Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Swissquote 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.
Founded in 1996, Swissquote stands out as a well-established and trusted name in the online brokerage world. As a publicly traded company that operates as a bank, Swissquote commands a high level of trust with a perfect ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99 out of 99. It is backed by five highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and two trusted Tier-2 licenses, reinforcing its strong regulatory standing in the financial sector.
In contrast, IronFX was founded in 2010 and does not share the same level of regulatory stature. It is not a publicly traded company nor a bank, and holds three highly trusted Tier-1 licenses with no Tier-2 licenses. IronFX has a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 83 out of 99, categorizing it as a trusted broker but suggesting a higher risk profile compared to Swissquote. While both brokers offer online trading platforms, Swissquote's banking status and impeccable trust rating make it a more appealing choice for those prioritizing regulatory oversight.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
When comparing the online brokers Swissquote and IronFX, it's essential to consider their commissions and fees. Swissquote, known for its Swiss banking connections, charges slightly higher fees, making it less attractive for those seeking low-cost trades. The UK-based branch of Swissquote offers more competitive pricing with lower costs and lighter deposit requirements, although it has a narrower range of products. Swissquote's UK entity offers four accounts, where the Elite account stands out if you have at least $10,000 to deposit, with its $5 commission per round-turn trade and tighter spreads. Their Luxembourg and Swiss branches have similar pricing models with varying account minimums and spreads, custom pricing for active traders is available but not transparent.
IronFX, on the other hand, offers somewhat more competitive pricing but still above the industry average. IronFX's Standard variable spread account typically lists spreads of 1.8 pips, while the zero fixed-spread account starts at zero with an $18 per lot commission, although spreads widen to 3 pips overnight. This indicates that while IronFX is a feasible option, there is potential for enhancement in their pricing model.
In terms of ratings and rankings, Swissquote holds a 3.5-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked 52nd out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, IronFX earns a slightly better rating, with 4 stars, and stands at the 47th place in the same ranking. While both brokers provide reliable services, those prioritizing lower fees may find IronFX to be the more favorable choice.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $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 | Yes | 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 investment options of Swissquote and IronFX, Swissquote emerges as a more versatile choice. Swissquote offers a comprehensive selection of 472 tradeable symbols, including 80 forex pairs, while IronFX provides 340 tradeable symbols with 83 forex pairs. A distinct advantage of Swissquote lies in its access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international markets, allowing clients to purchase well-known stocks such as Apple and Vodafone. This opportunity is not available through IronFX, which does not offer direct access to exchange-traded stocks. Additionally, Swissquote allows investors to engage in both actual cryptocurrency purchases and cryptocurrency derivatives, unlike IronFX, which restricts clients to crypto derivatives only.
Another feature both brokers share is the availability of copy trading, catering to investors interested in leveraging the expertise of experienced traders. However, when it comes to the breadth and depth of investment options, Swissquote is recognized for its superior offerings, earning a 5-star rating for Range of Investments and ranking 2nd out of 62 brokers in the same category on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, IronFX holds a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 51st, indicating a more limited array of investment choices. These distinctions highlight Swissquote's stronger position as an online broker for a broader range of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 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) | Yes | 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 Swissquote and IronFX, both brokers provide traders with simulated trading options through free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice trading strategies without financial risk. Swissquote comes equipped with an in-house developed trading platform, whereas IronFX lacks a proprietary option, typically relying on industry-standard platforms. Both brokers offer the well-known MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform, however, Swissquote has the additional advantage of providing access to MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which is not available with IronFX. Web-based platforms are readily available at both brokers, and traders can choose a Windows desktop version to suit their trading environment. For those interested in copy trading, both Swissquote and IronFX deliver this feature, enhancing user options for following experienced traders. However, DupliTrade and ZuluTrade are not part of their offerings.
Swissquote stands out with a more extensive selection of drawing tools for charting, offering 75 compared to IronFX's 15, which may appeal to advanced traders who rely on detailed technical analysis. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, but Swissquote enhances trader experience with more comprehensive watch lists, offering 11 columns for customization compared to IronFX's 7. In terms of overall ratings, Swissquote scores higher with 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, clearly outperforming IronFX, which has been rated at 3.5 stars. Notably, Swissquote ranks 12th out of 62 brokers in this category according to ForexBrokers.com, while IronFX trails significantly at the 60th position, indicating a notable difference in the quality and variety of trading tools and platforms provided by these brokers.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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) | 86 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Swissquote and IronFX, both platforms are accessible on iPhone and Android devices. They provide essential features like stock and forex price alerts, the capability to draw trendlines, and multiple timeframe views on charts. The apps also auto-save chart drawings and allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. Despite these similarities, there are limitations. Neither Swissquote nor IronFX support syncing of watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account, which may affect users who frequently switch devices.
Swissquote stands out with a rating of 4.5 stars compared to IronFX's 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their industry rankings, with Swissquote ranked 11th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for mobile trading apps, while IronFX trails significantly at 61st. Both apps offer 30 technical studies, but Swissquote's higher ranking and user rating suggest a more favorable experience for those seeking efficient and reliable mobile trading solutions.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | 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.
Both Swissquote and IronFX provide daily market commentary and access to top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed. While Swissquote includes tools from Autochartist, enhancing its technical and fundamental research capabilities, IronFX stands out with access to Trading Central's advanced analysis tools. Unfortunately, neither broker offers sentiment-based trading tools or partnerships with TipRanks or Acuity Trading, but both maintain a comprehensive economic calendar to keep traders abreast of global events.
In terms of research, Swissquote and IronFX are similarly ranked with a respectable four-star rating. However, Swissquote edges out IronFX in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, placing 16th compared to IronFX's 28th position. This subtle difference suggests that while both platforms offer solid research services, Swissquote might provide slightly more in-depth options due to its partnership with Autochartist.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | 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 to beginners on Swissquote and IronFX, both online brokers provide a solid foundation. Both platforms offer a substantial suite of over ten educational pieces targeting forex or CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, each broker maintains a searchable archive of past webinars and features a collection of at least ten beginner-focused trading videos. Where Swissquote takes the lead is in hosting monthly educational webinars, not provided by IronFX, as well as offering numerous advanced trading videos tailored for more experienced traders, which IronFX lacks.
Both Swissquote and IronFX have compiled investor dictionaries that explain over 50 investing terms to help newcomers familiarize themselves with trading jargon. Despite Swissquote being ranked higher at #21 compared to IronFX's #44 in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, both brokers receive a commendable four-star rating for their educational offerings. This highlights Swissquote's slight edge in educational resources, particularly beneficial for those seeking ongoing learning through webinars and advanced video content.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
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 Swissquote is better than IronFX. Swissquote finished with an overall rank of #11, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
Traders choose Swissquote for its quality research and vast multi-asset offering – as long as they are willing to pay a premium to have their brokerage account held with a Swiss bank.
| Feature |
Swissquote
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 |
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Swissquote allows you to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency as well as cryptocurrency derivatives, whereas IronFX only provides the option to trade in cryptocurrency derivatives without holding the actual digital currency.
When comparing online brokers Swissquote and IronFX, Swissquote offers more diverse funding options, including ACH or SEPA transfers and PayPal, which are not available with IronFX, while both provide the ability to use Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wires 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 | Swissquote | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Swissquote | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | Swissquote | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 5 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Swissquote | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | Yes | 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) | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 472 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 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) | Yes | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Swissquote | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $1000 | $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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 86 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 75 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Swissquote | 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 | 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 | Swissquote | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote | 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 | Swissquote Review |
| Overall | Swissquote | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Swissquote Review |
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