Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FinecoBank 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.
FinecoBank and ActivTrades are two notable online brokers offering distinct features and trust scores. Founded in 1999, FinecoBank has established itself as a publicly traded company and operates as a bank, adding an additional layer of trust given its banking status. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are deemed highly reliable by ForexBrokers.com, contributing to its high Trust Score of 94 out of 99. This score places FinecoBank among the highly trusted brokers, offering users a sense of security and confidence when engaging in their trading activities.
ActivTrades, founded in 2001, holds a strong position in the online trading market but is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. Like FinecoBank, it holds two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. Additionally, it possesses one Tier-2 license, which is also considered trustworthy. With a Trust Score of 81, ActivTrades is rated as trusted by ForexBrokers.com, making it a reliable choice for traders looking for a reputable broker. Both brokers provide robust regulatory standards, making them solid choices for anyone looking to trade online.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When considering online brokers, FinecoBank and ActivTrades differ significantly in terms of commissions and fees, impacting their appeal to traders of different needs. FinecoBank does not publicly share its average spread data for forex and CFD trading, which makes assessing its trading costs challenging. Despite this, Fineco lists a spread of 1 pip for the EUR/USD, which is higher than many forex brokers. They also mention a spread of 0.8 pips, but without specifying if these are average values or providing a time frame, leaving some uncertainty. However, if you're interested in index CFDs, FinecoBank seems to offer more competitive spreads.
In comparison, ActivTrades stands out slightly better in terms of spreads, often providing a spread rate that is better than the industry average, but not quite the lowest among leading forex brokers. ActivTrades offers several account types, including Individual, Professional, and Islamic Accounts, plus a demo account option. However, there is no specific account catering to high-volume traders, and active trader pricing is absent. Spread consistency across its account types ensures no surprises, providing transparency in trading costs. For the EUR/USD, the broker lists an average spread of 0.98 pips.
Considering ratings and rankings, FinecoBank receives a 3.5-star rating for commissions and fees, placing it at #51 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, ActivTrades earns a slightly higher rating of 4 stars, positioning it at #28 on the same list. When choosing between these two brokers, traders should consider their specific trading needs, the type of assets they are interested in, and how important transparent and competitive spread information is to their trading strategy.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When examining the investment options available at FinecoBank and ActivTrades, it's clear that both online brokers cater to different trading preferences. FinecoBank impresses with a vast selection of 9,770 tradeable symbols, allowing investors to explore a larger variety of financial instruments. Additionally, FinecoBank offers 54 tradeable forex pairs and provides access to exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, enabling clients to purchase shares of well-known companies like Apple and Vodafone. However, FinecoBank does not offer copy trading or cryptocurrency derivative options.
On the other hand, ActivTrades, rated slightly lower at 4 stars for its range of investments, presents traders with 1,267 tradeable symbols, including 49 forex pairs. While it lacks the ability to buy exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, ActivTrades does allow trading on international exchanges. Unlike FinecoBank, ActivTrades features copy trading and offers cryptocurrency derivatives, catering to traders interested in leveraging unique investment strategies. Both brokers allow forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but their differing options highlight unique strengths for investors seeking specific investment opportunities.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 9770 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 54 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | No | 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.
FinecoBank and ActivTrades offer trading platforms that cater to a variety of traders, with both brokers providing proprietary platforms as well as web-based and Windows-based desktop options. However, ActivTrades holds an edge with features like a free virtual demo account, which FinecoBank lacks. Additionally, ActivTrades supports the use of popular platforms such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, while FinecoBank does not provide access to these platforms. This flexibility may appeal to traders who value access to established trading tools.
