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 vs ActivTrades: FXCM was founded in 1999 and is publicly traded, while ActivTrades started in 2001 and is not publicly traded. Neither broker is a bank. On the ForexBrokers.com Trust Score (where 90–99 is highly trusted and 80–89 trusted), FXCM scores 95 (highly trusted) and ActivTrades scores 80 (trusted).
Regulation also differs: FXCM holds 4 Tier-1 licenses and 2 Tier-2 licenses, compared with ActivTrades’ 2 Tier-1 and 1 Tier-2. Because Tier-1 regulators are considered highly trusted and Tier-2 trusted by ForexBrokers.com, these counts can help you gauge regulatory strength when comparing these brokers.
| 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 |
FXCM and ActivTrades take different tacks on pricing. FXCM earns 4.5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #17 out of 63, while ActivTrades earns 4 stars and ranks #21 out of 63. In short, ActivTrades posts slightly-better-than-average spreads but offers no active-trader pricing, whereas FXCM’s overall pricing sits slightly above the industry average yet can be sharpened through its commission-based option and volume discounts (where available).
FXCM’s EUR/USD spreads in May 2024 averaged 0.78 pips for its EU, U.K., and Australia entities, and 1.38 pips with its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Its commission-based accounts showed a low core spread of 0.28 pips before commissions, with an effective cost closer to 0.74 pips once commissions are included. FXCM also runs an Active Trader Rebate Program with five tiers, paying $5 to $25 per million traded depending on volume and eligibility; availability varies by country. Requirements and discounts differ by entity, and spreads can widen during rollover or volatile markets.
ActivTrades keeps things simple with its standard “Individual” account (plus Professional and Islamic options), and does not offer a separate plan for high-volume traders. Average EUR/USD spreads were 0.98 pips in May 2024. Spreads are the same across account types, and actual costs depend on the assets and platform you trade. As with many brokers, spreads may vary during the session and can widen around the rollover period.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.08 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 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.
FXCM and ActivTrades both support forex trading via CFDs/spot and offer copy trading. Each also provides cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto. ActivTrades stands out for sheer breadth with 1,267 tradeable instruments and 49 forex pairs, plus access to exchange-traded securities on select international exchanges. FXCM lists 440 symbols and 46 forex pairs, and neither broker offers direct share dealing on U.S. exchanges.
Despite ActivTrades’ wider market count, FXCM earns the higher Range of Investments score: 4.5 stars and a #21 ranking out of 63 brokers, compared with ActivTrades at 4 stars and #25. Choose ActivTrades if you want more symbols and international share dealing; pick FXCM if you prefer a highly rated lineup for CFDs, forex pairs, crypto CFDs, and copy trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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.
FXCM and ActivTrades both check the key boxes for platform access and features: each offers a free demo account, a proprietary platform, Windows desktop software, web-based trading, copy trading, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), and the ability to trade directly from charts. One key difference is MetaTrader 5 (MT5): ActivTrades supports MT5 while FXCM does not, which may matter if you prefer MT5’s newer interface and features.
For platform quality and tools, ForexBrokers.com rates FXCM at 5 stars (ranked #4 out of 63 brokers) and ActivTrades at 4 stars (ranked #26). Choose FXCM if top-rated tools are your priority; choose ActivTrades if MT5 compatibility is essential. Either way, both brokers make it easy to test-drive their platforms with a free demo and support popular features like copy trading and web and desktop access.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FXCM and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, along with price alerts for forex and stocks. FXCM pulls ahead on convenience with watchlist syncing between the app and your online account, while ActivTrades does not sync watchlists. For charting, FXCM includes 59 technical studies versus 30 on ActivTrades. Both apps let you draw trendlines and auto-save your chart drawings.
For overall quality, FXCM’s mobile app earns 4.5 stars and ranks #16 out of 63 brokers for Mobile Trading Apps on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades scores 4 stars and ranks #21. Choose FXCM if you want richer chart tools and synced watchlists; choose ActivTrades if you’re fine without syncing and want a capable app for trading on the go.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
FXCM and ActivTrades both cover the essentials for market research: daily market commentary, an economic calendar, sentiment tools showing the long/short split, and forex news from leading sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones. Neither integrates Autochartist or tools from Acuity Trading. The main differences come from third-party add-ons: FXCM includes Trading Central for technical and fundamental insights and also offers TipRanks for analyst-driven views, while ActivTrades does not provide these extras.
For research quality, ForexBrokers.com rates FXCM at 4.5/5 stars and ranks it #11 out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades earns 4/5 stars and ranks #26. If you want more built-in analysis and third-party research, FXCM has the edge; if you mainly need daily commentary, sentiment data, a solid calendar, and timely news, both brokers will meet that need.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 | Yes | No |
| Acuity Trading | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both FXCM and ActivTrades deliver beginner-friendly education for forex and CFDs, exceeding the baseline of 10 learning pieces. Each offers frequent online client webinars (at least monthly), plus a deep catalog of videos that includes at least 10 beginner lessons and 10 advanced topics. That mix makes it easy for newcomers to start with the basics and then move into more complex strategies as their skills grow.
When it comes to quality signals, FXCM gets the edge: it earns 4.5 out of 5 stars for Education and ranks 13th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades is solid too, with 4 out of 5 stars and a 30th-place ranking. For beginners who want structured learning with regular webinars and plenty of videos, FXCM is the stronger pick, while ActivTrades remains a capable alternative.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
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 FXCM is better than ActivTrades. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #10, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28.
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 | 80 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Trading Fees |
|
|
| Trading Platforms |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
FXCM vs ActivTrades: neither broker lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both provide access to trading cryptocurrency CFDs.
Online broker FXCM provides more deposit and withdrawal options than ActivTrades—supporting ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, and bank wires—while ActivTrades offers Skrill and bank wires only and does not support 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.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 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 | 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 (FSA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | 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 |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 46 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | 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 | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 0.9 | 1.08 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | 0.92 | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | $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 | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| 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 Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Trading Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Trading Platforms |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 95 | 80 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
IG
FOREX.com
CMC Markets
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill