Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs FXOpen, 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, established in 2001, and FXOpen, founded in 2003, are both online brokers that operate without being publicly traded and are not banks. When it comes to their trustworthiness, ActivTrades holds a slightly better position with a Trust Score of 81 according to ForexBrokers.com, categorizing it as trusted. This score places it higher than FXOpen, which has a Trust Score of 76, indicating an average risk level.
In terms of regulatory standing, both brokers boast two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a strong level of trust. However, ActivTrades gains an edge over FXOpen by also possessing a Tier-2 license, adding another layer of reliability. This combination of licenses contributes to ActivTrades being considered more trusted overall compared to FXOpen in the eyes of ForexBrokers.com's evaluations.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When comparing commissions and fees between ActivTrades and FXOpen, both brokers receive a 4-star rating. However, ActivTrades ranks higher at number 28 out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while FXOpen is positioned at 44. ActivTrades offers competitive spreads that are slightly better than the industry average. Traders can choose from several account types, including an Individual Account, Professional Account, and an Islamic Account, although there is no specific option available for high-volume traders or active trader pricing.
Commissions and fees at ActivTrades largely depend on the asset being traded, as spreads can vary throughout the trading session. For example, the average spread for EUR/USD in May 2024 was recorded at 0.98 pips. ActivTrades offers transparent target spreads for each asset, although they may fluctuate due to market conditions. Each account type at ActivTrades provides the same spreads, with the main difference being the lower margin requirements for Professional Accounts.
FXOpen lacks specific average spread data, which can make a direct comparison more challenging. Despite having the same 4-star rating for commissions and fees, FXOpen's lower ranking suggests that traders may want to consider their specific trading requirements and compare available account features when choosing between these two brokers.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
ActivTrades and FXOpen both offer forex trading as either CFDs or spot contracts, but they differ significantly in the variety of investments available. With 1267 tradeable symbols, ActivTrades stands out, offering a much broader selection compared to FXOpen's 87. When it comes to forex pairs, ActivTrades provides 49 options, nearly double the 25 pairs offered by FXOpen. Both platforms offer copy trading and options to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows for purchasing actual cryptocurrencies or U.S. exchange-traded securities.
Examining international exchanges, ActivTrades allows clients to invest in individual securities, such as Vodafone shares on the London Stock Exchange, while FXOpen does not provide this option. ActivTrades receives a 4-star rating for its range of investments and ranks 31st out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, FXOpen receives a 3-star rating and ranks 62nd in the same category, reflecting a more limited array of investment offerings compared to ActivTrades.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 87 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 25 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of ActivTrades and FXOpen, both brokers stand out in different ways. ActivTrades offers a proprietary platform developed in-house, catering to users looking for a unique trading experience. Both platforms support Windows-based desktop downloads and enable trading directly from stock charts, while users can also enjoy web-based trading platforms for flexibility. Both brokers provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, making it easy for new traders to practice. Additionally, they both support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, although only FXOpen offers the ZuluTrade service for those interested in social trading networks.
When it comes to charting tools, both ActivTrades and FXOpen offer 15 drawing tools, but ActivTrades provides more columns in their watch lists, with 11 available compared to FXOpen's 7. For those interested in copy trading, both brokers tick that box. In terms of overall evaluation, each broker receives a 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, according to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades ranks higher at #30 compared to FXOpen's #53 out of 63 brokers, indicating a slight edge in user satisfaction for ActivTrades in this category.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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 | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of ActivTrades and FXOpen, both platforms are equipped for iPhone and Android users, offering accessibility across devices. They provide essential features such as stock or forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines on charts, and view various time frames. Each platform supports creating watchlists with real-time quotes and offers 30 technical studies for detailed chart analysis.
However, ActivTrades has a slight edge with its mobile app automatically saving chart drawings, a feature not available with FXOpen. While both brokers share a similar customer rating of four out of five stars, their rankings differ significantly in the ForexBrokers.com list for mobile trading apps, with ActivTrades positioned at #19 and FXOpen at #54. Neither app currently supports watchlist symbol syncing, which could be a consideration for traders managing their portfolios across multiple platforms.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
ActivTrades and FXOpen both provide essential market updates, featuring daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders have timely information. While both brokers do not offer technical analysis tools from companies like Autochartist or Trading Central, ActivTrades stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool that displays the ratio of long and short positions across various currency pairs. This can be a crucial feature for traders looking to gauge market sentiment.
In terms of comprehensive market planning, both ActivTrades and FXOpen offer economic calendars to keep traders informed of global news events. However, when it comes to research tools from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading, neither broker provides these options. Despite these similarities, ActivTrades is rated 4 stars for its research offerings compared to FXOpen's 3 stars, with ActivTrades ranked 30th out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while FXOpen holds the 63rd spot. This suggests that ActivTrades may provide a more favorable research experience for traders seeking deeper insights.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners interested in forex and CFDs trading, ActivTrades edges out FXOpen by offering a wider variety of learning materials and opportunities. ActivTrades provides over 10 educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars focused primarily on forex and CFDs, making it a welcoming choice for beginners. The broker also hosts monthly online webinars tailored to client education and maintains a searchable archive of recorded sessions, ensuring that users have continual access to valuable learning material. In addition to this, ActivTrades delivers a solid selection of both beginner and advanced educational videos, which are particularly useful for those new to trading as well as more experienced traders looking to expand their knowledge. However, ActivTrades does not provide an investor dictionary, which is a resource available from FXOpen.
In contrast, FXOpen lacks extensive educational offerings for forex and CFDs, falling short in providing the same breadth of resources and events as ActivTrades. While it has an investor dictionary with definitions for over 50 investing terms, FXOpen does not offer monthly webinars or a comprehensive selection of educational videos tailored to trading beginners. Despite its limitations, it maintains a respectable presence with educational offerings, but it is rated at 3 stars for education compared to ActivTrades’ 4 stars. In the ForexBrokers.com ranking, ActivTrades holds the 38th spot out of 63 brokers for education, whereas FXOpen ranks 58th, highlighting ActivTrades as the more education-focused broker of the two.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | 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 FXOpen. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while FXOpen finished with an overall rank of #54.
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
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 76 |
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Both ActivTrades and FXOpen do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
ActivTrades and FXOpen both support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, while neither broker offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal as payment options.
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 | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 81 | 76 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | 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). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 87 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 25 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | 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). |
| Cost | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | Yes |
| Trading Tools | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
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