Two regulated players compete for crypto CFD exposure, weighing coin variety, fee policies, and platform tools across ActivTrades and Forex.com.
ActivTrades and Forex.com are closely matched, but ActivTrades does not charge inactivity fees while Forex.com does.
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want no deposit fee and no inactivity fee.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you want US-regulated crypto CFDs and MT4/MT5 access.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Forex.com benefits from US NFA/CFTC oversight alongside FCA regulation.
ActivTrades offers no deposit fee and no inactivity fee.
| Criteria | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 7.00% |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Fail |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and Forex.com rates 3.9/5. Forex.com has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
ActivTrades lists a lower spread from 0.5, compared with Forex.com's 1. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both ActivTrades and Forex.com hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ActivTrades offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Forex.com's 50:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Forex.com charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. Forex.com has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
ActivTrades scores better on fee criteria (no deposit fee, no inactivity fee). Always check both exchanges' current fee schedules, as maker/taker rates and withdrawal fees vary and are subject to change.
ActivTrades has a $0 minimum deposit, easing entry for beginners.
Neither broker offers DeFi or Web3 features; equally matched.
| N/A |
| 1.7 pips |
| Inactivity Fee | None | $15/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | IIROC FCA MAS ASIC CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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