Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of ActivTrades vs TopFX, 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 TopFX are both reputable online brokers, but they differ in their regulatory credentials and trust scores. Established in 2001, ActivTrades has built a solid regulatory reputation and holds two Tier-1 licenses, which are highly trusted. Additionally, they possess a Tier-2 license, making them a trusted broker with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 81, placing them in the "trusted" category. In contrast, TopFX, which was set up in 2010, holds one Tier-1 license and no Tier-2 licenses. Their Trust Score of 67 categorizes them as "high risk," indicating a less favorable trust rating compared to ActivTrades.
Neither ActivTrades nor TopFX is publicly traded or operates as a bank, offering potential investors similar levels of corporate independence. While both brokers are dedicated to providing services to their clients, potential users may prioritize their decision based on the regulatory standings and trust scores that highlight how each broker navigates financial regulations. These scores and licenses serve as a quick comparison point for traders concerned with security and compliance when selecting an online broker.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2010 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers ActivTrades and TopFX, several nuances emerge. ActivTrades offers spreads that are slightly better than the industry average, yet they do not match the most economical options available. The broker provides an Individual Account, with additional Professional and Islamic Account options, but lacks a specific account type for high-volume traders or a tiered pricing model for active traders. Average spreads for ActivTrades, as exemplified by the EUR/USD pair in May 2024, were about 0.98 pips. Overall, ActivTrades is rated 4 out of 5 stars for commissions and fees and ranks #28 out of 62 brokers, according to ForexBrokers.com.
TopFX, on the other hand, delivers two account types: the ZERO account, which is spread-only, and the commission-based RAW account. The RAW account imposes a 2.75 EUR commission per side and averaged a spread of 0.33 pips for the EUR/USD in July 2024. Combined with the commission, the all-in cost is around 0.88 pips, aligning with industry norms. The ZERO account offers a commission-free structure but has higher average spreads of 1.03 pips on the same currency pair over the same period. TopFX also garners a 4-star rating for its commissions and fees yet stands at #40 in the ranking of 62 brokers by ForexBrokers.com.
In summary, both ActivTrades and TopFX provide competitive commissions and fees averagely rated at 4 stars, but they each have unique offerings that cater to different trading behaviors. ActivTrades caters to traditional account users, while TopFX gives traders a choice between spread-only and commission-based accounts. Additionally, while both brokers rank well, ActivTrades has a slight edge, as evidenced by its better position in industry rankings.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | Depends on payment method |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.03 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.88 |
| 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 TopFX for their range of investment options, both brokers offer forex trading as CFDs or spot contracts, but their offerings vary significantly in other areas. ActivTrades provides a broader selection with 1,267 tradeable symbols, compared to TopFX's 655. While ActivTrades offers 49 forex pairs, TopFX provides a few more, totaling 60. In terms of access to exchange-traded securities, ActivTrades allows trading on international exchanges, giving clients the ability to invest in companies like Vodafone on the London Stock Exchange, whereas TopFX does not offer exchange-traded securities on international exchanges.
Both brokers provide the option for copy trading and offer cryptocurrency derivatives, although neither supports the purchase of actual cryptocurrencies. Despite these similarities, ActivTrades receives a higher rating of 4 stars for its range of investments, compared to TopFX's 3.5 stars. Additionally, ActivTrades holds a better rank at #31 out of 62 brokers for range of investments on ForexBrokers.com, surpassing TopFX, which is ranked at #46. This suggests that ActivTrades may be more appealing for investors seeking a wider variety of investment opportunities.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 655 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 60 |
| 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.
Both ActivTrades and TopFX offer versatile trading platforms with plenty of features to cater to different trading needs. They each provide simulated trading with free demo accounts, allowing traders to practice strategies without financial risk. While ActivTrades boasts a proprietary platform developed in-house, TopFX sticks with third-party solutions. Both brokers provide Windows-based desktop platforms and web-based options, making it convenient for traders to choose their preferred mode of access. Additionally, they both support the popular MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform. ActivTrades, however, has an edge with support for MetaTrader 5 (MT5), providing access to more advanced trading functionalities that TopFX does not offer.
For traders interested in charting, both ActivTrades and TopFX provide 15 drawing tools, enabling detailed technical analysis. They also offer the ability to trade directly from a stock chart, a feature that adds to trading efficiency. When it comes to organizing watch lists, ActivTrades offers more customization with 11 columns versus TopFX’s 7. Both brokers received a commendable 4-star rating for their trading platforms and tools, yet they differ in rankings by ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades is placed at #30, displaying a slight advantage over TopFX, which is ranked #44 out of 62 brokers, reflecting its better standing in the trading platforms and tools category.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| 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.
