Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs Eightcap, 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 Eightcap are online brokers that are not publicly traded and are not banks. ActivTrades was founded in 2001 and holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 80/99, which is considered trusted. Eightcap, founded in 2009, scores 87/99, also in the trusted range according to ForexBrokers.com.
Looking at regulation, Eightcap holds three Tier-1 licenses (highly trusted), while ActivTrades holds two. Both brokers have one Tier-2 license (trusted). In plain terms, both are viewed as trusted choices, with Eightcap showing a slight edge in top-tier regulatory coverage.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
When comparing ActivTrades vs Eightcap for commissions and fees, both brokers land in the mid-to-low cost range, but Eightcap has a slight edge on pricing. ActivTrades offers spreads that are a little better than the industry average, with its EUR/USD spread averaging 0.98 pips in May 2024, though costs can vary by asset and platform. It has a simple account lineup, including an Individual Account, Professional Account, Islamic Account, and demo account, but it does not offer special pricing for active or high-volume traders. ActivTrades is rated 4 stars and ranks #21 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees.
Eightcap gives traders a choice between a spread-only Standard account and a commission-based Raw account, so the final cost depends on the account type. Its Raw account shows an average spread of 0.06 pips, and after the $3.50 commission per side is added, the all-in cost is about 0.76 pips, which is just under the industry average of 0.8 pips. Eightcap is rated 4.5 stars and ranks #20 out of 36 for commissions and fees.
In simple terms, both brokers are reasonably priced, but Eightcap is the better pick if your main goal is lower trading costs. ActivTrades still offers competitive spreads and straightforward account options, while Eightcap’s Raw account can be more appealing for forex traders who want tighter pricing overall.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.08 | 1.0 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 0.76 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to range of investments, ActivTrades offers the wider overall selection. It lists 1,267 tradeable symbols compared with Eightcap’s 803, and it also stands out for offering 49 forex pairs plus access to exchange-traded securities on international exchanges. Eightcap, however, has a slightly larger forex lineup with 55 pairs, so traders focused mainly on currency markets may find that useful. Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs and both support cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets clients buy actual, delivered crypto or U.S.-listed exchange-traded shares.
ActivTrades also has an edge in extra investment features, since it supports copy trading while Eightcap does not. Based on this broader mix, ActivTrades is rated 4 stars for range of investments and ranks #25 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while Eightcap holds a 3.5-star rating and ranks #29. Overall, ActivTrades is the better choice for investors who want more variety, while Eightcap may appeal more to traders looking for a slightly larger forex pair selection.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 803 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 55 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
ActivTrades and Eightcap both give traders plenty of ways to get started, including free demo accounts, web-based platforms, Windows desktop downloads, and access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Both brokers also let you trade directly from charts, which can make it easier to act on price moves without switching screens. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, both are rated 4 out of 5 stars, showing that each offers a solid range of platform choices for everyday traders.
The main difference is that ActivTrades adds a few extra features that Eightcap does not. ActivTrades has its own in-house platform and also supports copy trading, while Eightcap does not offer either of those options. That gives ActivTrades a slight edge for traders who want more platform variety or prefer following other traders. In the same category, ActivTrades is ranked #26 out of 36 brokers, compared with Eightcap at #31, which further suggests ActivTrades has a small lead in trading tools and platform features.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
ActivTrades and Eightcap both give traders mobile apps for iPhone and Android, plus price alerts, trendline drawing, and auto-saving chart drawings. Each broker also earns a 4-star rating for mobile trading apps, so both offer a solid on-the-go trading experience for everyday users. If you mainly want the basics covered in a simple mobile app, either broker can do the job well.
The biggest difference is in watchlist syncing and chart tools. Eightcap lets your mobile watchlists sync with your online account, while ActivTrades does not. Eightcap also offers far more chart studies in its app, with 100 technical indicators compared with 30 at ActivTrades. That extra flexibility helps active traders who rely on more detailed chart analysis. In ForexBrokers.com’s mobile trading apps ranking, ActivTrades places higher at #21 out of 36 brokers, while Eightcap ranks #31.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 100 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, ActivTrades has a slight edge over Eightcap. Both brokers provide daily market commentary, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positions, and an economic calendar for tracking key global events. However, ActivTrades stands out by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, while Eightcap does not. Neither broker includes research tools from Autochartist, Trading Central, or TipRanks, but Eightcap does add Acuity Trading tools such as Signal Centre, which ActivTrades does not.
Overall, ActivTrades scores higher for research, with a 4-star rating and a #26 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com. Eightcap trails slightly behind at 3.5 stars and #33 out of 36. For traders who want more market news coverage and a stronger overall research setup, ActivTrades is the better pick, while Eightcap still offers useful basic research features and a few extra tools from Acuity Trading.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to beginner-friendly learning tools, ActivTrades has a slight edge over Eightcap. ActivTrades offers forex and CFDs education, hosts online educational client webinars at least once a month, and provides 10+ beginner videos as well as 10+ advanced videos for traders who want to keep learning. Eightcap also offers 10+ beginner videos, but it does not provide monthly educational webinars, and it falls short on advanced video content. In ForexBrokers.com’s Education category, ActivTrades is rated 4 stars and ranked #30 out of 36 brokers, while Eightcap is rated 3.5 stars and ranked #31.
For new traders, both brokers give access to learning content, but ActivTrades is the better choice if you want more support beyond the basics. Its regular webinars and wider mix of forex and CFDs education can make it easier for beginners to build confidence step by step. Eightcap still covers beginner video education well, but ActivTrades offers a more complete learning package overall.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
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 Eightcap. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28, while Eightcap finished with an overall rank of #30.
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
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Eightcap
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| Trust Score | 80 | 87 |
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ActivTrades vs Eightcap: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both offer cryptocurrency CFDs (not the underlying coins).
Comparing online brokers ActivTrades vs Eightcap for deposit and withdrawal methods: neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers, both offer Skrill and bank wire funding, and only Eightcap supports PayPal.
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 | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 87 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Eightcap Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 80 | 87 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | 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 |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 803 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 55 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.08 | 1.0 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.92 | 0.76 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | No | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 100 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Eightcap Review |
| Overall | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 80 | 87 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Eightcap Review |
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