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 two well-known online brokers that bring a sense of trust and security to their users. Founded in 2000, Questrade boasts two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a high level of trustworthiness. With an overall Trust Score of 86 from ForexBrokers.com, Questrade is placed in the 'trusted' category, indicating a strong reputation for reliability. While it is not publicly traded or a bank, the broker maintains a firm regulatory standing that serves its clients well.
On the other hand, ActivTrades, established in 2001, also holds two Tier-1 licenses along with one Tier-2 license, underscoring its compliance with industry standards. Achieving a Trust Score of 81 from ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades fits into the 'trusted' category, signifying a solid position in the market. Like Questrade, ActivTrades is neither publicly traded nor a bank, but its regulatory framework helps assure client security and service integrity. Both brokers provide secure trading environments but offer distinctive benefits that cater to different investor needs.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | ||
| Bank | ||
| 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 | ||
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | ||
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | ||
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments between Questrade and ActivTrades, each platform suits different investor needs. Questrade shines with its access to 641 tradeable symbols, including exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, which gives traders the ability to invest in companies like Apple on the NASDAQ or Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange. Moreover, Questrade offers an extensive selection of 110 forex pairs and cryptocurrency derivatives. Its broad investment options have earned it a 5-star rating and a commendable 11th place in the Range of Investments category by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, ActivTrades boasts a wider selection of 1267 tradeable symbols but only covers 49 forex pairs. While it does not provide trading in U.S. exchange-traded securities, it allows access to international stocks, such as Vodafone, and offers features like copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives. With these offerings, ActivTrades caters to those interested in advanced trading options like CFDs. Despite its lower number of forex pairs and lack of access to U.S. stocks, ActivTrades still secures a respectable 4-star rating and ranks 31st by ForexBrokers.com in the same category.
| 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 | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | ||
| 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 comparing trading platforms and tools between Questrade and ActivTrades, both brokers offer similar features, such as simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts and proprietary platforms. Both also provide platforms compatible with Windows desktops and web-based browsers, but ActivTrades extends its offering by including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), while Questrade does not support these. However, Questrade has an edge with DupliTrade integration, which is not available with ActivTrades. In terms of charting capabilities, Questrade offers 20 drawing tools compared to ActivTrades' 15, and both allow trading directly from stock charts.
For watch lists, Questrade provides significantly more customization with 52 fields compared to ActivTrades' 11, showcasing a more personalized approach for traders. While Questrade does not offer copy trading, ActivTrades fills this gap, catering to traders interested in mirroring other traders' strategies. Both platforms received a rating of 4 stars out of 5 for their trading platforms and tools. In rankings by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is slightly ahead, securing the 30th spot out of 63 brokers, with Questrade holding the 34th position. Overall, each broker has its unique strengths, catering to different trader preferences and goals.
| 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 | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | Yes | |
| ZuluTrade | ||
| 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.
Both Questrade and ActivTrades provide trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices, ensuring accessibility for users on either platform. These apps come equipped with essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, the capability to draw trendlines, and the ability to view charts in multiple time frames. However, Questrade distinguishes itself by offering 64 technical studies for its charting, compared to ActivTrades' 30. Yet, ActivTrades secures a higher ranking for its mobile app, placing 19th out of 63 brokers, while Questrade stands at 34th. Both platforms receive a solid four-star rating for their mobile trading experience.
For users keen on syncing their watchlists between mobile and online accounts, Questrade provides seamless symbol syncing across its platforms. In contrast, ActivTrades is not currently offering this specific feature. On the plus side, both apps offer real-time quote watchlists and automatically save chart drawings, enhancing user experience. Whether you choose Questrade or ActivTrades, you will find user-friendly features tailored for on-the-go trading while noting that each has unique advantages that might suit different trading preferences.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | |
| 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 it comes to market research, ActivTrades outpaces Questrade with a range of services that appeal to traders looking for comprehensive insights. ActivTrades provides daily market commentary and delivers forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, which is valuable for traders keeping an eye on major financial headlines. In contrast, Questrade doesn't offer these services but stands out with access to Autochartist and Trading Central, providing strong tools for technical analysis and fundamental research. This makes Questrade appealing for users who prioritize in-depth charting and analysis tools.
While both brokers offer an economic calendar for tracking global news events, the sentiment tools are where they differ significantly. ActivTrades offers a sentiment-based trading tool that shows ratios of long and short positions, giving it an edge for traders interested in market psychology. On the other hand, Questrade provides market research from TipRanks, adding another layer of insight. Based on ForexBrokers.com rankings, ActivTrades takes the lead, holding 30th place against Questrade’s 51st, with respective research ratings of 4 and 3.5 stars out of five.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | ||
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginner traders, Questrade and ActivTrades both offer valuable tools, although there are some differences. Both platforms provide a strong selection of forex and CFD educational materials, with each broker offering more than 10 articles, videos, or webinars dedicated to these topics. When it comes to webinars, ActivTrades leads by hosting at least one online educational session per month, while Questrade does not maintain a similar frequency. However, both brokers enable users to access a searchable archive of past webinars, adding flexibility for those who want to learn at their own pace.
For beginner traders, both Questrade and ActivTrades offer at least 10 educational videos covering basic trading topics. ActivTrades also provides additional resources for seasoned traders with over 10 advanced videos, a feature not matched by Questrade. While neither platform offers an investor dictionary with over 50 terms, ActivTrades slightly edges out with a higher education rating of 4 stars compared to Questrade's 3.5 stars. Interestingly, Questrade holds a slightly better rank for education at #36 compared to ActivTrades' #38, according to ForexBrokers.com rankings. These nuances suggest that while both brokers offer comprehensive educational resources, ActivTrades might be more appealing to those seeking ongoing webinars and advanced content.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) |
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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When comparing online brokers, Questrade does not offer the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, whereas ActivTrades also does not provide this feature, but both brokers do offer the option to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
Questrade does not support ACH, SEPA, PayPal, or Skrill for deposits or withdrawals, while ActivTrades does offer Skrill, and both brokers support Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for account fund transactions.
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 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
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