Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BlackBull Markets 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.
BlackBull Markets and ATFX are well-regarded online brokers, each offering their own strengths when it comes to reliability. Founded in 2014, BlackBull Markets holds a single Tier-1 license, placing it within the average risk category with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 78. In contrast, ATFX, established in 2017, enjoys a higher degree of trust, boasting four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. ATFX's Trust Score of 85 signifies a strong standing, highlighting their credibility in the trading world.
Neither BlackBull Markets nor ATFX is publicly traded or operates as a bank, showcasing their dedicated focus on brokerage services. Despite these similarities, ATFX sets itself apart with a heavier regulatory presence, which can be a deciding factor for traders looking for a trusted platform. This distinction is reflected in their respective trust scores, with ATFX positioned higher in trusted rankings, offering traders a sense of security and confidence in their platform choice.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing online brokers BlackBull Markets and ATFX in terms of commissions and fees, BlackBull Markets tends to offer competitive trading costs that vary across its three account types. With a Prime account, traders experience lower spreads, averaging 0.16 on the EUR/USD pair as of March 2024. This equates to a total cost of 0.76 when factoring in a per-side commission of 0.3 pips or $6 per 10,000 traded. The Prime account requires a $2,000 minimum deposit, making it a favored option over the commission-free Standard account, which has higher spreads but no deposit requirement. Meanwhile, the ECN Institutional account at BlackBull Markets is designed for active traders willing to deposit at least $20,000, with a reduced commission of $2 per side or $4 per round turn.
In contrast, ATFX lacks available average spread data, which makes it harder to assess its trading costs completely. However, when it comes to commission and fees ratings, BlackBull Markets outshines ATFX. BlackBull Markets boasts a commendable 4.5-star rating, while ATFX holds a respectable 3-star rating. This difference underscores the more cost-effective trading options BlackBull Markets provides.
Additionally, in a comparison of 63 brokers, BlackBull Markets holds the 18th spot in the Commissions and Fees category according to ForexBrokers.com. ATFX, on the other hand, is ranked significantly lower at 60th. These rankings further highlight BlackBull Markets as a preferred choice for those prioritizing minimal trading costs and efficient fee structures.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | 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 comparing BlackBull Markets with ATFX in terms of their range of investment options, BlackBull Markets stands out as the more diverse platform. BlackBull Markets provides traders with access to a whopping 26,000 tradeable symbols, including 72 forex pairs, and offers clients the ability to invest in exchange traded securities on both U.S. and international exchanges. Meanwhile, ATFX offers significantly fewer tradeable symbols, totaling around 150, and supports 44 forex pairs. However, ATFX does not provide access to exchange traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, positioning BlackBull Markets as the more versatile choice for those looking to diversify their investment portfolio. Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, along with derivatives for cryptocurrency trading, and they also support copy trading features for their users.
In terms of recognition, BlackBull Markets has a stronger footing with a 5-star rating for their range of investments, landing them at the 6th spot out of 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. On the other hand, ATFX receives a 3.5-star rating, with a ranking of 57th place. These rankings reflect BlackBull Markets' comprehensive range of investment opportunities, setting it apart as a more appealing choice for seasoned and novice traders seeking extensive market access and investment options.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of BlackBull Markets and ATFX, both brokers stand out with unique advantages. They each provide simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, which is ideal for beginners looking to practice without any financial risk. Both brokers offer popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) platforms, supporting a wide array of trading features and technical analysis tools. However, neither offers a proprietary platform developed in-house. Both brokers ensure accessibility with Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based platforms for flexible trading across different devices. While BlackBull Markets offers ZuluTrade for social trading, ATFX does not support this feature.
For those interested in advanced charting capabilities, BlackBull Markets outpaces ATFX with 60 drawing tools compared to ATFX's 15. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, enhancing ease of use. Regarding watch lists, ATFX provides slightly more features with seven columns compared to six offered by BlackBull Markets. However, BlackBull Markets holds a higher rating with four stars for trading platforms and tools, whereas ATFX scores 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets is ranked 29th in trading platforms and tools amongst 63 brokers, significantly ahead of ATFX, which is ranked 62nd. This suggests a slightly more favorable perception of BlackBull Markets' platform offerings in the competitive online trading market.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of BlackBull Markets and ATFX, both offer compatibility with iPhone and Android devices and provide essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to view multiple time frames on charts. While both platforms enable the drawing of trendlines and allow users to create watchlists with real-time quotes, BlackBull Markets holds an edge with its advanced technical offerings. The app boasts 30 technical studies for charting, compared to just 7 provided by ATFX. Furthermore, BlackBull Markets offers watchlist symbol syncing, allowing seamless updates between the app and desktop, a feature absent in ATFX's app.
BlackBull Markets' mobile app also saves chart drawings automatically, enhancing user convenience. With these features, it’s no surprise that BlackBull Markets has been rated 4 stars for its mobile trading app, while ATFX earns a 3.5-star rating. Additionally, BlackBull Markets stands out in global rankings, placed at #31 by ForexBrokers.com, whereas ATFX is rated #63 out of 63 brokers. These factors highlight BlackBull Markets as a more feature-rich and user-friendly option for those seeking comprehensive mobile trading capabilities.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | 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 BlackBull Markets and ATFX for market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary and comprehensive economic calendars that keep traders updated on global events. Additionally, each broker incorporates technical analysis tools from Autochartist to help traders make informed decisions. However, BlackBull Markets stands out by providing a sentiment-based trading tool that reveals the ratio of long or short positions across currency pairs, while ATFX lacks this feature. In contrast, ATFX offers advanced research tools via Trading Central, which are absent from BlackBull Markets.
Neither broker supports forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, nor do they include market research features from companies like TipRanks or Acuity Trading. In terms of ratings, BlackBull Markets earns a commendable 4 stars for research and ranks 18th out of 63 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its robust offering. Meanwhile, ATFX is rated 3 stars and holds the 54th position, indicating room for improvement in its market research capabilities.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 beginner traders, BlackBull Markets and ATFX both offer a valuable range of materials to help newcomers in the forex and CFD space. BlackBull Markets provides at least 10 educational videos specifically designed for beginners, as well as an investor dictionary with over 50 investing terms defined, making it easy for newcomers to get familiar with trading jargon. ATFX also offers a similar suite of beginner-friendly content, including over 10 educational videos and a comprehensive investor dictionary. Both brokers feature numerous articles, videos, and archived webinars focused primarily on forex and CFD education, ensuring that foundational learning is covered. However, BlackBull Markets offers the added benefit of monthly online educational webinars, which are not available with ATFX.
In addition to its beginner resources, BlackBull Markets steps up its advanced education game by offering over 10 advanced educational videos tailored for more experienced traders. While ATFX provides excellent resources for new traders, it doesn’t have the same offering for advanced topics. Both brokers maintain searchable archives of previously recorded webinars, making past insights accessible to users. Despite being ranked 29th out of 63 brokers for education by ForexBrokers.com, BlackBull Markets receives a 4-star rating thanks to its extensive and varied content, including live webinars. ATFX, ranked slightly higher at 28th, receives a 3-star rating, indicating a strong, but slightly less comprehensive educational experience.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
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 BlackBull Markets is better than ATFX. BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
BlackBull Markets is a plain-vanilla MetaTrader broker with a growing range of products and support for a handful of third-party social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 85 |
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Both BlackBull Markets and ATFX do not provide the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both BlackBull Markets and ATFX support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for deposits and withdrawals, but neither offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal 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 | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 78 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | 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) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 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 | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.71 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.71 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets | 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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