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OANDA vs ActivTrades 2026

ForexBrokers.com

Written by ForexBrokers.com

February 05, 2025
  Fact Checked

In this head to head comparison of OANDA vs ActivTrades, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.

OANDA
4.5/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 92
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 4172 info
ActivTrades
4/5 Stars Overall
  • Minimum Deposit: $0
  • Trust Score: 80
  • Tradeable Symbols (Total): 1267

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.

Regulation

Comparing OANDA and ActivTrades: OANDA launched in 1996, while ActivTrades started in 2001. Neither broker is publicly traded or a bank. On ForexBrokers.com’s 99-point Trust Score, OANDA earns 92 (highly trusted, 90–99), and ActivTrades scores 80 (trusted, 80–89).

Regulation helps explain the difference. OANDA holds seven Tier-1 licenses and no Tier-2 licenses. ActivTrades holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. Tier-1 regulators are considered highly trusted, and Tier-2 regulators are considered trusted by ForexBrokers.com.

Feature OANDA logoOANDA
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
Year Founded info 1996 2001
Publicly Traded (Listed) info No No
Bank info No No
Tier-1 Licenses info 7 2
Tier-2 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 2

Fees

When comparing commissions and fees, ActivTrades has the edge over OANDA for most everyday forex traders. OANDA’s pricing is generally on the high side, with its default EUR/USD spread averaging 1.61 pips in July 2024 and its lower-spread core pricing still carrying a commission that can push the all-in cost close to the standard account. OANDA does stand out for its very small minimum trade size, automatic execution, and volume rebates for eligible active traders, but it is not the cheapest place to trade. OANDA is rated 4 stars and ranked #30 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees.

ActivTrades, by comparison, offers spreads that are slightly better than average and usually simpler for most traders to understand. Its EUR/USD spread was 0.98 pips in May 2024, and the broker does not charge a separate commission on its main account type. While costs still vary by market and asset, ActivTrades does not have a special pricing tier for high-volume traders, and spread levels are generally the same across account types. ActivTrades is also rated 4 stars and ranked #21 out of 36 brokers for Commissions and Fees.

In short, both brokers earn the same star rating, but ActivTrades ranks higher and tends to be the lower-cost choice overall. OANDA may appeal to traders who value tiny trade sizes and pricing options, while ActivTrades is the better pick if keeping trading costs down is the priority.

Feature OANDA logoOANDA
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.68 info 1.08 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.69 info 0.92 info
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes info No
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.

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Range of investments

When it comes to range of investments, OANDA gives traders more to choose from than ActivTrades. OANDA offers 4,172 tradeable symbols and 69 forex pairs, compared with ActivTrades’ 1,267 symbols and 49 forex pairs. Both brokers support forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, both offer copy trading, and both provide cryptocurrency CFDs. However, OANDA also lets clients buy actual cryptocurrency, which ActivTrades does not.

OANDA also has the edge for share trading, since it offers exchange-traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges, while ActivTrades only offers international exchange-traded securities, not U.S.-listed shares. Based on this broader selection, OANDA is rated 4.5 out of 5 for Range of Investments and ranks #20 out of 36 brokers, while ActivTrades scores 4 out of 5 and ranks #25.

Feature OANDA logoOANDA
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes info Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 4172 info 1267
Forex Pairs (Total) info 69 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes info Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes info 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.

Trading platforms and tools

OANDA and ActivTrades both give traders a wide set of platform choices, including free demo accounts, their own in-house platforms, web-based access, Windows desktop downloads, MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and copy trading. Each broker also lets users trade directly from charts, which can be helpful for quick order placement and active trading. Since both brands offer the same core platform tools, the main difference comes down to how each platform feels to use rather than a major gap in features.

In ForexBrokers.com’s Trading Platforms and Tools review, both OANDA and ActivTrades are rated 4 out of 5 stars. However, OANDA places higher at #16 out of 36 brokers, while ActivTrades ranks #26. That suggests OANDA has a slight edge in this category overall, even though both brokers provide a similar platform lineup for beginners and experienced traders alike.

Feature OANDA logoOANDA
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes info Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes info Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 89 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.

Forex trading apps

OANDA and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, so traders can manage accounts and trade on the go with either broker. Each app includes stock and forex price alerts, 30 technical studies for charting, trendline drawing, and auto-saving of chart drawings. One drawback for both is that watchlists do not sync between the mobile app and the online account, so updates made in one place will not carry over to the other.

When it comes to overall mobile app quality, OANDA has the edge. It earns a 5-star rating for Mobile Trading Apps and ranks #7 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and ranks #21. If mobile charting and app experience are a priority, OANDA stands out as the stronger choice, though ActivTrades still covers the key features most traders need.

Feature OANDA logoOANDA
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info No No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.

Market research

When it comes to market research, both OANDA and ActivTrades give traders the basics they need to stay informed. Each broker offers daily market commentary, forex news from major sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a sentiment tool that shows long-versus-short positioning, and an economic calendar with upcoming global events. In other words, both platforms cover the key items most traders look for when checking the market before making a move.

The main difference is that OANDA goes further with extra research support. It includes Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental analysis, while ActivTrades does not. That edge helps explain why OANDA earns a 5-star research rating and ranks #4 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, compared with ActivTrades at 4 stars and #26. If market research is a top priority, OANDA has the stronger offering overall.

Feature OANDA logoOANDA
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
TipRanks info No No
Acuity Trading info No No
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.

