Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of AvaTrade vs ActivTrades, 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.
AvaTrade and ActivTrades, two prominent online brokerage firms, come with distinct regulatory credentials. AvaTrade, established in 2006, boasts a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 94, indicating a high level of trust. This score is backed by AvaTrade's possession of four Tier-1 licenses, which are seen as highly trusted, and three Tier-2 licenses. Despite not being publicly traded or operating as a bank, AvaTrade is well-regarded for its regulatory compliance and secure trading environment.
In contrast, ActivTrades, founded in 2001, holds a Trust Score of 81 on ForexBrokers.com, marking it as trusted but slightly below AvaTrade. ActivTrades has two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, ensuring a solid regulatory framework. Like AvaTrade, ActivTrades is neither publicly traded nor functions as a bank, but its regulatory setup provides a dependable trading option for users. Both brokers offer secure options for trading, though AvaTrade holds a slight edge in trustworthiness and the number of high-tier licenses.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing online brokers AvaTrade and ActivTrades in terms of commissions and fees, both offer competitive pricing, though AvaTrade generally provides slightly better value. AvaTrade's spreads are just under one pip (at 0.9 pips), which is close to the industry average. For professional traders qualifying for AvaTrade’s Professional account, spreads can be as low as 0.6 pips, making it competitive with brokers like FP Markets. AvaTrade is rated 4.5 stars for commissions and fees and is ranked #12 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, offers several account types including its main "Individual Account," a Professional Account, and an Islamic Account. Although ActivTrades lists its target spreads, these can vary, with the EUR/USD average spread at 0.98 pips as of May 2024. While their spreads are slightly better than the industry average, they do not match those of top low-cost forex brokers. Commissions and fees at ActivTrades depend largely on the assets traded and the platform used. This broker does not offer any specialized account options for high-volume traders or active trader pricing. ActivTrades is rated 4 stars for commissions and fees and holds the #27 ranking in the same category according to ForexBrokers.com.
In conclusion, AvaTrade provides marginally better spread values and higher overall ratings compared to ActivTrades. For traders prioritizing cost-effectiveness, AvaTrade may offer a more appealing structure, particularly for those who qualify for its Professional account. ActivTrades, however, might be a solid choice for those who utilize various account types or seek compliance with Sharia-based financial principles.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | 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, both AvaTrade and ActivTrades provide a robust selection for online traders. AvaTrade features 1260 tradeable symbols, including 53 forex pairs available as CFDs or spot contracts. On the other hand, ActivTrades slightly surpasses AvaTrade by offering 1267 tradeable symbols, with 49 forex pairs also available as CFDs. Neither broker sells exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but ActivTrades does provide opportunities to buy international shares like those listed on the London Stock Exchange, whereas AvaTrade does not. Both brokers offer copy trading and the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies.
In terms of customer reviews, both brokers earn a commendable 4-star rating for their range of investments. When stacked against a total of 62 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades edges out AvaTrade ever so slightly, ranking 31st compared to AvaTrade's 32nd position. Whether you lean towards AvaTrade's broader selection of forex pairs or ActivTrades' inclusion of international shares, both platforms provide solid options for traders seeking a diverse investment portfolio.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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 AvaTrade and ActivTrades offer a comprehensive range of trading platforms and tools, catering to diverse trading preferences. Each broker provides access to simulated trading via free virtual demo accounts, making it easier for traders to test strategies without financial risk. In terms of proprietary platforms, both brokers have developed their own in-house platforms while also supporting popular choices like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Additionally, they both offer platforms that can be accessed through desktop downloads on Windows and web-based browsers. However, AvaTrade stands out by offering additional copy trading options through DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, which ActivTrades does not provide.
