ATFX and Deriv face off in a tight matchup of regulation, pricing, and platform choices. The tension centers on safety credentials versus platform breadth.
ATFX and Deriv are closely matched overall. ATFX's top-tier regulation is the clearest differentiator.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Deriv offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 1.80 pips for ATFX, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
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
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ATFX | Deriv |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Fail | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Fail | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ATFX rates 4.2/5 and Deriv rates 4.1/5. ATFX 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.
Deriv starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than ATFX's 1.8 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ATFX has no minimum deposit, while Deriv requires at least $5. This makes ATFX more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
ATFX holds top-tier regulation (FCA, FSCA, CySEC), providing stronger investor protections. Deriv may be regulated but does not hold top-tier status in our data. Verify regulatory status on each regulator's public register before depositing funds.
For beginners, two factors stand out: ATFX 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.
ATFX lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while Deriv lists up to 1000:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ATFX supports MetaTrader 4, while Deriv supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade. ATFX has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4. Deriv has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and DXtrade.
ATFX wins for safety and regulation due to top-tier oversight.
Deriv wins for active traders with 24/7 synthetic indices and multiple platforms.
Deriv is better suited for scalpers: tighter spreads from 0.50 pips.
Deriv wins for platform choice with MT5, DXtrade, Deriv X, and SmartTrader.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 3.8 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 3.7 / 5 | 4.2 / 5▲ |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.2 / 5▲ | 3.9 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 1999 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Birkirkara, Malta |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $5 |
|---|
| Spreads From | 1.8 pips | 0.5 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
|---|
| Max Leverage | 400:1▲ higher | 1,000:1 |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNetellerFasaPayCrypto |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA FSCA CySEC | LFSA FSC BVI MFSA VFSC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
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
Pros
Synthetic indices trade 24/7, unique offering unavailable at mainstream brokers
Very low $5 minimum deposit
Multi-platform: DTrader, MT5, Deriv X, SmartTrader
MFSA (Malta/EU) licensing for European clients
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Multilingual customer support
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
Cons
Synthetic indices are proprietary instruments, not conventional regulated assets
Regulatory quality varies significantly by entity (MFSA vs VFSC/FSC BVI)
Customer support can be slow during peak periods
No top-tier regulatory licence
No investor compensation scheme
No raw spread account option
Limited charting capabilities
No phone support
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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