This matchup compares ActivTrades and ATFX across regulation, coverage, and tools. The clash centers on platform choice and real-time support options.
ActivTrades and ATFX are closely matched, but ActivTrades provides 24/5 live chat and a proprietary platform, whereas ATFX lacks live chat and uses MT4.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you value 24/5 live chat and a proprietary trading platform.
Choose ATFX if…
Choose ATFX if you want MT4 access and broader exchange coverage with 12 exchanges.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
ActivTrades leads safety and regulation with higher score and added private insurance.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.7/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1.8 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | ATFX |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Fail |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Pass |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades and ATFX share the same editorial score of 3.7/5. One concrete differentiator: ActivTrades has tighter spreads from 0.5 pips.
ActivTrades lists tighter spreads from 0.5, compared with ATFX's 1.8. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
Neither ActivTrades nor ATFX requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and ATFX 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, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 20:1, while ATFX 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 ATFX supports MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader.
Neither ActivTrades nor ATFX is listed as offering commission-free trading in our data. Compare each broker's commission schedule directly, as fees vary by account type and the markets you trade.
Both ActivTrades and ATFX are covered by a compensation scheme according to our data, providing an additional safety net for your stock investments. Confirm the specific scheme and coverage limit that applies to your account before depositing.
ActivTrades wins for active traders with a proprietary platform and broader share CFDs.
ATFX wins for beginners due to zero minimum deposit and MT4 access.
ActivTrades wins for low-cost trading due to no commission on standard accounts and no inactivity fee.
Equally matched for long-term investors since neither offers fractional shares or ISA/SIPP wrappers.
| Free |
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | No |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FCA FSCA CySEC |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
Score 3.7 / 5
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