IronFX Review 2025

Trust

IronFX Regulations

In our reviews, we examine the licenses and regulations of each entity operated by a broker, allowing us to compare their different levels of protection. We rank licenses by various regulatory bodies on a three-tier system, where Tier-1 licensing indicates the highest level of regulation.

This is what I discovered about the group of entities operating under the Notesco trade name:

• Notesco Int Limited is incorporated in Angullia with registration number A000001800. The entity is not regulated.
• Notesco UK Limited is licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the UK under license number 585561. We rate the FCA as a Tier-1 regulator.
• Notesco Financial Services Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) under license number 125/10. We rate CySEC as a Tier-1 regulator. Please note that the entity is no longer accepting individual investors as clients.
• Notesco SA (Pty) Limited is licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA) under license number 45276. We rate the FSCA as a Tier-2 regulator.
• Notesco Limited is incorporated in Bermuda with registration number 51491. The entity is not regulated.

Understanding the Regulatory Protections of Your Account

Brokers operate multiple entities globally, but regulatory protections vary. Some regulators enforce stricter financial standards than others, so traders should understand the safety measures of the entity they choose to open an account with.

Here is what you need to be looking for in a broker in terms of safety mechanisms:

• Segregation of client funds. Keeping client funds in segregated bank accounts from the ones used for the broker’s corporate capital negates the risk of accounting errors. Client funds are held in segregated accounts with all IronFX entities.
• Negative balance protection. This safety mechanism removes the risk of trading losses exceeding the account balance. In other words, the losses you incur from trading are capped at the amount you have put in your trading account. All broker entities guarantee negative balance protection.
• Compensation scheme. A compensation scheme protects traders against the broker’s liabilities if the company becomes insolvent. Current clients with Notesco Financial Services Ltd are protected by up to EUR 20,000 under the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). Clients of Notesco UK Limited are protected by up to GBP 85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
• Maximum leverage. Capping the maximum leverage restricts the extent of market exposure to retail traders. The higher the leverage, the higher the potential profits and potential losses. The maximum retail leverage with IronFX is 1:1000.

Stability and Transparency

In our Trust category assessments, we evaluate factors tied to stability and transparency, including the broker’s operating history, company size, and information transparency.

According to its LinkedIn page, IronFX has been in operation for 15 years and employs over 600 people—both indicators of its stability. After reviewing the broker’s legal documents, I found everything to be in order. The Client Agreement is easily accessible on the website, with all relevant information presented clearly and in an easy-to-understand format.

However, I also spotted that the broker’s website does not display live spread data.

Is IronFX Safe to Trade With?

I determined that IronFX is quite safe to trade with due to the following factors:

• Globally recognized brand
• Authorized by several regulators
• Keeps client funds in segregated accounts
• Ensures negative balance protection

Fees

IronFX Trading Fees

IronFX Spreads

I tested IronFX’s spreads on 24 January 2025 during the London and New York opens. The results are shown in the table below:

According to my findings, IronFX’s No Commission account features low cryptocurrency spreads,  low-to-average share CFDs spreads, average commodities spreads, average-to-high spreads on indices, and high spreads on currency pairs.

IronFX Swaps

A swap fee is a trader’s cost for holding an open position overnight because of changing interest rates. Swap long refers to the charge deductible or credit receivable for holding a buy position open overnight. In turn, swap short relates to the charges/credits deductible or receivable for holding a selling position open overnight.

The values listed below are for one full base currency contract (100,000 units).

I assessed that IronFX’s swaps were average to high compared to the industry benchmark. However, overnight charges tend to change over time.

IronFX Non-Trading Fees

The broker does not impose a handling fee for deposits or withdrawals, though third-party banking fees may apply.

Inactive accounts are charged a yearly $50 dormancy fee. The fee is charged until account activity resumes or the account balance drops to zero.

Accounts Comparison

I have compiled the table below to help you better understand the difference between the trading fees with IronFX’s No Commission account type and the industry average. It illustrates the spreads and commissions I have recorded for the EUR/USD pair and compares them against the typical costs for ECN and STP accounts in the industry at large.

The table demonstrates how much you would have to pay to trade 1 full lot (100,000 units) in EUR/USD with a pip value of $10 for each account.

To calculate the cost of such a full-sized trade, I used this formula: Spread x pip value+commission

My live tests demonstrated that IronFX charges above-average spreads on forex. I discovered that its EURUSD spread on the No Commission account exceeds the industry average considerably. However, the broker has a remarkably low BTCUSD spread.

Are IronFX’s Fees Competitive?

Based on my testing, IronFX offers mixed spreads. While it provides competitive spreads on certain instruments like BTC/USD and TSLA, its spreads on EUR/USD and GBP/JPY are higher than the industry average. On the positive side, deposits and withdrawals are free, and the broker’s inactivity fee is relatively low.

Platforms and Tools

IronFX MT4 Desktop

I tested the desktop version of the MetaTrader 4 platform, which features multiple essential tools, such as one-click trading, an alarm setting option, and a market depth tool. These allow traders to examine market developments from different angles and exploit the underlying trading opportunities in multiple ways.

