Written by ForexBrokers.com
In this head to head comparison of XM Group vs ActivTrades, we will compare the trading platforms, mobile apps, range of investments, costs, market research, and more. Let's dive in.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Between 51% and 89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
XM Group, founded in 2009, and ActivTrades, established in 2001, are both notable players in the online brokerage landscape, though neither is publicly traded or functions as a bank. Examining their regulatory standings, XM Group holds an edge with 4 Tier-1 licenses, recognized for the highest trust by ForexBrokers.com, while ActivTrades maintains 2 such licenses. Both brokers are on equal footing with 1 Tier-2 license each, denoting a reliable level of trust.
When considering trust scores, XM Group scores a commendable 88 out of 99, classifying it as a trusted broker according to ForexBrokers.com standards. Meanwhile, ActivTrades holds a trust score of 81, falling within the trusted category but slightly lower than XM Group. These scores reflect their regulatory licenses and overall stability, offering a snapshot of their credibility in the online trading world.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2001 |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No |
| Bank | No | No |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
When comparing the commissions and fees of online brokers XM Group and ActivTrades, both receive a strong rating of 4 out of 5 stars. However, there are differences in how these two brokers structure their fees. XM Group's standard account features expensive spreads, and it does not publish the average spreads for its commission-based XM Zero account. In contrast, ActivTrades provides a more transparent approach by listing target spreads for each asset, although actual spreads may fluctuate during trading sessions.
ActivTrades offers an "Individual Account" as its primary account type, accompanied by Professional and Islamic account options. Notably, there isn’t a dedicated account type for high-volume traders, and there are no special prices for frequent traders. Unlike XM Group, which ranks at #33 for commissions and fees according to ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades secures a better position at #28 out of 63 brokers. This is largely because ActivTrades' spreads, while not the lowest, are better than the industry average.
Traders should also note that ActivTrades' fees depend on the specific assets being traded and the choice of trading platform, an important consideration for managing costs. Additionally, the broker offers a demo account to help users familiarize themselves with their trading process without financial risks. For clients requiring Sharia compliance, the Islamic Account option meets religious requirements while maintaining consistent spreads across all account types.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 |
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.98 |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Low Spread Forex Brokers.
Join 239,000+ traders worldwide.
Regulated in 7 jurisdictions
When it comes to the variety of investments offered by online brokers, both XM Group and ActivTrades deliver extensive options, yet they differ in certain aspects. Both brokers allow forex trading as a CFD or spot contract, with XM Group offering an impressive 1,394 tradeable symbols compared to ActivTrades' 1,267. If forex pairs are your interest, XM Group provides 55 pairs, slightly outpacing the 49 pairs available at ActivTrades. For those interested in trading actual shares, XM Group enables access to U.S. exchange-traded securities, unlike ActivTrades, who do not offer this option. However, both brokers allow trading of exchange-traded securities on international exchanges and facilitate copy trading services.
In the growing field of cryptocurrency, neither XM Group nor ActivTrades facilitates the purchase of actual, delivered cryptocurrency. Both, however, offer cryptocurrency derivatives. XM Group receives an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars for its range of investments, ranking 24th among 63 brokers evaluated by ForexBrokers.com. ActivTrades follows closely with 4 stars, ranked 31st. Whether you prioritize an extensive selection of tradeable symbols, access to U.S. markets, or specialized investment offerings, both brokers provide solid options, with subtle differentiations that cater to diverse trading preferences.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 1267 |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
Dive deeper: Best Copy Trading Platforms.
When comparing the trading platforms and tools of XM Group and ActivTrades, both brokers provide ample opportunities for traders looking to experience simulated trading with free virtual demo accounts. However, a standout difference lies in ActivTrades offering a proprietary trading platform developed in-house, which isn't the case with XM Group. Both platforms support Windows-based desktop applications, as well as web-based platforms, broadening accessibility for traders. For those interested in popular MetaTrader platforms, both XM Group and ActivTrades offer MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Additionally, traders who prefer social trading can find copy trading options with both brokers, albeit without the support of DupliTrade or ZuluTrade.
When it comes to advanced trading chart features, XM Group and ActivTrades provide 15 drawing tools each, ensuring traders have the resources needed for comprehensive technical analysis. While both platforms enable trading directly from stock charts, ActivTrades edges out XM Group with 11 available columns for watch lists compared to XM Group's seven. In terms of user satisfaction, both brokers achieve a respectable four-star rating for Trading Platforms and Tools. The closeness of this competition is highlighted in the ForexBrokers.com rankings, where ActivTrades slightly outperforms XM Group, securing the 30th spot to XM Group's 31st out of 63 brokers reviewed.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes |
| DupliTrade | No | No |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 |
Dive deeper: Best MetaTrader 4 Brokers, Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers.
