Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XTB 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.
When comparing online brokers XTB and IronFX, both have their distinct advantages, particularly regarding their regulatory standings and trustworthiness. Founded in 2002, XTB is a publicly traded company which indicates a level of transparency and accountability. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, a marker of high trust, and also has two Tier-2 licenses, boosting its reliability with regulators. XTB's Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com is an impressive 96 out of 99, signifying it as a highly trusted broker. Additionally, XTB is not classified as a bank.
On the other hand, IronFX, which entered the market in 2010, is not listed on any stock exchange. While it is also not a bank, it holds three Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. However, it has no Tier-2 licenses. IronFX's Trust Score is 83 out of 99, ranking it as a trusted broker but trailing behind XTB in terms of perceived trustworthiness.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
XTB and IronFX offer unique structures for their commissions and fees, catering to different types of traders. XTB provides two main account types: a spread-only Standard account and a Professional account that involves commissions, though the latter is fading out in many regions. The Standard account is generally ideal for retail traders, as it starts with spreads averaging 1 pip for key forex pairs like EUR/USD and requires a minimum deposit of 250 in base currency. Active traders can also benefit from XTB's Lower Spread Group, which offers spread rebates from 5% to 30% based on trading volumes. XTB earns a 4.5-star rating and holds the 11th spot among 62 brokers for commission and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.
IronFX, on the other hand, offers a range of account types with different spread structures, but typically features higher spreads than many competitors. Its Standard variable spread account lists an average spread of 1.8 pips, albeit without specific data range transparency. Those who opt for the zero fixed-spread account are subject to a $18 commission per lot, with spreads widening to 3 pips overnight. Despite these fees, IronFX holds a respectable 4-star rating and ranks 47th in the rankings by ForexBrokers.com for commissions and fees.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $50 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | 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 comparing the investment offerings of XTB and IronFX, a few key differences stand out that are important for traders. XTB boasts an extensive selection with 7,184 tradeable symbols, including 71 forex pairs. Additionally, clients can access exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, allowing them to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone directly. In contrast, IronFX provides a more limited range of 340 tradeable symbols, though they offer slightly more in the forex department with 83 pairs available. However, IronFX does not offer access to exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges.
For traders interested in cryptocurrency, both XTB and IronFX provide the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither broker offers actual cryptocurrency purchases. In terms of additional features, IronFX offers copy trading, a service that XTB does not provide. Overall, XTB secures a higher rating of 5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 14th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, IronFX holds a rating of 3.5 stars and is positioned 51st in the same category.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 340 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 83 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 XTB and IronFX for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers provide free virtual demo accounts, enabling traders to practice and refine their skills without any financial risk. XTB stands out with its proprietary platform developed in-house, giving it a personalized touch that caters to its users' needs. Additionally, XTB's platform includes a substantial 32 drawing tools for charting, making it a strong choice for those interested in detailed technical analysis. Although lacking the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4), XTB compensates with a user-friendly Windows-based desktop platform and a web-based option that facilitate trading directly from stock charts. Rankings reflect their offerings, with XTB receiving 4.5 stars and holding the 9th spot among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
IronFX, on the other hand, excels in providing the MetaTrader 4 platform, a favorite among many traders for its versatility and customizability, though it lacks a proprietary platform. The broker also supports somewhat fewer charting drawing tools compared to XTB, offering 15 options. IronFX makes up for this with the inclusion of copy trading, which may appeal to novice traders looking to mimic the strategies of more experienced peers. Similar to XTB, IronFX ensures that trading from stock charts is straightforward thanks to their web-based and Windows desktop platforms. However, its trading platforms and tools receive a rating of 3.5 stars and rank 60th among 62 brokers on the ForexBrokers.com list, reflecting a more niche appeal.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both XTB and IronFX provide options for iPhone and Android users, giving traders the flexibility to monitor their investments on the go. Each platform offers features like receiving price alerts for stock or forex, drawing trendlines, and viewing charts in multiple time frames. However, changes to watchlists on their respective mobile apps do not sync with their online accounts, which may be a consideration for some users. XTB stands out with 39 technical studies for chart analysis, compared to IronFX's 30, offering more in-depth tools for technical traders.
Regarding overall user satisfaction, XTB receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars for its mobile trading app compared to IronFX, which garners a 3.5-star rating. XTB is also ranked significantly higher by ForexBrokers.com, securing the 8th spot among 62 brokers, whereas IronFX ranks much lower at 61st. While both platforms allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, XTB's features and recognition suggest a more enriched user experience for mobile traders.
| Feature |
XTB
|
IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 39 | 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 the research offerings of XTB and IronFX, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from prominent sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, the platforms diverge in their technical tool offerings. IronFX includes tools from Trading Central, giving it a slight edge in analysis capabilities, while XTB does not. On the other hand, XTB offers a sentiment-based trading tool that gives insight into long and short positions across various instruments— a feature not available with IronFX.
Both brokers supply an economic calendar to keep traders informed of global events. Despite some similarities, XTB is rated higher for research with 5 stars and is ranked 7th among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. IronFX, on the other hand, has a 4-star rating and stands at the 28th position. These distinctions highlight XTB's stronger position in providing insightful and accessible market research tools for their users.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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 XTB and IronFX in terms of educational offerings for beginner traders, both platforms provide a solid foundation in forex or CFDs education. They each offer more than ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars to help novice investors. However, XTB stands out by hosting online client webinars at least once a month, a feature IronFX does not provide. Both brokers maintain searchable archives of past webinars, giving users the flexibility to learn at their own pace.
For visual learners, both XTB and IronFX offer at least ten beginner educational videos. XTB additionally excels in catering to advanced traders by offering more than ten educational videos focused on complex trading subjects, an area where IronFX falls short. IronFX, on the other hand, provides an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms, which can be particularly useful for understanding trading jargon. In terms of overall educational quality, XTB boasts a 5-star rating and ranks 11th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, surpassing IronFX's 4-star rating and 44th rank.
| Feature |
XTB
|
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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XTB is better than IronFX. XTB finished with an overall rank of #7, while IronFX finished with an overall rank of #48.
As a trusted multi-asset broker, XTB offers outstanding customer service, a wide variety of forex and CFDs, and an excellent overall trading experience. Its xStation 5 trading platform is well-designed and packed with innovative features, and XTB’s offers comprehensive educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XTB
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IronFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 83 |
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While neither XTB nor IronFX provides the option to purchase actual cryptocurrencies for delivery, both platforms allow traders to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers, XTB stands out by offering PayPal as an option for depositing or withdrawing funds, unlike IronFX, but both brokers support Skrill, Visa or Mastercard, and bank wire transfers, while neither provides ACH or SEPA transfer options.
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 | XTB | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XTB | IronFX | |
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| Regulation | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Year Founded | 2002 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | 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 | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XTB | 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) | XTB | 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 | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7184 | 340 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 71 | 83 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.00 | 1.2 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.00 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XTB | IronFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 8 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 39 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 32 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XTB | 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 | 39 | 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 | XTB | 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 | XTB | 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | XTB | 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 | XTB Review |
| Overall | XTB | IronFX | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 83 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XTB Review |
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