Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com 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.
FOREX.com vs ActivTrades: FOREX.com was founded in 1999, while ActivTrades started in 2001. FOREX.com is publicly traded, ActivTrades is not, and neither broker is a bank. On ForexBrokers.com’s 0–99 Trust Score (90–99 highly trusted; 80–89 trusted; 70–79 average risk; 60–69 high risk; below 59 not trusted), FOREX.com scores 99 (highly trusted) and ActivTrades scores 80 (trusted).
Regulation matters in this comparison. FOREX.com holds seven Tier-1 licenses (considered highly trusted by ForexBrokers.com) and two Tier-2 licenses (trusted). ActivTrades holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. The larger set of top-tier licenses helps explain FOREX.com’s higher Trust Score, while ActivTrades maintains a trusted standing.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing commissions and fees, FOREX.com comes out ahead of ActivTrades overall. FOREX.com earns 4.5 stars and ranks #15 out of 36 brokers for commissions and fees, while ActivTrades gets 4 stars and ranks #21 out of 36. FOREX.com does tend to be a bit pricier than the industry average in some cases, especially on its Standard account in the U.S., where EUR/USD spreads averaged 1.4 pips. However, its RAW account can be much cheaper for active traders, with typical EUR/USD spreads around 0.13 pips plus commission, and volume-based rebates are available for very high-volume clients.
ActivTrades is still reasonably competitive, with spreads that are slightly better than the industry average, but it does not match the lowest-cost brokers. Its EUR/USD spread was 0.98 pips in May 2024, and pricing can vary by asset and market conditions. The broker offers a simple account setup with Individual, Professional, and Islamic account options, but it does not have a special pricing plan for high-volume traders, and there is no active trader discount program.
In plain terms, FOREX.com may be the better pick if you want more pricing options and lower costs at higher trading volumes, while ActivTrades may appeal to traders who want straightforward account choices and mid-range pricing. For most traders, FOREX.com offers the stronger mix of fees, features, and flexibility, especially outside the U.S. or on its commission-based RAW account.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 1.08 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 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.
When it comes to range of investments, FOREX.com offers a wider selection than ActivTrades. FOREX.com provides 5,500 tradeable symbols and 80 forex pairs, compared with ActivTrades’ 1,267 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Both brokers let clients trade forex as a CFD or spot contract, and both offer cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither allows buyers to own delivered crypto. FOREX.com also stands out for offering exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, while ActivTrades offers shares on international exchanges only.
ActivTrades does have one notable feature that FOREX.com does not: copy trading. Still, for investors focused on choice and market variety, FOREX.com comes out ahead. It earns 5 out of 5 stars for Range of Investments and ranks #6 out of 36 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #25. Overall, FOREX.com is the stronger pick for traders who want access to a broader mix of markets and instruments.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| 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.
FOREX.com and ActivTrades both give traders a wide range of platform choices, including free demo accounts, a proprietary platform, a Windows desktop app, a web-based platform, MetaTrader 4, and MetaTrader 5. Each broker also lets users trade directly from a chart, which makes it easier to place orders while reviewing price moves. In short, both firms cover the key trading platform and tools basics well, whether you prefer to practice first or trade live across desktop and browser setups.
The main difference is copy trading: ActivTrades offers it, while FOREX.com does not. FOREX.com still stands out overall, though, with a 5-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools and a #5 ranking out of 36 brokers from ForexBrokers.com, compared with ActivTrades’ 4-star rating and #26 ranking. If copy trading matters to you, ActivTrades has the edge; if you want the stronger overall platform experience, FOREX.com comes out ahead.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FOREX.com and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts for stocks or forex. Each app also lets users draw trendlines on charts and saves those drawings automatically, which makes it easier to track trading ideas on the go. For traders who want a smooth experience between devices, FOREX.com has an added advantage because its watchlists sync with the online account, while ActivTrades does not offer watchlist syncing in its mobile app.
When it comes to charting tools, FOREX.com stands out with 90 technical studies in its mobile app, compared with 30 at ActivTrades. That difference helps give FOREX.com an edge for traders who want more ways to analyze price action from a phone or tablet. This stronger mobile trading experience is reflected in ratings as well: FOREX.com earns 5 stars and ranks #2 out of 36 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps, while ActivTrades is rated 4 stars and ranks #21.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 90 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FOREX.com and ActivTrades both give traders useful market research, including daily market commentary, news from top sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, a sentiment tool that shows long and short positions, and an economic calendar with upcoming global events. Neither broker offers Autochartist, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading tools, so their research coverage is similar in those areas.
The main difference is that FOREX.com goes a step further with Trading Central research tools, such as Technical Analytics, while ActivTrades does not. This stronger research lineup is reflected in ratings and rankings: FOREX.com earns 5 out of 5 stars for Research and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers, while ActivTrades scores 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #26.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners looking to learn forex or CFD trading, both FOREX.com and ActivTrades offer a wide range of educational content, including at least 10 learning pieces focused on forex or CFDs, plus monthly educational webinars. Each broker also provides at least 10 beginner videos and 10 advanced videos, so new traders can start with the basics and grow their skills over time. If you want a broker with plenty of help for learning trading concepts, both platforms give you a solid starting point.
That said, FOREX.com stands out as the stronger choice for education overall. It earns a 5-star education rating and ranks #4 out of 36 brokers in the Education category on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and ranks #30. In simple terms, both brokers support beginners well, but FOREX.com offers a more highly rated learning experience and a better overall education package.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
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 FOREX.com is better than ActivTrades. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #4, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 |
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In the FOREX.com vs ActivTrades comparison, neither online broker offers the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but both allow cryptocurrency trading via CFDs.
Compared to ActivTrades, FOREX.com stands out by supporting ACH/SEPA transfers, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires, 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 | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (FSA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | Yes | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.00 | 1.08 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.13 | 0.92 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | No | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $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 | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 90 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | 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 | 90 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | ActivTrades Review |
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