Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of Questrade 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.
Questrade and ActivTrades are both seasoned players in the online brokerage world, with Questrade founded in 2000 and ActivTrades following closely in 2001. Neither of these brokers is a publicly traded company nor operates as a bank, but both carry recognition and trust in the financial world. Questrade, holding two Tier-1 licenses, is considered trusted according to its Trust Score of 86, as awarded by ForexBrokers.com. This places it in a high regard among regulatory bodies, reflecting its commitment to client safety and service quality.
ActivTrades, similarly established and committed to safety, holds two Tier-1 licenses and one Tier-2 license, bolstering its regulatory clout. With a Trust Score of 81 from ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is also rated as a trusted firm. Both brokers have demonstrated stable operations over their extensive histories, providing reliable platforms for investors looking for safe and credible trading environments.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
When it comes to commissions and fees, Questrade and ActivTrades offer distinct pricing structures for traders to consider. Questrade is noted for its relatively high target spread of 1.9 pips on the EUR/USD pair, which exceeds the industry average, making it less appealing for those focusing on minimizing costs per trade. With a rating of 3 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees, Questrade is ranked 57th out of 62 brokers reviewed by ForexBrokers.com, suggesting there may be more cost-effective options available on the market.
In contrast, ActivTrades provides a more competitive edge with slightly better-than-average spreads, particularly noting a 0.98 pip spread for the EUR/USD pair as of May 2024. Despite lacking specialized account options for high-volume traders, like active trader pricing, ActivTrades offers different account types such as the Individual Account, Professional Account, and an Islamic Account that adheres to Sharia compliance. This broker received a 4 out of 5 stars rating for its commissions and fees, and ranks 27th among the brokers assessed by ForexBrokers.com, reflecting its relative advantage over Questrade in pricing.
Overall, while Questrade caters to a broader investment audience, ActivTrades appears more favorable for traders focused on tighter spreads. The choice between these brokers may ultimately depend on individual trading needs and the assets being traded, yet ActivTrades' competitive pricing and higher ranking position it as the more attractive option for those seeking cost-efficient trade execution.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | 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 | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
When comparing the range of investments at Questrade and ActivTrades, traders will find distinct offerings tailored to varied interests. Questrade shines with an extensive range of 641 tradeable symbols, including 110 forex pairs, making it a strong choice for those who prioritize forex investments. In addition, Questrade allows investors to buy exchange-traded securities directly on U.S. and international exchanges, giving users the flexibility to purchase shares like Apple and Vodafone. However, Questrade does not support copy trading and does not offer actual cryptocurrency buying, though it does provide cryptocurrency derivatives.
In contrast, ActivTrades provides a broader array of 1267 tradeable symbols, though with only 49 forex pairs. While it doesn't offer direct access to U.S. exchange-traded securities, it still caters to international exchanges like London's. ActivTrades also differentiates itself by offering copy trading, adding a layer of social strategy for traders interested in mirroring successful trades. It shares a similar stance with Questrade in offering cryptocurrency derivatives rather than direct cryptocurrency transactions. Overall, while both brokers provide varied investment options, Questrade receives a higher rating of five stars compared to ActivTrades' four stars for its investment range, with a standing of 11th versus 31st among brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 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) | 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.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools offered by Questrade and ActivTrades, both brokers provide a variety of features catering to different trading needs. Both platforms offer users the ability to explore the markets with simulated trading accounts, which are invaluable for beginners or those testing new strategies. Each also presents a proprietary platform developed in-house, and both support trading via Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based browsers, ensuring flexibility in how traders access their accounts. However, traders looking for popular third-party platforms will notice a difference: ActivTrades extends support for both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), known for their comprehensive suite of tools and community support, while Questrade does not.
For traders interested in copy trading, ActivTrades provides this feature, whereas Questrade does not. However, Questrade supports DupliTrade, offering an alternative automated trading system. In terms of charting capabilities, Questrade provides more drawing tools with 20 options compared to ActivTrades' 15, and Questrade also allows for a more customizable watch list with 52 columns versus ActivTrades' 11. Despite these differences, both brokers are highly rated for their trading platforms, with each receiving a solid 4 out of 5 stars. Notably, ActivTrades is ranked slightly higher at #29 compared to Questrade’s #34 out of 62 brokers in the ForexBrokers.com ratings for trading platforms and tools.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
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) | No | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | No | Yes |
| DupliTrade | Yes | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
Both Questrade and ActivTrades offer mobile apps for iPhone and Android users, providing comprehensive solutions for traders on the go. Their mobile platforms allow users to receive stock or forex price alerts, create watchlists with real-time quotes, and view multiple timeframes on various charts. ActivTrades ranks higher at #19 compared to Questrade at #34 in the Mobile Trading Apps category, according to ForexBrokers.com. However, Questrade stands out with more technical studies available, offering 64 compared to ActivTrades' 30, and supports watchlist syncing across devices, a feature that ActivTrades lacks.
