Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FOREX.com vs Admirals, 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 1999, FOREX.com stands out for its high level of trustworthiness, boasting a perfect Trust Score rating of 99 out of 99 according to ForexBrokers.com. It holds seven Tier-1 licenses, which reflects its credibility and security within the online trading community. Furthermore, FOREX.com is publicly traded, enhancing its transparency and reputation, although it does not operate as a bank. These factors altogether signify a highly trusted broker platform for online traders seeking peace of mind.
In comparison, Admirals, established in 2001, also presents a strong regulatory standing with a Trust Score rating of 93 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating it is trusted. Admirals owns four Tier-1 licenses and three Tier-2 licenses, providing a sound mix of regulation and oversight. Unlike FOREX.com, Admirals is not publicly traded, but like its competitor, it is not a bank. These attributes make Admirals a reliable option for online traders looking for a secure broker that is well-regulated at different tiers.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
Comparing commissions and fees, both brokers score well: FOREX.com earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #14 out of 63 for Commissions and Fees, while Admirals also earns 4.5/5 stars and ranks #18 out of 63. The key difference is how each broker structures pricing across account types and how costs change with your trade size.
FOREX.com’s Standard account (the MetaTrader option) carries wider spreads, averaging 1.4 pips on EUR/USD in the U.S. as of July 2023, though outside the U.S. the pair averaged 0.74 pips in July 2023. The newer RAW account uses commission-based pricing with typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.13 pips (February 2024) plus a $7 per standard lot commission ($3.50 per side). Active traders can earn volume rebates ranging from $2 to $9 per million, and the RAW account is available in the U.S., EU, and Canada. In practice, unless you trade more than about $50 million per month, the all-in cost of the RAW account for U.S. clients is similar to the Standard account; very high-volume traders (over $2 billion per month) can achieve much lower effective spreads.
Admirals offers competitive pricing with typical EUR/USD spreads of 0.8 pips on the Trade account and similar pricing on the Zero account type. For many everyday traders, Admirals’ typical spread compares favorably to FOREX.com’s U.S. Standard pricing, while FOREX.com’s RAW account can become the cheaper route for high-volume traders who qualify for tiered rebates.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.8 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
FOREX.com and Admirals both support forex trading via CFDs or spot contracts. Admirals offers a wider catalog overall with 8,702 tradeable symbols and 82 forex pairs, compared with FOREX.com’s 5,500 symbols and 80 pairs. Admirals also lets clients buy actual exchange‑traded shares on both U.S. and international exchanges, while FOREX.com does not offer real stocks (stock exposure is via derivatives). Despite this, ForexBrokers.com rates FOREX.com higher for Range of Investments at 5.0 stars and ranks it #7 of 63 brokers, versus Admirals at 4.5 stars and #20.
Admirals provides copy trading, which FOREX.com does not. Neither broker supports buying delivered cryptocurrency, but both offer cryptocurrency derivatives. In short, choose Admirals if you want access to real stocks and the broadest list of symbols; pick FOREX.com if you prefer a derivatives‑focused lineup with a top Range of Investments rating.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 8702 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 82 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 comparing the trading platforms and tools of FOREX.com and Admirals, both brokers shine by offering a great array of features to enhance the trading experience. They each provide free virtual demo accounts, proprietary and web-based platforms, and Windows-based desktop applications to cater to different trader preferences. Both also support MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, popular choices for many traders worldwide. However, Admirals stands out with its inclusion of copy trading, a feature absent in FOREX.com's offerings. Neither broker offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade, but both allow traders to execute trades directly from stock charts, adding a layer of convenience.
