ATFX and Stake clash on regulation, market access, and cost structures. The axis of tension is commission models versus platform design for stock investing.
Find out which stock broker best suits your investing profile.
Choose if…
Choose ATFX if you want phone support and advanced charting.
Choose if…
Choose Stake if you want commission-free trading and real share ownership.
Which broker wins for each type of stock trader, based on costs, safety, features, and editorial scoring.
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 3.9/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Min deposit | No minimum | N/A |
| Spreads from | 1.8 pips | N/A |
| Commission / lot | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity fee | None | None |
| Deposit fee | Free |
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ATFX | Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, SEC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Fail |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS, SIPC) | Pass | Pass |
| Costs | ||
| Commission-free trading | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | — | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Fractional shares | Fail | Fail |
| Dividend reinvestment (DRIP) | Fail | Fail |
| Extended hours trading | Fail | Fail |
| IPO access | Fail | Fail |
| Short selling | Pass | Fail |
| Stock screener tool | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| 24/5 live chat | Fail | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
The scores are close: ATFX rates 3.7/5 and Stake rates 3.9/5. Stake 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.
ATFX starts from 1.8. Current spread data is not available for Stake. Check both brokers' websites for up-to-date spread and commission pricing.
ATFX requires no minimum deposit required. Minimum deposit information is not currently available for Stake.
Both ATFX and Stake 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, ATFX provides negative balance protection, capping losses at your deposit amount. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ATFX lists maximum leverage of 400:1. 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 Stake supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ATFX has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4. Stake has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
Stake offers commission-free stock trading while ATFX does not according to our data. Commission-free trading can reduce costs for frequent traders. Always confirm the current fee structure directly on each broker's website.
Both ATFX and Stake 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.
Stake wins for low cost trading because it offers commission-free stock trades.
ATFX wins for safety & regulation with dual tier-1 protections (FSCS and ICF).
ATFX wins for active traders with short selling and advanced charting.
Stake wins for beginners with no account minimum and simple interface.
Stake wins for long-term investors with real share ownership and dividends.
| Free |
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Commission-free | No | Yes |
|---|
| Fractional shares | No | No |
|---|
| Dividend reinvestment | No | No |
|---|
| Extended hours | No | No |
|---|
| IPO access | No | No |
|---|
| Short selling | Yes | No |
|---|
| Regulators | CySEC FSCA FCA | ASIC FCA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 | Proprietary Web/Mobile |
|---|
| Active bonuses | None | 2 offers |
|---|
ATFX and Stake are closely matched; the clearest differentiator is Stake's commission-free trading versus ATFX's commission-based model.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.7 / 5
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