Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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.
Both Tickmill and IronFX are notable players in the online brokerage industry, though they present differences in their regulatory credentials. Founded in 2014, Tickmill holds two Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, earning it a Trust Score rating of 86 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com. IronFX, founded in 2010, holds three Tier-1 licenses but doesn't possess any Tier-2 licenses and is rated with a Trust Score of 83 out of 99. These scores suggest that both brokers are considered trusted, yet Tickmill holds a slightly higher position in terms of trustworthiness.
Both companies remain private enterprises and do not operate as banks, which could influence their operational dynamics and service offerings. Their regulatory standing, reflected in the number and level of licenses they maintain, plays a crucial role for traders assessing the safety and reliability of each broker. As such, individuals evaluating Tickmill and IronFX should consider these regulatory details alongside other factors like user reviews and trading conditions to make informed decisions.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When examining commissions and fees, Tickmill and IronFX present distinct approaches that cater to different trader needs. Tickmill offers two main account types: Classic and Raw. The Classic account is commission-free, where traders only pay the bid/ask spread, but with higher spreads averaging 1.76 pips as of August 2023. In contrast, the Raw account, which replaced the Pro account, features a low commission of $3 per side or $6 per standard lot, combined with competitive spreads starting at 0.11 pips for EUR/USD. Despite a recent increase in commission, Tickmill maintains a top-notch reputation among active traders due to its favorable all-in costs. Tickmill is rated 5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks 4th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
IronFX, on the other hand, does not compete as strongly on pricing when compared to industry standards. The broker lists a typical spread of 1.8 pips for its Standard variable spread account, but exact spreads vary across different account types. For instance, while their zero fixed-spread account offers spreads starting at zero, it charges a relatively high commission of $18 per lot, with overnight spreads widening up to 3 pips. IronFX is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked 47th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, Tickmill stands out as a more cost-effective option for active traders due to its low spreads and moderately increased commissions, providing overall strong value. Conversely, IronFX may benefit certain traders but typically features higher costs compared to industry averages, making Tickmill the standout choice for those prioritizing lower commissions and spreads.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | 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, both Tickmill and IronFX offer similar core services with a few differences in their offerings. Both platforms provide forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, catering to those interested in currency trading. Tickmill stands out with a more extensive list of 725 tradeable symbols compared to IronFX's 340, providing investors with a broader choice. However, IronFX takes the lead with 83 forex pairs while Tickmill offers 63, giving those focused on currency pairs more options. Neither platform offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, limiting investors who wish to directly purchase stocks like Apple or Vodafone.
Both brokers share the capability for copy trading and provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. In terms of ratings, both Tickmill and IronFX receive 3.5 stars for their range of investments. However, Tickmill edges out IronFX in the ForexBrokers.com ranking, placing 42nd out of 62 brokers, compared to IronFX's 51st place. This suggests that, while similar, Tickmill may offer a slight edge in investment variety according to industry experts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 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.
Tickmill and IronFX both offer a range of trading platforms and tools suitable for traders at various levels. Both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to engage in simulated trading, building confidence without financial risk. While neither broker has developed a proprietary platform, they both support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4. Tickmill and IronFX also make trading accessible with their Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based interfaces, enabling traders to benefit from their services no matter their operating system preference.
When it comes to copy trading, each broker offers this feature, enhancing the trading experience by allowing users to mirror the trades of more experienced investors. Both Tickmill and IronFX incorporate 15 drawing tools for charting and enable trading directly from stock charts. However, Tickmill edges ahead by offering both MetaTrader 4 and 5, compared to IronFX's reliance solely on MetaTrader 4. This difference, alongside the brokers' rankings of #32 for Tickmill and #60 for IronFX in the Trading Platforms and Tools category by ForexBrokers.com, highlights Tickmill's slightly superior standing, further affirmed by its 4-star rating over IronFX's 3.5 stars.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 | 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 Tickmill and IronFX provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, catering to traders who need flexibility. Both platforms offer standard features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, and view different time frames—from daily to intraday charts. These apps ensure traders are able to stay updated and make informed decisions while on the go. However, neither broker allows syncing of watchlists between the mobile app and online account, which means users must manually update their preferences in both locations.
In terms of charting capabilities, Tickmill and IronFX each provide 30 technical studies. Users can create watchlists that reflect real-time quotes and any trendline drawings are automatically saved, offering convenience for technical analysis. Despite the similarities in features, Tickmill holds a slight edge with a 4-star rating compared to IronFX’s 3.5-star rating for their mobile trading apps. Moreover, based on ForexBrokers.com's rankings, Tickmill ranks at #31 among 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, outshining IronFX, which stands at #61.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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.
Tickmill and IronFX both deliver daily market commentary and keep traders informed with forex news sourced from top-tier agencies like Bloomberg and Reuters. When it comes to advanced tools, Tickmill stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool that shows the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments, as well as offering research tools from Acuity Trading, like the Signal Centre. In contrast, IronFX distinguishes itself by providing resources from Trading Central, offering investors access to advanced technical analysis. While both brokers provide an economic calendar to keep track of global news events, their tools differ when it comes to specialized market insights.
Rated equally at four out of five stars for research, both Tickmill and IronFX are recognized for their resources. However, they occupy different positions in their respective research ranks on ForexBrokers.com, with Tickmill coming in at #21 and IronFX at #28 out of 62 brokers. Each platform offers strategic advantages depending on a trader's specific needs, whether one prefers sentiment-based tools and insights from Acuity Trading found in Tickmill, or the technical analytics available through IronFX's partnership with Trading Central.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginner traders, both Tickmill and IronFX have a lot to offer, though there are some differences to note. Each platform provides a minimum of ten educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, such as articles and videos, which can be a great starting point for new traders. However, Tickmill goes a step further by hosting monthly live webinars, helping clients engage in real-time and enhancing their learning experience. IronFX, on the other hand, does not offer live webinars, which means traders must rely solely on archived sessions. Both platforms maintain an archive of these webinars, providing easy access to valuable insights and lessons at any time.
If you're a visual learner, you'll find that both Tickmill and IronFX provide a variety of educational videos, including at least ten aimed at beginners. However, when it comes to advanced topics, Tickmill again has the upper hand, offering in-depth videos for seasoned traders, whereas IronFX does not. In terms of additional resources, both brokers include investor dictionaries with over 50 terms explained, aiding users in understanding complex trading jargon. While both Tickmill and IronFX earn a four-star rating for their educational offerings, Tickmill ranks higher at #15 compared to IronFX's #44 ranking, according to ForexBrokers.com. This suggests Tickmill's educational offerings may be more comprehensive and beneficial for those starting their trading journey.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
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 Tickmill is better than IronFX. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 83 |
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Both Tickmill and IronFX allow investors to trade cryptocurrency derivatives but do not provide options for purchasing actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
In comparing online brokers Tickmill and IronFX, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers, while Tickmill offers PayPal in addition to the commonly available Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options that both brokers provide.
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 | Tickmill | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | 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 | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | 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) | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 725 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 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 | Tickmill | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.51 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.31 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | Tickmill | 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 | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill | 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 | Tickmill Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review |
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