Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of BlackBull Markets vs ATFX, 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.
BlackBull Markets and ATFX are well-regarded online brokers, each offering their own strengths when it comes to reliability. Founded in 2014, BlackBull Markets holds a single Tier-1 license, placing it within the average risk category with a ForexBrokers.com Trust Score of 78. In contrast, ATFX, established in 2017, enjoys a higher degree of trust, boasting four Tier-1 licenses and two Tier-2 licenses. ATFX's Trust Score of 85 signifies a strong standing, highlighting their credibility in the trading world.
Neither BlackBull Markets nor ATFX is publicly traded or operates as a bank, showcasing their dedicated focus on brokerage services. Despite these similarities, ATFX sets itself apart with a heavier regulatory presence, which can be a deciding factor for traders looking for a trusted platform. This distinction is reflected in their respective trust scores, with ATFX positioned higher in trusted rankings, offering traders a sense of security and confidence in their platform choice.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2017 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 4 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of BlackBull Markets and ATFX, BlackBull Markets stands out as a more cost-effective choice for certain traders. BlackBull Markets offers three account types, with trading costs varying accordingly. The Prime account is popular for its lower average spread of 0.16 on the EUR/USD pair, which translates to an all-in cost of 0.76 when including the per-side commission of 0.3 pips, equivalent to $6 per 10,000 traded. However, it requires a minimum deposit of $2,000. In contrast, the Standard account has no commission and no minimum deposit, but the spreads are higher.
The Prime account at BlackBull Markets charges a commission of $3 per side, or $6 for a round turn per lot. For those who qualify, the ECN Institutional account is tailored for active traders with a minimum deposit of $20,000, offering even lower commission rates of $2 per side or $4 for a round turn. Unfortunately, ATFX doesn't provide average spread data, making a precise cost comparison challenging. However, in terms of ratings, BlackBull Markets scores 4.5 stars, significantly higher than ATFX's 3 stars for commissions and fees.
Ranked by ForexBrokers.com among 62 brokers, BlackBull Markets holds the 19th spot specifically for its commissions and fees, while ATFX is farther behind at 59th place. This ranking suggests that BlackBull Markets generally presents a more appealing option for traders mindful of costs, particularly if they are prepared to meet its varied account requirements.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.76 | N/A |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.76 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No |
| 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.
BlackBull Markets and ATFX both present individuals with the opportunity to engage in forex trading through CFDs. However, BlackBull Markets significantly stands out with an impressive 26,000 tradeable symbols, far exceeding the 150 symbols offered by ATFX. For those keen on forex pairs, BlackBull Markets provides access to 72 pairs, while ATFX gives entry to 44 pairs. Investors intrigued by exchange-traded securities will find BlackBull Markets more appealing, as it allows purchases of shares like Apple on U.S. exchanges and Vodafone on international platforms, options that ATFX does not provide. Additionally, for traders interested in cryptocurrency, both brokers offer cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither offers the ability to purchase actual cryptocurrencies.
Both BlackBull Markets and ATFX support copy trading, catering to those interested in mimicking professional trading strategies. Ratings further accentuate these differences, with BlackBull Markets achieving an impressive 5-star rating for its Range of Investments, ranking 6th out of 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com. In comparison, ATFX secures a 3.5-star rating, placing it at a lower rank of 57th in the same category. This highlights BlackBull Markets as a compelling choice for investors seeking a broader range of trading opportunities across various financial instruments.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 150 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 44 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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.
When considering online trading platforms, both BlackBull Markets and ATFX provide traders with a range of tools and platforms to enhance their trading experience. Both brokers offer simulated trading through free virtual demo accounts, allowing traders to practice without any financial risk. They also provide access to well-known platforms like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), as well as both Windows-based desktop downloads and web-based platforms for convenient access. While neither broker offers a proprietary platform, they both support copy trading, though BlackBull Markets takes a step further by offering ZuluTrade, an option not available with ATFX.
In terms of charting tools, BlackBull Markets outshines with 60 drawing tools compared to ATFX's 15, though ATFX offers slightly more flexibility with 7 watch list columns against BlackBull's 6. Both platforms allow users to execute trades directly from stock charts, adding to their user-friendliness. Despite these features, BlackBull Markets is rated higher, receiving 4 stars for Trading Platforms and Tools compared to ATFX's 3.5 stars. This is reflected in their rankings by ForexBrokers.com, where BlackBull Markets is positioned as the 28th out of 62 brokers, while ATFX is ranked 61st, providing insight into their overall value in this category.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of BlackBull Markets and ATFX, both platforms are available on iPhone and Android devices, allowing traders to stay connected on the go. Both platforms provide stock and forex price alerts, allowing users to keep track of market changes. Additionally, they both offer tools to draw trendlines on charts and view data across multiple timeframes, from daily to intraday, with the ability to auto-save any drawing changes. However, one of the standout differences is BlackBull Markets' app's ability to sync watchlist symbols, ensuring harmony between the app and the online account, a feature not available on ATFX's mobile app.
