ActivTrades vs Focus Markets Comparison
Compare trading conditions, commissions and platforms of Forex brokers ActivTrades and Focus Markets. Find out which broker is best for you.
We test brokers on real accounts using our own methodology, evaluating the quality of order execution, trading conditions, platforms and customer support.
Who is better - ActivTrades or Focus Markets?
Our pick: ActivTrades
Based on multiple factors - spreads and fees, available assets and instruments, execution quality, platform usability, support level, and educational resources - ActivTrades looks preferable to Focus Markets.
ActivTrades scored 4.3/5 and ranks 28 in our all Forex brokers list, whereas Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
This is not financial advice. See the full comparison below.
Who is ActivTrades suitable for?
ActivTrades is suitable for beginners who value simplicity and educational materials and experienced traders who prefer MetaTrader and a wide range of instruments.
Who is Focus Markets suitable for?
Focus Markets is suitable for experienced Forex/CFD traders who trade via MT5 and independently use external analytics.
Comparison Table of ActivTrades and Focus Markets
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2001 | 2019 |
| Regulated in Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Review | ActivTrades Review | Focus Markets Review |
ActivTrades Review
ActivTrades is suitable for beginner traders who value simplicity and intuitive trading platforms, as well as a variety of educational materials to improve their skills. Moreover, this broker can be a suitable option for experienced traders who prefer to trade various instruments and use the powerful features of the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and TradingView platforms.
However, for traders with more specific requirements, such as a variety of trading accounts or individual conditions for professional traders, ActivTrades may be less attractive.
Pros and Cons of ActivTrades
Pros
- Wide range of trading assets.
- A wide variety of trading platforms.
- Extensive training materials including webinars, videos, articles and guides.
- Professional Support Team.
Cons
- Lack of diversity in trading accounts.
ActivTrades is in the top 10 of the following ratings:
Focus Markets Review
Focus Markets is a broker aimed primarily at independent Forex and CFD traders who value access to popular markets, the familiar MetaTrader 5 platform, and a clear trading account structure. It is not the most versatile option for beginners who need strong education, regular analytics, and a wide selection of services within the broker’s ecosystem.
Focus Markets is best suited to experienced traders who already use external analytics sources, make trading decisions independently, and are looking for a broker for active CFD trading. For beginner clients, the broker may be less convenient due to its weak educational base and limited support in making trading decisions.
Pros and Cons of Focus Markets
Pros
- More than 700 CFD instruments are available, including Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
- MetaTrader 5 is supported with WebTrader, mobile versions, Expert Advisors, and one-click trading.
- The broker does not charge internal fees for deposits and withdrawals.
- Various deposit methods are available: cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets.
Cons
- Limited selection of trading accounts.
- No MetaTrader 4, cTrader, or proprietary trading platform.
- Weak analytics: no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party analytical services.
- No educational materials for beginners.
Reliability
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Foundation Year | 2001 | 2019 |
| Regulated in Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | Mauritius, Australia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Regulators |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades - highly regulated, transparent broker with a good reputation. International regulation and client fund protection make it a reliable choice.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets combines a regulated Australian division with international structures in Mauritius and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Client protection depends on the legal entity.
Pros
- There is a division supervised by ASIC.
- The group’s international structure is disclosed.
Cons
- No compensation fund.
- No information about additional funds insurance.
Account Opening
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum Deposit |
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ActivTrades
The account opening process at ActivTrades is quite accessible for most traders, but verification can take a significant amount of time.
Focus Markets
Opening an account with Focus Markets is convenient and fairly fast: registration is completed online, the questionnaire is clear, and document verification usually takes up to 24 business hours.
Pros
- Fully online registration.
- Clear 3-step questionnaire.
- Wide selection of account base currencies.
Cons
- Mandatory KYC verification is required.
- Additional documents may be requested.
- No instant activation of a live account.
Account Types
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Account Types | 2/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Accounts |
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| Minimum Deposit |
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| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:500 |
| Trading Assets (CFDs) |
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| Trading Platforms |
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| Demo Account | ||
| Swap-free Account |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers 2 trading accounts suitable for most traders, but some options are missing.
Pros
- Availability of an Islamic account.
Cons
- No STP/ECN accounts.
- Lack of fixed spread accounts.
- Investment accounts (PAMM, copy trading) are not offered.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ account lineup covers traders’ basic needs, but remains limited: only Standard and Raw are available, with no cent, Islamic, or fixed-spread account.
Pros
- Standard and Raw accounts are available.
- 30-day demo account.
- Trader copy trading is available.
Cons
- No cent account.
- No Islamic account.
- No fixed-spread account.
Commissions
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Commissions | 3.7/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Spread | from 0.5 points | from 0 points |
| Average Spread (EURUSD) | 1 | 1.2 |
| Commission | per 1 lot$3.50 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers average commissions with tight spreads, but high swap rates and inactivity fees.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ fees are average: spreads and swaps on Standard are typical for the market, the Raw commission is $3.5 per lot per side, and withdrawals are free of broker fees.
Pros
- No withdrawal fee from the broker.
Cons
- An account inactivity fee may apply.
Deposit and Withdrawal
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Account Funding Methods |
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ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers a variety of convenient methods for depositing and withdrawing funds.
Pros
- Diversity of payment systems.
- Most transactions are commission-free.
- Fast processing of requests.
Cons
- No options for using cryptocurrencies.
