Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Capital.com 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.
Capital.com and ActivTrades are both noteworthy players in the online brokerage space but have distinct features in terms of regulatory compliance and trust ratings. Founded in 2016, Capital.com holds three Tier-1 licenses, considered highly trusted, and one Tier-2 license. It achieves a Trust Score of 87, classifying it as a trusted broker. Meanwhile, ActivTrades, established in 2001, holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license. With a Trust Score of 81, it also falls within the trusted category according to ForexBrokers.com, though it ranks slightly behind Capital.com.
Neither Capital.com nor ActivTrades are publicly traded companies or operate as banks, underscoring their focus on providing specialized online trading services. Both brokers demonstrate a commitment to security and reliability, evidenced by their multiple regulatory licenses. While both are considered trustworthy, Capital.com's higher Trust Score reflects a marginal edge in terms of perceived security and reliability based on the criteria set by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
In comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers, Capital.com stands out with its slightly better-than-average pricing and competitive features. This broker provides a universal account for retail traders, along with a professional account option for qualified traders, although it's important to note that professional clients may not receive the same regulatory protection as retail traders. Capital.com shines in the forex trading realm with a low average spread for EUR/USD of 0.67 pips, which was verified as 0.6712 in April 2024. This competitive pricing makes Capital.com an attractive option for those seeking low-cost forex trading. With outstanding performance, Capital.com earns a perfect 5-star rating for commissions and fees and is ranked #3 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
ActivTrades offers slightly better-than-average spreads in the industry, though it doesn’t quite match the best low-cost forex brokers. The broker provides several account types, including an Individual Account, Professional Account, and an Islamic Account, as well as a demo account for practice trading. However, there is no specific account designed for high-volume traders, nor any active trader pricing. The Islamic Account aims to comply with Sharia principles for those traders who require it. The spreads for ActivTrades tend to fluctuate throughout the trading session, with an average spread of 0.98 pips for EUR/USD in May 2024. For its commissions and fees, ActivTrades receives a 4-star rating and holds the #27 position out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
While both brokers offer competitive services, Capital.com leads in terms of lower costs and higher ratings. Traders looking for minimal commissions and tight spreads for forex trading might find Capital.com the preferred choice, especially given its excellent star rating and high ranking position. ActivTrades, though slightly less competitive in these areas, provides diverse account options that may appeal to traders with specific needs like those seeking Islamic-compliant trading.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | 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.
Capital.com stands out for its extensive range of tradeable symbols, offering a total of 3007, compared to ActivTrades' 1267. This includes a wider selection of forex pairs, with Capital.com providing access to 125 pairs, significantly more than the 49 pairs available at ActivTrades. Both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts and allow for cryptocurrency derivatives trading, while neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies or exchange-traded securities on U.S. exchanges. However, ActivTrades has an edge in allowing investments in international exchange-traded securities.
Moreover, ActivTrades offers copy trading features, setting it apart from Capital.com. When considering the overall range of investments, Capital.com holds a slight lead with a 4.5-star rating compared to ActivTrades' 4-star rating. According to ForexBrokers.com, Capital.com is ranked 22nd among 62 brokers for the range of investments, while ActivTrades follows at 31st. These distinctions can help investors make informed decisions based on the investment offerings and services that best align with their trading goals.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3007 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 it comes to trading platforms and tools, both Capital.com and ActivTrades provide strong options for users. Both brokers offer free demo accounts for simulated trading, allowing users to practice and refine their trading strategies without risking real money. Each broker also provides a range of platforms, including proprietary systems developed in-house, as well as the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform. ActivTrades also supports MetaTrader 5 (MT5), which offers more advanced features compared to MT4. Both brokers have downloadable platforms for Windows and convenient browser-based platforms for web access. Depending on your needs, Capital.com might be a great choice for simplicity, whereas ActivTrades offers more comprehensive tools, including copy trading options, which Capital.com does not provide.
