Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Markets.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.
Markets.com, established in 1999, and ActivTrades, founded in 2001, are both private online trading platforms that are not listed on any stock exchange and do not operate as banks. When it comes to regulation, Markets.com holds three Tier-1 licenses, which are deemed highly reliable, and one Tier-2 license that signifies a level of trust. This contributes to an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93 out of 99, categorizing it as a highly trusted broker.
On the other hand, ActivTrades has secured two Tier-1 licenses along with one Tier-2 license. Despite having fewer top-tier licenses compared to Markets.com, ActivTrades still manages to earn a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 81, making it a trusted option among users. Both platforms present themselves as secure choices for online trading, but Markets.com slightly edges out with higher trust built over its longer operational history.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
Markets.com is rated 3.5 stars in terms of commissions and fees, and ranks 50th out of 63 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. Although average spread data isn't available, this ranking suggests there might be room for improvement in their pricing strategy compared to other brokers in the industry. Without detailed spread information, it’s challenging to grasp the exact cost you might incur while trading through Markets.com.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, earns a higher rating of 4 stars and holds the 28th position in the same category ranking. This suggests a more favorable pricing structure compared to Markets.com. While ActivTrades' spreads are slightly better than the industry average, they're not the lowest among forex brokers. Their target spread for key assets varies, and average spreads can fluctuate throughout trading sessions. For instance, the average spread for EUR/USD was recorded at 0.98 pips for May 2024.
ActivTrades caters to different trader needs with its Individual, Professional, and Islamic Accounts. However, the lack of an account type specifically for high-volume traders and no active trader pricing limits its appeal for such users. The commissions and fees you incur will greatly depend on the specific assets traded, and these may differ depending on the trading platform and account type chosen.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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.
Markets.com and ActivTrades both provide a broad range of investment options, making them prominent choices for traders seeking diversity. Markets.com stands out with an offering of 2,179 tradeable symbols, surpassing ActivTrades' selection of 1,267. In the realm of forex trading, Markets.com offers 57 tradeable forex pairs, compared to ActivTrades' 49 pairs. Both brokers provide forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, allowing traders to capitalize on the forex market's volatility.
For those interested in more than forex and CFDs, there are notable differences. Markets.com does not offer exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, while ActivTrades provides access to international exchanges. Both brokers support copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, albeit not actual cryptocurrencies. With both earning a 4-star rating in the Range of Investments category, Markets.com is slightly ahead, ranked 29th by ForexBrokers.com compared to ActivTrades' 31st spot, underlining its extensive array of financial instruments.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 2179 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 57 | 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 the trading platforms and tools offered by Markets.com and ActivTrades, both brokers provide a comprehensive suite of options to enhance the trading experience. Each offers proprietary platforms developed in-house, as well as the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms. Both brokers also cater to various preferences by offering Windows-based desktop platforms, web-based trading options, and copy trading features. For users looking to practice their strategies without financial risk, free virtual demo accounts are available from both Markets.com and ActivTrades.
In terms of charting tools, ActivTrades offers an edge with 15 drawing tools compared to Markets.com's 4. Additionally, ActivTrades allows users to trade directly from stock charts, unlike its counterpart. Both brokers hold strong ratings, with 4 stars each for their trading platforms and tools, though Markets.com holds a slightly higher rank at #27 compared to ActivTrades’ #31 in ForexBrokers.com’s list of 63 brokers. While neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, traders might appreciate Markets.com's 6 watch list columns or ActivTrades' more robust 11 columns when managing their portfolios.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
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) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 4 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Markets.com and ActivTrades offer attractive options for traders using iPhones and Android devices. Both platforms provide users with stock and forex price alerts and allow the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes. However, Markets.com falls short in a few key areas compared to ActivTrades. Although Markets.com facilitates watchlist symbol syncing across devices, it lacks the ability to display multiple time frames on charts and doesn't automatically save drawing tools. On the other hand, ActivTrades excels by offering 30 technical studies for charting, multiple time frames, and consistent auto-saving of drawings, enhancing the overall trading experience on the go.
User ratings and rankings also reflect these differences. Both apps garner a commendable 4-star rating for their mobile trading interface. However, in ForexBrokers.com's evaluation of 63 brokers, ActivTrades secures the 19th spot, significantly outperforming Markets.com, which holds the 33rd position. For traders prioritizing technical charting capabilities and seamless watchlist integration, ActivTrades emerges as the more suitable choice, particularly for those who benefit from the additional analysis tools available in its app.
| Feature |
Markets.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 | (default on MT4, none on Markets app) | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both Markets.com and ActivTrades provide daily market commentary and access to top-tier forex news sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. However, neither broker offers research tools from well-known companies like Autochartist or Trading Central. They do share the advantage of providing a sentiment-based trading tool that indicates long and short positions across various instruments. Unfortunately, market insights from TipRanks and research tools from Acuity Trading aren't available with either broker. Additionally, both companies offer economic calendars to keep traders informed of global economic events.
In terms of their research ratings, both Markets.com and ActivTrades receive a commendable 4 out of 5 stars. Despite having the same star rating, Markets.com holds a higher position at 17th place in the research category from ForexBrokers.com compared to ActivTrades, which is ranked 30th among 63 brokers. While both brokers offer valuable research features, these rankings might help potential traders make a more informed decision about where to begin their trading journey.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 for beginners offered by Markets.com and ActivTrades, both brokers have unique offerings. Markets.com provides monthly online educational webinars, which is great for continuous learning. It also features over 10 beginner-focused educational videos, making it a solid choice for beginners seeking video content. However, it lacks a broad array of forex or CFDs educational materials and an archive of past webinars, which means beginners might find fewer resources on complex topics. Despite these limitations, Markets.com still garners a strong education rating of 4 stars.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, excels in offering a diverse array of educational materials, including over 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs. This variety adds significant value for beginners who want a comprehensive learning experience covering these specific areas. Like Markets.com, ActivTrades hosts monthly webinars and offers a wide selection of beginner videos. Moreover, the accessible archive of past webinars is a plus, providing users a chance to revisit valuable sessions. Even with all these resources, ActivTrades shares the same 4-star education rating as Markets.com, indicating comparable overall user satisfaction with their educational support.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Markets.com is better than ActivTrades. Markets.com finished with an overall rank of #23, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Thanks to its web-based MarketsX platform, Markets.com is easy to use and new trader friendly. However, Markets.com is pricey and lacks the feature-rich trading tools required to compete with the best trading platforms.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 81 |
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Both Markets.com and ActivTrades do not offer the ability to buy actual delivered cryptocurrency, but they both enable trading in cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both Markets.com and ActivTrades lack ACH and SEPA transfer options but support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for account deposits and withdrawals, with neither offering PayPal as a transaction method.
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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| Trust Score | 93 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
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