When dissecting more detailed aspects, FOREX.com outperforms Admirals in certain areas. With 239 drawing tools, it offers over twice as many options as Admirals, which provides 106. Furthermore, FOREX.com allows for a more comprehensive watch list setup with 20 fields compared to Admirals' 7. These features contribute to FOREX.com's stellar 5-star rating and #7 ranking in the Trading Platforms and Tools category out of 63 brokers, compared to Admirals' 4-star rating and #19 ranking. This evaluation highlights FOREX.com's superior offering in terms of platform customizability and analytic capabilities, appealing to those seeking a more detailed trading approach.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 106 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FOREX.com and Admirals both provide mobile trading app options for iPhone and Android, catering to on-the-go traders. Both platforms offer essential features like real-time price alerts, chart trendline drawing capabilities, and the ability to view charts in various time frames. A significant advantage FOREX.com has is its ability to sync watchlists across mobile and desktop platforms, a feature Admirals lacks. This syncing ensures seamless continuity across devices, allowing for hassle-free management of trading activities. Additionally, FOREX.com provides an extensive range of 88 technical studies for charting, significantly surpassing Admirals' offering of 30, which gives traders more tools to analyze market trends.
When it comes to app ratings and industry recognition, FOREX.com outshines Admirals. According to ForexBrokers.com, FOREX.com boasts a robust 5-star rating, placing it third among 63 brokers for mobile trading apps. Admirals, on the other hand, holds a respectable 4-star rating but is ranked 23rd in the same category. While both apps offer features like real-time quote watchlists and automatic drawing saves, FOREX.com’s superior ratings and charting capabilities make it a preferred choice for traders looking for advanced mobile trading experiences.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 |
| 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 evaluating market research offerings, both FOREX.com and Admirals provide daily market commentary and access to forex news from leading sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters. They each feature tools from Trading Central, like Technical Analytics, and offer sentiment-based trading tools. Additionally, they both provide economic calendars to track global news events. Where the two brokers start to differ is in the availability of research tools such as TipRanks and Acuity Trading, which are offered by Admirals but not by FOREX.com.
The effectiveness of their research tools is reflected in industry ratings, with FOREX.com earning a research rating of 4.5 stars and ranking 9th out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, Admirals holds a 4-star rating and is ranked 15th. While both brokers offer comprehensive research resources, FOREX.com edges out with a slightly higher rating, arguably due to its superior ranking and the quality of insights provided.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | Yes |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources for beginners at FOREX.com and Admirals, both brokers emerge as strong contenders in the field. Each offers a comprehensive suite of educational content, including over ten articles, videos, and archived webinars focused on forex and CFDs. Subscribers to either platform can take advantage of regular monthly webinars, with the added benefit of accessing a searchable archive of past recorded sessions. For beginners, both brokers provide more than ten educational videos specifically crafted to ease newcomers into trading topics.
For more seasoned traders seeking advanced knowledge, FOREX.com and Admirals also cater to this audience with advanced educational content. Furthermore, both platforms feature an investor dictionary, compiling definitions for over 50 investing terms to aid in building a strong foundational understanding. However, there is a slight distinction in educational ranking: FOREX.com is rated 4.5 stars and holds the 4th position among 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, while Admirals, with a 4-star rating, ranks 12th in the same category. This subtle yet notable difference reflects FOREX.com's slight edge in educational offerings for those entering the trading world.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FOREX.com is better than Admirals. FOREX.com finished with an overall rank of #5, while Admirals finished with an overall rank of #18.
FOREX.com is a trusted brand that delivers an excellent trading experience for forex and CFDs traders across the globe. It offers a wide range of markets and provides an impressive suite of proprietary platforms – alongside limited access to MetaTrader.
| Feature |
FOREX.com
|
Admirals
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 |
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Both FOREX.com and Admirals do not provide the option to buy actual cryptocurrency, yet they both allow for the purchase of cryptocurrency derivatives.
In the FOREX.com vs Admirals comparison, both brokers provide ACH/SEPA, PayPal, Skrill, Visa/Mastercard, and bank wire for deposits and withdrawals, offering traders identical, convenient funding options.
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 | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Admirals Review |
| Broker Screenshots | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
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| Regulation | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 3 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | ||
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | Yes | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA, FSRA, or SCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | Yes |
| Investments | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 5500 | 8702 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 80 | 82 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.4 | 0.8 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.9 | 0.8 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 20 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 88 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 239 | 106 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 88 | 30 | |
| 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 | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | Yes | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FOREX.com Review | Admirals Review |
| Overall | FOREX.com | Admirals | |
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| Trust Score | 99 | 93 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FOREX.com Review | Admirals Review |
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