Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group 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.
XM Group and ActivTrades are both well-established online brokers, with XM Group being founded in 2009 and ActivTrades dating back to 2001. Neither company is publicly traded or holds banking status. However, they demonstrate a commitment to regulatory compliance through their licenses. XM Group holds four Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, reflecting a strong level of trust in the industry. ActivTrades, on the other hand, holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, indicating a solid trust foundation as well.
When it comes to the ForexBrokers.com Trust Score, XM Group earns a high rating of 93 out of 99, showcasing it as a highly trusted broker. Meanwhile, ActivTrades has a Trust Score of 81, which places it in the trusted category. This comparison highlights XM Group's edge in regulatory trust and compliance, though both brokers maintain a respectable presence in the market.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers XM Group and ActivTrades, both receive a strong rating of 4 out of 5 stars. However, there are differences in how these two brokers structure their fees. XM Group's standard account features expensive spreads, and it does not publish the average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account. In contrast, ActivTrades provides a more transparent approach by listing target spreads for each asset, although actual spreads may fluctuate during trading sessions.
ActivTrades offers an "Individual Account" as its primary account type, accompanied by Professional and Islamic account options. Notably, there isn’t a dedicated account type for high-volume traders, and there are no special prices for frequent traders. Unlike XM Group, which ranks at #33 for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades secures a better position at #28 out of 63 brokers. This is largely because ActivTrades' spreads, while not the lowest, are better than the industry average.
Traders should also note that ActivTrades' fees depend on the specific assets being traded and the choice of trading platform, an important consideration for managing costs. Additionally, the broker offers a demo account to help users familiarize themselves with their trading process without financial risks. For clients requiring Sharia compliance, the Islamic Account option meets religious requirements while maintaining consistent spreads across all account types.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When it comes to the variety of investments offered by online brokers, both XM Group and ActivTrades deliver extensive options, yet they differ in certain aspects. Both brokers allow forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, with XM Group offering an impressive 1,394 tradeable symbols compared to ActivTrades' 1,267. If forex pairs are your interest, XM Group provides 55 pairs, slightly outpacing the 49 pairs available at ActivTrades. For those interested in trading actual shares, XM Group enables access to U.S. exchange-traded securities, unlike ActivTrades, who do not offer this option. However, both brokers allow trading of exchange-traded securities on international exchanges and facilitate copy trading services.
In the growing field of cryptocurrency, neither XM Group nor ActivTrades facilitates the purchase of actual, delivered cryptocurrency. Both, however, offer cryptocurrency derivatives. XM Group receives an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 24th among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades follows closely with 4 stars, ranked 31st. Whether you prioritize an extensive selection of tradeable symbols, access to U.S. markets, or specialized investment offerings, both brokers provide solid options, with subtle differentiations that cater to diverse trading preferences.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
When considering online brokers for trading platforms and tools, both XM Group and ActivTrades offer a range of options suitable for traders of all levels. Both brokers provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, helping you to hone your trading skills without any financial risk. While both platforms offer popular choices like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, only ActivTrades provides its own proprietary trading platform, giving it a slight edge in customization. Each broker supports both a Windows-based desktop platform and a web-based platform, ensuring accessibility from various devices.
In terms of additional features, XM Group and ActivTrades both enable trading directly from charts and support copy trading, though neither offers integration with DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. Charting tools are comprehensive, with both brokers offering 15 drawing tools. The difference comes in watch lists, where ActivTrades offers more customization with 11 columns compared to XM Group's 7. Despite these differences, both brokers are highly rated, receiving 4 stars out of 5 for their trading platforms and tools. Furthermore, ActivTrades slightly outranks XM Group according to ForexBrokers.com, coming in at 31 out of 63 brokers, while XM Group ranks at 32.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XM Group and ActivTrades, both brokers offer strong functionality for those using iPhones and Android devices. Users of both platforms benefit from the ability to receive stock and forex price alerts and draw trendlines on charts. In terms of charting, both apps provide access to 30 technical studies, allowing traders to make informed decisions. Importantly, users can view multiple time frames, from intraday to weekly, catering to different trading strategies. Furthermore, both XM Group and ActivTrades support the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes, ensuring traders can keep track of their favorite assets at a glance.
Despite these similarities, there are key differences that may influence a trader's choice. XM Group stands out with its feature of watchlist symbol syncing, meaning changes made on the mobile app seamlessly update in the client’s online account. Meanwhile, ActivTrades provides the convenience of auto-saving drawings on charts, a benefit XM Group lacks. While both mobile apps receive a four-star rating for their overall performance, ActivTrades edges ahead in the rankings by ForexBrokers.com, positioned at #19 compared to XM Group’s #30. These distinctions can help traders decide which platform best suits their mobile trading needs.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both XM Group and ActivTrades deliver daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, which are essential for traders staying informed about market movements. However, XM Group differentiates itself by offering technical analysis tools from Trading Central, a popular tool among traders for assessing market trends, whereas ActivTrades does not provide support from Trading Central. Despite both brokers providing sentiment analysis tools to help traders understand the market's direction, XM Group stands out with its additional resources without including Autochartist or Acuity Trading's tools, which neither broker supports.
XM Group and ActivTrades both offer comprehensive economic calendars, helping traders keep track of impactful global events. Nonetheless, the overall research experience varies between these brokers as reflected in their ratings. XM Group receives a stellar rating of 5 stars for its research offerings, positioning it at an impressive #8 among 63 brokers as reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ActivTrades, with a 4-star rating, ranks at #30, suggesting a slightly less extensive research provision compared to XM Group. This difference highlights XM Group's stronger emphasis on research tools and resources, making it a preferred choice for those who prioritize in-depth market analysis.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners seeking to learn about forex and CFDs, both XM Group and ActivTrades offer solid educational resources. Each broker provides a minimum of 10 educational pieces, such as articles and videos, to help new traders understand the basics of trading. Furthermore, both platforms host at least one online educational webinar per month. They also maintain a searchable archive of past webinars, ensuring that users can revisit or catch up on any missed sessions.
XM Group and ActivTrades each have over 10 video tutorials tailored specifically for beginner traders, as well as for those with more experience. However, neither platform currently offers an investor dictionary with definitions of common investing terms. Despite their similarities, XM Group stands out with a five-star education rating and a #7 ranking among 63 brokers, while ActivTrades follows with a slightly lower four-star rating and a #38 ranking. This distinction makes XM Group a more favored choice for beginners seeking comprehensive educational resources.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | 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 XM Group is better than ActivTrades. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 81 |
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Both XM Group and ActivTrades provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither offers the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both XM Group and ActivTrades do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, but they do offer Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire options for funding accounts.
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 | 93 | 81 | |
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| Review | XM Group Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
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