Charting capabilities are essential for technical analysis, and both brokers offer trading directly from stock charts. Capital.com outshines with a wider array of drawing tools at 18, compared to ActivTrades’ 15. Both brokers provide 11 columns for watch lists, making it easier to monitor your favorite stocks and trends. When considering overall user ratings, Capital.com scores slightly higher with 4.5 stars for its trading platforms and tools, ranking 12th among 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, ActivTrades garners 4 stars, placing it at 29th. Whether you are looking for enhanced charting features or diversified trading tools, evaluating these aspects can help you decide which platform aligns better with your trading goals.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 83 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 18 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Capital.com and ActivTrades offer robust mobile trading apps compatible with both iPhone and Android devices. Users can stay updated with real-time stock and forex price alerts on both platforms. While neither of the apps supports watchlist symbol syncing, they allow for the creation of watchlists with live quotes, ensuring traders remain well-informed. Capital.com and ActivTrades apps provide extensive charting capabilities with 30 technical studies available, support for trendline drawing, and the ability to view multiple time frames such as daily or weekly charts. Additionally, any drawings made are automatically saved, offering traders a seamless experience.
Despite these similarities, Capital.com edges out with a slightly higher user rating of 4.5 stars compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars. Furthermore, Capital.com's app ranks #12 out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas ActivTrades holds the #19 spot. Both apps have proven features for the active trader, but Capital.com's offering might suit those looking for a slightly more favored platform by users and industry rankings.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 Capital.com to ActivTrades in terms of market research offerings, both brokers provide daily market commentary, making it easy for traders to stay informed about market trends. ActivTrades distinguishes itself by offering forex news from top-tier sources, such as Bloomberg and Reuters, which Capital.com does not provide. However, neither broker offers tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, which may disappoint traders looking for advanced technical analysis resources. Both platforms do offer sentiment-based trading tools that give insight into long and short positions across various instruments.
Capital.com provides market research from TipRanks, an option not available with ActivTrades. Both brokers offer economic calendars featuring global news events, ensuring traders have timely information on economic happenings. According to ForexBrokers.com, Capital.com is rated higher in research, with a score of 4.5 stars out of 5, ranking at #14 out of 62 brokers. ActivTrades holds a 4-star rating and ranks #30, indicating that while both brokers have valuable offerings, Capital.com is seen as the more comprehensive choice in terms of market research.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | 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 beginners, both Capital.com and ActivTrades make strong contributions to learning opportunities in forex and CFDs. Each platform provides more than ten educational pieces, including articles, videos, and archived webinars tailored to these trading subjects. While both offer comprehensive archives for revisiting client webinars, only ActivTrades hosts monthly live webinars, adding an interactive learning element that Capital.com lacks.
For those new to trading, each broker presents over ten beginner-focused educational videos, along with advanced content for more seasoned traders. However, Capital.com stands out by offering an investor dictionary covering at least 50 investing terms, a resource not available with ActivTrades. With a 4.5-star rating for education and a high ranking of #8 out of 62 brokers, Capital.com is considered more favorable for educational tools compared to ActivTrades, which holds a 4-star rating, ranking #38.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 Capital.com is better than ActivTrades. Capital.com finished with an overall rank of #10, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Capital.com stands out for its quality research, strong educational content, and innovative web platform. Capital.com holds fewer regulatory licenses and offers a narrower range of markets than some of the best brokers, but still significantly outperforms the industry average.
| Feature |
Capital.com
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 81 |
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Both Capital.com and ActivTrades enable the trading of cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform offers the option to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both Capital.com and ActivTrades offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire options for depositing and withdrawing account funds, but only Capital.com includes PayPal as an additional method, whereas neither platform supports ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Capital.com Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 87 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 3 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | 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). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 3007 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 125 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | 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 | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.67 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.67 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $20 | 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 | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 11 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 83 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 18 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | No | 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 | Capital.com | 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 | Capital.com Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Capital.com | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 87 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Capital.com Review | ActivTrades Review |
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