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 considering online brokers based on commissions and fees, Admirals stands out with its competitive pricing. Traders can expect typical spreads of 0.8 on both the Trade and Zero account types. This cost-effective pricing strategy supports traders in maximizing returns. Admirals earns an impressive rating of 4.5 stars for its commissions and fees. ForexBrokers.com ranks Admirals as the 17th best out of 62 brokers in this category, highlighting its favorable fee structure.
In comparison, ATFX lacks comprehensive average spread data, making it harder to evaluate the complete cost implications for traders. Despite this limitation, its commissions and fees garner a 3-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, ATFX is ranked significantly lower at 59th among 62 brokers, suggesting that there might be more economical choices for traders who prioritize lower commissions and fees.
| 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 it comes to the range of investments offered by online brokers, Admirals and ATFX present different options for traders. Admirals stands out with an impressive selection of 8,702 tradeable symbols, offering a wider variety of trading choices compared to ATFX, which provides 150 potential symbols. For forex enthusiasts, Admirals offers 82 tradeable forex pairs, while ATFX offers 44 forex pairs, enabling Admirals to appeal to those interested in exploring a broader currency landscape. Both platforms offer forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, but Admirals provides an edge by allowing clients to invest in exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges, a feature ATFX does not offer. This means Admirals users can purchase shares like Apple on NASDAQ and Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange directly, expanding their investment capabilities outside of CFDs.
Insightful traders interested in expanding their investment strategies might find Admirals more appealing due to its comprehensive offerings, including copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives (without dealing in actual cryptocurrencies), similar to ATFX. However, while both brokers provide access to cryptocurrency derivatives, neither allows the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Recognizing its extensive range of offerings, Admirals receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars for range of investments, ranking 19th out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ATFX earns a 3.5-star rating and is ranked 57th. This comparison indicates that Admirals may be more suitable for diversified investors seeking broad market access, while ATFX offers a more limited but still capable array of investment 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.
Admirals and ATFX both provide a range of trading platforms and tools to suit different trading styles. Admirals gives traders access to a free virtual demo account and offers a proprietary platform developed in-house. It includes a Windows-based desktop platform and a web-based platform, catering to both system-based and browser traders. Notably, Admirals supports MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, along with copy trading features, allowing traders to benefit from the experiences of others. Admirals stands out with its 106 charting tools, offering traders extensive options for technical analysis and the ability to trade directly from stock charts. Furthermore, Admirals allows for in-depth watch lists with seven data fields, earning them 4 stars and a rank of #19 out of 62 brokers for their trading platforms and tools.
ATFX also provides a user-friendly experience with its offering of a free virtual demo account and access to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, combined with web-based and downloadable Windows desktop platforms for versatility. While ATFX does not have a proprietary platform, it offers copy trading features to facilitate learning and strategic trading. Although the range of charting tools at ATFX is more limited, with only 15 available, and lacking trading from chart capabilities observed with Admirals, ATFX supports creating comprehensive watch lists with seven columns. Rated with 3.5 stars and ranked #61 out of 62 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Trading Platforms and Tools category, ATFX provides a solid, albeit slightly less versatile, trading experience compared to Admirals.
| 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 support for iPhone and Android devices, ensuring accessibility for users on the most popular platforms. Admirals and ATFX both offer stock and forex price alerts, along with the ability to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on their charts. However, where Admirals stands out is in its charting capabilities, offering 30 technical studies compared to ATFX's 7, allowing users to conduct more in-depth analysis on their mobile devices. Additionally, while both brokers allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes and auto-save chart drawings, neither app supports watchlist symbol syncing across different devices.
Despite these similarities, Admirals' app enjoys a higher user rating of four stars compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars. This difference is also reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where Admirals is placed at #23 out of 62 brokers for mobile trading apps, significantly higher than ATFX, which ranks at #62. This suggests that while both brokers offer solid app options for traders, Admirals' app may provide a more comprehensive toolkit and a better overall user 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 Admirals and ATFX for market research capabilities, both online brokers provide daily market commentary and feature an economic calendar outlining global events. Admirals stands out by offering forex news from elite sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas ATFX does not. Admirals supports Trading Central tools, a sentiment-based trading tool, and research from TipRanks and Acuity Trading. In contrast, ATFX provides Autochartist tools alongside Trading Central's offerings but lacks sentiment insights and other advanced research features from TipRanks and Acuity Trading.
Regarding user ratings, Admirals earns a commendable four stars for research, positioning them at #15 among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. ATFX, while also providing valuable services, receives three stars and ranks #54 in the same category. This analysis indicates that Admirals offers a more comprehensive research experience suitable for traders seeking detailed and varied 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.
For those stepping into the world of online trading, Admirals and ATFX both provide a solid foundation with their educational resources focused on forex and CFDs. Admirals ensures accessibility to beginner traders by offering more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and webinars, tailored to help understand trading dynamics. They also host monthly webinars for clients, creating an avenue for continuous learning. ATFX matches Admirals in offering a plethora of educational pieces and archived webinars, catering to a self-paced learning approach. Both brokers offer beginner-focused educational videos and investor dictionaries to break down complex terms into understandable bits. However, when it comes to advanced trading topics, Admirals surpasses ATFX with a wider range of resources.
Admirals gains a slight edge in ratings and rankings, receiving four out of five stars in educational resources and securing the 12th spot out of 62 brokers as per ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ATFX, while providing a substantial educational platform, is rated with three stars and is positioned at 28 in the same category ranking. This comparison highlights Admirals as a potentially better choice for traders who value a broader range of educational materials and continuous webinar opportunities, while ATFX serves as a competent alternative with a strong foundation in the basics of trading education.
| 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 62 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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