ATFX vs Deriv Forex Broker Comparison
A head-to-head comparison of ATFX and Deriv across regulation, trading costs, platforms, and editorial scoring.
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.
VS
Veteran retail broker with MFSA, VFSC, FSC BVI, and LFSA licensing, best known for synthetic indices - volatility-simulated instruments that trade around the clock - alongside a standard forex and CFD offering.
Our Verdict
ATFX winsby 0.1 pts
ATFX edges ahead with a score of 4.2/5 vs Deriv's 4.1/5. A narrow margin, so review the breakdown below to see where each broker has a clear advantage.
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
Deriv offers tighter spreads from 0.5 pips vs 1.8 pips for ATFX, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
Recommended
ATFX has a stronger safety profile: top-tier regulation, compensation scheme, segregated funds, negative balance protection.
Best for platform choice
Recommended
Deriv offers more exclusive platform options: MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade, a proprietary platform.
Best for beginners
Recommended
ATFX edges out Deriv with a higher editorial score (4.2/5 vs 4.1/5), indicating a stronger overall experience for new traders.
ATFX vs Deriv: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.2/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
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 | $5 |
| Spreads from | 1.8 pips | 0.5 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Max leverage | 400:1 | 1000:1 |
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
| Regulators | FCA FSCA CySEC | VFSC LFSA FSC BVI MFSA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile DXtrade |
| Active bonuses | ||
| Visit broker | Visit ATFX | Visit Deriv |
ATFX vs Deriv Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
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
ATFX vs Deriv: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
3
ATFX
criteria wins
1
Deriv
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| 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 |
ATFX vs Deriv: Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our independent editorial scoring, ATFX ranks higher with a score of 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5 for Deriv. The best choice still depends on your individual trading needs; ATFX and Deriv may each suit different trader profiles.
Deriv 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 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. Always verify regulatory status with the broker directly before depositing funds.
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.
ATFX offers maximum leverage of 400:1, while Deriv offers up to 1000:1. Available leverage varies by account type, instrument, and jurisdiction. Higher leverage amplifies both potential profits and losses. Always use appropriate risk management.
ATFX supports MetaTrader 4 and Deriv offers MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade; ATFX exclusively offers MetaTrader 4; Deriv exclusively offers MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, DXtrade.
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