Focus Markets
Deposits and withdrawals at Focus Markets are convenient: many methods are available, there are no internal fees, and withdrawal times are usually 1–3 business days.
Pros
- Cards, bank transfer, cryptocurrency, and e-wallets are available.
- No internal broker fees.
- Most deposits are processed quickly.
Cons
- Withdrawals are reviewed by the finance department.
- Fees from banks and providers may apply.
Markets and Products
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Markets and Products | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Forex | 49 | 50 |
| Precious Metals | 3 | 5 |
| Energy Carriers | 7 | 3 |
| Soft Commodities | 9 | - |
| Indices | 31 | 8 |
| Stocks | 1035 | 500 |
| ETF | 75 | - |
| Bonds | 6 | - |
| Cryptocurrency | 12 | 140 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers a wide range of trading instruments, providing access to all major markets, making it attractive to various traders.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers a wide selection of CFD instruments: Forex, indices, commodities, metals, stocks, and cryptocurrencies.
Pros
- More than 700 instruments.
- Leverage up to 1:500.
Cons
- No real stocks or ETFs.
- No soft commodities.
Trading Platforms
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trading Platforms |
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ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers diverse trading platforms, each catering to different trading needs, combining efficiency, advanced features, and user-friendly interfaces.
Pros
- Multiple platforms including MT4, MT5, ActivTrader, and TradingView integration.
- Advanced tools and features for comprehensive market analysis.
- Customization options and social trading aspects in TradingView.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets offers the reliable and functional MT5 platform, but the selection is limited: there is no MT4, cTrader, or proprietary broker platform.
Pros
- MetaTrader 5 is available.
- WebTrader and mobile versions are available.
Cons
- No MetaTrader 4.
- No cTrader.
- No proprietary platform.
Analytics
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 2/5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades provides extensive analytical resources, including market analysis, economic calendar, technical analysis tools, trading signals, and ideas.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ analytics are weak: there are no regular market reviews, trading ideas, signals, or third-party services such as Trading Central or Autochartist.
Cons
- No market reviews.
- No trading signals.
- No analytics from third-party providers.
Education
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 2/5 |
ActivTrades
ActivTrades offers high-quality and diverse educational materials that will be useful for traders of any level.
Focus Markets
Education at Focus Markets is poorly developed: instead of a full knowledge base, the broker offers only an FAQ, with no courses, webinars, video lessons, or market analysis materials.
Pros
- There is an FAQ on key questions.
Cons
- No educational courses.
- No webinars or video lessons.
- No materials on strategies or market analysis.
Customer Support
| Broker | ActivTrades | Focus Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Email Support |
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| Hotline Phones |
| — |
| Social Media | — |
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedInActivTrades
ActivTrades' technical support is commendable for its professionalism, diverse communication channels, and 24/5 availability.
Pros
- Highly professional and knowledgeable staff.
- Multiple contact options including phone, chat, and email.
- 24/5 availability.
Focus Markets
Focus Markets’ technical support is basic: online chat, email, and an FAQ are available, with a 24/5 schedule, but there are few contact channels and limited public feedback on service quality.
Pros
- Online chat is available on the website.
- Support operates 24/5.
Cons
- No clearly specified social networks or messengers.
- Limited number of public reviews.
Comparisons of ActivTrades and Focus Markets with other brokers
Conclusion
ActivTrades stands out as the better overall pick, while Focus Markets trails on aggregate criteria.
ActivTrades scored 4.3/5 and ranks 28 in our rating; Focus Markets has 3.8/5 and ranks 60.
We explain the reasons above in detail — fees, platforms, reliability, support, and more.
FAQ
Which broker is better: ActivTrades or Focus Markets?
ActivTrades comes out ahead by overall rank (score 4.3/5, position 28) versus Focus Markets (score 3.8/5, position 60).
Which broker is better for beginners: ActivTrades or Focus Markets?
ActivTrades is often a smoother start thanks to simpler onboarding and stronger baseline metrics. Still, your tools and budget should drive the final choice.
Who has lower typical trading costs (spreads/commissions) — ActivTrades or Focus Markets?
It depends on the instrument and account type. Compare the live conditions in the “Commissions” section on this page — we break down the nuances category by category.
What trading platforms are available with ActivTrades and Focus Markets?
ActivTrades: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, ActivTrader, TradingView. Focus Markets: MetaTrader 5. See the “Platforms” section for details and selection tips.
What markets can you trade with ActivTrades and Focus Markets?
ActivTrades: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Soft Commodities, Indices, Stocks, ETF, Bonds, Cryptocurrency. Focus Markets: Forex, Precious Metals, Energy Carriers, Indices, Stocks, Cryptocurrency. Full lists and differences are in the “Markets” section.
What account types are offered by ActivTrades and Focus Markets?
ActivTrades: Individual, Pro. Focus Markets: Standard, Raw. See “Account Types” for a side-by-side comparison.
What deposit and withdrawal methods are supported by ActivTrades and Focus Markets?
ActivTrades: Neteller, Skrill, AstroPay, Bank Transfer, Visa, Mastercard. Focus Markets: Neteller, Skrill, Swift, Visa, Mastercard. Check method-specific fees/settlement times.
Which broker is safer — ActivTrades or Focus Markets — and how was this assessed?
We consider regulation, corporate transparency, fund protection, and incident history. See the “Reliability” section for our findings.