When comparing the mobile trading apps of XM Group and ActivTrades, both offer convenient solutions for iPhone and Android users. Both platforms equip traders with essential tools like stock and forex price alerts, the capability to draw trendlines, and the option to view different time frames on charts. However, a notable difference is in watchlist functionality; XM Group allows seamless syncing between mobile and online accounts, whereas ActivTrades does not offer this feature.
Both brokers provide 30 technical studies for in-depth analysis, and traders can create watchlists with real-time quotes on both apps. Despite these similarities, ActivTrades has the edge in terms of charting convenience, as its app automatically saves drawings. In the world rankings by ForexBrokers.com, ActivTrades is positioned at #19, while XM Group is slightly lower at #29. Both apps receive an admirable rating of 4 out of 5 stars, making them reliable choices for mobile trading enthusiasts.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Trading Apps.
Both XM Group and ActivTrades deliver daily market commentary and access to forex news from top-tier sources such as Bloomberg and Reuters, which are essential for traders staying informed about market movements. However, XM Group differentiates itself by offering technical analysis tools from Trading Central, a popular tool among traders for assessing market trends, whereas ActivTrades does not provide support from Trading Central. Despite both brokers providing sentiment analysis tools to help traders understand the market's direction, XM Group stands out with its additional resources without including Autochartist or Acuity Trading's tools, which neither broker supports.
XM Group and ActivTrades both offer comprehensive economic calendars, helping traders keep track of impactful global events. Nonetheless, the overall research experience varies between these brokers as reflected in their ratings. XM Group receives a stellar rating of 5 stars for its research offerings, positioning it at an impressive #8 among 63 brokers as reviewed by ForexBrokers.com. In contrast, ActivTrades, with a 4-star rating, ranks at #30, suggesting a slightly less extensive research provision compared to XM Group. This difference highlights XM Group's stronger emphasis on research tools and resources, making it a preferred choice for those who prioritize in-depth market analysis.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes |
| Autochartist | No | No |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes |
| TipRanks | No | No |
| Signal Centre (Acuity Trading) | No | No |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
Dive deeper: Best Brokers for Forex Research.
For beginners seeking to learn about forex and CFDs, both XM Group and ActivTrades offer solid educational resources. Each broker provides a minimum of 10 educational pieces, such as articles and videos, to help new traders understand the basics of trading. Furthermore, both platforms host at least one online educational webinar per month. They also maintain a searchable archive of past webinars, ensuring that users can revisit or catch up on any missed sessions.
XM Group and ActivTrades each have over 10 video tutorials tailored specifically for beginner traders, as well as for those with more experience. However, neither platform currently offers an investor dictionary with definitions of common investing terms. Despite their similarities, XM Group stands out with a five-star education rating and a #7 ranking among 63 brokers, while ActivTrades follows with a slightly lower four-star rating and a #38 ranking. This distinction makes XM Group a more favored choice for beginners seeking comprehensive educational resources.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
Dive deeper: Best Forex Brokers for Beginners.
After testing 63 of the best forex brokers, our research and account testing finds that XM Group is better than ActivTrades. XM Group finished with an overall rank of #17, while ActivTrades finished with an overall rank of #33.
XM Group is a MetaTrader-only broker that offers a strong selection of high-quality educational content and market research.
| Feature |
XM Group
|
ActivTrades
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
|
| Trust Score | 88 | 81 |
| Range of Investments |
|
|
| Commissions & Fees |
|
|
| Platforms & Tools |
|
|
| Research |
|
|
| Mobile Trading |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
Both XM Group and ActivTrades provide the option to trade cryptocurrency derivatives, but neither offers the ability to purchase actual delivered cryptocurrencies.
Both XM Group and ActivTrades do not support ACH or SEPA transfers or PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, but they do offer Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, and bank wire options for funding accounts.
Please note:
We review each broker’s overall global offering – a “Yes” checkmark in our Compare Tool does not guarantee the availability of any specific features in your country of residence. To verify the availability of any features within your country of residence, please contact the broker directly.
