Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.com 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.
Markets.com and IronFX are both reputable online brokers, but they each have their unique attributes, especially regarding regulation and trust ratings. Markets.com was established in 1999 and holds three Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. According to ForexBrokers.com, these licenses contribute to its high trust score of 93 out of 99, indicating it is highly trusted. In contrast, IronFX, founded in 2010, likewise holds three Tier-1 licenses but does not have any Tier-2 licenses. It has a trust score of 83 out of 99, reflecting a trusted status. Importantly, neither broker is a publicly traded company or a bank.
The regulatory landscape can help potential investors determine which broker might be the best fit. Markets.com's slightly higher trust score and additional Tier-2 license might appeal to those who prioritize regulatory security. Meanwhile, IronFX's solid Tier-1 licensing and decade-long presence in the market still make it a strong contender in the trading community. Both platforms offer a secure environment, but differences in trust scores and regulatory credentials could sway decisions based on individual preference for regulatory backing.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Markets.com and IronFX both have distinct offerings that cater to different trader preferences. Markets.com, though lacking specific average spread data, has earned a 3.5-star rating for its commissions and fees. In ForexBrokers.com's rankings, it holds the 49th position out of 62 brokers in this category, indicating room for improvement compared to its competitors.
On the other hand, IronFX offers various account types with differing costs but has been noted for having spreads that appear higher than the industry average. For its Standard variable spread account, IronFX lists a typical spread of 1.8 pips. However, this can vary across different account types. The zero fixed-spread account, for instance, offers starting spreads at zero but involves a $18 per lot commission, and spreads can increase to 3 pips overnight. Despite these considerations, IronFX achieves a stronger 4-star rating in commissions and fees.
In ForexBrokers.com's evaluation of brokers for commissions and fees, IronFX holds a slightly better position than Markets.com, ranking 47th out of 62 brokers. This suggests that, while both brokers have their pros and cons in this area, IronFX may present a more competitive offering for those prioritizing cost-effectiveness in their trading experience.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing Markets.com and IronFX for their range of investments, both platforms offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. Markets.com is home to an impressive 2,179 tradeable symbols, a significantly higher number than the 340 available with IronFX. However, IronFX leads in the availability of tradeable forex pairs, offering 83 compared to Markets.com's 57. Neither broker provides the option to trade exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, such as Apple or Vodafone shares.
Both Markets.com and IronFX support copy trading and the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows the purchase of actual cryptos. Markets.com has a slight edge in terms of the range of investments, earning a rating of 4 stars compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars. Consequently, Markets.com ranks higher, coming in 29th out of 62 brokers, whereas IronFX holds the 51st position in the Range of Investments category, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 83 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 considering Markets.com and IronFX for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer a range of features, including simulated/paper trading with free demo accounts. Markets.com stands out by providing a proprietary platform developed in-house, which IronFX lacks. Both brokers offer Windows-based desktop download and web-based browser trading platforms, with support for popular software like MetaTrader 4 (MT4). However, only Markets.com extends support to MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which could be a significant consideration for traders looking for advanced features. Additionally, both brokers support copy trading, but neither offers platforms like DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
Markets.com ranks higher in overall user experience with a rating of 4 stars compared to IronFX’s 3.5 stars for trading platforms and tools. While both offer similar functionality in charting with a range of technical indicators, IronFX has a notable advantage in charting tools, offering 15 drawing tools compared to Markets.com's 4. IronFX also allows trading directly from stock charts, a feature not present with Markets.com. Watchlist customization is another differentiator, with IronFX providing 7 columns for fields against Markets.com's 6. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com holds a significantly higher position at #26 out of 62 brokers, while IronFX is ranked #60, highlighting the diverse feature set and user satisfaction offered by Markets.com in trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
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) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Markets.com and IronFX, both platforms provide options for iPhone and Android users, along with essential features like stock and forex price alerts. While these functions are standard on both apps, Markets.com stands out by offering watchlist syncing, allowing traders to seamlessly update and view their watchlists both online and on the app. However, IronFX does not support this syncing feature. In terms of charting tools, IronFX offers 30 technical studies, while Markets.com defaults to the MT4 app with none available on its own app. IronFX users can also view charts in multiple time frames and automatically save their chart drawings, adding a layer of flexibility that Markets.com lacks, as it does not support these features.
For those focused on watchlists with real-time quotes, both apps perform equally well. Markets.com has been scored with 4 out of 5 stars for its mobile app experience, compared to IronFX's rating of 3.5 stars. In the broader industry ranking by ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com takes a relatively higher position at #33 out of 62 brokers, suggesting a more favorable user experience compared to IronFX, which is ranked at #61. Overall, while both apps offer the basics needed for mobile trading, Markets.com might edge out as the preferred choice due to its superior syncing capabilities and higher user ratings.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When choosing between Markets.com and IronFX for market research, both offer comprehensive daily market commentary and provide forex news from esteemed sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, there are notable differences between the two. Markets.com sets itself apart with its sentiment-based trading tool that indicates the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments—a feature not available with IronFX. On the other hand, IronFX gives traders an edge with access to technical and fundamental analysis tools through Trading Central, a service not provided by Markets.com. Both platforms offer an economic calendar to track global economic events.
In terms of ratings, both Markets.com and IronFX receive a solid 4-star rating for research. Despite the same star rating, Markets.com is ranked higher at #17 in the Research category according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to IronFX's position at #28. This suggests that while both platforms provide valuable resources and insights for traders, Markets.com is viewed as slightly more advantageous in this area by industry standards.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
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 the educational resources available for beginners between Markets.com and IronFX, each offers distinct advantages. IronFX excels in providing a wide range of educational content about forex and CFDs, with a substantial library of over 10 pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. On the other hand, Markets.com shines with regular live educational webinars, hosting at least one each month, ensuring ongoing learning opportunities. While both platforms provide more than 10 beginner-friendly videos on trading topics, only Markets.com extends this content to cover more advanced trading topics for those who wish to deepen their expertise.
IronFX stands out with a searchable archive of past webinars and an investor dictionary that includes over 50 investing terms, creating easy access to prior learning sessions and a trustworthy glossary for newcomers. Despite these differences, both brokers have received a 4-star rating for their educational offerings. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, Markets.com is ranked slightly higher in the education category, sitting at #34 compared to IronFX at #44 out of 62 brokers. This suggests that while both provide valuable resources, Markets.com may offer a more favorable experience for those looking for structured, ongoing educational support.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | 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 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Markets.com is better than IronFX. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
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IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 83 |
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Both Markets.com and IronFX do not offer the ability to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they do provide options to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Markets.com and IronFX provide Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing funds, but neither offers ACH, SEPA, nor PayPal as payment methods for transactions.
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 | Markets.com | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
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| Regulation | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Markets.com | 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 | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 83 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 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 | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | Markets.com | 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 | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.com | 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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | 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 | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.com | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | No | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review |
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