Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of IFC 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.
IFC Markets and IronFX, both established trading platforms, offer distinct features for investors seeking online brokers. Founded in 2006, IFC Markets operates privately without bank status and holds one Tier-2 license. It attains a Trust Score of 73, aligning it with average risk according to ForexBrokers.com standards. Despite being well-established, IFC Markets does not possess any Tier-1 licenses, which are highly regarded for their credibility and trustworthiness.
In contrast, IronFX, launched in 2010, also remains a private entity without bank affiliation. Significantly, IronFX distinguishes itself by securing three Tier-1 licenses, indicating a strong level of trust. With no Tier-2 licenses, it achieves a Trust Score of 83, reflecting a trusted status. Both platforms aren't publicly traded but provide varying levels of regulatory assurance, with IronFX holding a competitive edge in regulatory confidence.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When evaluating the commissions and fees of IFC Markets and IronFX, both brokers earn a 4-star rating, yet they offer distinct pricing structures that cater to different types of traders. IFC Markets lacks specific average spread data, providing a straightforward yet somewhat opaque fee overview for potential clients. Despite this, it secures a respectable #39 ranking out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category, suggesting competitive pricing outcomes overall.
On the other hand, IronFX presents varied pricing metrics which indicate some potential for improvement in terms of cost. The typical spread for their Standard variable spread account is listed at 1.8 pips, although exact periods for this data aren't provided, and spreads can differ depending on the account type. For instance, the zero fixed-spread account begins with no spread, but entails a $18 per lot commission, with spreads extending to 3 pips overnight. According to ForexBrokers.com, IronFX ranks #47 out of 62 brokers, hinting at higher spreads relative to industry norms.
In conclusion, while both IFC Markets and IronFX maintain the same star rating, their fee structures and performance in rankings differ. IFC Markets appears to provide slightly better overall rankings, whereas IronFX offers diverse account options that might appeal to traders despite higher spread costs. The choice between the two would likely depend on individual trading preferences and the specific fee structures each trader is willing to accommodate.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | 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.
When comparing IFC Markets and IronFX for their range of investments, both brokers offer forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract. IFC Markets provides a more extensive selection of tradeable symbols, featuring 630 options compared to IronFX's 340. However, when it comes to forex pairs, IronFX holds a slight edge with 83 pairs, while IFC Markets offers 49. Neither broker offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but IFC Markets allows access to international securities such as Vodafone shares, whereas IronFX does not. Both brokers support copy trading, providing opportunities for traders to replicate the strategies of seasoned investors.
In the realm of cryptocurrency, neither IFC Markets nor IronFX offer the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies; however, both brokers facilitate trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. Despite some differences in their offerings, both brokers receive a 3.5-star rating for their range of investments. According to ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets ranks at #43 among 62 brokers, while IronFX is positioned slightly lower at #51, reflecting some variances in their investment offerings and appeal to traders.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 83 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing IFC Markets to IronFX in terms of trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide a solid set of features for a comprehensive trading experience. Both platforms offer simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts, making it easier for users to practice without financial risk. While both brokers support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4, only IFC Markets also offers MetaTrader 5, providing a more modernized trading environment. In addition, IFC Markets stands out with a proprietary platform developed in-house, whereas IronFX does not offer this feature. Both brokers offer web-based trading and desktop download options, allowing for flexibility in accessing trading services. Additionally, both companies support copy trading, which can help users mimic successful strategies.