In the realm of charting, ActivTrades provides traders with significantly more drawing tools—15 compared to FinecoBank’s 7—and also allows trading directly from a stock chart, a feature that is absent in FinecoBank. Moreover, ActivTrades offers a more customizable experience with 11 columns for watch lists. Despite these differences, both brokers hold a strong reputation for their trading platforms, each earning a 4-star rating. Notably, however, FinecoBank ranks higher on ForexBrokers.com in the Trading Platforms and Tools category, securing the 18th position compared to ActivTrades’ 30th.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | No | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 37 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 7 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | N/A | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FinecoBank and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android users, providing convenient on-the-go trading solutions. Both apps support stock and forex price alerts and allow users to view multiple timeframes on their charts, such as daily, weekly, or intraday. However, when it comes to technical features, ActivTrades stands out by offering more extensive options. The ActivTrades app includes 30 technical studies for charting, compared to FinecoBank's six. Additionally, ActivTrades allows users to draw trendlines and autosave these drawings, elevating the customization and chart analysis features far beyond that of FinecoBank.
For traders looking to manage their portfolios efficiently, ActivTrades provides the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes, a feature that FinecoBank lacks. Neither platform offers watchlist symbol syncing with their online accounts, but ActivTrades still provides a more integrated and feature-rich experience overall. As rated by ForexBrokers.com, both apps achieve a solid four-star rating, yet ActivTrades ranks higher at 19th out of 63 brokers, while FinecoBank falls behind at 42nd. This suggests that while both apps are highly regarded, ActivTrades offers a more advanced mobile trading experience for users seeking enhanced charting capabilities and real-time market engagement.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 6 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FinecoBank and ActivTrades each bring unique strengths to the realm of market research for online trading, making them appealing to different types of traders. ActivTrades distinguishes itself by providing daily market commentary and offering a sentiment-based trading tool that displays ratios of long and short positions across various instruments. Both brokers offer access to forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders stay informed with high-quality information. Additionally, each platform offers an economic calendar to help users stay updated on significant global events and their effects on the market.
While neither FinecoBank nor ActivTrades supports technical analysis tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, both are rated at 4 stars for research by ForexBrokers.com, indicating solid performance overall in the category. FinecoBank is ranked slightly behind ActivTrades at 33rd place compared to ActivTrades' 30th out of 63 brokers. This ranking reflects the slight edge ActivTrades may have for traders who value daily insights and sentiment analysis, whereas FinecoBank serves those who prioritize quality news access and comprehensive economic updates.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing FinecoBank and ActivTrades based on the educational resources they offer beginners, there are distinct differences to consider. ActivTrades stands out by providing more than ten educational pieces focusing on forex and CFDs, which include articles, videos, and archived webinars. Furthermore, ActivTrades offers a searchable archive of these webinars, which can serve as a valuable tool for users who wish to learn at their own pace. Both brokers conduct monthly online educational webinars, ensuring ongoing support for their clients. In terms of beginner-focused educational videos, both FinecoBank and ActivTrades meet the benchmark with a variety available to help new traders grasp essential concepts.
Despite these similarities, each broker also has unique offerings. ActivTrades caters to more experienced traders by providing at least ten advanced educational videos, a feature FinecoBank lacks. On the other hand, FinecoBank provides an extensive investor dictionary, enriching a beginner’s understanding of key investing terms. When evaluating their overall educational offerings, both brokers receive 4.0 stars for education, but in a ranking of 63 brokers, ActivTrades is positioned higher at #38 compared to FinecoBank’s rank of #49.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FinecoBank is better than ActivTrades. FinecoBank finished with an overall rank of #25, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
FinecoBank is a trusted multi-asset broker offering forex and CFDs across its brands regulated in the U.K. and Italy. However, unless you visit a physical branch as a citizen of the EU – or you are a resident of Italy or the U.K. – you will not be permitted to open an online account with FinecoBank.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
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ActivTrades
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 |
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FinecoBank does not offer the ability to buy actual cryptocurrency or cryptocurrency derivatives, while ActivTrades does not provide actual cryptocurrency purchases but does allow for trading in cryptocurrency derivatives.
FinecoBank supports ACH, SEPA transfers, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals but does not support PayPal, Skrill, or card payments, whereas ActivTrades facilitates deposits and withdrawals via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH or SEPA transfer options and does not support 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 | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FinecoBank Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | 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 | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 9770 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 54 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | No | 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 | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | No | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | N/A | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 37 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 7 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | No | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 6 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | FinecoBank Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FinecoBank Review | ActivTrades Review |
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