Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of FXCM 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.
FXCM, established in 1999, and ActivTrades, founded in 2001, are both prominent online brokers. A noteworthy distinction lies in their market presence and trustworthiness. FXCM is publicly traded, enhancing transparency and investor confidence, while ActivTrades remains privately owned. Neither firm operates as a bank. When evaluating trust indicators, FXCM takes the lead with an impressive Trust Score of 95 out of 99, categorizing it as highly trusted according to ForexBrokers.com. This score is supported by FXCM's possession of four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses, marking it as a highly compliant brokerage.
In comparison, ActivTrades holds a Trust Score of 81, which still considers it a trusted entity. It carries two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, indicating a strong adherence to regulatory standards, albeit at a slightly lower level than FXCM. Overall, both brokers demonstrate considerable reliability, but FXCM edges ahead with its broader regulatory footprint and higher trust rating. Potential traders may find these distinctions beneficial when deciding between the two for their trading activities.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, both FXCM and ActivTrades offer competent services in the forex trading market. FXCM's pricing is slightly higher than the industry average, particularly for their standard accounts where the spreads on the EUR/USD averaged 0.78 for their EU, U.K., and Australia entities in May 2024, and 1.38 for its St. Vincent and the Grenadines entity. However, their commission-based accounts have more attractive spreads averaging 0.28 pips, excluding additional commissions. To benefit traders who transact in higher volumes, FXCM offers an Active Trader Rebate Program available outside the U.K. and EU. This program provides discounts that range from $5 to $25 per million traded, depending on your trading tier. Despite these options, other brokers like Tickmill and FP Markets could potentially offer more competitive choices for active traders. For commissions and fees, FXCM holds a star rating of 4 out of 5 and is ranked #24 out of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In contrast, ActivTrades offers pricing that is slightly better than the industry average but doesn't reach the levels set by the most affordable forex brokers. ActivTrades provides several account options, including an Individual Account, Professional Account, and an Islamic Account, yet lacks a distinct offering geared towards high-volume traders, and does not have an active trader pricing structure. The average spread on the EUR/USD at ActivTrades was reported as 0.98 pips for May 2024, with possible variations during trading hours, notably during the rollover period when spreads can widen. ActivTrades holds a similar 4 out of 5-star rating for commissions and fees and is placed at #27 in the rankings by ForexBrokers.com.
Ultimately, both FXCM and ActivTrades offer commendable services with a focus on different aspects of trading costs. FXCM presents potentially better options for high-volume traders due to its rebate programs—an advantage ActivTrades doesn't provide. However, ActivTrades still remains a viable option for traders who might prioritize slightly more favorable spreads on individual accounts. Both brokers attain a balanced rating of 4 stars, reflecting their status as competitive players within the forex trading landscape.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | 0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | Yes | 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.
FXCM and ActivTrades provide diverse investment options catering to online traders worldwide, though they differ in scope. Both platforms offer forex trading through CFDs or spot contracts, presenting a range of currency pairs to capitalize on market movements. FXCM boasts 43 tradable forex pairs within its inventory of 440 symbols, while ActivTrades expands its reach with 49 forex pairs among 1267 tradable symbols. This broader selection allows ActivTrades users greater choice in currency trading.
When it comes to exchange-traded securities, FXCM does not offer direct investment in U.S. or international stocks, such as Apple or Vodafone. Conversely, ActivTrades provides access to international securities, offering investors a chance to diversify their portfolios with global companies. Both brokers support copy trading and cryptocurrency derivatives, though neither facilitates buying actual cryptocurrencies. For their variety in investments, FXCM is rated 3.5 stars and listed as #47 by ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades holds 4 stars and ranks #31, indicating a more extensive range of options for investors seeking diverse trading avenues.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes |
| 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 FXCM and ActivTrades, both brokers offer traders well-equipped platforms with a range of tools. Each broker provides a free virtual demo account, making it easy for beginners to practice trading without real-world risk. FXCM and ActivTrades have developed proprietary platforms and support Windows-based desktop downloads alongside web-based trading options for easy access. MetaTrader 4 is available through both brokers; however, ActivTrades also provides MetaTrader 5, offering an extra layer of flexibility for traders seeking more advanced options. While FXCM incorporates ZuluTrade for those interested in copy trading, ActivTrades lacks this feature but matches FXCM in offering copy trading through other means.