Charting capabilities are quite similar for both brokers, offering an equal number of drawing tools, which is 15, and support for trading directly from stock charts. The brokers also provide identical options for watch list customization, with seven columns or fields available. However, despite these similarities, IFC Markets receives a slightly higher rating of 4 stars for its trading platforms and tools as compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars. Moreover, IFC Markets holds a stronger rank at 36 out of 62 brokers in this category based on ForexBrokers.com ratings, while IronFX is further down the list at rank 60. This suggests that users might find a slightly more favorable trading experience with IFC Markets due to its additional platform offerings and higher ranking in platform performance.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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 | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both IFC Markets and IronFX provide comprehensive mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, featuring essential tools for stock and forex trading. Each app offers price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and includes real-time quotes for creating watchlists. Both brokers ensure users have access to the same 30 technical studies for charting, while also allowing automatic saving of any chart drawings. However, a key difference is that IFC Markets offers watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile app and online accounts, a feature that IronFX lacks.
In terms of user ratings and industry rankings, IFC Markets edges out IronFX slightly. IFC Markets' app is rated 4 out of 5 stars, while IronFX trails with a 3.5-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, IFC Markets ranks #52 out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, whereas IronFX is positioned at #61. These ratings and ranks suggest that users may find a slightly more favorable mobile trading experience with IFC Markets compared to IronFX.
| Feature |
IFC 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 market research features between IFC Markets and IronFX, both brokers provide daily market commentary to keep traders informed on current market conditions. However, IronFX holds an advantage with its access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas IFC Markets does not offer this service. For traders relying on advanced analysis tools, IronFX integrates Trading Central’s technical analytics, enhancing decision-making, while IFC Markets does not count this tool among its offerings. Interestingly, IFC Markets provides a sentiment-based trading tool that offers insights into long and short positions across various currency pairs, a feature not available with IronFX.
Both IFC Markets and IronFX offer economic calendars that display global news events, providing essential insights for economic indicators. While neither broker supports additional research tools from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading, IronFX earns a slightly higher user rating with 4 stars compared to IFC Markets' 3.5 stars. In the ForexBrokers.com ranking for research, IronFX is positioned at #28 among 62 brokers, outperforming IFC Markets, which stands at #40. These rankings and features reflect IronFX’s broader research offerings, catering more to traders seeking comprehensive analytical tools and news access.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, IFC Markets and IronFX both provide a solid foundation with at least 10 educational materials focusing on forex and CFDs. These include various articles, videos, and possibly archived webinars. Both platforms also offer at least 10 beginner-friendly videos, making them suitable for newcomers seeking an introduction to trading. An essential feature for beginners is an investor dictionary, and both brokers fulfill this need by offering a dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms. Despite these similarities, a noticeable difference emerges in the availability of recorded webinars. IronFX provides a searchable archive of past webinars, giving users easy access to additional learning materials, a feature IFC Markets does not offer.
For those looking to advance beyond beginner-friendly content, IFC Markets takes a step further by delivering advanced educational videos for more experienced traders, which IronFX lacks. Consequently, despite IronFX having a slightly higher education rating at 4 stars compared to IFC Markets’ 3.5 stars, IFC Markets holds a higher overall educational ranking at #30 among 62 brokers, whereas IronFX is positioned at #44. This distinction indicates that IFC Markets may have a more comprehensive educational offering when considering different levels of trading expertise.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | 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 IFC Markets is better than IronFX. IFC Markets finished with an overall rank of #44, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
IFC Markets is a well-established broker that has been in operation for 17 years. Forex traders at IFC Markets gain access to multiple trading platforms, a growing range of tradeable markets, and a balanced offering of research and educational content. However, IFC Markets’ Trust Score suffers due to the broker’s limited range of regulatory licenses.
| Feature |
IFC Markets
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IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 83 |
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Both IFC Markets and IronFX do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrencies, however, they do provide the option to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both IFC Markets and IronFX do not support ACH, SEPA, or PayPal for deposits or withdrawals, but while both brokers offer Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options, IronFX additionally supports Skrill, unlike IFC Markets.
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 | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
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| Broker Screenshots | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 73 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 0 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | IFC 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) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 630 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 83 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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). |
| Cost | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.44 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $50 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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 | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | IFC 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 | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | IFC Markets | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | IFC 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 |
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| Trust Score | 73 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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