A head-to-head comparison of Admirals and ATFX across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Multi-regulated broker with extensive account range, competitive Zero account spreads, strong EU regulation and quality webinar and education content.
FCA and CySEC-regulated broker with a fast-growing global footprint, 300+ instruments on MT4, and a strong presence in the UAE and Asian markets - built on institutional backing and multi-regional regulation.
Admirals and ATFX are extremely closely matched with scores of 4.3/5 and 4.2/5. The right choice depends on your individual trading priorities.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Admirals offers tighter spreads from 0.5 pips vs 1.8 pips for ATFX, reducing trading costs.
Both brokers show an equally strong safety profile across regulation, fund protection, and client safeguards.
Admirals has a cost edge: raw/ECN spreads, tighter spreads from 0.5 pips.
Admirals offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 5.
Admirals edges out ATFX with a higher editorial score (4.3/5 vs 4.2/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.2/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.4 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.7 / 5 |
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Founded | 2001 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Tallinn, Estonia | London, United Kingdom |
| Min deposit | $100 | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips | 1.8 pips |
| Commission / lot | $6/lot | N/A |
| Max leverage | 500:1 | 400:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA ASIC CySEC KNF | FCA FSCA CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 | MetaTrader 4 |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit Admirals | Visit ATFX |
Pros
Extensive range of accounts including Zero, Trade, and Invest
Strong FCA and CySEC regulation covering EU and UK traders
High-quality educational content including live webinars
Zero account offers spreads from 0.5 pips with $6 round-turn commission
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
FCA (UK), CySEC (EU), and FSCA (SA) licensing
300+ instruments including ETF CFDs and bond CFDs
FSCS protection up to GBP 85,000 for UK clients
No minimum deposit, no inactivity fee
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Platform-heavy - MT4 and MT5 only, no proprietary platform
Customer support quality varies by region
Not available to US clients
Inactivity fee applies
Cons
MT4 only - no MT5, cTrader, or proprietary platform
Standard spreads from 1.8 pips are not ECN-competitive
Relatively young broker - founded 2017
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | Admirals | ATFX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
Based on our independent editorial scoring, Admirals ranks higher with a score of 4.3/5 vs 4.2/5 for ATFX. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; Admirals and ATFX may each suit different trader profiles.
Admirals offers tighter spreads starting from 0.5 pips, compared to ATFX's spreads from 1.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, particularly valuable for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ATFX has a lower minimum deposit of no minimum required, while Admirals requires at least $100. This makes ATFX more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both Admirals and ATFX hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Both are considered safe. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners: ATFX has a lower minimum deposit (no minimum), lowering the barrier to entry; both brokers offer negative balance protection. Also weigh up educational resources and customer support quality before deciding.
Admirals offers maximum leverage of 500:1, while ATFX offers up to 400:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
Admirals charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for the other broker are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
Admirals supports MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and ATFX offers MetaTrader 4; both support MetaTrader 4; Admirals exclusively offers MetaTrader 5.
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