In my opinion, MT4 is best suited for automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). The platform also has an intuitive strategy tester, allowing experienced algo traders to tweak the parameters of their strategies so that they can be used under different market conditions.

General Ease of Use

IronFX’s MT4 platform is available on Windows and Mac and supports 39 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, and more.

In addition to the above-mentioned depth of markets tool, MT4 also features:

• Alerts-Setting Option: Traders can set alerts for when the price of a given instrument falls/rises to a predetermined level, which could potentially signal a viable entry opportunity.
• Watchlist Customization: Traders can populate watchlists with their favorite instruments and track market changes more easily.
• One-click Trading: This feature enables instant market entries at the spot price and is invaluable for high-precision traders, such as scalpers.
• Trading from the Chart: Traders can place conventional trading orders directly from the chart, specifying the entry price, volume level, stop and take-profit levels, and more.

Charts

As shown above, a common issue with MetaTrader is that charts can quickly become cluttered, even with just two indicators. This can obscure price action examination and make it harder to perform detailed technical analysis.

I have broken down the available analytical tools and chart configurations below:

• 30 technical indicators: Including trend-based and volume-based indicators, and oscillators to analyze price action and assess market sentiment, helping predict market movements.
• 24 drawing tools: Tools like Fibonacci retracement levels and Elliott waves help identify price patterns, support/resistance levels, and breakout points. However, MT5’s design can make price action harder to interpret.
• 9 timeframes: For multi-timeframe analysis, enabling detailed price action analysis.
• 3 chart types: Price action can be displayed as line, bars, or candlesticks, offering diverse perspectives on trading opportunities.

The chart screen is undeniably one of the most crucial features of a trading platform. It equips traders with essential tools and configurations to analyze price action and spot trading opportunities. Just as important is the ability to easily scale price action, allowing for a clearer and more detailed view of market movements.

Orders

MetaTrader 4 features three types of order execution: market, pending, and one-click trading, which allows immediate entries at the spot price.

I have broken down the available order types on the MetaTrader 4 platform below:

• Market Orders: Used for immediate entry at the best available price. They guarantee volume filling, though the entry price may differ from the requested price.
• Limit Orders: Guarantee exact price entries but won’t be filled if the price doesn’t reach the trigger level.
• Stop Orders: They are used to support open positions by limiting the maximum loss that can be incurred if the market turns in the opposite direction. A stop-loss order is placed at a fixed price below or above the spot price. If the market does indeed turn and triggers the stop-loss, it will transform into a market order and get filled at the best possible price.

MT4 Desktop: My Key Takeaways

MetaTrader 4 is a good option for fast and simple order execution. However, its dated and rugged design is inferior to newer and sleeker platforms. As a trader who prioritizes flexible charts that are easily scalable, I find MT4’s charting capabilities too rigid and less effective.

IronFX MT4 Mobile

The MT4 mobile app is available for both IOS and Android, enabling quick and easy access to the market on the go. It is very useful for opening, terminating, and adjusting open positions.

You can also use the app to place market, limit, and stop orders, as well as to adjust the exposure of your open trades.

MT4 App: My Key Takeaways

The MetaTrader app stands out for its convenience, making it an essential tool for adjusting trades, especially during periods of heightened volatility. However, I consider it cumbersome and not the best choice for analyzing price action.

IronFX Execution Model

IronFX is a market maker in which the broker serves as a principal to client orders. The broker acts as a counterparty and fills client orders. Essentially, IronFX sells to buyers and buys from sellers.

TradeCopier

IronFX’s TradeCopier connects signal providers and signal followers and is available from the client portal. I found the leaderboard to be highly informative and easy to navigate. Signal followers can quickly and easily assess the performance of various trading strategies based on various parameters, including their average return, maximum risk, longevity, and more.

VPS Hosting

IronFX provides free Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting to high-volume traders interested in achieving lightning-fast order execution speeds and stable internet connectivity.

Tradable Instruments

Compared to the industry average, IronFX offers an average number of share CFDs and commodities and a high number of currency pairs, indices, and cryptocurrencies.

What Are CFDs?

Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are financial derivative instruments that allow traders to speculate on the price movements of an asset without owning the asset itself.

For instance, taking a long position in gold would result in a profit for the trader if the price goes up or, respectively, a loss if the price goes down. The opposite would be true for a short position in gold.

A key advantage of trading CFDs is the ability to enter and exit the market almost instantly, enabling traders to capitalize on even minor price fluctuations in the derivative.

What CFDs Can You Trade With IronFX?

IronFX Instruments: My Key Takeaways

I found IronFX’s selection of tradable instruments diverse enough to accommodate most trading strategies. The broker offers gold and silver CFDs denominated in EUR and USD so that traders whose accounts are also denominated in the same currencies do not have to pay a conversion fee. IronFX could improve its offering by including vanilla options or Asian stocks.

Customer Support

Customer Support Channels

Customer Support Test

When we test a broker’s customer support, we evaluate the agent’s knowledge of their own website, how long it takes them to respond to questions, and how detailed their answers are.

