Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Admirals vs ATFX, 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.
When it comes to choosing a reliable online broker, both Admirals and ATFX offer noteworthy options for traders. Founded in 2001, Admirals has built a strong reputation over the years and holds a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 93, reflecting a high level of trust. While neither broker is publicly traded or operates as a bank, Admirals and ATFX each hold four Tier-1 licenses, indicating a solid regulatory backing. Additionally, Admirals holds three Tier-2 licenses, compared to ATFX's two, further enhancing its credibility.
In contrast, ATFX, established more recently in 2017, carries a Trust Score of 85, which ForexBrokers.com considers trusted. While both brokers are on even footing with their Tier-1 licenses, the difference in Tier-2 licenses may be a telling factor for those prioritizing trust. Ultimately, each broker's regulatory structure supports their credibility, offering traders the security necessary for confident market participation.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers Admirals and ATFX, Admirals stands out with its competitive pricing. With spreads typically at 0.8 on their Trade account, Admirals also offers similar pricing on their Zero account. This competitive edge earns Admirals a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees. Among 63 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, Admirals ranks at number 17, reflecting their favorable cost structure.
In contrast, ATFX does not provide data on average spreads, making it more challenging to evaluate their pricing transparency. This lack of information contributes to their lower rating of 3 stars out of 5 for commissions and fees. Consequently, ATFX is ranked much lower, at number 60 out of 63 brokers analyzed by ForexBrokers.com.
Overall, if you're looking for a broker with clearer and more competitive pricing, Admirals may be the better choice. Their higher ranking and rating indicate a more cost-effective and transparent fee structure compared to ATFX. This comparison highlights the importance of evaluating brokers not only based on their fees but also on how much information and transparency they provide to potential investors.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | 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 comparing Admirals and ATFX, Admirals offers a significantly larger selection of investments, with 8,702 tradeable symbols compared to ATFX's 150. In the forex arena, Admirals provides 82 tradeable currency pairs, while ATFX features 44. Both brokers allow forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, and neither offers the option to buy actual cryptocurrencies, only derivatives. Admirals stands out by offering exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, allowing clients to purchase shares of companies like Apple and Vodafone. ATFX, on the other hand, does not offer exchange-traded securities on any exchange, which may limit the investment opportunities for clients looking for non-CFD options.
In terms of additional features, both Admirals and ATFX support copy trading, appealing to investors who prefer to follow the strategies of experienced traders. However, Admirals' broader range of available investments is reflected in its higher rating, earning 4.5 stars for its range of investments compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars. This difference is further highlighted by their rankings on ForexBrokers.com, where Admirals is positioned at #19 out of 63 brokers, whereas ATFX is ranked at #57. This ranking underscores Admirals' more extensive investment offerings and may appeal to traders seeking a wider array of trading opportunities.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| 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.
Both Admirals and ATFX offer virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice with simulated trading experiences. Admirals stands out with its proprietary platform, crafted in-house, which is a unique offering over ATFX. Both brokers provide desktop download and web-based trading platforms, catering to different user preferences. Additionally, they each support popular platforms like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, ensuring flexibility and familiarity for traders. Admirals and ATFX both offer copy trading, yet neither provides services from DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
Admirals distinguishes itself further in the realm of trading tools by offering 106 drawing tools compared to ATFX's 15, allowing for deeper chart analysis. Each broker allows trading directly from stock charts and has seven fields for watchlists. When it comes to charting capabilities and platform features, Admirals earns a higher rating of four stars, compared to ATFX's 3.5-star rating. In rankings, Admirals secures the 19th spot out of 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools, a significant lead over ATFX, which ranks at 62nd.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No |
| 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) | 106 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of Admirals and ATFX, both brokers provide comprehensive services suitable for iPhone and Android users. Admirals takes a slight edge with an impressive array of 30 technical studies for chart analysis, compared to ATFX's 7. Both apps support price alerts, trendline drawing, multi-timeframe viewing, and the auto-saving of chart drawings, making them versatile choices for traders. However, neither broker currently offers watchlist symbol syncing between the mobile and online platforms.
In terms of real-time market tracking, both apps allow the creation of watchlists with up-to-the-minute quotes. Admirals stands out in the ratings arena, earning a solid 4 stars and securing the 23rd spot among 63 brokers in the Mobile Trading Apps category according to ForexBrokers.com. ATFX, in contrast, receives 3.5 stars and ranks 63rd. These distinctions highlight Admirals as the preferred choice for those valuing more advanced charting tools and a slightly higher-rated mobile trading experience.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 |
| 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 Admirals and ATFX, it's clear that both provide daily market commentary, which can be quite helpful for traders looking to stay updated on market trends. However, Admirals edges ahead by offering forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, a feature ATFX lacks. Additionally, Admirals supports a sentiment-based trading tool for currency pairs, and provides market research insights from TipRanks, enhancing the depth of their research tools.
In terms of technical analysis, ATFX partners with Autochartist, offering specialized tools that Admirals does not. Nevertheless, both brokers provide resources from Trading Central, ensuring traders have access to high-quality analytics. Admirals also partners with Acuity Trading for additional research tools like the Signal Centre. Both offer economic calendars to keep traders informed of global events, but Admirals is rated higher for research, earning 4 out of 5 stars compared to ATFX's 3, and ranks #15 among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, while ATFX ranks #54. This suggests Admirals provides a more comprehensive suite of research tools and insights.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | Yes | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners between Admirals and ATFX, both online brokers provide a solid foundation with over 10 educational pieces focused on forex and CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. Admirals, however, stands out by offering ongoing online educational webinars, held at least once a month, while ATFX does not supply this monthly feature. Both firms maintain a searchable archive of past webinars, facilitating convenient access to previously recorded educational content.
For beginner traders, both Admirals and ATFX come equipped with more than 10 educational videos on trading concepts designed for novices. Admirals takes it further with over 10 advanced educational videos for seasoned traders, giving them a slight edge in advanced learning. Additionally, both brokers host comprehensive investor dictionaries defining over 50 investing terms. Admirals’ commitment to broader educational offerings is echoed in its higher educational rating of 4 out of 5 stars compared to ATFX's 3-star rating, as well as its top 12 ranking out of 63 brokers for education, while ATFX holds the 28th position.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Admirals is better than ATFX. Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
Traders choose Admirals for its excellent investor education and advanced MetaTrader features – such as the Supreme add-ons – alongside an extensive range of shares, forex and CFD markets, and premium research content.
| Feature |
Admirals
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 |
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Both Admirals and ATFX provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither allows customers to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
In comparing online brokers, Admirals stands out by offering a variety of fund transfer options including ACH, SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ATFX provides a narrower range of options, supporting only Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, but lacking ACH, SEPA, and PayPal transfer capabilities.
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 | Admirals | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review |
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| Regulation | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | 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 | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | Yes | No |
| Investments | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 8702 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 82 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| 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). |
| Cost | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.8 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $500 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | No | |
| 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 | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 106 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | Admirals | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Admirals Review |
| Overall | Admirals | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Admirals Review |
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