Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM 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.
FXCM, established in 1999, and ActivTrades, founded in 2001, are both prominent online brokers. A noteworthy distinction lies in their market presence and trustworthiness. FXCM is publicly traded, enhancing transparency and investor confidence, while ActivTrades remains privately owned. Neither firm operates as a bank. When evaluating trust indicators, FXCM takes the lead with an impressive Trust Score of 95 out of 99, categorizing it as highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. This score is supported by FXCM's possession of four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, marking it as a highly compliant brokerage.
In comparison, ActivTrades holds a Trust Score of 81, which still considers it a trusted entity. It carries two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, indicating a strong adherence to regulatory standards, albeit at a slightly lower level than FXCM. Overall, both brokers demonstrate considerable reliability, but FXCM edges ahead with its broader regulatory footprint and higher trust rating. Potential traders may find these distinctions beneficial when deciding between the two for their trading activities.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing FXCM and ActivTrades in terms of commissions and fees, both brokers have their strengths. FXCM tends to have higher forex spreads than the industry average. For example, in May 2024, the average spread for EUR/USD was 0.78 pips in Europe, the U.K., and Australia, while it was 1.38 pips in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. However, their commission-based accounts offered a lower average spread of 0.28 pips, excluding commissions. FXCM also offers an Active Trader Rebate Program, providing rebates between $5 and $25 per million traded, depending on the trading volume and tier. FXCM earns a 4-star rating and ranks #24 among 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
ActivTrades generally provides better than average spreads, although not as competitive as the very best low-cost forex brokers. Their Individual Account, Professional Account, and Islamic Account types cater to different trading needs, without special pricing for high-volume traders. ActivTrades lists a target spread for each asset, but actual spreads can fluctuate. For May 2024, the EUR/USD average spread was 0.98 pips. Like FXCM, ActivTrades receives a 4-star rating, albeit with a slightly lower ranking at #28 out of 63 brokers for commissions and fees.
In summary, both FXCM and ActivTrades offer competitive services for traders, but the choice might depend on specific trading volume and location preferences. FXCM stands out with its active trader rebates, potentially reducing costs for high-volume traders, while ActivTrades offers consistent spreads across its various account types. However, neither broker excels as the absolute lowest-cost option available.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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.
When comparing FXCM and ActivTrades, both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but the variety of investments they provide differs. FXCM features 440 tradeable symbols, including 43 forex pairs, while ActivTrades offers a broader selection with 1,267 tradeable symbols and 49 forex pairs. Neither platform provides the capability to purchase exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, such as Apple shares. However, ActivTrades does allow clients to invest in international exchange-traded securities, like Vodafone shares, a feature FXCM lacks. Both brokers provide options for copy trading and the purchase of cryptocurrency derivatives, not the actual cryptocurrency.
In terms of ratings, FXCM has received 3.5 stars for its range of investments, while ActivTrades earns a slightly higher rating with 4 stars. On the ForexBrokers.com ranking, FXCM is positioned at #47 out of 63 brokers in the Range of Investments category, reflecting its more limited offerings. On the other hand, ActivTrades is ranked higher at #31, indicating a more extensive selection that better meets diverse investment needs.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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). | 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 FXCM and ActivTrades for their trading platforms and tools, both brokers offer users a comprehensive range of features including proprietary platforms, Windows-based desktop downloads, web-based platforms, and the popular MetaTrader 4. They also provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to hone their skills without financial risks. While both platforms support copy trading, only FXCM is integrated with ZuluTrade, giving it a unique advantage. However, ActivTrades makes up for this by offering MetaTrader 5, a feature that FXCM does not support.
In terms of charting capabilities, FXCM provides 10 drawing tools, slightly fewer than ActivTrades, which offers 15. Both allow trading directly from stock charts, enhancing trading efficiency. When it comes to customization, FXCM's watch lists feature 13 columns for different fields, compared to ActivTrades' 11. Rated 5 stars in trading platforms and tools, FXCM ranks 6th out of 63 brokers, showcasing its high-quality offerings. Meanwhile, ActivTrades holds a respectable 4-star rating and ranks 30th, making it a strong yet slightly less competitive choice in this category.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and ActivTrades both offer iPhone and Android apps for mobile trading, ensuring accessibility across major platforms. Both facilitate stock and forex trading with features such as price alerts and real-time quotes. FXCM, however, takes a lead with watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless updates across mobile and online accounts—a feature not available with ActivTrades. When it comes to technical charting, FXCM provides 59 technical studies compared to ActivTrades' 30, offering traders a wider array of analytical tools directly on the mobile app.
Both apps allow users to draw trendlines and view charts in multiple time frames, ensuring a comprehensive view of the market. Drawings on charts are automatically saved in both apps, providing convenience for ongoing analysis. In terms of user ratings, FXCM edges out with a 4.5-star rating, while ActivTrades holds a slightly lower 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks #16 out of 63 for mobile trading apps, ahead of ActivTrades, which ranks at #19. This reflects FXCM's slightly higher overall user satisfaction in the mobile trading category.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 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.
When comparing FXCM and ActivTrades for market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. They also include sentiment-based trading tools to help traders understand market positions. However, FXCM goes a step further by offering tools from Trading Central, while ActivTrades lacks this feature. Additionally, FXCM includes market research from TipRanks, providing users with an extra layer of financial insight, which ActivTrades does not.
Both brokers offer an economic calendar to keep traders informed about global events. In terms of ratings, FXCM comes out on top with a 4.5-star rating for research compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks as the 11th best amongst 63 brokers in the research category, whereas ActivTrades is in the 30th position. This ranking highlights FXCM's superior resources and tools that cater to both novice and experienced traders looking for comprehensive market insights.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to education for beginner traders, both FXCM and ActivTrades offer a wealth of resources to help you navigate the world of forex and CFDs. Each broker provides more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. You'll find regular online webinars from both brokers, at least one per month, and they both maintain a searchable archive of previous webinars, allowing you to catch up on sessions you might have missed. This makes it easy to find material that suits your pace and interests.
FXCM and ActivTrades each offer at least ten beginner-focused videos, as well as ten more advanced videos for the seasoned trader. While both platforms are rich in educational content, FXCM edges ActivTrades out slightly with their investor dictionary, covering over 50 investing terms, a feature not found with ActivTrades. This added resource contributes to FXCM's higher educational rating of 4.5 stars compared to ActivTrades’ 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, FXCM is ranked #14 among 63 brokers for education, while ActivTrades sits at #38. These distinctions highlight FXCM's slightly stronger reputation for educational offerings, particularly for those new to trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 FXCM is better than ActivTrades. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 95 | 81 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both FXCM and ActivTrades allow traders to buy cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
FXCM stands out by providing ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options for deposits and withdrawals, unlike ActivTrades, which lacks these options, though both brokers offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire services for their users.
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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 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 | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | 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) | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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). | 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 | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | 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 | 59 | 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 | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | 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 | FXCM | 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 | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill