Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of OANDA 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.
OANDA and ATFX are both well-regarded online brokers, though they differ in terms of experience and regulatory backing. Founded in 1996, OANDA has established itself with a Trust Score of 93 out of 99 from ForexBrokers.com, indicating a high level of trust. OANDA supports its reliable reputation with seven Tier-1 licenses, which are considered the gold standard by industry regulators. While OANDA is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank, its long-standing presence in the market contributes to its strong standing.
In contrast, ATFX, founded in 2017, also maintains a trustworthy profile with a solid Trust Score of 85. It holds four Tier-1 licenses, complemented by two Tier-2 licenses, which demonstrate its commitment to meeting regulatory standards. Like OANDA, ATFX is neither publicly traded nor operates as a bank. Although relatively newer in the field, ATFX has quickly become a notable name in the online brokerage sector, thanks in part to its adherence to trusted regulatory practices.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When evaluating the commissions and fees of OANDA and ATFX, OANDA emerges as a slightly superior choice for traders, securing a 4 out of 5-star rating. Despite not being a discount broker, OANDA offers an automated execution system and is ranked 34th among 63 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. OANDA’s forex trading costs can be relatively high, with its effective spreads comparable to brokers like FOREX.com and FxPro, but often on the pricey side. For example, the average non-core pricing spread on the EUR/USD pair was 1.61 pips. The core pricing model diminishes these spreads further and introduces a $5 per-side commission on trades of $100,000, making its all-in cost slightly more attractive than its commission-free counterpart.
In contrast, ATFX, holding a 3-star rating for its commissions and fees, ranks 60th out of 63 brokers in the same category. Unfortunately, specific data around average spreads for ATFX is not available, which limits transparency in comparing costs. Though OANDA's smallest contract size is unique, allowing trades of 1 unit or 0.001 micro lot, ATFX does not offer detailed information about similar features. This lack of detailed cost information may make it challenging for traders to fully assess ATFX’s fee structure.
OANDA also stands out with additional offerings such as the Elite Trader program, which provides rebates and other benefits like subscription reimbursements for TradingView users. Moreover, OANDA prioritizes transparency by publishing trailing average spreads, even though it lacks fixed-period spread reports. This approach, while ensuring a degree of clarity, can make precise cost comparisons difficult. Overall, if transparency and detailed cost assessments are a priority in choosing a broker, OANDA's advantages might be more appealing than ATFX's somewhat opaque fee structure.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | 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 the range of investments between OANDA and ATFX, both offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. However, OANDA stands out with a vast array of 3,928 tradeable symbols, significantly more than ATFX's 150. Additionally, OANDA provides access to 68 tradeable forex pairs compared to ATFX's 44. Neither platform offers exchange-traded securities on U.S. or international exchanges, meaning you won't be buying shares of companies like Apple or Vodafone directly. Both brokers do support copy trading, allowing clients to replicate the trades of others easily.
Delving into cryptocurrency options, OANDA offers unique possibilities by allowing clients to buy both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives. Meanwhile, ATFX only supports trading in cryptocurrency derivatives. This difference in offerings has contributed to OANDA receiving a 4-star rating for its range of investments, compared to ATFX’s 3.5-star rating. OANDA is also ranked higher at #27 by ForexBrokers.com, compared to ATFX, which holds the #57 spot out of 63 brokers for this category.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, OANDA and ATFX both cater well to traders of all levels by offering free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risk. Both brokers provide access to the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, web-based trading options, and Windows-based desktop platforms. However, OANDA distinguishes itself by offering a proprietary platform developed in-house, which is something ATFX does not provide. Additionally, both OANDA and ATFX support copy trading, but neither offers integration with ZuluTrade or DupliTrade. For technical charting tools, OANDA shines with 431 drawing options compared to ATFX's 15, giving traders more flexibility in their market analysis. Both brokers enable users to trade directly from stock charts, enhancing trading convenience.
