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 |
AvaTrade offers competitive spreads that are nearly aligned with the industry's average, marked at just under one pip (0.9 pips as of June 2024). This positions AvaTrade slightly above the entry-level accounts provided by brokers like CMC Markets and Tickmill. For traders who qualify as professional, AvaTrade offers more attractive spreads at 0.6 pips, making it competitive with brokers such as FP Markets. AvaTrade has earned a commendable rating of 4.5 stars for its commissions and fees, ranking 12th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, delivers spreads that are marginally better than the industry average. However, they do not quite match the offerings from the leading low-cost forex brokers. ActivTrades provides multiple account options, including Individual, Professional, and Islamic Accounts, but lacks a specific account type for high-volume traders and active trader pricing. While the spreads at ActivTrades, like their 0.98 pips for EUR/USD as of May 2024, are competitive, they don't fluctuate between account types and can vary based on the trading session. ActivTrades secures a 4-star rating for its fees and is ranked 28th in the commisions and fees category by ForexBrokers.com.
In conclusion, both AvaTrade and ActivTrades present competitive options for traders, with AvaTrade inching ahead in rankings and ratings. AvaTrade's professional accounts offer lower spreads for eligible traders, while ActivTrades provides a variety of accounts that cater to different trader needs, including those requiring Sharia compliance. Ultimately, both brokers have strengths that may appeal to various types of traders based on individual trading strategies and requirements.
| 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.
When looking at the trading platforms and tools offered by AvaTrade and ActivTrades, both brokers present compelling options for traders. AvaTrade and ActivTrades both provide users with free virtual demo accounts, allowing new investors to practice without financial risk. Each broker also delivers proprietary platforms developed in-house, as well as support for popular third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). A key distinction between the two is AvaTrade's inclusion of platforms like DupliTrade and ZuluTrade, offering additional options for copy trading enthusiasts, which are not available with ActivTrades. Both brokers support trading directly from a stock chart and have desktop, web-based, and copy trading options, catering to diverse investor needs.
On the technical front, AvaTrade provides 13 drawing tools for charting, while ActivTrades offers a slightly greater set with 15 tools, enhancing the technical analysis experience for users. Furthermore, ActivTrades provides 11 fields for watch lists compared to AvaTrade's 7, allowing for more customization in tracking preferred assets. When evaluated for trading platforms and tools, AvaTrade holds a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating and a ranking of #13 out of 62 brokers, as opposed to ActivTrades' 4-star rating and #30 ranking. These ratings highlight AvaTrade's marginal superiority in this aspect, offering a more comprehensive toolkit for traders at various levels.
| 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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|---|---|---|
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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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2 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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