Comparison of ActivTrades and FXCM
| Feature | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 1999 |
| Broker Type | MM | STP, DMA |
| Dealing | B-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, CIRO, ISA, SVGFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Trading Station, TradingView |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:1000 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $50 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $50 per year after 12 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✔ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✔ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✔ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✔ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | FXCM Review |
About ActivTrades
ActivTrades is a well-regarded Forex and CFD broker known for its robust trading platforms, extensive range of financial instruments, and strong regulatory compliance. Established in 2001, ActivTrades serves clients globally, offering access to major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker provides multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its proprietary ActivTrader platform, catering to both desktop and mobile users. ActivTrades is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, ensuring a secure and trustworthy trading environment. Additionally, the broker offers a variety of account types to accommodate different trading styles and experience levels, complemented by comprehensive educational resources and responsive customer support. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and efficient withdrawal processes, ActivTrades stands out as a reliable choice for both novice and experienced Forex traders.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple reputable financial authorities
- Offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary ActivTrader platform
- Provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more
- Extensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis tools available
- Offers tight spreads across numerous trading instruments
- Multilingual support available through various channels
Cons
- Maximum leverage available might be lower than what some experienced traders seek
- The proprietary ActivTrader platform offers fewer customization options
About FXCM
FXCM (Forex Capital Markets) is a well-established forex broker that has been serving traders since 1999. Known for its commitment to innovation, FXCM provides a range of advanced trading platforms, including its proprietary Trading Station and third-party options like MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and NinjaTrader. The broker offers access to various trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies, making it a versatile choice for traders of all experience levels. FXCM operates under the regulation of trusted authorities, such as the FCA, ASIC, and FSCA, ensuring a safe and transparent trading environment.
Pros
- Regulated by reputable authorities (FCA, ASIC, FSCA)
- Access to multiple trading platforms, including Trading Station, MT4, and TradingView
- No-dealing-desk execution for transparency and direct market access
- Comprehensive educational resources and market analysis tools
- Competitive spreads and flexible leverage options
- Wide range of trading instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, and cryptocurrencies
- Strong focus on platform innovation and advanced tools
Cons
- Higher trading fees on some instruments compared to competitors
- Limited account types for specialized trading needs
- No support for MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- Customer support may vary depending on the region
ActivTrades & FXCM Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | Stratos Markets Limited, Stratos Trading Pty. Limited, Stratos Europe Ltd (ex FXCM EU LTD), Stratos South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd., Stratos Light Limited, Stratos Global LLC |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | United Kingdom, Australia, Cyprus, South Africa, Canada, Israel, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | FCA, ASIC, CySEC, FSCA, CIRO, ISA, SVGFSA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Pro | — |
| Min Deposit | $1 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.5 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | — |
| Stop Out | 30% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Standard |
| Min Deposit | — | $50 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.2 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:1000 |
| Stop Out | — | 100% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $50 per year after 12 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), Trading Station, TradingView |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | 28 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 41 |
Indices | 31 | 15 |
Stocks | 1035 | 3512 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 23 |
Bonds | 6 | 0 |
Metals | 3 | 3 |
Energies | 7 | 7 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 4 |
ETFs | 75 | 280 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | info@fxcmmarkets.com |
Phone | +12426035200 | +16462531401 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and FXCM, ActivTrades comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
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Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.