Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs BDSwiss, 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.
ActivTrades and BDSwiss are both online brokers catering to those interested in trading various financial instruments. ActivTrades, established in 2001, holds two highly trusted Tier-1 licenses and an additional Tier-2 license, indicating a strong regulatory standing. This reflects in its Trust Score of 81 out of 99 on ForexBrokers.com, placing it in the "trusted" category. Despite not being publicly traded or a bank, ActivTrades has established itself as a reliable choice for traders over the years.
On the other hand, BDSwiss was founded in 2012 and has secured a single highly trusted Tier-1 license but lacks any Tier-2 licenses. With a Trust Score of 73 out of 99, BDSwiss falls into the "average risk" category according to ForexBrokers.com. Like ActivTrades, it is neither publicly traded nor a bank. While BDSwiss has attracted a significant user base, its regulatory profile suggests a moderate level of trust compared to ActivTrades.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2012 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
ActivTrades and BDSwiss are both prominent online brokers, each offering a variety of account types to cater to traders' diverse needs. ActivTrades provides its Individual Account as the primary option, along with Professional and Islamic accounts, but it does not offer specific pricing for high-volume traders. The company's average spread on the EUR/USD is 0.98 pips, which is slightly better than the industry average, though it doesn't match up with the most low-cost forex brokers. Actively monitoring the target spreads throughout trading sessions is crucial since they can fluctuate, especially during the rollover period. Meanwhile, BDSwiss offers three main account types: Classic, Raw, and VIP. The Classic account spreads are higher, particularly with an average of 1.5 pips on the EUR/USD, while the Raw account offers a more competitive effective spread of 1.3 pips, and the VIP account provides a reduced spread of 1.2 pips.
Both brokers are rated four out of five stars for commissions and fees. They cater to different trading needs, with ActivTrades showing slightly better average spreads but BDSwiss providing more competitive spreads under its Raw and VIP accounts. ActivTrades ranks 27th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com in the Commissions and Fees category, only slightly ahead of BDSwiss, which ranks 29th. This shows that while both brokers hold a similar rating in pricing, their specific offerings and any additional commission structures might influence a trader's choice based on their trading strategy and asset focus.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | $10-$5000 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.6 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.3 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | Yes |
| 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.
ActivTrades and BDSwiss both offer a wide array of trading options, particularly in forex trading where they provide CFD contracts. When it comes to the total number of tradeable symbols, ActivTrades takes the lead with 1267 available symbols compared to BDSwiss's 1081. However, BDSwiss edges out ActivTrades with a slightly higher number of tradeable forex pairs, offering 53 pairs to ActivTrades' 49. Neither broker provides the opportunity to trade exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges, but ActivTrades does allow trading on international exchanges, such as the London Stock Exchange, a feature that BDSwiss does not offer. Additionally, both platforms support copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, though not the actual delivery of cryptocurrencies.
In terms of ratings and rankings for their range of investments, both brokers hold a solid 4-star rating. In the broader context of brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is slightly ahead, ranking 31st out of 62 brokers, while BDSwiss is close behind at 34th. This makes both platforms competitive options for traders looking for a variety of investment opportunities, although ActivTrades might provide a slight edge for those interested in a broader range of symbols and international exchange options.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 1081 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 53 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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.
Both ActivTrades and BDSwiss offer a range of trading platforms and tools designed for the modern trader. Each broker provides a proprietary platform, developed in-house, to complement industry-standard options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. They both offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing users to practice without financial risk. Whether you prefer a downloadable Windows-based desktop experience or the flexibility of a web-based platform accessible directly from your browser, both brokers have you covered. Additionally, they support copy trading, enabling traders to mirror strategies from successful investors. However, neither broker supports DupliTrade or ZuluTrade for social trading enthusiasts.
