This comparison pits ActivTrades against Forex.com, focusing on regulatory safety, platform tools, and geographic reach. The tension hinges on exchange coverage versus research capabilities.
ActivTrades and Forex.com are closely matched, with ActivTrades offering broader exchange coverage (10 vs 8) giving a slight edge.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want broader exchange coverage. You get a commission-free standard account.
Choose Forex.com if…
Choose Forex.com if you want built-in research tools. You access MT4/MT5 and Web Trader from one account.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
Forex.com leads on safety & regulation with multiple major regulators.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum▼ lower | $100 |
| Spreads from | 0.5 pips▼ lower | 1 pips |
| Commission / lot | N/A | $7/lot |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Forex.com |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and Forex.com rates 3.9/5. Forex.com 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.
ActivTrades lists tighter spreads from 0.5, compared with Forex.com's 1. For stock trading, also factor in any per-trade or per-share commissions — spreads and commissions together determine the true cost per trade.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while Forex.com requires at least $100. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and Forex.com 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 20:1, while Forex.com lists up to 20:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Forex.com charges $7 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Stock commissions may be charged as a flat rate per trade or per share; confirm the exact structure on each broker's website.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while Forex.com supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. Forex.com has exclusive access to MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Neither ActivTrades nor Forex.com 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 Forex.com 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.
Forex.com suits active traders with MT4/MT5 and Web Trader.
ActivTrades wins global access with 10 exchanges.
ActivTrades is best for low-cost trading due to commission-free standard accounts.
Equally matched, as neither offers fractional shares or dividend reinvestment.
| N/A |
| 1.7 pips |
| Inactivity fee | None | $15/month (after 12 months) |
|---|
| Deposit fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit card |
|---|
| 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 | MAS IIROC FCA ASIC CFTC NFA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | MetaTrader 5 Proprietary Web/Mobile MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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