In terms of customization, OANDA's watch lists offer six columns or fields, while ATFX provides one more with seven columns. Despite ATFX's slight advantage in this area, OANDA's overall offering is rated higher with four stars, compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, OANDA is ranked #15 out of 63 brokers for trading platforms and tools, while ATFX lags behind at #62. This difference reflects OANDA's superior provision of trading tools and platform features, making it a more appealing choice for those prioritizing advanced charting capabilities and platform variety.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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) | 81 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
For traders who prioritize mobile accessibility, both OANDA and ATFX provide apps for iPhone and Android users, with each supporting features like stock and forex price alerts and drawing tools for trendlines on charts. Despite these similarities, OANDA distinguishes itself with a larger offering of 30 technical studies available for chart analysis, compared to ATFX’s 7. Both apps allow viewing of multiple time frames and support watchlists with real-time quotes; however, neither provides watchlist symbol syncing with online accounts.
When it comes to user ratings and industry rankings, OANDA leads with a prestigious 5-star rating and is positioned at #7 out of 63 brokers in ForexBrokers.com's Mobile Trading Apps category. In contrast, ATFX holds a 3.5-star rating and sits at #63 in the same category. These distinctions make OANDA a strong contender for traders seeking a high-rated mobile trading platform with extensive analytical tools.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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 it comes to market research in the online brokerage industry, OANDA and ATFX offer some distinct features. Both brokers provide daily market commentary and access to economic calendars, keeping traders informed of key global events. OANDA excels in delivering forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, whereas ATFX does not include these top-tier news outlets. Both brokers utilize Autochartist for technical and fundamental analysis tools, yet ATFX goes a step further by offering additional tools from Trading Central, which OANDA does not. On the flip side, OANDA provides a unique sentiment-based trading tool that visualizes the proportion of long and short positions across various currency pairs, a feature ATFX currently lacks.
In terms of overall research quality, OANDA outshines ATFX, earning a 5-star rating compared to ATFX's 3 stars. A comprehensive evaluation by ForexBrokers.com places OANDA as the fifth best out of 63 brokers in the research category, while ATFX is ranked 54th. Despite both brokers having their strengths, these ratings suggest that OANDA's research offerings are more highly regarded in the market than those of ATFX.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | 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.
For beginners exploring online broker options with a focus on educational resources, OANDA and ATFX both offer a good starting point with a variety of materials dedicated to forex and CFD education. Each platform provides at least 10 educational pieces like articles, videos, and archived webinars, ensuring that foundational learning is accessible to newcomers. Moreover, both brokers have searchable archives of their recorded webinars, adding another layer of flexibility in accessing knowledge on demand.
However, when it comes to live online educational webinars, OANDA takes the lead by hosting at least one each month, a feature absent in ATFX's offerings. OANDA also provides a more comprehensive selection for advanced traders with at least 10 specialized videos tailored for experienced audiences. In addition, both brokers present an investor dictionary featuring definitions of key terms, helping newcomers become fluent in trading terminology. With a five-star rating for education, OANDA stands out, ranked at 22nd out of 63 brokers by ForexBrokers.com. Meanwhile, ATFX, with a three-star rating, is positioned at 28th in the same category. Overall, OANDA offers a broader spectrum of educational resources, making it a standout choice for those prioritizing educational depth and ongoing learning opportunities.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
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 OANDA is better than ATFX. OANDA finished with an overall rank of #12, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
A trusted global brand, OANDA stands out for its reputation and quality market research. Its regulatory track record is strong, and its support for third-party features bolsters its overall offering.
| Feature |
OANDA
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 |
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OANDA allows users to buy both actual cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency derivatives, while ATFX offers only cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers OANDA and ATFX, OANDA provides a broader range of deposit and withdrawal options, offering ACH, SEPA, and PayPal alongside Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, whereas ATFX offers Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH, SEPA, and 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 | OANDA | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review |
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| Regulation | OANDA | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 1996 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 7 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | OANDA | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | 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) | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3928 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 68 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | Yes | 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 | OANDA | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.61 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 1.61 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | OANDA | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $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 | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 81 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 431 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | OANDA | 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 | OANDA | 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 | OANDA Review |
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| Trust Score | 93 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | OANDA Review |
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