I conducted my test on 23 January 2025 at around 16:09 p.m. CET via live chat. Before connecting to an agent, I provided my name and email address and selected my preferred language.

I asked a series of questions with varying degrees of difficulty and determined that the agent’s answers were swift and comprehensive. He was also polite and patient, taking his time to provide satisfactory answers to my questions. Overall, I assessed that IronFX’s customer support is of very high quality.

Deposit and Withdrawal

IronFX Deposits

IronFX Withdrawals

Account Types and Terms

IronFX Account Opening Process

To open an account with IronFX, follow these easy steps:

1. Click ‘Register’ at the top-right corner of the main page.
2. Enter your name, email address, and country of residence.
3. Choose an account type and preferred leverage.
4. Enter a password.
5. Confirm your email address.
6. Upload proof of ID and proof of address to verify your account.

IronFX Account Types

Live Floating/Live Fixed Spreads

STP/ECN Accounts

IronFX offers a wide and diverse selection of trading accounts, including commission-free and raw spread accounts. Additionally, the broker provides a Personal Multi-Account Manager (PMAM) platform designed for professional traders and money managers.

For those looking to test trading strategies, IronFX also offers Cent accounts. They are ideal for algorithmic testing, allowing traders to evaluate strategy performance in a real-world trading environment while minimizing potential losses.

Demo Accounts

IronFX offers a demo account on the MetaTrader 4 platform. It introduces traders to the broker’s services and allows them to tweak their strategies in a risk-free environment. The market is continually evolving and never static, so it is important to hone your skills in a safe environment. You can set up a demo account for yourself prior to or alongside your live CFD account.

Islamic Accounts

IronFX offers Islamic accounts for swap-free trading under Shariah law. Clients must contact the broker’s customer support to request further assistance.

What is CFD Leverage?

Leverage determines a trader’s overall market exposure. When trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), positions can be opened for a fraction of their value because of leverage. Essentially, the broker lends the trader money so that they can open bigger positions. Leverage multiplies the profits a trader generates from winning positions but also the losses incurred from failed trades.

Maximum Leverage By Asset Class

In the table below, I have listed the maximum retail leverage available with IronFX for instruments from different asset classes:

IronFX Restricted Countries

IronFX does not accept as clients residents of the USA, Cuba, Sudan, Syria, North Korea, or any jurisdiction where trading is prohibited by law.

Research

Research Tools

I have broken down the most important research materials with IronFX below:

• Daily Key Points: The one-minute videos published on the broker’s YouTube channel highlight the most important developments that are likely to have a strong impact on financial markets. The videos are available in English, Korean, Chinese, French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• Featured Ideas: Powered by Trading Central, the featured ideas segment underscores viable day trading opportunities across various instruments. Each idea comes with a detailed chart that outlines the trading setup, a short commentary explaining the trading opportunity, a list of important pivot points and support and resistance levels, and an alternative scenario description.
• Trading Central Package: In addition to the featured ideas mentioned above, the TC package includes an intuitive economic calendar, a market buzz sentiment tool, and market insights. These tools help the user stay on track with the latest market developments, understand what, how, and why drives markets, and understand how other traders are positioning themselves.

IronFX Research: My Key Takeaways

IronFX’s research content shines across the board. I found it both nuanced and highly insightful. The available materials and tools inform the broker’s clients of trading opportunities that are currently developing and explain how and why those opportunities are taking place.

Education

I have broken down the most important educational materials with IronFX below:

• Tutorials: The broker offers over 30 videos explaining how to use its platform and trading tools and how to choose the most suitable account type.
• Webinars: IronFX regularly hosts webinars in multiple languages, catering to traders of all experience levels. With over 620 recorded webinars available on its YouTube channel, the content is both in-depth and well-structured, offering a comprehensive exploration of key trading concepts from various perspectives.
• Podcast: IronFX has accumulated over 100 podcast episodes, offering listeners an abstract and hands-free approach to learning.
• Courses: IronFX offers seven educational video courses consisting of 35 individual episodes. These courses cover fundamental trading topics and delve into the aspects of various trading strategies.
• Trading Psychology: IronFX clients can learn about the intricacies of trading psychology, which is one of the biggest determinants of long-term market success. Traders can learn how to develop a proper trading attitude, approach risk management, and more.
• ‘Myth Shatters’: Published on the broker’s YouTube channel, this section offers a rare and insightful perspective on key trading concepts, such as the age-old question, ‘Is leverage a bad thing?’

The Bottom Line

Established in 2010 and headquartered in Cyprus, IronFX is a financial derivatives broker known for its extensive range of trading tools and features.

IronFX offers 310 tradable instruments at varying costs and integrates the popular MetaTrader 4 platform, which can be enhanced with an add-on for advanced charting. The broker also provides copy trading solutions through its TradeCopier service and VPS hosting for low-latency trading.

One of IronFX’s standout features is its comprehensive and insightful research and educational content. Among the drawbacks I found were the lack of an alternative to the MetaTrader 4 platform and elevated spreads on certain popular instruments, such as EUR/USD and GBP/JPY.

In conclusion, I rate IronFX to be a reliable broker that caters well to day traders and algorithmic traders.

FAQ