Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs FXOpen, 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, established in 2001, and FXOpen, founded in 2003, are both online brokers that operate without being publicly traded and are not banks. When it comes to their trustworthiness, ActivTrades holds a slightly better position with a Trust Score of 81 according to ForexBrokers.com, categorizing it as trusted. This score places it higher than FXOpen, which has a Trust Score of 76, indicating an average risk level.
In terms of regulatory standing, both brokers boast two Tier-1 licenses, reflecting a strong level of trust. However, ActivTrades gains an edge over FXOpen by also possessing a Tier-2 license, adding another layer of reliability. This combination of licenses contributes to ActivTrades being considered more trusted overall compared to FXOpen in the eyes of ForexBrokers.com's evaluations.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2003 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of ActivTrades and FXOpen, ActivTrades generally offers slightly better spreads than the industry average, although they don't match the lowest cost forex brokers. ActivTrades provides multiple account options, including an Individual Account, Professional Account, and Islamic Account, but lacks a specific plan for high-volume traders or active traders' pricing. Depending on the account type, the margin requirements may vary, but the spreads remain consistent across all accounts. Notably, ActivTrades' spreads can fluctuate throughout the trading session and tend to widen during the rollover period. For reference, the average spread for EUR/USD was recorded at 0.98 pips in May 2024.
In contrast, FXOpen does not provide specific average spread data for comparison. ActivTrades and FXOpen both receive a solid four-star rating for their commissions and fees. However, they differ in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, with ActivTrades positioned at #27 and FXOpen ranked at #45 out of 62 brokers in the Commissions and Fees category. This distinction underscores the slight edge ActivTrades holds in terms of pricing structures and fees, despite neither reaching the apex of low-cost trading platforms.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | $100 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| 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 FXOpen both offer forex trading options, including Contracts for Difference (CFDs) and spot contracts. However, ActivTrades stands out with a significantly broader selection of tradeable symbols, offering 1267 compared to FXOpen's 87. This diversity extends to forex pairs as well, where ActivTrades provides 49 pairs, nearly double the 25 pairs available through FXOpen. In addition to forex, ActivTrades allows clients to explore international markets by trading exchange-traded securities from global exchanges, such as Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, a feature not available with FXOpen.
For those interested in cryptocurrency, both brokers offer derivatives rather than direct ownership of cryptocurrencies. They also support copy trading, making it easier for users to replicate experienced traders' strategies. In terms of investment range ratings, ActivTrades receives 4 out of 5 stars, placing it at rank 31 out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com. FXOpen, on the other hand, earns 3 stars and is ranked 61st, indicating a more limited investment offering compared to its counterpart.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 87 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 25 |
| 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). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
ActivTrades and FXOpen both provide traders with the option to explore their platforms through free virtual demo accounts, allowing newcomers to practice without any financial risk. While both brokers support popular options like MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, ActivTrades sets itself apart by offering a proprietary platform developed in-house, appealing to those seeking a unique trading experience. On the other hand, FXOpen caters to traders interested in social trading by offering ZuluTrade, a service ActivTrades does not provide. Both brokers offer versatile access via Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms, ensuring that traders can engage with the market through their preferred method.
When it comes to charting features, both ActivTrades and FXOpen provide the same 15 drawing tools and support trading directly from stock charts, offering a robust charting experience. However, ActivTrades provides more comprehensive watch lists with 11 customizable fields compared to FXOpen's 7, potentially offering more detailed insights for active traders. Despite both being highly rated at 4 stars for trading platforms and tools, ActivTrades ranks higher at #29 on ForexBrokers.com compared to FXOpen's #53, suggesting a slightly stronger overall platform experience. Despite these differences, both brokers offer solid options for traders of varying preferences and styles.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 it comes to mobile trading apps, both ActivTrades and FXOpen offer comprehensive solutions for iPhone and Android users. They both provide essential features like stock or forex price alerts and the ability to create watchlists with real-time quotes. It's easy for traders to analyze markets on either app, as both offer 30 technical studies and tools to draw trendlines on charts, while also allowing viewing of multiple time frames. However, ActivTrades stands out with its auto-save feature for drawings on charts, offering extra convenience, whereas FXOpen lacks this specific functionality. Neither app, however, syncs the watchlist symbols with clients' online accounts when changes are made.
Despite both being highly capable, ActivTrades takes a slight lead based on rankings, landing at #19 out of 62 brokers according to ForexBrokers.com, compared to FXOpen’s #54 standing. Both platforms share a four-star rating for their mobile trading apps, indicative of their strong performance and user satisfaction. The choice between these platforms may ultimately come down to personal preference, but ActivTrades’ added functionality with chart drawing makes it a slightly more attractive option for those prioritizing intricate charting capabilities.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
When it comes to market research, both ActivTrades and FXOpen provide daily market commentary and access to top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, keeping users informed about the latest developments. Neither of the brokers, however, offers technical analysis tools from Autochartist or Trading Central, nor do they provide market research from TipRanks or tools from Acuity Trading. While FXOpen lacks a sentiment-based trading tool, ActivTrades provides one to help traders understand market positions.
In terms of additional features, both brokers supply an economic calendar to track global news events. Despite offering similar services, ActivTrades edges out with a higher research rating of 4 stars compared to FXOpen's 3 stars. This is reflected in their ForexBrokers.com rankings, with ActivTrades securing the 30th spot out of 62 brokers in the Research category, while FXOpen ranks last at 62nd.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No |
| 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 it comes to educational resources for beginners, ActivTrades and FXOpen offer differing levels of support. ActivTrades shines by providing at least 10 educational pieces focused on forex or CFDs, including articles, videos, and archived webinars. They also host monthly educational webinars and maintain a searchable archive of previous sessions, catering to both beginner and experienced traders with specific video content. Although ActivTrades lacks an investor dictionary, their comprehensive approach to education earns them a 4-star rating, placing them 38th out of 62 brokers in the education category according to ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, FXOpen doesn't offer the same breadth of educational materials. While they do feature an investor dictionary with over 50 investment terms, they fall short in providing a diverse range of learning options like webinars or video tutorials specifically designed for beginners or advanced traders. This limited educational offering results in a lower 3-star rating and a rank of 58th among 62 brokers for education as noted by ForexBrokers.com. Ultimately, for beginners keen on learning the ins and outs of trading, ActivTrades appears to have a more comprehensive and accessible educational platform compared to FXOpen.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| 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 FXOpen. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while FXOpen finished with an overall rank of #54.
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
|
FXOpen
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 76 |
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Both ActivTrades and FXOpen do not provide the option to purchase actual (delivered) cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
ActivTrades and FXOpen both support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing or withdrawing funds, while neither broker offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal as payment options.
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 | FXOpen | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) | |||
| Research Gallery (click to expand) | |||
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 81 | 76 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2003 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 0 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 87 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 25 | |
| 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). |
| Cost | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | Yes | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | Yes | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | $100 | |
| 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 | No |
| Trading Platforms | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Trading Tools | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Overall | ActivTrades | FXOpen | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 76 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review |
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