Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs Eightcap, 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 Eightcap are two reputable online brokers with distinct regulatory profiles. ActivTrades, established in 2001, holds two Tier-1 licenses, which indicates a high level of trust according to ForexBrokers.com. Additionally, they possess one Tier-2 license, classifying them as trusted. Their Trust Score is 81 out of 99, placing them in the trusted category. Although they are not publicly traded nor operate as a bank, they remain a solid choice for those seeking a reliable trading platform.
Founded in 2009, Eightcap boasts a robust regulatory framework with three Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a high level of trust. Unlike ActivTrades, Eightcap does not hold any Tier-2 licenses but still earns a superior Trust Score of 85 out of 99, placing them higher on the trust scale. Similar to ActivTrades, Eightcap is neither publicly traded nor a banking institution, yet offers a secure environment for online traders.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2009 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When it comes to comparing commissions and fees, ActivTrades and Eightcap both offer competitive options for traders, yet with some differences. ActivTrades provides a single main account type – the Individual Account, along with Professional and Islamic Accounts. While ActivTrades' spreads are slightly better than the industry average, they don't quite match up to the top-discounter brokers. There's no specialized account for high-volume traders, and commission-related fees will depend on asset selection. For example, for the EUR/USD pair, ActivTrades offers an average spread of 0.98 pips. Rated 4 out of 5 stars in the commissions and fees category by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is ranked #27 out of 62 brokers.
On the other hand, Eightcap offers two account types across its global entities: the Raw account, which is commission-based, and the Standard account, which is spread-only. The Raw account offers an appealing average spread of 0.06 pips, but after factoring in the $3.50 per trade commission, the total cost is approximately 0.76 pips, which is below the industry average. Although Eightcap’s pricing remains slightly pricier than the most cost-effective brokerage offerings, ForexBrokers.com has also rated it 4 out of 5 stars, ranking it slightly higher than ActivTrades at #26 out of 62 brokers.
Ultimately, both brokers have their own advantages in respect to commissions and fees. ActivTrades offers competitive spreads with the flexibility of multiple account types, while Eightcap provides compelling pricing with its Raw account, especially for traders who prioritize reduced all-in trading costs. Your choice will depend on your trading strategy and preferences.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.0 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.76 |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| 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 ActivTrades and Eightcap in terms of the available range of investments, both brokers facilitate forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts. ActivTrades offers a larger selection of tradeable symbols, with 1,267 available compared to Eightcap's 736. However, Eightcap leads with a slightly higher number of tradeable forex pairs, providing access to 56 pairs, while ActivTrades offers 49. A distinct advantage for ActivTrades is its provision of exchange-traded securities on international exchanges, enabling clients to purchase shares like those of Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, a feature not available with Eightcap. Both brokers support copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives but neither offers the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
In terms of the range of investments, ActivTrades is considered more comprehensive, receiving a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, compared to Eightcap's 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades ranks 31st out of 62 brokers in this category, ahead of Eightcap, which sits at 40th place. This indicates that while both brokers provide comparable fundamental trading features, ActivTrades offers a broader array of investment opportunities, particularly for those interested in international stock markets.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 736 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 56 |
| 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of ActivTrades and Eightcap, both brokers provide a comprehensive array of features that cater to various trading needs. Each offers a free virtual demo account, allowing traders to practice without financial risk. ActivTrades stands out with its proprietary platform developed in-house, providing an exclusivity that Eightcap lacks. Both brokers offer Windows-based desktop platforms, web-based platforms, and support for MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, ensuring that traders can access their preferred trading environments. Additionally, copy trading is available with both brokers, but neither offers DupliTrade or ZuluTrade services.
In terms of charting tools, ActivTrades and Eightcap each incorporate 15 drawing tools and facilitate direct trading from stock charts, allowing for seamless trading experiences. One differentiation is in their watch lists; ActivTrades offers more customization with 11 columns compared to Eightcap’s 7. Despite these differences, both brokers earn a 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools. However, their rankings differ slightly according to ForexBrokers.com, with ActivTrades securing the 29th position and Eightcap following at 38th out of 62 brokers. This ranking reflects subtle distinctions in their offerings and user experiences.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 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 comparing the mobile trading platforms of ActivTrades and Eightcap, both brokers offer apps for iPhone and Android users, ensuring accessibility across popular devices. They also provide essential features such as stock and forex price alerts, the ability to draw trendlines, view multiple time frames, and auto-save chart drawings. In terms of technical studies for charting, both apps are well-equipped, offering 30 different studies, enabling users to perform in-depth technical analysis conveniently from their mobile devices.
A notable distinction between the two is the watchlist symbol syncing feature; Eightcap supports this, allowing seamless integration between mobile and desktop watchlists, while ActivTrades does not. Both brokers let users create watchlists with real-time quotes. Despite these differences, each app is rated four stars for mobile trading. However, ActivTrades is ranked higher at #19 by ForexBrokers.com compared to Eightcap's #38, perhaps influencing traders seeking a more favorably ranked platform.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes |
| 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 it comes to daily market commentary, both ActivTrades and Eightcap deliver up-to-date insights. However, ActivTrades goes a step further by offering forex news from well-regarded sources like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Dow Jones, which Eightcap unfortunately doesn't provide. Neither broker offers technical or fundamental research tools from companies like Autochartist or Trading Central, but they both supply sentiment-based trading tools that highlight the balance of long and short positions. Another similarity is their economic calendars, which present essential global news events for informed trading decisions.
While neither broker offers tools from TipRanks or Acuity Trading, ActivTrades gains an edge in their overall research rating with 4 stars compared to Eightcap’s 3.5 stars. According to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is ranked #30 out of 62 brokers for their research offerings, whereas Eightcap finds itself at #39 in the same list. This distinction underlines ActivTrades' slight advantage in providing traders with more comprehensive resources for informed trading.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, both ActivTrades and Eightcap provide valuable materials for those looking to learn about forex and CFDs. Both brokers offer a minimum of 10 educational pieces, which could be articles, videos, or archived webinars, ensuring a strong foundation for newcomers. ActivTrades shines with monthly online webinars and a comprehensive archive of recorded sessions, enhancing the learning experience. Eightcap, while offering an archive, does not conduct monthly live sessions. For visual learners, both platforms offer more than 10 beginner-focused videos.
Regarding advanced educational content, ActivTrades again has the upper hand with a collection of videos tailored for seasoned traders, while Eightcap does not. Eightcap, however, provides an investor dictionary with over 50 investing term definitions, which ActivTrades lacks. Rating-wise, ActivTrades scores 4 stars for education, slightly ahead of Eightcap's 3.5 stars. In rankings among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is positioned at #38, slightly better than Eightcap's #40. Overall, both brokers present useful educational opportunities, but ActivTrades offers a more diverse range for both beginner and advanced traders.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 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 Eightcap. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while Eightcap finished with an overall rank of #38.
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
|
Eightcap
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 85 |
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Both ActivTrades and Eightcap provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither platform supports the purchase of actual (delivered) cryptocurrency.
When comparing online brokers ActivTrades and Eightcap regarding deposit and withdrawal options, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers, but while Eightcap supports PayPal, ActivTrades does not; both brokers, however, provide the convenience of using Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires for 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 | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Eightcap Review |
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 81 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2009 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 3 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 736 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 56 | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.0 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.76 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | $100 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | Yes | |
| 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 | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | No | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Eightcap Review |
| Overall | ActivTrades | Eightcap | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Eightcap Review |
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