Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BlackBull 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.
When comparing online brokers, BlackBull Markets and IronFX offer distinct profiles. Founded in 2014, BlackBull Markets holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 78, which places it within the average risk category. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, BlackBull Markets benefits from having one highly trusted Tier-1 license, enhancing its credibility for potential investors.
On the other hand, IronFX, established in 2010, boasts a higher Trust Score of 83, indicating it is a trusted broker. Like BlackBull Markets, IronFX is neither publicly traded nor a bank. However, IronFX stands out by possessing three Tier-1 licenses, suggesting a stronger regulatory framework. These licenses may offer clients greater confidence in IronFX's operations and protections.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing commissions and fees between BlackBull Markets and IronFX, BlackBull Markets is often seen as providing competitive trading costs. BlackBull offers three account types, each with different pricing structures. For instance, the Prime account features an average spread of 0.16 on EUR/USD, translating to an all-in cost of 0.76 pips after including the commission of 0.3 pips per side, or $6 per 10,000 traded. While the Standard account has no commissions and no minimum deposit, its spreads are higher. BlackBull's ECN Institutional account offers the lowest commission rates but requires a minimum deposit of $20,000.
In contrast, IronFX could improve its competitiveness in terms of pricing, as its spreads tend to be higher than average. For its Standard variable spread account, IronFX lists a typical spread of 1.8 pips, although specifics such as the exact time frame aren't provided. The zero fixed-spread account starts with spreads of zero, but comes with a hefty $18 per lot commission and can widen spreads to 3 pips overnight. This variability and overall expense in fees make IronFX a less cost-effective choice compared to BlackBull Markets.
In terms of ratings and rankings, BlackBull Markets scores 4.5 stars for commissions and fees, ranking at #18 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, IronFX garners a 4-star rating and stands at #47 in the same category. This indicates that BlackBull Markets is generally more favorable among traders looking for cost-efficient trading options.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 availability of investment options, BlackBull Markets outshines IronFX with an impressive 26,000 tradable symbols, allowing investors to explore various markets. Meanwhile, IronFX offers 340 tradable symbols. In forex trading, BlackBull Markets provides 72 exchange pairs, while IronFX offers slightly more with 83 pairs. Both platforms support forex trading via CFD or spot contracts, ensuring flexibility for traders. Furthermore, BlackBull Markets stands out by enabling trading in exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, a feature not available at IronFX.
For those interested in innovative strategies, both BlackBull Markets and IronFX cater to the needs of social and copy trading enthusiasts. However, neither platform currently supports the direct purchase of actual cryptocurrencies, but they do offer derivatives for crypto trading. In terms of overall investment range, BlackBull Markets holds a top-tier position with a 5-star rating and a sixth-place ranking out of 62 brokers, while IronFX trails with a 3.5-star rating and ranks 51st for investment variety. Whether seeking a broad spectrum of trading opportunities or specialized markets, BlackBull Markets appears to offer more extensive options than IronFX.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 83 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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). | 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 BlackBull Markets and IronFX, both brokers provide a range of features to accommodate the needs of different traders. Both offer free virtual demo accounts for simulated trading and support for the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform. However, only BlackBull Markets supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5). For traders interested in social and copy trading, both platforms include this capability; though, BlackBull Markets also supports ZuluTrade, which isn't available with IronFX. Neither broker offers a proprietary platform, but both provide web-based and Windows desktop download options, making them accessible and easy to use across devices.
In terms of charting tools, BlackBull Markets stands out with 60 drawing tools compared to IronFX's 15. Although IronFX offers a field more for creating watch lists with 7 columns, BlackBull Markets still shines with a higher overall rating of 4 stars out of 5 in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, outperforming IronFX's rating of 3.5 stars. Furthermore, BlackBull Markets is ranked #29 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, a significant lead over IronFX, which sits at rank #60. These distinctions highlight BlackBull Markets' more comprehensive offerings for traders looking for advanced features and versatility in their trading experience.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both BlackBull Markets and IronFX provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, each packed with a variety of features to cater to traders on the move. Each app offers valuable tools like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Both apps also allow users to access multiple time frames and offer 30 technical studies for enriched chart analysis. However, BlackBull Markets stands out by offering watchlist symbol syncing, ensuring that updates made to watchlists on any device automatically sync across platforms, a feature not available with IronFX.
When it comes to advanced functionalities, both brokers allow drawing trendlines and offer auto-saving for chart drawings. Despite these similarities, BlackBull Markets' mobile trading app is rated slightly higher at 4 stars compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars. This higher rating is also reflected in BlackBull Markets' superior ranking of #31 out of 62 brokers, as opposed to IronFX's #61 ranking by ForexBrokers.com. Overall, both platforms offer solid trading tools, but BlackBull Markets provides a bit more convenience and reliability for mobile traders.
| Feature |
BlackBull 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 BlackBull Markets and IronFX for market research capabilities, both brokers offer daily market commentary, providing regular insights to their users. However, IronFX edges ahead with forex news updates from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, unlike BlackBull Markets. On the other hand, BlackBull Markets offers technical analysis tools from Autochartist, providing traders with valuable insights that IronFX lacks. IronFX compensates by offering technical research tools from Trading Central, giving its users access to different analytical perspectives.
Both brokers offer economic calendars that display important global news events, keeping traders informed of relevant happenings worldwide. Regarding sentiment-based trading tools, BlackBull Markets provides a feature showcasing the ratio of long or short positions, which IronFX does not offer. Despite these differences, both brokers receive a 4-star rating for research and rank closely in a list of 62 brokers, with BlackBull Markets placed 18th and IronFX at 28th by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | 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.
BlackBull Markets and IronFX both cater to beginner traders by offering at least 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, ensuring newcomers have a solid collection of resources to start their trading journey. Noteworthy differences are evident when it comes to webinars and video resources. BlackBull Markets distinguishes itself by hosting regular monthly webinars for clients, enhancing real-time learning opportunities, a feature that IronFX does not provide. While both brokers maintain a searchable archive of recorded webinars and offer over 10 educational videos tailored for beginners, BlackBull Markets also extends their video library to include advanced content for experienced traders, which IronFX lacks.
Both brokers include an investor dictionary with over 50 trading terms, which is useful for understanding industry jargon. Despite being rated four stars for education, BlackBull Markets holds a higher educational ranking (#29) compared to IronFX (#44) among 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. This higher ranking signifies a broader and deeper educational offering, making BlackBull Markets a more comprehensive choice for traders seeking extensive learning resources, while IronFX still provides competent fundamental education for newcomers. Overall, BlackBull Markets may appeal more to those looking to advance from beginner to more advanced trading levels.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that BlackBull Markets is better than IronFX. BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
BlackBull Markets is a plain-vanilla MetaTrader broker with a growing range of products and support for a handful of third-party social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
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IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 83 |
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Both BlackBull Markets and IronFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both BlackBull Markets and IronFX do not offer ACH or SEPA transfers, nor PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, but they both support Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire transfers as convenient options for managing account 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 | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 78 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | 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) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 83 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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). | 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 | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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 | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | BlackBull 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 | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull 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 | |
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | BlackBull Markets | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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