ActivTradesvs
FXCMForex Broker Comparison
Two FCA-regulated brokers face off on regulation scope, pricing, and platform breadth. The tension centers on how instrument variety and inactivity policies shape trading costs.
Our Verdict
ActivTrades winsby 0.2 pts
ActivTrades edges FXCM on the overall editorial score (4.3 vs 4.1).
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1FXCM is regulated by ASIC; ActivTrades is regulated by FCA, CMVM, SCB.
- 2ActivTrades offers 1000 instruments; FXCM offers 400.
- 3FXCM charges inactivity fees; ActivTrades has none.
Who should choose ActivTrades vs FXCM?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want a zero-dollar minimum deposit and broad instrument access.
Choose FXCM if…
Choose FXCM if you value robust APIs and a mix of MT4 plus Trading Station.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
FXCM offers tighter spreads from 0.40 pips vs 0.50 pips for ActivTrades, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
ActivTrades vs FXCM: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
ActivTrades vs FXCM Forex Broker Pros & Cons
Pros
FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client
ActivTrader's volatility protection feature is a genuine risk management differentiator
No minimum deposit
Strong southern European presence, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
ActivTrades vs FXCM: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
ActivTrades
criteria win
0
FXCM
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ActivTrades | FXCM |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs FXCM: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 4.3/5 and FXCM rates 4.1/5. ActivTrades 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.
FXCM starts from 0.4 pips, tighter than ActivTrades's 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while FXCM requires at least $50. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and FXCM hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker'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 brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while FXCM lists up to 400:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while FXCM supports ZuluTrade, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, NinjaTrader. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. FXCM has exclusive access to ZuluTrade and Proprietary Web/Mobile and NinjaTrader.
