Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FinecoBank 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.
FinecoBank and ActivTrades are two notable online brokers offering distinct features and trust scores. Founded in 1999, FinecoBank has established itself as a publicly traded company and operates as a bank, adding an additional layer of trust given its banking status. It holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are deemed highly reliable by ForexBrokers.com, contributing to its high Trust Score of 94 out of 99. This score places FinecoBank among the highly trusted brokers, offering users a sense of security and confidence when engaging in their trading activities.
ActivTrades, founded in 2001, holds a strong position in the online trading market but is not publicly traded and does not operate as a bank. Like FinecoBank, it holds two Tier-1 licenses, indicating a high level of trust. Additionally, it possesses one Tier-2 license, which is also considered trustworthy. With a Trust Score of 81, ActivTrades is rated as trusted by ForexBrokers.com, making it a reliable choice for traders looking for a reputable broker. Both brokers provide robust regulatory standards, making them solid choices for anyone looking to trade online.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | Yes | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of FinecoBank to ActivTrades, it becomes apparent that each broker provides distinct pricing structures for their services, catering to different types of traders. FinecoBank does not disclose average spread data for forex and CFD trading, making it challenging to gauge the precise trading costs. Their spread for EUR/USD is listed at 1 pip, which may be higher than the typical spread offered by other forex brokers. An alternative listed spread of 0.8 pips is also available, yet neither value is presented as an average. FinecoBank seems to offer more competitive spreads on index CFDs. Overall, it holds a rating of 3.5 stars for commissions and fees, ranking 50th out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com.
ActivTrades, on the other hand, positions itself with spreads slightly better than the industry average, although not as competitive as the lowest-cost brokers in the market. The broker provides various account types including an Individual Account, Professional Account, and Islamic Account, along with a demo account for risk-free practice. Notably, there isn't an account geared specifically toward high-volume traders, and no active trader pricing exists. The advertised target spread for EUR/USD is 0.98 pips, based on data from May 2024, with spreads potentially widening during rollover periods. ActivTrades earns a slightly higher rating of 4 stars for its commissions and fees and ranks 27th among the assessed brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, FinecoBank may appeal more to traders focused on index CFDs while ActivTrades could be an attractive option for those seeking relatively competitive forex spreads and diverse account types. Both brokers offer distinct advantages depending on your trading priorities, with ActivTrades rated and ranked higher based on commissions and fees.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments offered by FinecoBank and ActivTrades, both brokers provide opportunities for trading in forex as CFDs, with FinecoBank providing access to 54 forex pairs and ActivTrades offering 49. FinecoBank impressively extends its catalog to 9,770 tradeable symbols, whereas ActivTrades offers 1,267. This broad array includes exchange-traded securities on U.S. and international exchanges for FinecoBank clients, allowing them to invest directly in popular stocks like Apple and Vodafone. Conversely, ActivTrades doesn't offer U.S. exchange securities but does provide access to international ones. Moreover, FinecoBank does not currently support copy trading, which is a feature available with ActivTrades.
Cryptocurrency enthusiasts might notice differences as well. Neither FinecoBank nor ActivTrades allow buying actual cryptocurrencies, yet ActivTrades offers cryptocurrency derivatives—an option not available through FinecoBank. These offerings have led to rating differences, with FinecoBank receiving 4.5 stars for its range of investments compared to ActivTrades's 4 stars. Furthermore, in a ranking of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, FinecoBank is positioned at #16, showcasing its broader investment range, while ActivTrades is ranked at #31.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 9770 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 54 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | No | 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.
FinecoBank and ActivTrades both provide in-house developed platforms to accommodate traders' diverse needs. FinecoBank stands out with its proprietary platform accessible via Windows and web browsers, making it convenient for users who prefer a consistent interface across devices. While it offers a solid platform, FinecoBank does not provide a simulated demo account, which might be a drawback for beginners seeking practice before committing real capital. On the other hand, ActivTrades not only offers proprietary platforms but also supports the popular MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. These options give users more variety and advanced features for technical analysis, such as trading directly from stock charts. Additionally, ActivTrades offers a demo account for risk-free practice, appealing to both new and experienced traders wanting to test strategies.
