Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of eToro vs ActivTrades, 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.
Comparing online brokers eToro and ActivTrades: eToro was founded in 2007 and is publicly traded, while ActivTrades started in 2001 and is not listed on a stock exchange. Neither broker is a bank.
In terms of regulation and trust, eToro holds 4 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, earning a 96/99 Trust Score from ForexBrokers.com (rated highly trusted). ActivTrades holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license with an 81/99 Trust Score (rated trusted). Tier-1 licenses are seen as highly trusted and Tier-2 licenses as trusted, helping traders gauge each broker’s safety profile.
| Feature |
eToro
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
Comparing commissions and fees, ActivTrades comes in slightly cheaper on spreads while eToro leans on its social copy trading appeal. eToro, a market-maker, lists a typical variable spread of 1.0 pip on EUR/USD, which is a bit higher than the industry average. ActivTrades told us its average EUR/USD spread was 0.98 pips in May 2024—slightly better than average, though not the very lowest. Spreads at both brokers are variable and can widen during busy market moments or the rollover period.
For pricing structure, ActivTrades uses one main Individual account, plus Professional and Islamic options; spreads are the same across account types, there’s no active-trader pricing, and fees can vary by asset and platform. eToro doesn’t pitch ultra-tight spreads; instead, it supplements its pricing with the eToro Club (VIP tiers from Silver to Diamond for $5,000–$250,000 balances), offering perks like Trading Central access, discounted withdrawal/deposit fees, and a dedicated account manager.
Ratings and rankings for commissions and fees: eToro earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #22 out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades earns 4/5 stars and ranks #21 out of 63. If your main goal is the lowest spread on EUR/USD, ActivTrades edges out eToro; if you value copy trading and VIP perks, eToro may be the better fit despite slightly higher typical spreads.
| Feature |
eToro
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | N/A | 1.08 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.92 |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
eToro and ActivTrades both support forex trading (CFD and/or spot), but eToro offers a much wider range of investments overall: 7,441 tradeable symbols versus 1,267 at ActivTrades. Forex traders also get a bit more choice on eToro with 55 currency pairs compared with 49 at ActivTrades. Both brokers offer copy trading.
For stocks, eToro lets you buy real, exchange-listed shares on U.S. markets (such as Apple) as well as international exchanges, while ActivTrades offers real international shares only and no direct access to U.S. stocks. In crypto, eToro allows you to buy actual coins and trade crypto CFDs; ActivTrades limits access to crypto CFDs. Reflecting this broader selection, ForexBrokers.com rates eToro 5/5 stars and ranks it 11th out of 63 for Range of Investments, while ActivTrades earns 4/5 stars and ranks 25th.
| Feature |
eToro
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7441 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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.
eToro vs ActivTrades: both brokers offer a free virtual demo account for paper trading, their own proprietary platforms, and web-based trading. For desktop users, ActivTrades provides a Windows download platform while eToro does not. Both support copy trading and let you place orders directly from charts.
If you want MetaTrader, ActivTrades includes both MT4 and MT5, whereas eToro does not support either. Based on ForexBrokers.com, eToro earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #8 out of 63 for Trading Platforms and Tools, while ActivTrades scores 4/5 stars and ranks #26. Choose eToro if a modern web platform with copy trading fits your style, or go with ActivTrades if you need a Windows desktop platform and MetaTrader compatibility.
| Feature |
eToro
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 106 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
eToro and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each supports stock and forex price alerts. Where they differ is watchlist management: eToro syncs watchlists between the mobile app and the online platform, while ActivTrades does not, which may matter if you switch devices often and want your favorites to stay in step.
For charting, eToro provides 104 technical studies, far more than ActivTrades’ 30. However, eToro’s app does not let you draw trendlines or auto-save chart drawings. ActivTrades includes both trendline drawing and auto-save, making it better for on-chart annotations. In overall quality, eToro earns 4.5 stars and ranks #10 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while ActivTrades scores 4 stars and ranks #21. Choose eToro if you want more indicators and synced watchlists; pick ActivTrades if you need mobile trendlines and saved chart notes.
| Feature |
eToro
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Comparing eToro vs ActivTrades for market research, both brokers offer daily market commentary, an economic calendar, and forex news from major outlets like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. Each also provides a sentiment tool that shows the long/short split across instruments. Neither broker includes Autochartist or Acuity Trading tools.
Where eToro pulls ahead is in third‑party research: it integrates Trading Central and TipRanks, while ActivTrades does not. That edge helps explain eToro’s 4.5/5 Research rating and #13 rank out of 63 brokers, compared with ActivTrades’ 4/5 rating and #26 rank. If you want more built‑in analyst insights, eToro is the stronger pick; if you mainly need daily commentary, top‑tier news, and a clear calendar, ActivTrades covers the essentials.
| Feature |
eToro
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | Yes | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
eToro vs ActivTrades for beginner education: both brokers deliver a clear path to learning forex and CFDs. Each offers well over the 10-piece threshold with 10+ beginner videos, 10+ advanced videos, and live educational webinars at least once a month. That mix of bite-size videos and regular webinars helps new traders build skills at a steady pace.
Where they differ is in overall strength and recognition. eToro earns 4.5/5 stars for Education and ranks 3rd out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades scores 4/5 stars and ranks 30th. Both are solid choices for beginners, but if you want the more highly rated education experience, eToro has the edge.
| Feature |
eToro
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that eToro is better than ActivTrades. eToro finished with an overall rank of #9, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28.
eToro is a winner for its easy-to-use copy-trading platform, where traders can copy the trades of experienced investors – or receive exclusive perks for sharing their own trading strategies.
| Feature |
eToro
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ActivTrades
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| Trust Score | 96 | 81 |
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In the eToro vs ActivTrades comparison for crypto trading, eToro allows buying both actual (delivered) cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency CFDs, whereas ActivTrades offers only cryptocurrency CFDs and does not provide delivered crypto.
In the eToro vs ActivTrades comparison, eToro supports ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wire transfers, while ActivTrades supports Skrill and bank wires but not ACH/SEPA or PayPal; Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | eToro | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | eToro | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 96 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2007 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | 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) | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 7441 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | Yes | 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 | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | N/A | 1.08 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.92 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $50-$10,000 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | No | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 106 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 104 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | eToro | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | eToro Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | eToro | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 96 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | eToro Review | ActivTrades Review |
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