Both ActivTrades and TopFX provide mobile trading apps compatible with iPhone and Android devices. Catering to the needs of traders, both platforms allow users to set stock and forex price alerts and offer 30 technical studies for in-depth chart analysis. Users can enjoy charting features such as drawing trendlines and viewing multiple time frames, a boon for those seeking detailed market insights. While neither app offers watchlist symbol syncing between devices, they do enable the creation of watchlists with real-time quotes to keep traders informed. Notably, both apps save chart drawings automatically, providing a seamless trading experience.
ActivTrades and TopFX share several similarities, yet they diverge in their market perceptions. Both earning a solid 4-star rating for their mobile trading apps, they demonstrate strong user satisfaction. However, ActivTrades leads in industry rankings, securing the 19th spot out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, while TopFX ranks at 51. This distinction underscores ActivTrades' favorable market positioning compared to TopFX, offering users an app that is highly regarded in the trading community.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
ActivTrades and TopFX stand out as online brokers providing valuable market research tools, each offering unique strengths. ActivTrades delivers daily market commentary and a sentiment-based trading tool to keep traders informed. It also covers forex news with top-tier sources like Bloomberg and Reuters, ensuring traders receive reliable updates. Its economic calendar is a convenient feature for those keeping an eye on global market events. However, it does not offer Autochartist or Trading Central resources. With a solid 4-star rating for research and a rank of #30 by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades provides a comprehensive research offering geared towards informed trading decisions.
TopFX, on the other hand, supplements its market research offerings by providing Autochartist and Trading Central analysis tools, which are valuable for technical and fundamental research enthusiasts. It also covers forex news from leading agencies, matching ActivTrades in this domain. While it provides an economic calendar, like ActivTrades, it lacks the daily market commentary. Despite its advantages, TopFX is rated 3 stars for research and ranked #59 by ForexBrokers.com, indicating room for improvement in its research capabilities compared to ActivTrades. Overall, it offers strong research elements but might not be as comprehensive as its counterpart.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 comparing the educational resources for beginners offered by online brokers ActivTrades and TopFX, ActivTrades clearly stands out as the preferred choice. ActivTrades provides a wealth of learning materials, offering more than ten educational pieces focusing on forex or CFDs. Additionally, clients can access regular live webinars and a handy archive of recorded sessions to enhance their understanding of trading. ActivTrades also caters to both beginners and more experienced traders with comprehensive video content, including over ten beginner-friendly videos and an equal number of advanced instructional videos.
In contrast, TopFX falls short in offering comprehensive educational resources. While they do provide some educational materials, they do not meet the minimum offering seen with ActivTrades. With no consistent webinar schedule or archive access for clients, the educational experience at TopFX is limited. Furthermore, neither broker offers an investor dictionary with definitions of at least 50 investing terms. In terms of educational ratings, ActivTrades earns a higher rating of four out of five stars, ranking 38th out of 62 brokers, whereas TopFX is rated three stars and ranks 60th in the education category. This suggests that beginners looking for detailed educational support may find ActivTrades to be a more suitable choice.
| Feature |
ActivTrades
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
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 TopFX. ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33, while TopFX finished with an overall rank of #61.
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
|
TopFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 67 |
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Both ActivTrades and TopFX do not allow customers to purchase actual, delivered cryptocurrencies, but they do offer the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
While both ActivTrades and TopFX provide options like Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transfers for depositing and withdrawing funds, only TopFX supports PayPal transactions, whereas neither platform offers ACH or SEPA transfers.
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 | TopFX | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | TopFX Review |
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| Regulation | ActivTrades | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 81 | 67 | |
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2010 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 2 | 1 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 0 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 2 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | ActivTrades | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| 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 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1267 | 655 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 49 | 60 | |
| 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 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.98 | 1.03 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | N/A | 0.88 | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | ActivTrades | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | 0 | Depends on payment method | |
| 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 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | |
| cTrader | No | Yes | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | ActivTrades | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | ActivTrades | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | No | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | ActivTrades | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | ActivTrades | TopFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | TopFX Review |
| Overall | ActivTrades | TopFX | |
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| Trust Score | 81 | 67 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | ActivTrades Review | TopFX Review |
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