Select Brokers
↓×Compare
0 of 5| Overall Rating | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 88 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Broker Screenshots | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading Platforms Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Research Gallery (click to expand) |
|
| |
| Education Gallery (click to expand) |
|
|
| Regulation | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Score | 88 | 81 | |
| Year Founded | 2009 | 2001 | |
| Publicly Traded (Listed) | No | No | |
| Bank | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No | |
| Tier-1 Licenses | 4 | 2 | |
| Tier-2 Licenses | 1 | 1 | |
| Tier-3 Licenses | 0 | 0 | |
| Tier-4 Licenses | 1 | 2 |
| Tier-1 Licenses (Highly Trusted) | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia (ASIC Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| Canada (CIRO Authorised) | No | No | |
| Hong Kong (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Japan (SFC Authorised) | No | No | |
| Singapore (MAS Authorised) | No | No | |
| Switzerland (FINMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| United Kingdom (U.K.) (FCA Authorised) | No | Yes | |
| USA (CFTC Authorized) | No | No | |
| New Zealand (FMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Regulated in one or more EU or EEA countries (MiFID). | Yes | No |
| Tier-2 Licenses (Trusted) | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya (CMA Authorised) | No | No | |
| Israel (ISA Authorised) | No | No | |
| South Africa (FSCA Authorised) | No | No | |
| UAE (DFSA/Central Bank Authorised) | Yes | No | |
| India (SEBI Authorised) | No | No | |
| Jordan (JSC Authorised) | No | No |
| Investments | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Trading (Spot or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Tradeable Symbols (Total) | 1394 | 1267 | |
| Forex Pairs (Total) | 55 | 49 | |
| U.S. Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | No | |
| Int'l Stock Trading (Non CFD) | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| Cryptocurrency (Physical) | No | No | |
| Cryptocurrency (Derivative) | Yes | Yes | |
| Disclaimers | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). | Note: Crypto CFDs are not available to retail traders from any broker's U.K. entity, nor to U.K. residents (except to Professional clients). |
| Cost | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Spread EUR/USD - Standard | 1.6 | 0.98 | |
| All-in Cost EUR/USD - Active | 0.8 | N/A | |
| Active Trader or VIP Discounts | No | No | |
| Inactivity Fee | Yes | Yes | |
| Execution: Agency Broker | No | No | |
| Execution: Market Maker | Yes | Yes |
| Funding | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Deposit | $5 | $0 | |
| PayPal (Deposit/Withdraw) | No | No | |
| Skrill (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| Visa/Mastercard (Credit/Debit) | Yes | Yes | |
| Bank Wire (Deposit/Withdraw) | Yes | Yes | |
| ACH or SEPA Transfers | No | No |
| Trading Platforms | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Platform | No | Yes | |
| Desktop Platform (Windows) | Yes | Yes | |
| Web Platform | Yes | Yes | |
| Social Trading / Copy Trading | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Yes | Yes | |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | Yes | Yes | |
| cTrader | No | No | |
| DupliTrade | No | No | |
| ZuluTrade | No | No |
| Trading Tools | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virtual Trading (Demo) | Yes | Yes | |
| Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlists - Total Fields | 7 | 11 | |
| Charting - Indicators / Studies (Total) | 30 | 30 | |
| Charting - Drawing Tools (Total) | 15 | 15 | |
| Charting - Trade From Chart | Yes | Yes | |
| Charts can be saved | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Trading | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android App | Yes | Yes | |
| Apple iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Alerts - Basic Fields | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Watchlist | Yes | Yes | |
| Watchlist Syncing | Yes | No | |
| Mobile Charting - Indicators / Studies | 30 | 30 | |
| Mobile Charting - Draw Trendlines | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Multiple Time Frames | Yes | Yes | |
| Mobile Charting - Drawings Autosave | No | Yes | |
| Mobile Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Research | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Market Commentary | Yes | Yes | |
| Forex News (Top-Tier Sources) | Yes | Yes | |
| Autochartist | No | No | |
| Trading Central (Recognia) | Yes | No | |
| TipRanks | No | No | |
| Social Sentiment - Currency Pairs | Yes | Yes | |
| Economic Calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Education | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Forex or CFDs) | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars | Yes | Yes | |
| Client Webinars (Archived) | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Beginner Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Videos - Advanced Trading Videos | Yes | Yes | |
| Investor Dictionary (Glossary) | No | No |
| Major Forex Pairs | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBP/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/JPY | Yes | Yes | |
| EUR/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CHF | Yes | Yes | |
| USD/CAD | Yes | Yes | |
| NZD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| AUD/USD | Yes | Yes | |
| Review | XM Group Review | ActivTrades Review |
| Overall | XM Group | ActivTrades | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating |
|
| |
| Commissions & Fees |
|
| |
| Range of Investments |
|
| |
| Platforms & Tools |
|
| |
| Mobile Trading |
|
| |
| Research |
|
| |
| Education |
|
| |
| Trust Score | 88 | 81 | |
| Winner | check_circle | ||
| Review | XM Group Review | ActivTrades Review |
IG
CMC Markets
FOREX.com
XTB
eToro
AvaTrade
Plus500
Pepperstone
FP Markets
Tickmill