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.
When choosing a trading platform, understanding the level of trust and security a broker offers is crucial. FOREX.com, established in 1999, stands out with its impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 99, indicating it's highly trusted. The company is publicly traded, which often adds a layer of transparency, and it holds 7 Tier-1 licenses, the highest number in the industry, showcasing its strong regulatory standing. Although it’s not a bank, the platform is considered a secure choice for online trading.
In contrast, ActivTrades, founded in 2001, has a Trust Score rating of 81, placing it in the trusted category. Although not publicly traded, ActivTrades holds 2 Tier-1 licenses and 1 Tier-2 license, providing a solid regulatory framework, though not as extensive as FOREX.com. Like its counterpart, ActivTrades is not a bank, but it remains a viable option for traders looking for a platform with a trusted track record.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing FOREX.com and ActivTrades on commissions and fees, FOREX.com stands out for offering various execution methods and account types, such as the Standard and RAW Spread accounts. Despite being a popular choice for market maker brokers with a transparent view of execution statistics, FOREX.com tends to be slightly more expensive than the industry average. The Standard account, available for MetaTrader clients, features average EUR/USD spreads of 1.4 pips in the U.S., appealing to traders willing to pay a higher spread for market-maker execution benefits. Their RAW Spread account, suitable for active traders, delivers competitive spreads starting at 0.13 pips for the EUR/USD, but includes a $7 commission per Standard lot. FOREX.com is rated 4.5 stars for commissions and fees, ranking 13th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, ActivTrades primarily offers an Individual Account, with additional Professional and Islamic Account options, but lacks a specific plan for high-volume traders or active trader pricing. Their spreads are slightly better than the industry average, with a target spread of 0.98 pips for the EUR/USD in May 2024, though they aren't as competitive as the top low-cost forex brokers. The main difference in their Professional Accounts is lower margin requirements, while spreads remain unchanged across different account types. Commissions and fees at ActivTrades vary based on the traded assets and platform used. ActivTrades earns a 4-star rating and ranks 28th out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com.
Both brokers have their own appeal; FOREX.com attracts traders who want varied execution methods and account options, particularly in its RAW Spread account that favors active traders, while ActivTrades offers straightforward, slightly above-average spreads with no targeted high-volume accounts. The decision between them may come down to whether you prioritize flexibility and transparent pricing or a simplified fee structure with potentially narrower spreads. This comparison reflects their offerings as of the latest data available, making them both viable options depending on traders' individual needs and preferences.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of investment options, FOREX.com stands out by offering a comprehensive selection of 5500 tradable symbols, including 80 forex pairs. This positions FOREX.com as an excellent choice for traders seeking diverse opportunities. In contrast, ActivTrades provides access to 1267 symbols and 49 forex pairs. However, ActivTrades gains a competitive edge by allowing traders to access exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, unlike FOREX.com, which focuses solely on CFDs and spot forex contracts.
FOREX.com also excels in offering cryptocurrency derivatives, but does not support the trading of actual cryptocurrencies or copy trading. Meanwhile, ActivTrades not only offers cryptocurrency derivatives but also provides copy trading services, catering to traders looking to mirror the strategies of experienced investors. Despite ActivTrades’ additional features, FOREX.com achieves a higher rating of five stars for its range of investments compared to the four stars for ActivTrades. Ranked #7 among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com in this category, FOREX.com remains a top choice for its vast array of trading options, while ActivTrades holds the 31st position, still offering valuable features for traders.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of FOREX.com and ActivTrades, both brokers offer a strong range of features ideal for traders at all levels. FOREX.com and ActivTrades provide virtual demo accounts, making it easy for traders to practice without financial risk. Each broker has developed their own proprietary platform and supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, ensuring plenty of variety for desktop and web-based trading experiences. While both brokers excel in many areas, ActivTrades stands out for its incorporation of copy trading, a feature not available at FOREX.com. However, FOREX.com maintains an edge with its impressive 239 drawing tools for charting, compared to only 15 offered by ActivTrades.
For traders keen on customizing their watch lists, FOREX.com comes out ahead with 20 columns available, whereas ActivTrades provides 11. FOREX.com's ability to trade directly from stock charts is matched by ActivTrades, although it's clear that FOREX.com achieves a higher overall rating. Awarded 5 stars for trading platforms and tools, compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars, FOREX.com ranks 7th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, with ActivTrades trailing at 30th place. Despite some limitations, both brokers offer a capable suite of trading platforms suited to a variety of trading styles.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both FOREX.com and ActivTrades stand out by offering apps for both iPhone and Android devices, allowing traders to stay connected wherever they go. Both platforms keep traders informed with stock and forex price alerts and offer the convenience of real-time watchlist creation with up-to-the-minute quotes. However, FOREX.com has an edge with its watchlist syncing feature, which automatically updates changes across devices, a capability that ActivTrades lacks.
In terms of charting capabilities, FOREX.com excels by providing 88 technical studies compared to ActivTrades' 30. Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view charts in multiple time frames, auto-saving these drawings for convenience. With a rating of 5 stars versus ActivTrades' 4 stars for their mobile apps, FOREX.com ranks higher at #3 out of 63 brokers, compared to ActivTrades’ position at #19. This demonstrates FOREX.com's strong appeal among mobile traders looking for comprehensive functionalities and seamless integration.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both FOREX.com and ActivTrades excel in providing market research for their clients, offering daily market commentary and up-to-the-minute forex news from recognized sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. While neither platform utilizes research tools from companies like Autochartist, both do support sentiment-based trading tools that display the ratio of long and short positions across currency pairs. This allows traders to gauge market trends and potential opportunities. Additionally, each broker provides an economic calendar, helping traders keep abreast of global news events that can influence market conditions.
However, FOREX.com differentiates itself from ActivTrades with its access to Trading Central’s technical analysis tools, which enhance decision-making processes for investors. This added advantage, along with its comprehensive resources, contributes to FOREX.com's superior research rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars. Furthermore, FOREX.com is ranked 9th among 63 brokers for research by ForexBrokers.com, placing it significantly ahead of ActivTrades, which holds the 30th spot. This distinction highlights FOREX.com's commitment to offering a more insightful and resourceful trading experience for its users.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners at FOREX.com and ActivTrades, both brokers offer a wide range of learning materials to help new traders start on the right foot. Each provides a minimum of 10 educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and archived webinars, with a focus on forex and CFDs. Both brokers also conduct monthly online webinars and have searchable archives of past sessions. They cater to beginners with at least 10 video lessons and offer additional content for advanced traders seeking more in-depth information. However, FOREX.com sets itself apart by providing an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, which is something ActivTrades does not offer.
Overall, FOREX.com is slightly ahead in terms of educational offerings. It holds a 4.5-star rating for education and is ranked 4th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ActivTrades has a 4-star education rating and ranks 38th. For beginners aiming for comprehensive educational resources, FOREX.com represents a slightly superior choice, thanks to its complete range of beginner and advanced content and the added benefit of an investor dictionary.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | 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 FOREX.com is better than ActivTrades. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
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 | 81 |
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Both FOREX.com and ActivTrades do not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency but do provide options for trading cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing the online brokers FOREX.com and ActivTrades, FOREX.com offers diverse options for depositing and withdrawing funds including ACH or SEPA transfers, PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ActivTrades provides Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire options but does not support ACH, SEPA, or 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 | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| 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 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 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 (SFC 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 | No |
| 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/Central Bank 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. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 15 | |
| 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 Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | 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 | FOREX.com Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | ActivTrades Review |
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