Both platforms offer important charting tools such as drawing trendlines and auto-saving these drawings for future reference. They each receive four-star ratings for their mobile trading capabilities, reflecting user satisfaction and functionality. For investors prioritizing technical analysis, Questrade's wider array of studies might be more suitable. However, those focusing on overall app rankings and features may find ActivTrades appealing. Each app's features cater to different trading preferences, making it crucial to evaluate what aspects are most beneficial for your trading strategy.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 64 | 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 Questrade and ActivTrades for market research, distinct features emerge for potential users. ActivTrades stands out by providing daily market commentary and top-tier forex news from sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, making it a strong choice for those who prioritize regular market updates. Conversely, Questrade does not offer daily commentary or high-profile news but compensates with technical analysis tools from companies such as Autochartist and Trading Central. These tools can be beneficial for traders who rely on in-depth technical insights, though ActivTrades does not offer these particular resources.
In additional features, ActivTrades provides a sentiment-based trading tool that reveals position ratios across various instruments, which Questrade does not. Traders might find this useful for understanding market trends. However, Questrade includes market research from TipRanks, a feature absent in ActivTrades. Both brokers offer an economic calendar, yet ActivTrades holds a higher overall research rating of 4 stars, compared to Questrade's 3.5 stars, according to ForexBrokers.com. Moreover, ActivTrades is ranked 30th among 62 brokers for research, while Questrade is positioned at 51st, reflecting ActivTrades' stronger research capabilities in the eyes of industry experts.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes |
| Autochartist | Yes | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes |
| TipRanks | Yes | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
When comparing the educational offerings for beginners between Questrade and ActivTrades, both brokers provide a solid foundation for those interested in forex or CFDs. Each service boasts a collection of ten or more educational materials, whether in the form of articles, videos, or archived webinars. For newcomers, both platforms have upwards of ten beginner educational videos available, ensuring a comprehensive introduction to trading concepts. Additionally, they offer searchable archives of recorded webinars, but only ActivTrades ups the ante with live monthly webinars, providing an interactive learning experience for clients.
As traders advance in their learning, ActivTrades pulls ahead with a series of advanced educational videos, which Questrade does not match. Despite lacking an expansive investor dictionary, ActivTrades maintains a slightly higher educational rating at four stars compared to Questrade's 3.5 stars. Interestingly, in a broader context of 62 brokers, Questrade ranks higher in the education category at #36, while ActivTrades sits slightly lower at #38, reflecting a balance of strengths and weaknesses between these educational tools for traders beginning their journey.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
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 | No | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that Questrade is better than ActivTrades. Questrade finished with an overall rank of #32, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
Regulated in both the U.S. and Canada, Questrade is a trusted full-service multi-asset broker now offering forex and CFDs alongside its stock trading services for active and passive investors. While its scope of educational resources and in-house research is limited, Questrade has an impressive platform lineup.
| Feature |
Questrade
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 81 |
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Both Questrade and ActivTrades do not offer the capability to buy actual, delivered cryptocurrency, but they do provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
When comparing online brokers Questrade and ActivTrades, neither offers ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits or withdrawals, while both accept Visa, Mastercard, and bank wires, with ActivTrades also supporting Skrill.
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 | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
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| Regulation | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | 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) | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | 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) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | Questrade | 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 | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 641 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 110 | 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) | 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 | Questrade | 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 | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | No | Yes |
| Funding | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $250 | 0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | Questrade | 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 | Yes | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 52 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 64 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 20 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | Questrade | 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 | 64 | 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 | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | No | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | Yes | |
| Autochartist | Yes | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | Yes | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | No | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Questrade | 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 | No | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | Questrade | 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 | Questrade Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | Questrade | ActivTrades | |
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| Trust Score | 86 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | Questrade Review | ActivTrades Review |
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