Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Vantage 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.
Vantage and IronFX are both well-established online brokers, with Vantage founded in 2009 and IronFX following in 2010. Neither of these brokers is publicly traded or operates as a bank. In terms of trust and regulation, Vantage holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are considered highly trusted, and an additional Tier-2 license, making it a reliable choice with a Trust Score rating of 90 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com.
In comparison, IronFX holds three Tier-1 licenses but has no Tier-2 licenses. It achieves a Trust Score rating of 83 out of 99, placing it in the trusted category. Both brokers offer reassurance through their regulatory measures, but Vantage edges out in trust score rating, reflecting a slightly higher level of confidence for clients seeking security in their online trading platform.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokerages Vantage and IronFX, Vantage offers a variety of account options. At Vantage, traders can choose between the Standard STP, RAW ECN, and PRO ECN accounts, with pricing mostly aligning with the industry average. Vantage's Standard account lists spreads typically at 1.30 pips for EUR/USD, whereas the RAW account features average spreads of 0.15 pips with an added $3 commission per side. The PRO account presents competitive pricing with a commission of $2 per side. However, opening a PRO account requires meeting certain conditions, such as a significant minimum deposit or qualifying as a wholesale client.
IronFX, on the other hand, lists slightly higher spreads compared to the industry average. Their Standard variable spread account typically has spreads of 1.8 pips, while the zero fixed-spread account starts with a $18 per lot commission and widens spreads to 3 pips overnight. Although pricing details lack specific time frames, the general trend indicates that IronFX may not be as competitive in terms of cost as other brokers.
In terms of ratings and rankings, Vantage earns a 4.5-star rating for commissions and fees, positioning them at #19 out of 62 brokers ranked by ForexBrokers.com. IronFX receives a slightly lower rating of 4 stars and is ranked at #47. This comparison highlights Vantage as the more cost-effective option, especially for active traders seeking favorable pricing conditions and account flexibility.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | 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.
Vantage and IronFX both offer forex trading through CFDs, giving traders flexible options to tap into currency markets. Vantage stands out with a diverse offering of 1,000 tradeable symbols compared to IronFX's 340. However, when it comes to forex pairs, IronFX offers more variety with 83 pairs, surpassing Vantage's 57 pairs. Neither broker provides direct access to U.S. or international exchange-traded securities, but each supports cryptocurrency derivatives for those interested in digital assets.
While both Vantage and IronFX feature copy trading capabilities, which can appeal to novice traders or those short on time, they do not offer the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Despite their differences, both brokers received the same rating of 3.5 stars for their range of investments. In the ForexBrokers.com ranking, Vantage is placed slightly ahead at 50th, with IronFX closely following in the 51st spot, making them relatively similar in terms of investment offerings.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 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 comparing Vantage and IronFX in terms of trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer several features to accommodate aspiring traders, including simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts. Vantage takes the lead with its proprietary platform and access to both MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, while IronFX supports MetaTrader 4 but lacks its own proprietary platform and MT5 capability. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop, web-based trading platforms, and support for copy trading, yet Vantage also offers additional integration with DupliTrade and ZuluTrade where IronFX does not.
When it comes to charting, Vantage and IronFX each provide 15 drawing tools, while both allow direct trading from stock charts. Watchlist customization options are similar, with each platform offering up to seven columns. Despite these similarities, Vantage's overall rating in trading platforms and tools stands at four stars, slightly higher than IronFX's three and a half stars. Furthermore, Vantage is ranked 15th out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its trading platforms and tools, significantly outperforming IronFX, which is ranked 60th. This ranking showcases Vantage’s edge in offering a well-rounded and comprehensive trading experience.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | 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 Vantage and IronFX offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, providing tools essential for trading flexibility on the go. They both furnish users with price alerts for stocks and forex, and support charting with 30 technical studies. This feature-packed environment extends to drawing trendlines and viewing charts across different time frames, all while auto-saving these drawings. Both apps allow creating watchlists with real-time quotes, though neither supports syncing these lists with their desktop counterparts.
When it comes to user ratings and industry rankings, Vantage takes a slight lead. It is rated 4 out of 5 stars for its mobile trading app, compared to IronFX's 3.5-star rating. ForexBrokers.com ranks Vantage's app at #26 out of 62, suggesting a more favorable position compared to IronFX, which stands at #61. Despite similarities in functionalities, these metrics indicate that Vantage's app might provide a slightly more satisfying trading experience based on user feedback and expert assessment.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 Vantage and IronFX provide daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, demonstrating their commitment to keeping traders informed. Each broker also offers technical analysis tools from Trading Central, which can help traders make more informed decisions. However, a key distinction lies in Vantage's provision of a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long or short positions across different currency pairs, a feature not available with IronFX. This could appeal to traders interested in understanding market sentiment.
While both brokers support an economic calendar for tracking global news events, neither provides tools from Autochartist or Acuity Trading nor market research from TipRanks. In terms of research ratings, both Vantage and IronFX earn four out of five stars. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks Vantage slightly higher at 24th out of 62 brokers, compared to IronFX's 28th place. This may suggest a marginal edge for Vantage in the research category, though individual preferences ultimately play a significant role in choosing the right broker.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 for beginners between Vantage and IronFX, both brokers provide a comprehensive suite of materials that exceed ten pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars, focusing on forex and CFDs. However, Vantage stands out by offering monthly online webinars, which can be a valuable resource for real-time learning and interaction, while IronFX lacks this feature. Furthermore, both brokers present a searchable archive of recorded webinars, enabling easy access to past sessions. For those just starting, Vantage and IronFX each offer at least ten beginner-focused educational videos. Still, Vantage goes further by also providing advanced educational videos suited for more experienced traders, unlike IronFX.
In terms of additional resources, Vantage and IronFX both feature an investor dictionary, ensuring newcomers can get acquainted with at least 50 investing terms. Despite these offerings, Vantage holds a higher overall ranking on individual educational merits, positioned at #27 in ForexBrokers.com's education rankings out of 62 brokers, compared to IronFX's rank of #44. Interestingly, both share an education rating of four stars out of five, reflecting their commitment to providing valuable learning tools but suggesting room for improvement.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
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 Vantage is better than IronFX. Vantage finished with an overall rank of #26, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
Vantage rounds out its MetaTrader platform suite offering with support for multiple social trading platforms, content powered by Trading Central and a proprietary mobile app. However, Vantage trails industry leaders in key areas such as research and education.
| Feature |
Vantage
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 90 | 83 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platform & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both Vantage and IronFX do not offer the ability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they both provide options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Vantage and IronFX, both offer Visa/Mastercard and bank wire transfers for deposits and withdrawals, but while Vantage provides additional options such as PayPal and Skrill, IronFX supports only Skrill and lacks PayPal as an option; neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | Vantage | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 90 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Vantage | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
| ||
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| Regulation | Vantage | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 90 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Vantage | 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) | Yes | 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) | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1000 | 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 | Vantage | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.30 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.75 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Vantage | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50 | $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 | Vantage | 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Vantage | 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 | Vantage | 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 | Vantage Review |
| Overall | Vantage | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platform & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 90 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Vantage Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill