Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs Exness, 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 Exness both started their journeys in the financial world with ActivTrades dating back to 2001, while Exness made its debut in 2008. Despite neither being publicly traded or classified as banks, they're well-regarded in the online brokerage industry. Both companies shine when it comes to their regulatory standing. They each possess two Tier-1 licenses, which are known for being highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com standards. This establishes a strong level of credibility and security for traders and investors choosing either of these platforms.
When we talk about further trust indicators, ActivTrades holds one Tier-2 license, while Exness holds three, again reflecting their commitment to maintaining trust and reliability. Both brokers enjoy an identical Trust Score of 81 out of 99 per ForexBrokers.com, categorizing them as trusted brokers in the industry. This positions ActivTrades and Exness as strong contenders for those looking to engage in online trading with reputable and secure brokers.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2008 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | ||
| Bank | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
ActivTrades and Exness both offer competitive trading conditions, but they have distinct approaches regarding commissions and fees. ActivTrades boasts slightly better-than-average spreads, though not as competitive as those of leading low-cost forex brokers. The broker offers an Individual Account, Professional Account, and Islamic Account, aside from its demo option. While high-volume traders might not find specialized pricing at ActivTrades, the fee structure mostly depends on the asset and platform used. Specifically, ActivTrades' average spread for EUR/USD was 0.98 pips as of May 2024. Overall, ActivTrades is rated 4 stars and ranks 28th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com for its commissions and fees.
Exness provides a variety of account types, including two standard and three professional accounts, designed to cater to different trader needs. The commission-based accounts at Exness offer tighter spreads, while the Pro account allows a choice between instant and market execution. Meanwhile, the Zero Spread account features a commission of $0.05 per trade, whereas the Raw account charges up to $7 per round turn lot. Each account comes with market execution, and the various trading conditions give traders flexibility in selecting the appropriate account. Exness shares a 4-star rating with ActivTrades but ranks 35th in commissions and fees, according to ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $10 |
| 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 the range of investments provided by ActivTrades and Exness, both platforms cater to forex enthusiasts by offering trading in CFDs and spot contracts. ActivTrades boasts an impressive 1,267 tradeable symbols, significantly outpacing Exness, which provides access to 227 symbols. Although ActivTrades leads in the sheer number of symbols, Exness offers more in terms of tradeable forex pairs, numbering 96, compared to ActivTrades' 49 pairs. However, ActivTrades presents a unique advantage by offering access to international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase shares like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, whereas Exness does not extend this feature. Both brokers support copy trading, an advantageous tool for less experienced traders looking to mirror the moves of seasoned professionals.
For those interested in cryptocurrency derivatives, both ActivTrades and Exness facilitate trading in this space, though neither offers the option to buy actual cryptocurrency. In terms of user ratings for the range of investments, ActivTrades earns a commendable 4-star rating compared to Exness’s 3.5 stars. Furthermore, according to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades ranks #31 out of 63 brokers for range of investments, while Exness is positioned at #55. This suggests that ActivTrades may offer more diverse investment opportunities, particularly for individuals looking to explore international markets beyond forex and cryptocurrency derivatives.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 227 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 96 |
| 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.
Both ActivTrades and Exness offer traders the chance to practice and hone their skills with easy-to-access virtual demo accounts, making it simple to get started with simulated trading. They each provide proprietary trading platforms developed in-house, alongside popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). Supporting various ways to trade, both brokers have Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms, making trading accessible wherever you are. Additionally, options for copy trading are available on both platforms, enabling users to mimic the trading strategies of others.
When it comes to charting tools, ActivTrades offers users 15 drawing tools, whereas Exness provides a more extensive array with 87 drawing tools. While both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts and have watch lists to monitor your favorite trades, ActivTrades offers more customization with 11 columns for watch lists compared to the 7 available with Exness. In terms of overall ranking, Exness slightly edges out ActivTrades, receiving a ranking of #26 compared to #30 in Trading Platforms and Tools by ForexBrokers.com. Both brokers earn a solid four out of five stars in this category, indicating a quality experience for traders using their platforms and tools.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | 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 | 107 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 87 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
ActivTrades and Exness both provide robust mobile trading applications that cater to both iPhone and Android users. These apps are well-equipped, offering price alerts for stocks and forex, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and multiple time frame views such as daily, weekly, and intraday. Additionally, both platforms allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes. One feature that stands out for ActivTrades is the syncing of watchlist symbols between the mobile app and the online account, although specifics regarding this functionality are not detailed for either platform. While both apps auto-save drawings on charts, there is less clarity on this feature in Exness's app.
In terms of charting tools, ActivTrades offers 30 technical studies, while Exness provides a slight edge with 35. Despite these differences, both have been rated 4 out of 5 stars for their mobile trading services. However, when ranked by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades holds a higher position at #19, whereas Exness is ranked at #26 among 63 brokers. This suggests that while both services are highly regarded, ActivTrades may offer a slightly more comprehensive mobile experience.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | ||
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 35 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
ActivTrades and Exness both provide their users with valuable daily market commentary and up-to-date forex news sourced from leading outlets like Bloomberg and Reuters. This highlights their commitment to keeping traders informed. Both brokers also offer sentiment-based trading tools that reveal the ratio of long versus short positions in various markets. However, when it comes to technical analysis and fundamental research tools, Exness scores a point by partnering with Trading Central to offer such resources, while no specific tools are mentioned for ActivTrades.
Each broker includes a comprehensive economic calendar, helping traders stay aware of upcoming global events that might influence markets. ActivTrades receives a higher research rating, at 4 stars, compared to Exness's 3.5 stars. Additionally, when ranked by ForexBrokers.com among 63 brokers, ActivTrades holds the 30th position in the Research category, whereas Exness is placed at 41st. This suggests that ActivTrades may provide a slightly more enriching research environment for traders seeking detailed market insights.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | ||
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | ||
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
ActivTrades and Exness both provide a variety of educational materials aimed at newcomers to the world of forex and CFD trading. Both brokers ensure that their users have access to a minimum of ten educational pieces, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. Additionally, they offer a searchable archive of previously recorded webinars, which allows users to learn at their own pace and revisit crucial information. ActivTrades stands out by hosting regular online educational webinars each month, while Exness does not offer this feature. Both brokers supply an impressive array of beginner educational videos, with videos specifically catering to those just starting in trading.
Beyond basic education, ActivTrades also provides advanced educational videos targeting more experienced traders. This is an area where Exness does not meet the same level of offering. While Exness does provide an investor dictionary with over 50 term definitions, ActivTrades does not. When it comes to ratings, ActivTrades has earned a slightly higher education rating of 4 stars in comparison to Exness's 3.5 stars. Furthermore, ForexBrokers.com ranks ActivTrades at #38 in the Education category out of 63 brokers, whereas Exness is ranked slightly lower at #47. These comparisons suggest that while both brokers are equipped to educate beginners, ActivTrades offers a more comprehensive educational experience.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Exness. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while Exness finished with an overall rank of #43.
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
|
Exness
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 81 |
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Both ActivTrades and Exness provide the option to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives, not the actual delivered cryptocurrency, allowing traders to speculate on market movements without owning the digital assets.
When comparing online brokers ActivTrades and Exness, both offer Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire options for account funding and withdrawals; however, neither provides PayPal, while Exness does not support ACH or SEPA transfers, details not provided for ActivTrades.
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 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Exness Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | Exness | |
|---|---|---|---|
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