Charting capabilities and tools further set these brokers apart. ActivTrades edges out FXCM with 15 drawing tools compared to FXCM’s 10, and both allow for trading directly from a stock chart. FXCM features 13 columns for watch lists, slightly surpassing ActivTrades' 11 fields. In terms of ratings, FXCM shines with a five-star rating for its Trading Platforms and Tools compared to ActivTrades' four stars. This superior rating is reflected in FXCM's higher ranking on ForexBrokers.com, where it holds the 6th spot among 62 brokers, while ActivTrades is positioned at 29th. Overall, FXCM might appeal more to those who prioritize a broad range of platform features and a strong industry reputation.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When considering mobile trading apps, both FXCM and ActivTrades offer compatibility with iPhone and Android devices, ensuring accessibility for a wide user base. Both platforms provide features like stock and forex price alerts and support the drawing of trendlines on charts. Users can also view charts in multiple time frames, which is a vital requirement for traders analyzing market movements. However, a key difference surfaces in watchlist symbol syncing. FXCM supports this feature, offering seamless integration between devices and accounts, while ActivTrades does not.
In terms of charting tools, FXCM stands out with 59 technical studies available in its app compared to ActivTrades' 30, offering more in-depth analysis options for chart enthusiasts. Both apps allow for the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes and automatically save chart drawings, adding convenience to the trading experience. Rated 4.5 stars, FXCM edges out ActivTrades' 4-star rating. In a broader industry ranking by ForexBrokers.com, FXCM ranks at #16, while ActivTrades follows at #19, reflecting a marginally higher user satisfaction and feature set for FXCM.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 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.
Both FXCM and ActivTrades provide insightful daily market commentary and access to forex news from reputable sources like Bloomberg and Reuters. While they both feature sentiment-based trading tools to assess the ratios of long or short positions, FXCM distinguishes itself by offering additional research resources through Trading Central, which ActivTrades does not provide. Moreover, FXCM integrates market research from TipRanks, enhancing their offering of market insights and strategies, a feature absent in ActivTrades' lineup.
Besides these differences, both brokers streamline access to global economic events with comprehensive economic calendars. FXCM's superior research capabilities contribute to its higher rating of 4.5 stars compared to ActivTrades' 4 stars and is reflected in its better ranking as the 11th broker for research among 62 brokers, while ActivTrades stands at 30th position. These distinctions highlight FXCM's advantage in catering to investors seeking in-depth market analysis and tools to support trading decisions.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | 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 FXCM and ActivTrades provide a comprehensive suite of learning materials. Each broker offers a minimum of 10 resources like articles, videos, and archived webinars focusing on forex and CFDs, ensuring a solid foundation for new traders. They also host frequent webinars, at least one every month, and maintain a searchable archive of previous sessions for those who want to learn at their own pace. Additionally, both FXCM and ActivTrades cater to beginners and advanced traders alike with educational videos tailored to each skill level, making it easier for traders to progress from novice to expert.
However, there are some differences. FXCM stands out by offering an extensive investor dictionary featuring definitions of over 50 investing terms, a resource that is not provided by ActivTrades. This contributes to FXCM's edge in educational guidance, reflected in its higher education rating of 4.5 stars compared to ActivTrades’ 4 stars. Moreover, FXCM's educational services are ranked 14th among 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com, in contrast to ActivTrades' 38th place, highlighting FXCM's slightly superior educational offerings for those new to trading.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that FXCM is better than ActivTrades. FXCM finished with an overall rank of #15, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
For traders who appreciate advanced trading tools and quality market research, FXCM is a winner, especially for algorithmic trading. Its range of tradeable markets is fairly narrow, however, and the pricing at FXCM is just average.
| Feature |
FXCM
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 |
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Both FXCM and ActivTrades allow traders to buy cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither provides the option to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrency.
FXCM stands out by providing ACH, SEPA, and PayPal options for deposits and withdrawals, unlike ActivTrades, which lacks these options, though both brokers offer Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire services for their users.
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 | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
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| Regulation | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 1999 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | Yes | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | Yes | 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) | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 440 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 43 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | No | Yes | |
| 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 | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.78 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.78 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | Starts from $50 | 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 | Yes | No |
| Trading Platforms | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | No | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 13 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 115 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 10 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 59 | 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 | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Yes | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | FXCM | 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 | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | FXCM | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 95 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | FXCM Review | ActivTrades Review |
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