Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs Xtrade, 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.
Founded in 2001, ActivTrades is a well-established online broker that brings a sense of security with its two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. With an additional Tier-2 license, ActivTrades reinforces its credibility. The firm, not publicly traded and not a bank, holds a Trust Score of 81 out of 99, categorizing it as trusted by industry standards. This offers a reassuring level of credibility to those looking to entrust their money with a broker that has a solid regulatory foundation.
Set up in 2003, Xtrade carries a reputation bolstered by one Tier-1 license and another Tier-2 license, marking it as a broker with a respectable level of trust. Although also not publicly traded and not a bank, Xtrade holds a Trust Score of 74 out of 99, placing it in the average risk category. Clients seeking an option that balances reasonable trust with experience might find Xtrade appealing. Both brokers provide opportunities for investment, but ActivTrades edges forward slightly in terms of regulatory assurance and trust score.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing commissions and fees, ActivTrades has an edge over Xtrade on pricing clarity and typical spreads. ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and is ranked #29 by ForexBrokers.com for Commissions and Fees, while Xtrade is rated 2.5 stars and ranked #64. ActivTrades’ spreads tend to be slightly better than the industry average (though not the very lowest), and it shares useful data such as a 0.98-pip average on EUR/USD in May 2024. Xtrade does not provide average spread figures, making like-for-like comparisons more difficult.
At ActivTrades, costs depend on the assets you trade and the platform used. There’s one main Individual Account plus Professional and Islamic options; spreads are the same across these account types, with the Professional designation mainly affecting margin requirements. There’s no dedicated high-volume account and no active-trader pricing, and like most brokers, spreads can shift intraday and may widen around rollover.
Bottom line: Based on the available data and third-party rankings, ActivTrades is the more competitive choice for pricing transparency and typical spreads (4 stars; ranked #29), whereas Xtrade’s lower rating and absence of average spread data point to weaker fee competitiveness (2.5 stars; ranked #64).
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $250 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
ActivTrades lists 1,267 tradeable symbols versus Xtrade’s 482. In forex, Xtrade offers 56 currency pairs compared with ActivTrades’ 49. Both brokers support forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, so you can choose how you want to access the market.
For exchange-traded securities (not CFDs), ActivTrades lets clients buy shares on certain international exchanges (such as London), but not U.S. markets, while Xtrade doesn’t offer exchange-traded shares at all. ActivTrades also provides copy trading; Xtrade does not. Neither broker offers delivered cryptocurrency, but both support crypto derivatives. Reflecting this lineup, ActivTrades earns 4.0/5 stars and ranks 32nd out of 63 for Range of Investments on ForexBrokers.com, while Xtrade scores 3.5/5 stars and ranks 50th.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 482 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 56 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| 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.
ActivTrades and Xtrade both offer free demo (paper) accounts, in-house proprietary platforms, and web-based trading. ActivTrades also provides a Windows desktop download, while Xtrade does not. If you want MetaTrader, ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5); Xtrade supports neither. Copy trading is available at ActivTrades but not at Xtrade, and both brokers do not offer DupliTrade or ZuluTrade. You can place trades directly from charts with either broker. Indicator counts weren’t specified, but charting tools differ: ActivTrades lists 15 drawing tools, while Xtrade lists 100. For watch lists, ActivTrades offers 11 fields versus Xtrade’s 9.
In independent reviews of trading platforms and tools, ActivTrades is rated 4 stars and ranked #32 out of 63 brokers, while Xtrade holds 3.5 stars and ranks #59 out of 63. In short, ActivTrades is stronger if you want desktop software, MetaTrader access, and copy trading, whereas Xtrade may appeal if you prefer browser trading and want a wide set of drawing tools. Both let you test-drive features with a free demo account.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | N/A |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 100 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 9 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
ActivTrades and Xtrade both offer mobile trading apps for iPhone and Android, and each earns 4 stars for mobile from ForexBrokers.com. That said, ActivTrades ranks higher in the Mobile Trading Apps category (number 19 out of 63 brokers) compared with Xtrade (number 54), signaling a more advanced overall mobile experience.
Feature-wise, ActivTrades pulls ahead. It supports price alerts, real-time quote watchlists, and has deeper charting with 30 technical studies, trendline drawing, multiple time frames (intraday to weekly), and auto-saved drawings. Xtrade does not offer price alerts, trendline tools, multiple time frames, auto-save for drawings, or real-time quote watchlists, and it does not list its technical studies. Neither broker syncs watchlists between mobile and the web platform. For traders who rely on chart analysis and timely alerts on the go, ActivTrades is the stronger pick, while Xtrade may suit those with simpler mobile needs.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
ActivTrades vs Xtrade: both brokers deliver daily market commentary, stream forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, and Dow Jones, and provide an economic calendar. Neither platform includes research tools from Autochartist, Trading Central, TipRanks, or Acuity Trading. The key difference is sentiment data: ActivTrades offers a sentiment-based trading tool that shows long/short positioning across instruments, while Xtrade does not.
In independent assessments, ActivTrades earns 4 stars and ranks #31 out of 63 brokers for Research at ForexBrokers.com, while Xtrade earns 3.5 stars and ranks #53. If you want sentiment insights alongside news and calendars, ActivTrades has the edge. If you only need straightforward research basics—daily commentary, quality news, and an economic calendar—Xtrade covers those needs.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When it comes to educational resources for beginners, ActivTrades appears to have an edge over Xtrade. Both brokers offer a variety of educational material such as articles and videos focused on forex and CFDs. However, ActivTrades goes further by providing resources more frequently and in diverse formats. With regular monthly webinars and a searchable archive of past client webinars, ActivTrades ensures that beginner traders can access fresh and relevant content regularly. Additionally, ActivTrades offers a solid library of educational videos tailored for both beginner and advanced traders, which is not matched by Xtrade.
In contrast, Xtrade does provide a useful investor dictionary with definitions of over 50 investing terms, a feature that ActivTrades lacks. Despite this, ActivTrades still ranks higher in educational offerings, as reflected in their higher educational rating and ranking by ForexBrokers.com. While Xtrade received a 3.5-star rating and ranks 46th out of 63 brokers for their educational materials, ActivTrades boasts a 4-star rating and ranks 38th, offering a more comprehensive educational experience for new traders looking to deepen their understanding of trading.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Xtrade
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ActivTrades is better than Xtrade. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while Xtrade finished with an overall rank of #60.
ActivTrades is a long-standing brand that offers a proprietary trading platform, ActivTrader, and support for the award-winning TradingView and MetaTrader (MT4 and MT5) platforms. ActivTrades also delivers a selection of custom add-ons, indicators, and trading tools for traders who prefer to use MetaTrader. Drawbacks for trading with ActivTrades include a smaller selection of tradeable symbols and fewer educational resources than what’s available from the best forex brokers.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
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Xtrade
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 81 | 74 |
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While both ActivTrades and Xtrade do not provide the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency, they each offer the capability to buy cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both ActivTrades and Xtrade provide similar options for depositing or withdrawing account funds; neither offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal transfers, but both support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire 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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0 of 5| Overall Rating | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Xtrade Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 81 | 74 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | ||
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | ||
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | ||
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | ||
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | ||
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | |||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | ||
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | ||
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | |||
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | ||
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | ||
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | ||
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | ||
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) |
| Investments | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 482 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 56 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $250 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | No | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | No | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | No | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 9 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | N/A | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 100 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | No |
| Mobile Trading | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | No | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | N/A | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | No |
| Research | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Xtrade Review |
| Overall | ActivTrades | Xtrade | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 74 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Xtrade Review |
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