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 |
FXCM and ActivTrades both earn 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, but their rankings differ: FXCM is #17 of 63 on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades is #21 of 63. In simple terms, FXCM’s pricing is slightly higher than the industry average unless you use its commission-based setup and available discounts, whereas ActivTrades’ typical spreads are slightly better than average but it doesn’t offer special pricing for high-volume traders.
FXCM’s EUR/USD spreads in May 2024 averaged 0.78 pips on its EU, U.K., and Australia offerings, and 1.38 pips via its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. Its commission-based accounts averaged 0.28 pips (excluding commissions), with an effective spread closer to about 0.74 pips once you include the commission equivalent of roughly 0.50 pips per round turn. FXCM’s Active Trader Rebate Program delivers $5–$25 per million traded (minimum $10 million monthly), though it isn’t available in the U.K. or EU; discounts and requirements vary by entity. For example, in the U.K., a $25,000 balance and $50 million in monthly volume can reduce commission to $2.5 per side ($5 round turn), which aligns the effective spread around 0.78 pips based on a 0.28-pip core price. As with many brokers, spreads can widen during rollover or volatile market conditions.
ActivTrades keeps pricing straightforward with its Individual Account as the main option and no active-trader program; Professional and Islamic accounts have the same spreads, and pricing largely depends on the assets and platform you choose. For May 2024, the average EUR/USD spread was 0.98 pips. Like other brokers, spreads may vary intraday and can widen during the rollover period. Rating: 4/5 stars for commissions and fees; ranking: #21 of 63 (ForexBrokers.com).
| 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.
Comparing FXCM vs ActivTrades for range of investments: both let you trade forex as CFDs or spot contracts, support copy trading, and offer cryptocurrency CFDs (but not actual crypto). ActivTrades lists a wider catalog with 1,267 tradable symbols and 49 forex pairs, while FXCM offers 440 symbols and 46 forex pairs. Neither broker lets you buy U.S.-listed shares outright, but ActivTrades does provide access to some international exchange-traded securities, whereas FXCM does not.
On ratings, ActivTrades earns 4 stars for Range of Investments compared with FXCM’s 3.5 stars. However, in ForexBrokers.com’s rankings out of 63 brokers, FXCM places slightly higher at #21 versus ActivTrades at #25. In short, choose ActivTrades if you want more markets and international shares, or consider FXCM if that marginally stronger category ranking matters to you.
| 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
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ActivTrades
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 |
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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.
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0 of 5| Overall Rating | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
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| 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 | ||
| 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 SCA 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 | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
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