When it comes to trading tools, ActivTrades provides a wider range of functionalities, such as copy trading and integration with a variety of technical indicators and drawing tools, enhancing analytical capabilities. Despite this, FinecoBank efficiently supports its users with seven drawing tools for charting, which might suffice for straightforward technical analysis. Although ActivTrades has a more extensive set of features, both brokers received a four-star rating for their trading platforms, reflecting their strong offerings in this area. Interestingly, FinecoBank ranks higher at #18 compared to ActivTrades at #29 on ForexBrokers.com's platform ranking, suggesting FinecoBank's offerings are highly regarded despite its limitations.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | No | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 37 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 7 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | N/A | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
FinecoBank and ActivTrades both offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, enabling easy access to stock and forex markets on-the-go. Both apps provide notifications for important price alerts, ensuring traders stay informed about significant market changes. However, when it comes to syncing watchlists between mobile and online platforms, neither broker offers this feature, meaning users need to manage watchlists separately on each platform. Both apps do allow viewing of multiple time frames on charts, which is a handy tool for traders needing quick insights from daily, weekly, or intraday data.
When delving deeper into charting features, ActivTrades stands out with 30 technical studies available, compared to FinecoBank's six. ActivTrades also allows drawing trendlines and automatically saves these drawings, unlike FinecoBank. Furthermore, ActivTrades offers real-time quotes within watchlists, a feature not provided by FinecoBank. Despite these differences, both apps have achieved a solid rating of four out of five stars for mobile trading. However, ActivTrades ranks significantly higher at #19 compared to FinecoBank’s #42 in ForexBrokers.com's 62-broker evaluation for mobile trading apps.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 6 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | No | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, FinecoBank and ActivTrades offer different strengths. While FinecoBank does not provide daily market commentary, ActivTrades does, making it a better option for traders looking for daily insights. However, both brokers provide forex news from renowned sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring access to high-quality financial information. Neither FinecoBank nor ActivTrades includes tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, and both lack market research from TipRanks and tools from Acuity Trading, such as Signal Centre. Despite these similarities, ActivTrades stands out by offering a sentiment-based trading tool that shows ratios of long or short positions across currency pairs, a feature not available with FinecoBank.
The presence of an economic calendar, displaying important global news events, is a common offering from both brokers, equipping traders with a helpful tool to keep track of economic developments worldwide. In terms of research ratings, both brokers score a respectable four out of five stars. When ranked among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, FinecoBank holds the 33rd position, slightly trailing ActivTrades, which is ranked 30th for research. Overall, while both brokers provide solid research options, ActivTrades has a slight edge due to its daily market commentary and sentiment-based trading tools.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing FinecoBank and ActivTrades in terms of educational resources for beginners, both platforms offer a variety of helpful tools but differ in key areas. FinecoBank provides regular online educational webinars—a crucial learning avenue for beginners keen on forex and CFDs—though it lacks a searchable archive for past sessions. ActivTrades complements its regular webinars with a searchable archive, making it easier for users to revisit past content. When it comes to educational videos for beginners, both brokers offer over ten options, ensuring a solid starting point for new traders.
ActivTrades shines with its extensive educational resources, offering over ten advanced videos for experienced traders, and a wide array of articles and videos focused on forex and CFDs. FinecoBank, however, supports beginners with a helpful investor dictionary containing definitions of over 50 terms, which ActivTrades does not provide. Despite these differences, both FinecoBank and ActivTrades receive a similar overall education rating of four stars. However, ActivTrades ranks higher at #38 compared to FinecoBank's #49 on ForexBrokers.com, reflecting a broader educational offering, especially for those looking to specialize as they advance.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | 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 FinecoBank is better than ActivTrades. FinecoBank finished with an overall rank of #25, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
FinecoBank is a trusted multi-asset broker offering forex and CFDs across its brands regulated in the U.K. and Italy. However, unless you visit a physical branch as a citizen of the EU – or you are a resident of Italy or the U.K. – you will not be permitted to open an online account with FinecoBank.
| Feature |
FinecoBank
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ActivTrades
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|---|---|---|
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 |
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FinecoBank does not offer the ability to buy actual cryptocurrency or cryptocurrency derivatives, while ActivTrades does not provide actual cryptocurrency purchases but does allow for trading in cryptocurrency derivatives.
FinecoBank supports ACH, SEPA transfers, and bank wires for deposits and withdrawals but does not support PayPal, Skrill, or card payments, whereas ActivTrades facilitates deposits and withdrawals via Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires but lacks ACH or SEPA transfer options and does not support PayPal.
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 | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FinecoBank Review | ActivTrades Review |
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| Regulation | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FinecoBank | 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) | FinecoBank | 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 | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 9770 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 54 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | No | 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 | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | N/A | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | 0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | No | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | No | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | No | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | No | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | N/A | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 37 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 7 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | No | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | No | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | No | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 6 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | No | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | No | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | No | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FinecoBank | 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 | FinecoBank Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | FinecoBank | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 94 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FinecoBank Review | ActivTrades Review |
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