Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Questrade 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.
Questrade and ActivTrades are both seasoned players in the online brokerage world, with Questrade founded in 2000 and ActivTrades following closely in 2001. Neither of these brokers is a publicly traded company nor operates as a bank, but both carry recognition and trust in the financial world. Questrade, holding two Tier-1 licenses, is considered trusted according to its Trust Score of 86, as awarded by ForexBrokers.com. This places it in a high regard among regulatory bodies, reflecting its commitment to client safety and service quality.
ActivTrades, similarly established and committed to safety, holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, bolstering its regulatory clout. With a Trust Score of 81 from ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is also rated as a trusted firm. Both brokers have demonstrated stable operations over their extensive histories, providing reliable platforms for investors looking for safe and credible trading environments.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Questrade and ActivTrades, it's evident that each has distinctive pricing structures suited for different types of traders. Questrade, rated 3 out of 5 stars and ranked #58 out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, has a target spread of 1.9 pips on the EUR/USD currency pair. This is considered relatively high compared to the industry average, potentially making it less competitive for those especially focused on minimizing trading costs.
On the other hand, ActivTrades, with a 4-star rating and a #28 ranking according to ForexBrokers.com, tends to offer more favorable pricing for similar market conditions. The EUR/USD spread with ActivTrades averages at 0.98 pips, making it slightly better than the industry average, although not the lowest among cost-focused forex brokers. The company's fee structure can vary based on the asset being traded, and while they do not offer distinct pricing benefits for high-volume traders, they provide various account options including an Islamic account tailored for Sharia compliance.
Overall, while Questrade might not be the most cost-effective choice due to its higher target spread, ActivTrades stands out for offering more competitive spreads across its account types. However, it's always crucial for traders to consider the complete range of trading costs and how they align with their trading strategies and goals.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | $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 | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Comparing Questrade and ActivTrades showcases distinct aspects of their investment offerings. Both platforms provide forex trading, whether as CFDs or spot contracts. However, the number of tradeable symbols differs significantly, with ActivTrades offering 1,267 symbols compared to Questrade's 641. Despite this, Questrade outshines in forex pairs, offering 110 compared to ActivTrades' 49. Both brokers allow clients to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
When it comes to exchange traded securities, Questrade offers access to both U.S. and international markets, allowing users to invest in companies like Apple and Vodafone. ActivTrades, however, only provides international exchange trading and doesn't offer U.S. securities. ActivTrades supports copy trading, adding a layer of flexibility for users seeking to mirror successful strategies, a feature absent in Questrade. Questrade's investment range earns a 5-star rating and an 11th place ranking on ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades receives a 4-star rating and ranks 31st, reflecting Questrade's wider range of opportunities.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When evaluating the trading platforms and tools offered by Questrade and ActivTrades, both brokers provide a comprehensive set of features to cater to traders' needs. Each broker offers a proprietary platform and supports a Windows-based desktop download and a web-based trading platform, allowing for flexible access. Both companies provide simulated, or paper, trading options, a valuable feature for newcomers aiming to gain experience risk-free. A key distinction is that ActivTrades offers the MetaTrader suite (MT4 and MT5), which is widely favored in the trading community, while Questrade does not. Instead, Questrade offers DupliTrade for social trading, whereas ActivTrades enables copy trading but not through DupliTrade.
In terms of charting capabilities, Questrade provides 20 drawing tools compared to ActivTrades' 15, accompanying their ability to trade directly from charts, which both platforms support. While Questrade excels in offering 52 watch list columns, ActivTrades offers 11, limiting the customization of viewable data. Both brokers are rated four stars for their trading platforms and tools, but ActivTrades ranks slightly higher on ForexBrokers.com, positioned at #31 out of 63 brokers compared to Questrade's #34. Overall, each broker presents a strong choice with distinct advantages, making the decision heavily reliant on the specific tools and services you value most.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When it comes to mobile trading apps, both Questrade and ActivTrades offer options for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility for a variety of traders. Both platforms provide essential features such as price alerts and the ability to create real-time quote watchlists. However, Questrade users have the advantage of watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless transitions between their mobile app and online accounts, while ActivTrades does not offer this feature. Each app allows traders to draw trend lines, view multiple time frames, and auto-save chart drawings, making technical analysis straightforward on the go.
In terms of charting capabilities, Questrade stands out by offering 64 technical studies compared to ActivTrades' 30, providing more tools for in-depth market analysis. Despite more extensive charting tools, both apps share a commendable user rating of four out of five stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades achieves a higher rank at #19, while Questrade is at #34 out of 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category. This suggests that while both platforms are competitive, ActivTrades may offer a slightly better user experience overall.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing the market research offerings of Questrade and ActivTrades, several clear distinctions emerge. ActivTrades stands out by providing daily market commentary and forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, making it a strong choice for traders seeking extensive daily insights. Additionally, ActivTrades offers a sentiment-based trading tool that highlights the ratio of long or short positions across various instruments, which can be valuable for strategy development. In contrast, Questrade does not provide these specific features, which may limit its appeal to non-professionals who heavily rely on updated and comprehensive market news.
Questrade, however, shines in other areas, securing access to tools like Autochartist and Trading Central, which are highly regarded for technical analysis and fundamental research. This can be particularly advantageous for users who prefer data-driven decision-making. Both brokers offer an economic calendar for tracking global news events, but when it comes to research ratings, ActivTrades edges out Questrade with a rating of 4 stars compared to Questrade’s 3.5 stars. Additionally, in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, ActivTrades takes a significantly higher position at #30 out of 63 brokers, contrasting with Questrade’s #51 ranking in the Research category.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners from Questrade and ActivTrades, both brokers provide a wealth of content on forex and CFDs, offering more than 10 educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. While both have searchable archives for recorded webinars, ActivTrades takes the lead in providing regular online educational webinars every month, a service Questrade does not offer. This ongoing engagement through webinars can be beneficial for beginners looking for interactive learning opportunities.
In terms of beginner-focused educational videos, each broker has over 10 videos covering essential trading topics. However, ActivTrades moves ahead by offering advanced educational content for traders with more experience, a feature that's missing from Questrade’s offerings. Neither broker provides an investor dictionary detailing at least 50 investing terms. In ratings, ActivTrades earns a slightly higher score of 4 stars for education compared to Questrade's 3.5 stars. Despite the slight difference in ratings, Questrade is ranked 36th in the education category by ForexBrokers.com, ahead of ActivTrades, which is ranked 38th. These educational aspects highlight diverse strengths, where ActivTrades provides more comprehensive ongoing learning and advanced content.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | 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 Questrade is better than ActivTrades. Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Regulated in both the U.S. and Canada, Questrade is a trusted full-service multi-asset broker now offering forex and CFDs alongside its stock trading services for active and passive investors. While its scope of educational resources and in-house research is limited, Questrade has an impressive platform lineup.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 81 |
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Both Questrade and ActivTrades do not offer the capability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Questrade and ActivTrades, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits or withdrawals, while both accept Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, with ActivTrades also supporting Skrill.
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 | 86 | 81 | |
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| Review | Questrade Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
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