Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Tickmill 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.
Tickmill and ActivTrades are dynamic players in the online brokerage market, each showcasing robust regulatory frameworks to ensure trader confidence. Founded in 2014, Tickmill is a relatively new entrant, whereas ActivTrades has been established since 2001. Both brokers are not publicly traded nor operate as banks, providing similar market opportunities without the complications of bank-backed pressures. Trust plays a pivotal role when choosing a broker; Tickmill holds an impressive ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 86, while ActivTrades is not far behind with a score of 81, placing both in the trusted category.
Delving into their regulatory setups, Tickmill and ActivTrades each possess two Tier-1 licenses, a testament to their commitment to securing high trust from their clientele. While Tickmill boasts two Tier-2 licenses, ActivTrades maintains one, still aligning itself with trusted standards. These licenses underpin each broker's focus on safeguarding trader interests, ensuring that both newcomers and experienced traders can navigate their platforms with confidence.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
Comparing commissions and fees, Tickmill generally comes out cheaper than ActivTrades for forex—especially if you trade frequently. On Tickmill’s Raw account, the typical EUR/USD spread is 0.11 pips (Oct 2023), and after adding the updated commission, the all-in cost works out to about 0.71 pips. ActivTrades reported an average EUR/USD spread of 0.98 pips (May 2024). Ratings and rankings: Tickmill earns 5/5 stars and ranks #4 of 63 brokers for Commissions and Fees (ForexBrokers.com), while ActivTrades earns 4/5 stars and ranks #29 of 63.
Tickmill offers two accounts. Classic is commission-free but carries wider average spreads (about 1.76 pips on EUR/USD as of Aug 2023). The Raw account is geared toward lower costs: $3 per side ($6 round turn) per standard lot, plus tight spreads, with only a $100 minimum deposit. Tickmill’s listed spreads reflect normal market conditions; actual pricing can vary during fast markets.
ActivTrades keeps things simple with its Individual account (plus Professional and Islamic options), but there’s no special pricing for high-volume traders and spreads are the same across account types. Actual costs depend on the asset and platform you use, and spreads can widen during quieter or rollover periods. With its 0.98-pip average on EUR/USD, ActivTrades is competitive but, for many forex pairs, pricier than Tickmill’s Raw account on an all-in basis.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 |
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.70 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Tickmill vs ActivTrades for range of investments: Both let you trade forex either as CFDs or in the spot market. ActivTrades lists 1,267 tradeable symbols, about twice Tickmill’s 637. Both support copy trading and cryptocurrency CFDs, but neither lets you buy actual crypto. Neither offers U.S.-listed exchange-traded shares, and only ActivTrades offers some international exchange-traded securities (non-CFD).
Forex traders will note Tickmill has 63 currency pairs, topping ActivTrades’ 49. Based on ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades earns 4 stars for Range of Investments and ranks 32nd out of 63 brokers, while Tickmill earns 3.5 stars and ranks 43rd. In short, ActivTrades suits traders wanting a wider overall instrument list and access to certain non-CFD international shares, while Tickmill appeals if you want a larger selection of forex pairs.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 637 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 49 |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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.
Tickmill and ActivTrades both cover the essentials for trading platforms and tools: free demo (paper) trading, Windows desktop downloads, web-based platforms, copy trading, and the ability to place orders directly from charts. Each broker supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), letting you use familiar indicators, EAs, and templates. The key difference is platform choice: ActivTrades offers a proprietary, in-house platform in addition to MT4/MT5, while Tickmill focuses on third-party platforms only.
For Trading Platforms and Tools, both brokers earn 4 out of 5 stars from ForexBrokers.com. In the same category, Tickmill ranks 30th out of 63 brokers, while ActivTrades ranks 32nd. If you want a broker with its own platform alongside MT4/MT5, ActivTrades may suit you; if you prefer a MetaTrader-centered setup without a proprietary system, Tickmill is a straightforward pick.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 91 | 30 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Tickmill and ActivTrades both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, making it easy to trade on the go. Each app supports price alerts for stocks or forex, offers 30 technical studies for charting, and lets you draw trendlines that auto-save so you don’t lose your work. One thing missing from both is watchlist syncing between the mobile app and your online account, so changes you make in one place won’t carry over to the other.
In terms of quality, both mobile apps earned 4 out of 5 stars. However, in the ForexBrokers.com rankings for Mobile Trading Apps, ActivTrades placed higher at #19 out of 63 brokers, while Tickmill came in at #30. If you want stronger charting tools and alerts on either iPhone or Android, both will do the job; if a higher industry ranking matters to you, ActivTrades has the edge.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Tickmill and ActivTrades both deliver daily market commentary and stream forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones. Each broker provides a sentiment tool that shows long vs. short positioning and includes an easy-to-follow economic calendar. Neither platform integrates Autochartist or Trading Central, and neither offers TipRanks. The key difference is that Tickmill adds research tools from Acuity Trading (including Signal Centre), while ActivTrades does not.
According to ForexBrokers.com, both brokers earn 4 stars for research, with Tickmill ranked #21 out of 63 and ActivTrades ranked #31 out of 63. If you want built-in trade ideas from Acuity Trading, Tickmill has a small edge; otherwise, their core research coverage is broadly similar.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central | No | No |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Acuity Trading | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners comparing Tickmill and ActivTrades, both brokers make learning to trade straightforward. Each hosts online educational webinars at least once a month and offers a sizeable library of videos, including 10 or more beginner lessons to help you grasp the basics. When you’re ready to progress, both also provide 10 or more advanced videos that dive deeper into trading topics many forex and CFD traders care about.
Both brands earn 4 out of 5 stars for Education from ForexBrokers.com. That said, Tickmill ranks higher in the category (#15 of 63) than ActivTrades (#38 of 63). If ranking matters to you, Tickmill has the edge, while ActivTrades still delivers frequent webinars and plenty of video lessons for new traders.
| Feature |
Tickmill
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Tickmill is better than ActivTrades. Tickmill finished with an overall rank of #22, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Tickmill is a run-of-the-mill MetaTrader broker that offers a limited selection of tradeable securities. The broker does offer very competitive commission-based pricing for professionals through its VIP and Pro accounts.
| Feature |
Tickmill
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 86 | 81 |
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Comparing online brokers Tickmill vs ActivTrades for crypto trading: neither offers buying actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but both provide cryptocurrency CFDs for speculative trading.
Tickmill vs ActivTrades: for deposits and withdrawals, neither supports ACH or SEPA transfers, both provide Skrill and bank wire, Tickmill adds PayPal while ActivTrades does not, and Visa/Mastercard availability is not specified for either broker.
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 | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No |
| Investments | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 637 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 63 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stocks (Shares) | No | No | |
| Global Stocks (Non-U.S. Shares) | No | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Underlying) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (CFDs) | 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 | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average spread (EUR/USD) - Standard account | 1.70 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.70 | N/A | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Order execution: Agency | Yes | No | |
| Order execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Non-wire bank transfer | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Desktop Trading Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 91 | 30 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Price Alerts | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist [DELETED] | |||
| Mobile Watchlists - Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Trendlines Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Research - Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary (Articles) | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Client sentiment data | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD [DELETED] | |||
| USD/JPY [DELETED] | |||
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF [DELETED] | |||
| USD/CAD [DELETED] | |||
| NZD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| AUD/USD [DELETED] | |||
| Review | Tickmill Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Tickmill | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Tickmill Review | ActivTrades Review |
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