When delving into features for charting, ActivTrades offers slightly more variety with 15 drawing tools compared to AvaTrade's 13. Both brokers allow trading directly from stock charts, adding convenience for traders. Watch lists in ActivTrades provide more fields with 11 columns, compared to AvaTrade's 7 columns, giving users more flexibility in monitoring their assets. In terms of overall user experience for trading platforms and tools, AvaTrade receives a higher rating of 4.5 stars and ranks 13th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, whereas ActivTrades garners a 4-star rating, ranking 29th. This highlights AvaTrade's slightly stronger offering in platforms and tools.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of AvaTrade and ActivTrades, both brokers offer a wide range of features for iPhone and Android users, including stock and forex price alerts. AvaTrade takes the lead with its capability to sync watchlist symbols with clients' online accounts, an option ActivTrades lacks. This means that changes in the AvaTrade app are automatically reflected in the online account, providing a seamless experience. Furthermore, AvaTrade delivers a more comprehensive charting experience with 73 technical studies compared to ActivTrades' 30. Both platforms allow traders to draw trendlines and view multiple time frames on their charts.
Though AvaTrade's app does not auto-save drawings, a feature that ActivTrades includes, it excels in other areas such as offering real-time quote watchlists. In terms of ratings, AvaTrade scores 4.5 stars for its mobile trading app, while ActivTrades trails slightly with 4 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com rankings out of 62 brokers, AvaTrade sits at #13, ahead of ActivTrades, which holds the #19 spot. This comparison highlights AvaTrade's edge in mobile trading functionalities, providing a more interconnected and versatile trading platform.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 73 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When comparing AvaTrade and ActivTrades for market research, several key differences and similarities emerge. ActivTrades stands out by offering daily market commentary, a feature absent from AvaTrade. Both brokers provide forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring clients stay informed with reliable information. While AvaTrade includes tools from Trading Central for technical analysis, ActivTrades does not. However, both platforms offer sentiment-based trading tools, allowing traders to gauge market mood by displaying the ratio of long and short positions across various instruments.
Looking at additional tools, neither AvaTrade nor ActivTrades offers research from TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading. They both feature economic calendars that highlight upcoming global news events, helping traders track economic developments. With both brokers receiving a 4-star rating for research, AvaTrade ranks slightly lower at #34 compared to ActivTrades at #30 among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. This nuanced comparison reflects diverse offerings and may guide traders in choosing a platform that best suits their research needs.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational resources available for beginners at AvaTrade and ActivTrades, both online brokers deliver a comprehensive suite of learning materials. They each provide a wide range of educational content, including over ten articles, videos, and archived webinars that focus on forex and CFDs. Additionally, both platforms host regular monthly webinars to engage their clients and offer searchable archives of these sessions for convenient access. This setup ensures that beginner traders have ample opportunities to learn at their own pace and revisit past sessions for better understanding.
Despite these similarities, AvaTrade sets itself apart by offering a dictionary with over 50 investing terms, which is not available at ActivTrades. Both brokers cater to traders at different skill levels with at least ten beginner and advanced educational videos each. While both AvaTrade and ActivTrades are rated with four stars for their educational offerings, AvaTrade is ranked significantly higher at #2 compared to ActivTrades' position at #38 according to ForexBrokers.com. This highlights AvaTrade’s superior standing in delivering educational value for new traders.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that AvaTrade is better than ActivTrades. AvaTrade finished with an overall rank of #13, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
AvaTrade is a trusted global brand best known for offering an extensive selection of trading platforms for forex and CFD traders, as well as exceptional educational content that helped it nab Best in Class honors for Beginners in the ForexBrokers.com 2025 Annual Awards.
| Feature |
AvaTrade
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ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 |
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Both AvaTrade and ActivTrades provide the option to buy cryptocurrency derivatives but do not offer the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
In comparing online brokers AvaTrade and ActivTrades, both do not support ACH or SEPA transfers but provide bank wire and Visa or Mastercard options for deposits and withdrawals; however, AvaTrade uniquely offers PayPal as an option, while both brokers support Skrill.
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 | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | ActivTrades Review |
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| Regulation | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2006 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 3 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | Yes | 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) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1260 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 53 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.93 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.61 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $100 | 0 | |
| 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 | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 80 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 13 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 73 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | AvaTrade Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | AvaTrade | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | AvaTrade Review | ActivTrades Review |
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