Beginners and education

For beginners looking to learn forex or CFD trading, OANDA and ActivTrades both provide a wide range of helpful education. Each broker offers at least 10 pieces of forex or CFD learning content, monthly online client webinars, and plenty of beginner-focused videos, along with advanced videos for traders who want to go further. That means either platform can give new traders a solid starting point with lessons, videos, and live learning sessions.

That said, OANDA comes out ahead overall on education. It earns a 5-star education rating and ranks #18 out of 36 brokers at ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and ranks #30. For beginners who want more highly rated learning support, OANDA has the edge, though ActivTrades still offers a useful mix of educational tools.

Feature OANDA logoOANDA
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
Webinars info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes

Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.

Winner

After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that OANDA is better than ActivTrades. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #13, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #28.

A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.

Feature OANDA logoOANDA
ActivTrades logoActivTrades
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trust Score info 92 80
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars

FAQs

Can you trade cryptocurrency with OANDA or ActivTrades?

OANDA vs ActivTrades: OANDA lets you buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies and trade cryptocurrency CFDs, whereas ActivTrades offers only cryptocurrency CFDs and does not support delivered crypto purchases.

What funding options does each broker offer?

Comparing online brokers OANDA vs ActivTrades for deposits and withdrawals: OANDA supports ACH/SEPA transfers and PayPal (both unavailable at ActivTrades); both brokers offer Skrill and bank wire transfers, while Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either.

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Overall Rating OANDA ActivTrades
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 92 80
Winner check_circle
Review OANDA Review ActivTrades Review
Broker Screenshots OANDA ActivTrades
Broker Gallery (click to expand) info
OANDA fxTrade mobile trading app charting OANDA Trade web platform. OANDA's website features research in the form of its MarketPulse blog, which includes news, analysis, and articles. The OANDA website's educational hub features webinars and videos covering current events and financial analysis.
ActivTrades ActivTrader mobile app watchlist light mode. ActivTrader platform web. ActivTrader research weekly outlook articles. ActivTrades educational articles macro analysis.
Regulation OANDA ActivTrades
Trust Score info 92 80
Year Founded info 1996 2001
Publicly Traded (Listed) info No No
Bank info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-1 Licenses info 7 2
Tier-2 Licenses info 0 1
Tier-3 Licenses info 0 0
Tier-4 Licenses info 1 2
Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) OANDA ActivTrades
Australia (ASIC Authorised) info Yes No
Canada (CIRO Authorised) info Yes No
Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) info No No
Japan (FSA Authorised) info Yes No
Singapore (MAS Authorised) info Yes No
Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) info No
United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) info Yes Yes
USA (CFTC Authorized) info Yes No
New Zealand (FMA Authorised) info No No
Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). info Yes info
Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) OANDA ActivTrades
Kenya (CMA Authorised) info No
Israel (ISA Authorised) info No No
South Africa (FSCA Authorised) info No No
UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or CMA Authorised) info No No
India (SEBI Authorised) info No No
Jordan (JSC Authorised) info No
Investments OANDA ActivTrades
Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) info Yes info Yes
Tradeable Symbols (Total) info 4172 info 1267
Forex Pairs (Total) info 69 49
U.S. Stocks (Shares) info Yes No
Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes info Yes
Cryptocurrency (Underlying) info Yes No
Cryptocurrency (CFDs) info Yes info 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 OANDA ActivTrades
Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account info 1.68 info 1.08 info
All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active info 1.69 info 0.92 info
Inactivity Fee info Yes Yes
Order execution: Agency info No No
Order execution: Market Maker info Yes Yes
Funding OANDA ActivTrades
Minimum Deposit info $0 $0
PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes No
Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) info Yes Yes
Non-wire bank transfer info Yes info No
Trading Platforms OANDA ActivTrades
Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform info Yes Yes
Desktop Platform (Windows) info Yes Yes
Web Platform info Yes Yes
Copy Trading info Yes info Yes
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) info Yes Yes
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) info Yes info Yes
cTrader info No No
Trading Tools OANDA ActivTrades
Virtual Trading (Demo) info Yes Yes
Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) info 89 30
Charting - Trade From Chart info Yes Yes
Charts can be saved info Yes Yes
Mobile Trading OANDA ActivTrades
Android App info Yes Yes
Apple iOS App info Yes Yes
Mobile Price Alerts info Yes Yes
Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] info
Mobile Watchlists - Syncing info No No
Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies info 30 30
Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines info Yes Yes
Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave info Yes Yes
Mobile Research - Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Research OANDA ActivTrades
Daily Market Commentary (Articles) info Yes Yes
Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) info Yes Yes
Autochartist info Yes No
Trading Central info No No
TipRanks info No No
Client sentiment data info Yes Yes
Economic Calendar info Yes Yes
Education OANDA ActivTrades
Webinars info Yes Yes
Videos - Beginner Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Videos - Advanced Trading Videos info Yes Yes
Major Forex Pairs OANDA ActivTrades
GBP/USD [DELETED] info
USD/JPY [DELETED] info
EUR/USD info Yes Yes
USD/CHF [DELETED] info
USD/CAD [DELETED] info
NZD/USD [DELETED] info
AUD/USD [DELETED] info
Review OANDA Review ActivTrades Review
Overall OANDA ActivTrades
Overall Rating info 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Fees 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Range of Investments 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Trading Platforms 4/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Mobile Trading 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Research 5/5 Stars 4/5 Stars
Education 4/5 Stars 3.5/5 Stars
Trust Score info 92 80
Winner check_circle
Review OANDA Review ActivTrades Review
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