Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs ATFX, 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.
ActivTrades and ATFX are both reputable online brokers, but they cater to investors with differing needs and backgrounds since their founding years—2001 for ActivTrades and 2017 for ATFX. While neither of them is publicly traded or operates as a bank, they distinguish themselves through their regulatory licenses. ActivTrades holds 2 Tier-1 licenses that are highly trusted and 1 Tier-2 license, indicating it is trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. It carries a Trust Score of 81, which places it firmly in the "trusted" category for investors.
Conversely, ATFX holds a more extensive regulatory footprint with 4 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, reflecting a strong trust profile in the financial sector. With a Trust Score of 85, ATFX is considered trusted, reassuring potential clients about the security and reliability of their services. Both brokers provide dependable options, but ATFX's higher number of licenses and Trust Score may offer extra peace of mind for those highly concerned with regulatory oversight.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | ||
| Bank | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the online brokers ActivTrades and ATFX in terms of commissions and fees, ActivTrades shines with a four-star rating from ForexBrokers.com, ranking it 28th out of 63 brokers. The broker boasts slightly better-than-average spreads, though not at the level of the top-tier low-cost forex brokers. ActivTrades provides an Individual Account, with options for Professional and Islamic Accounts, but lacks a high-volume trading account or active trader pricing. Spreads are consistent across all account types, with the EUR/USD average spread reported at 0.98 pips in May 2024.
In contrast, ATFX is rated lower with three stars and ranks 60th for commissions and fees. While specific average spread data for ATFX is unavailable, the broker does not seem to offer competitive pricing or specialized account options comparable to those at ActivTrades. This indicates that those trading with ATFX might face less favorable trading conditions compared to the offerings at ActivTrades.
ActivTrades accounts for asset variability depending on the trading platform, with individualized targets for spreads that may fluctuate throughout the session. The Islamic Account option also caters to those who require Sharia-compliant trading. In summary, if fee and commission efficiency is paramount, especially for forex trading, ActivTrades stands out compared to ATFX.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | ||
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | ||
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | ||
| 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 ActivTrades and ATFX, both brokers offer forex trading as either a CFD or spot contract. However, ActivTrades stands out with a more extensive selection of tradeable symbols, boasting 1,267 options compared to ATFX's 150. Forex enthusiasts might be interested that ActivTrades also offers 49 tradeable forex pairs, slightly more than ATFX's offering of 44. While neither broker allows trading of direct U.S. exchange securities, like Apple shares, ActivTrades does enable trading on international exchanges, allowing access to companies such as Vodafone.
Both ActivTrades and ATFX provide copy trading features, catering to those who prefer to mirror the strategies of seasoned traders. Additionally, for investors interested in digital currencies, both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives without the need to purchase the actual asset. According to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades scores 4 stars in the Range of Investments category, outperforming ATFX's 3.5 stars, and is ranked #31 out of 63 brokers, while ATFX sits at #57. This suggests ActivTrades may have a more diversified and comprehensive range of investment options for those seeking variety in their trading portfolio.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | ||
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | ||
| 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 the trading platforms and tools offered by ActivTrades and ATFX, both brokers provide a variety of options catering to different trading needs. ActivTrades stands out with its proprietary platform developed in-house, alongside popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. It allows for flexibility with both desktop and web-based platforms, and supports copy trading. ATFX, while lacking a proprietary platform, also offers MetaTrader 4 and 5 and provides similar access to desktop and web-based platforms with copy trading functionalities. Both brokers provide robust demo accounts for simulated trading experiences.
Charting tools are crucial for traders, and both ActivTrades and ATFX offer 15 drawing tools, ensuring precision in technical analysis. However, ActivTrades gives traders more customization with 11 watch list columns compared to ATFX's 7. This attention to detail may contribute to their respective ratings, where ActivTrades leads with 4 stars compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars in the Trading Platforms and Tools category. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings, ActivTrades is placed at #30 out of 63 brokers, while ATFX trails at #62, suggesting ActivTrades might be a better option for those valuing platform features and tools.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | ||
| ZuluTrade | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both ActivTrades and ATFX provide mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, allowing traders to stay connected and manage their accounts on the go. Both apps offer essential features like price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and viewing multiple time frames on stock or forex charts. Users can create watchlists with real-time quotes, and any drawings on charts are automatically saved, making it easy to keep track of important information. However, the number of technical studies available differs significantly, with ActivTrades offering 30 studies compared to ATFX's 7, providing more options for detailed market analysis on the go.
When it comes to user satisfaction and performance, ActivTrades edges ahead with a 4-star rating for its mobile app, while ATFX holds a slightly lower rating of 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades ranks #19 out of 63 brokers for its mobile trading app category, showing a more favorable position compared to ATFX, which stands at #63. While both broker apps have overlapping features, ActivTrades seems to offer a more comprehensive package for traders seeking advanced tools and a higher-rated user experience.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | ||
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 |
| 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 ActivTrades and ATFX in terms of market research offerings, both provide daily market commentary and access to an economic calendar displaying global news events, making them valuable for traders looking to stay informed on market movements. However, ActivTrades takes a step ahead by offering forex news from esteemed sources like Bloomberg and Reuters and providing a sentiment-based trading tool. In contrast, ATFX excels with its inclusion of technical analysis tools from respected firms such as Autochartist and Trading Central.
ActivTrades is rated 4 stars for research, placing it 30th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, indicating a stronger overall offering compared to ATFX, which has a 3-star rating and ranks 54th. While ATFX may appeal to traders focused on technical analysis tools, ActivTrades offers a broader range of research features, making it a more comprehensive choice for those seeking diverse market insights from top-tier news sources and sentiment analysis tools.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | |
| TipRanks | ||
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by ActivTrades and ATFX, both platforms deliver a substantial collection of more than 10 educational pieces on forex and CFDs, which include articles, videos, and webinars. ActivTrades goes a step further by hosting monthly live educational webinars, providing traders with the opportunity to engage in real-time learning. Meanwhile, ATFX lacks this feature but compensates with a comprehensive investor dictionary containing over 50 investing terms, which is particularly beneficial for those starting their trading journey. Both brokers maintain a searchable archive of past webinars, enabling users to access valuable knowledge at their convenience.
For beginners, both brokers offer a rich assortment of over 10 trading videos tailored for novices. However, ActivTrades distinguishes itself by also delivering more than 10 advanced trading videos designed for experienced traders, an area where ATFX falls short. While ActivTrades is rated four stars for its educational offerings, slightly surpassing ATFX's three-star rating, ATFX is ranked higher at #28 compared to ActivTrades' #38 in the ForexBrokers.com Education category. This comparison highlights that while each broker has its unique offerings and strengths, beginners have multiple avenues to expand their knowledge through either platform.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ActivTrades is better than ATFX. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
ActivTrades is a long-standing brand that offers a proprietary trading platform, ActivTrader, and support for the award-winning TradingView and MetaTrader (MT4 and MT5) platforms. ActivTrades also delivers a selection of custom add-ons, indicators, and trading tools for traders who prefer to use MetaTrader. Drawbacks for trading with ActivTrades include a smaller selection of tradeable symbols and fewer educational resources than what’s available from the best forex brokers.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 85 |
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In comparing ActivTrades and ATFX for cryptocurrency trading, both platforms offer the ability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither provides the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
In comparing online brokers ActivTrades and ATFX, both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires as options for depositing or withdrawing account funds, but they differ in enabling PayPal, ACH, or SEPA transfers for these transactions.
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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| Trust Score | 81 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
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