For charting tools, both ActivTrades and BDSwiss provide 15 drawing tools each, and allow trades to be executed directly from the stock chart. In terms of watch list customization, ActivTrades offers more flexibility with 11 columns available compared to BDSwiss's 7 columns. Despite these differences, both brokers receive a rating of 4 stars out of 5 for their trading platforms and tools. However, when it comes to overall ranking by ForexBrokers.com, BDSwiss slightly edges out ActivTrades, securing the 24th position among 62 brokers, while ActivTrades is ranked at 29th.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When choosing between ActivTrades and BDSwiss for mobile trading, both brokers offer comprehensive mobile apps available for iPhone and Android devices. They provide users with access to essential trading features such as stock and forex price alerts, trendline drawing tools, and the ability to view charts in multiple time frames. Although beloved for their functionality, neither app supports watchlist symbol syncing, meaning changes made on the app or online account won't automatically update across platforms.
In terms of charting capabilities, both ActivTrades and BDSwiss offer an identical 30 technical studies to enhance your trading analysis. Additionally, both apps allow users to create real-time watchlists, ensuring traders can keep a close eye on market movements. While each app comes with auto-save functionality for chart drawings, it's worth noting that ActivTrades ranks slightly higher, sitting at #19 out of 62 brokers, compared to BDSwiss's ranking at #23. Despite this difference, both apps achieve a solid rating of 4 out of 5 stars, reflecting their overall reliability and user satisfaction in the mobile trading realm.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 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 comparing ActivTrades and BDSwiss for market research options, both brokers provide daily market commentary and an economic calendar to help traders stay informed about global events. ActivTrades stands out by offering forex news from prestigious sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, alongside sentiment-based trading tools that highlight market positions in various currency pairs. On the other hand, BDSwiss excels in technical and fundamental analysis offerings, thanks to its integration with Autochartist and Trading Central, providing a suite of research tools that ActivTrades does not offer.
In terms of ratings, both ActivTrades and BDSwiss receive a commendable four-star rating for research. However, BDSwiss is ranked slightly higher at #23 compared to ActivTrades at #30 among 62 brokers, indicating a slight edge in overall research offerings. This difference could be attributed to BDSwiss's robust suite of technical analysis tools. For traders prioritizing top-tier news and sentiment data, ActivTrades might be the preferred choice, while those seeking diverse technical analysis tools may lean towards BDSwiss.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | 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 comparing the educational resources of ActivTrades and BDSwiss for beginners, both platforms provide substantial opportunities to learn about forex and CFDs. Each offers more than ten educational pieces, such as articles, videos, and webinars dedicated to these subjects. Whether you're a novice seeking knowledge or an experienced trader looking to refine your skills, ActivTrades and BDSwiss provide monthly online webinars and include searchable archives of past events. Each broker also boasts at least ten beginner-targeted educational videos, helping newcomers to trading find their footing.
Despite their similarities in educational content and a uniform rating of four stars for education, BDSwiss holds an edge by offering an investor dictionary with over 50 investing term definitions, which ActivTrades does not. Furthermore, BDSwiss is ranked higher overall in the Education category by ForexBrokers.com, standing at #19 compared to ActivTrades' rank of #38 out of 62 brokers. This might influence those looking for a more foundational grasp of trading terms and concepts. Nonetheless, both brokers cater well to beginners and present a solid collection of resources to enhance one's trading journey.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that ActivTrades is better than BDSwiss. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while BDSwiss finished with an overall rank of #36.
ActivTrades is a long-standing brand that offers a proprietary trading platform, ActivTrader, and support for the award-winning TradingView and MetaTrader (MT4 and MT5) platforms. ActivTrades also delivers a selection of custom add-ons, indicators, and trading tools for traders who prefer to use MetaTrader. Drawbacks for trading with ActivTrades include a smaller selection of tradeable symbols and fewer educational resources than what’s available from the best forex brokers.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
BDSwiss
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 73 |
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Neither ActivTrades nor BDSwiss offers the ability to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but both platforms provide options to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers ActivTrades and BDSwiss, both offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing or withdrawing funds, but BDSwiss additionally provides ACH or SEPA transfers, whereas neither broker supports PayPal transactions.
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 | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 81 | 73 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2012 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | Yes | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 1081 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 53 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | 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 | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.6 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 1.3 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | No |
| Funding | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | $10-$5000 | |
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Platforms | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades Review | BDSwiss Review |
| Overall | ActivTrades | BDSwiss | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 73 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | BDSwiss Review |
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