When it comes to technical studies, BlackBull Markets offers a wider selection with 30 studies available, compared to ATFX's 7, providing more in-depth analysis options for traders. Both platforms enable creating watchlists with real-time quotes. In terms of mobile app ratings, BlackBull Markets holds a higher rating of 4 out of 5 stars, whereas ATFX follows closely with 3.5 stars. Lastly, BlackBull Markets ranks significantly higher in the Mobile Trading Apps category by ForexBrokers.com, coming in at 30 out of 62 brokers, while ATFX is at the bottom of the list at rank 62.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 7 |
| 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 the research offerings of BlackBull Markets and ATFX for online trading, both brokers provide daily market commentary, which helps traders stay informed about market developments. However, while neither provides forex news from top-tier sources like Bloomberg or Reuters, both brokers equip traders with Autochartist tools for technical and fundamental analysis. BlackBull Markets stands out with a sentiment-based trading tool to show long and short position ratios, a service ATFX does not offer. On the other hand, ATFX provides tools from Trading Central, which can aid in technical analytics, something lacking at BlackBull Markets. Both platforms also feature an economic calendar to track global news events, helping traders anticipate market shifts.
In terms of overall research quality, BlackBull Markets holds a slight edge over ATFX. Rated four out of five stars for research, BlackBull Markets secures the 18th position among 62 brokers on ForexBrokers.com, whereas ATFX, with a three-star rating, ranks much lower at 54th. This indicates that while both brokers offer useful resources for trading, BlackBull Markets might provide a more comprehensive suite of research tools, especially for those who value sentiment analysis in their trading strategy.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes |
| 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 comparing the educational resources offered to beginners by BlackBull Markets and ATFX, both brokers provide a solid range of materials on forex and CFDs. This includes over ten educational pieces such as articles, videos, and archived webinars. Where they begin to differ is in their additional resources; BlackBull Markets hosts regular monthly webinars and maintains a searchable archive of them, offering greater access to ongoing learning opportunities. In contrast, ATFX does not provide live monthly webinars, despite having a searchable archive. Both brokers offer a variety of beginner videos, although BlackBull Markets extends its offering to include advanced videos for more experienced traders, a feature not available through ATFX.
Moreover, BlackBull Markets and ATFX both provide investor dictionaries to help users familiarize themselves with key investing terms. When it comes to education ratings, BlackBull Markets outshines ATFX with a 4-star rating as opposed to ATFX’s 3-star rating, indicating a higher level of satisfaction among users regarding educational offerings. Interestingly, despite this difference, ATFX is ranked a hair above BlackBull Markets in the education category by ForexBrokers.com, placed at #28 out of 62 brokers compared to BlackBull’s #29. This highlights that while both brokers have a variety of educational resources, user experience and specific preferences might tip the balance when choosing the right platform for learning how to trade.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 62 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that BlackBull Markets is better than ATFX. BlackBull Markets finished with an overall rank of #24, while ATFX finished with an overall rank of #51.
BlackBull Markets is a plain-vanilla MetaTrader broker with a growing range of products and support for a handful of third-party social copy trading platforms.
| Feature |
BlackBull Markets
|
ATFX
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 85 |
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Both BlackBull Markets and ATFX do not provide the option to buy actual (delivered) cryptocurrency, but they both offer the ability to trade cryptocurrency derivatives.
Both BlackBull Markets and ATFX support Skrill, Visa, Mastercard, and bank wire transactions for deposits and withdrawals, but neither offers ACH, SEPA, or PayPal 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 | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Broker Screenshots | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
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| Regulation | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 78 | 85 | |
| Year Founded | 2014 | 2017 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 1 | 4 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 0 | 2 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| 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) | Yes | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | No | Yes |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | No | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 26000 | 150 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 72 | 44 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | 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 | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 0.76 | N/A | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.76 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | Yes | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | No | No | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $0 | $500 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | 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 | Yes | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | Yes | No |
| Trading Tools | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 6 | 7 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 109 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 60 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 30 | 7 | |
| 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 | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | No | No | |
| Autochartist | Yes | Yes | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | No | Yes | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | No | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | No | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | No | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | Yes | Yes |
| Major Forex Pairs | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | BlackBull Markets Review |
| Overall | BlackBull Markets | ATFX | |
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| Trust Score | 78 | 85 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | BlackBull Markets Review |
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