while also offering a Windows-based desktop download and web-based trading platform, capitalizes on familiar products such as MetaTrader 4 (MT4) to attract traders looking for a standard trading environment. However, it does not feature a proprietary platform like XTB nor the MetaTrader 5 (MT5), despite providing copy trading facilities. Regarding charting capabilities and trade execution from stock charts, IronFX holds a solid posture but is limited in some aspects compared to XTB. This is reflected in its 3.5-star rating and its 61st position in ForexBrokers.com's evaluation, suggesting that, while serviceable, it may not offer the breadth of features and tools that XTB commands in the trading platform landscape.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XTB and IronFX, both platforms provide apps for iPhone and Android devices and deliver essential features like stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and multiple time frame viewing options for charts. Despite these similarities, a closer look reveals key differences in their offerings. XTB stands out with 39 technical studies available for charting, compared to IronFX's 30, which may appeal to traders who prioritize technical analysis. Additionally, both apps enable the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, but neither supports syncing watchlist symbols with online accounts, meaning changes made in the mobile app don't reflect automatically in the online version and vice versa.
Moreover, while both apps auto-save chart drawings, XTB edges ahead in overall user satisfaction, boasting a 4.5-star rating compared to IronFX’s 3.5 stars. This higher rating is reflected in ForexBrokers.com's rankings, where XTB is positioned at #8 out of 63 brokers for mobile trading apps, whereas IronFX lingers at #62. These distinctions suggest that XTB may offer a more favorable mobile trading experience for users interested in comprehensive charting options and overall app performance.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 XTB and IronFX for market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and deliver forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. However, they diverge in their available analysis tools. XTB features a sentiment-based trading tool that reveals ratios of long and short positions across various currency pairs, while IronFX does not. Conversely, IronFX offers technical analysis from Trading Central, a benefit not provided by XTB. Both brokers lack tools from Autochartist, TipRanks, and Acuity Trading, but do offer economic calendars to keep traders informed about global news events.
Regarding overall research quality, XTB earns a 5-star rating, surpassing IronFX which receives 4 stars. Moreover, XTB ranks #7 out of 63 brokers in the Research category on ForexBrokers.com, while IronFX holds the #28 spot. This indicates that while both brokers provide solid research tools, XTB may offer a slightly more comprehensive research experience overall.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | 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 comparing educational resources for beginners between XTB and IronFX, both brokers offer extensive materials on forex and CFDs, ensuring beginners have access to at least ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, or webinars. XTB excels by offering monthly online educational webinars, complementing their comprehensive library of recorded sessions, whereas IronFX lacks regular live webinars but does provide access to past sessions. Both brokers cater well to beginners with over ten specifically targeted educational videos. Yet, XTB offers additional value to advanced traders with a collection of advanced educational videos that IronFX does not match.
XTB's educational offerings are highly rated, earning a five-star rating and ranking 11th among 63 brokers in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, highlighting its broad appeal and effectiveness. IronFX, receiving a four-star rating and a 44th-place ranking, does offer a comprehensive investor dictionary with more than 50 terms, which XTB does not. This specific resource may be particularly useful for those new to trading terminology. Overall, while both brokers cater to beginner traders with solid educational content, XTB provides a more comprehensive and engaging learning experience, particularly through its advanced resources and live webinar offerings.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB is better than IronFX. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 96 | 83 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
While neither XTB nor IronFX provides the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies for delivery, both platforms allow traders to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, XTB stands out by offering PayPal as an option for depositing or withdrawing funds, unlike IronFX, but both brokers support Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, while neither provides ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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 | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| 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) | No | No |
| Investments | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 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). | 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 | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | 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 | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XTB | 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 | XTB | 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill