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 |
Looking strictly at commissions and fees, ActivTrades has an edge over Markets.com. ActivTrades is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranks #29 of 63 brokers for the Commissions and Fees category (ForexBrokers.com), while Markets.com earns 3.5 out of 5 stars and ranks #51 of 63. That gap, combined with available spread data, suggests ActivTrades is generally the more cost‑friendly choice for many traders.
ActivTrades’ pricing is driven mainly by spreads, which it says are slightly better than the industry average but not as low as the very cheapest forex brokers. It offers one primary Individual Account, plus Professional and Islamic Account options (spreads are the same across account types; the main difference with the Professional Account is lower margin requirements that affect leverage). There’s no account built for high‑volume traders and no active‑trader pricing. Actual spreads vary by asset and platform and can widen during rollover; the average EUR/USD spread was 0.98 pips in May 2024.
Markets.com does not provide average spread data, making direct cost comparisons harder. Its 3.5 out of 5 stars and #51 of 63 ranking for commissions and fees indicate middle‑of‑the‑pack pricing. If you’re comparing these two, ActivTrades’ clearer—and typically sharper—spreads may appeal, while Markets.com will require checking live quotes on your preferred instruments to gauge total trading costs.
| 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 [DELETED] | ||
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) [DELETED] | ||
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Markets.com vs ActivTrades: Markets.com offers a wider range of investments overall, with 2,179 tradable symbols compared to 1,267 at ActivTrades. Both brokers support forex trading (CFD or spot) and copy trading. Markets.com lists 57 forex pairs versus 49 at ActivTrades. Each provides cryptocurrency exposure via derivatives but does not let you buy actual coins. Neither broker lets you buy U.S.-listed shares directly (non-CFD).
The standout difference is that ActivTrades lets you buy shares directly on some international exchanges, while Markets.com does not. Both score 4 stars for Range of Investments from ForexBrokers.com, with Markets.com ranked #30 out of 63 brokers and ActivTrades close behind at #32. Consider Markets.com if you want the bigger symbol list and more currency pairs, or pick ActivTrades if access to certain non-U.S., exchange-traded stocks is a priority.
| 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.
Comparing Markets.com and ActivTrades on trading platforms and tools, both brokers cover the core features most traders look for. Each offers a free virtual demo account for paper trading, a proprietary platform built in-house, and access via both a web-based platform and a Windows-based desktop download. They also support copy trading and provide MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), making it easy to use popular third-party tools alongside the broker’s own platform.
The main platform difference is chart trading: ActivTrades lets you place trades directly from charts, while Markets.com does not. In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools category, both brokers earn 4 stars; Markets.com ranks 27th out of 63 brokers, and ActivTrades ranks 32nd out of 63. If trading from charts matters to you, ActivTrades has a slight edge; otherwise, both deliver a well-rounded set of trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 [DELETED] | ||
| ZuluTrade [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) [DELETED] | ||
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields [DELETED] |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Markets.com and ActivTrades both deliver mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android with price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and trendline drawing on charts. Each earns 4 stars for Mobile Trading Apps, yet ActivTrades ranks higher overall (#19 of 63) than Markets.com (#34 of 63) according to ForexBrokers.com.
Key differences stand out in charting and syncing. ActivTrades includes 30 technical indicators and automatically saves chart drawings, while Markets.com’s own app has no built-in indicators and does not auto-save drawings (you can access MT4’s standard indicators if you trade via MT4 with Markets.com). On the other hand, Markets.com syncs watchlists between its mobile app and web platform, whereas ActivTrades does not. If you value detailed, on-the-go chart studies and autosaving, ActivTrades has the edge; if synced watchlists across devices matter most—or you plan to use MT4 indicators—Markets.com is appealing.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | 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 | ||
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Markets.com and ActivTrades look similar for market research. Both brokers publish daily market commentary and stream forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. Each includes a sentiment tool that shows the split between long and short positions, plus an easy-to-read economic calendar covering global events. On the flip side, neither broker offers research from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading.
When it comes to scores, both Markets.com and ActivTrades earn 4 out of 5 stars for research. However, ForexBrokers.com ranks Markets.com at #17 out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades sits at #31. If you want a broker with a higher research ranking, Markets.com has a slight edge; if you already use ActivTrades, you’ll still get daily insights, trusted news, and useful sentiment data.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
Both Markets.com and ActivTrades cater to beginners with sizable video libraries: each offers at least 10 beginner videos and at least 10 advanced videos that explain trading topics in plain terms. They also run live client webinars at least once a month, which can help new traders learn in a guided setting. It isn’t specified whether either broker provides a searchable archive of past webinars, whether they meet the 10-piece threshold specifically for forex/CFD-focused education, or whether they host an investing glossary with 50 or more definitions.
For Education, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars from ForexBrokers.com. In the category ranking of 63 brokers, Markets.com sits at #34, while ActivTrades is close behind at #38. If you want slightly higher-ranked education, Markets.com has a modest edge; otherwise, both look similar for beginners seeking videos and monthly webinars. Check each broker’s site for details on webinar archives, forex/CFD lesson counts, and any investor dictionary they may offer.
| Feature |
Markets.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | ||
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) [DELETED] | ||
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) [DELETED] |
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
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ActivTrades
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|---|---|---|
| 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.
Markets.com vs ActivTrades: both online brokers support deposits and withdrawals via Skrill and bank wire transfers, neither supports ACH/SEPA or PayPal, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified.
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 | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Broker Gallery (click to expand) |
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| Regulation | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | 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). |
| Cost | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading 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 | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | No | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 89 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | 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 - Trendlines Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
| Research | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | ||
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Markets.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
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