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ActivTrades Review 2024

Written By

Christian Harris

Written By

Christian Harris

Christian is a seasoned journalist with decades of experience. He transitioned from tech journalism to finance to follow his interest in investing. He has been trading stocks, futures, forex, and cryptocurrencies for more than 5 years, becoming an eToro Popular Investor. With hands-on expertise across various assets, he offers valuable trading insights.

» Christian Harris Profile Page

Edited By

James Barra

Edited By

James Barra

James is an investment writer with a background in financial services. As a former management consultant, he has worked on major operational transformation programmes at prominent European banks. James authors, edits and fact-checks content for a series of investing websites.

» James Barra Profile Page

Fact Checked By

Jemma Grist

Fact Checked By

Jemma Grist

Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.

» Jemma Grist Profile Page

Updated

Oct 22, 2024

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Overall Rating

4 / 5

ActivTrades is #65 in our CFD broker rankings.

Customer Reviews (11)

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Customer Reviews

Regulation & Trust

4 / 5

Accounts & Banking

3.5 / 5

Assets & Markets

3.5 / 5

Fees & Costs

3.5 / 5

Platforms & Tools

4 / 5

Customer Support

4 / 5

Minimum Deposit $0

Trading Platforms ActivTrades, MT4, MT5, TradingView

Instruments CFDs, Forex, Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Bonds, ETFs, Futures, Cryptos (location dependent)

Regulators FCA, CMVM, CSSF, SCB

Account Currencies USD, EUR, GBP, CHF

Payment Options Skrill, Neteller, Visa, PayPal, Mastercard, Credit Card, Debit Card, Wire Transfer, Sofort, AstroPay

Awards

• Safest Global Broker 2023 - International Investor Magazine
• Best Online Trading Services 2023 - ADVFN International Financial Awards
• Best Forex Broker Europe 2022 - Forex-Awards.com
• Most Trusted Global FX Broker 2022 - International Investor Magazine
• Best CFD Broker 2021 - Rankia
• Safest Global Broker 2021 - International Investor Award Winners
• Best FX Broker 2021 - Le Fonti Award

Pros

• ActivTrades offers tight spreads, particularly for forex trading with spreads starting from 0.5 pips on major currency pairs without additional commissions. The €/£10 inactivity fee doesn’t kick in for 52 weeks either, so it doesn’t penalize active traders.
• ActivTrades is highly trusted, boasting 20+ years in the industry, authorization from 3 ‘green tier’ bodies under DayTrading.com’s Regulation & Trust Rating, and it goes the extra mile for UK traders with £1M in investor compensation (exceeding the £85K through the FSCS) in the event of brokerage insolvency.
• Although cTrader isn’t supported, MT4, MT5, TradingView and the broker’s ActivTrader cater to diverse trading needs, with the firm’s web-accessible platform hitting the mark for beginners during testing with a slick look and feel.

Cons

• Its research tools are good but not great, with a growing ‘Analysis’ hub but no Trading Central or Autochartist for advanced technical summaries which could help aspiring traders identify opportunities in fast-moving markets.
• There's a varied selection of 1000+ markets, such as forex, commodities, indices, and ETFs, but the range of asset classes overall is limited, notably there are zero stocks outside the US, UK and Europe, while BlackBull offers a superior 26,000+ markets.
• There are no copy trading or social trading features, which is a drawback for traders seeking passive investment opportunities or the ability to mimic the trades of more experienced traders, especially compared to eToro and Vantage.

Regulation & Trust

ActivTrades has earned our trust thanks to its mostly robust regulatory credentials:

• ActivTrades is regulated by the FCA in the UK – a ‘green tier’ body in DayTrading.com’s Regulation & Trust Rating, ensuring client funds are segregated from the company’s, offering negative balance protection so you can’t lose more than your total deposits, and covering up to £85,000 through the FSCS in case of broker insolvency. Additionally, ActivTrades provides an enhanced insurance policy of up to £1 million for UK clients – an industry-leading initiative that’s great for high-volume traders.
• ActivTrades is registered with the CMVM in Portugal and CSSF in Luxembourg, other ‘green tier’ bodies, and complies with the EU’s MiFID II, promoting financial stability and client protection across Europe.
• For non-UK and EU clients, ActivTrades is regulated by the SCB in The Bahamas, though this oversight is less stringent, offering minimal investor protection, resulting in a ‘red tier’ rating.

One downside is that, unlike Plus500 and IG, ActivTrades is not publicly traded. This means it doesn’t disclose its financial information, often reducing transparency compared to listed brokerages.

Accounts & Banking

Live Accounts

ActivTrades offers four main account types which cater to the full spectrum of active traders:

1. Individual: This standard retail account is ideal for most traders. It offers competitive spreads from 0.5 pips and access to a wide range of markets. Leverage is capped in line with regulatory restrictions (typically 1:30 for forex) and full retail protections like negative balance protection and segregated funds are provided.
2. Professional: This account is for more experienced traders who meet specific criteria, such as a sufficient trading volume or portfolio size. Professional account holders benefit from higher leverage (up to 1:400), reduced stop-out level, and a dedicated account manager.
3. Islamic: This account operates without overnight swap charges and is suitable for those who wish to trade in compliance with Islamic finance principles. The account provides access to the same markets as other accounts but adjusts fee structures to maintain fairness without interest.
4. Spread betting (UK only): The spread betting account lets traders speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. The key advantage of spread betting is that profits are tax-free for UK residents (no capital gains or stamp duty).

I found the account registration process at ActivTrades straightforward but it could be improved with social login options for added convenience.

Additionally, implementing two-factor authentication would enhance security and ensure greater peace of mind.

Christian Harris

Author

Demo Accounts

ActivTrades offers demo accounts for CFD trading and spread betting, which are ideal resources for practising trading without risking real money.

The demo accounts take just a few minutes to set up. You can then trade under actual market conditions with €/ƒ

£10,000 virtual funds and a choice of leverage ratios, which is invaluable for beginners looking to understand how market movements can impact trading outcomes.

Deposits & Withdrawals

Funding and withdrawing options at ActivTrades are fast, convenient, and low-cost (now there’s no minimum deposit), albeit slightly restrictive compared to other brokers.

There is a flexible choice of base accounts (EUR, GBP, USD, and CHF), which can help reduce trading costs due to conversion fees. By comparison, eToro only lets you deposit, hold, and fund trades in GBP or USD.

I’ve found the deposit and withdrawal process at ActivTrades straightforward and convenient.

I deposited funds through a bank transfer, which took a few days to reflect in my account. I also used my Visa debit card (Mastercard supported too) for quicker transactions, which were processed instantly.

To test different options, I also tried Skrill and Neteller e-wallets, which have allowed for immediate deposits with faster withdrawals than bank transfers.

Christian Harris

Author

Due to UK FCA regulations, cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals are not supported.

While deposits were free, some withdrawal methods, like certain bank transfers, charge small fees. Generally, I use debit cards to keep costs to a minimum.

Assets & Markets

ActivTrades offers an impressive range of assets and worldwide markets:

• There are 50 currency pairs, including major (e.g., EUR/USD), minor (e.g., GBP/AUD), and exotic pairs (e.g., USD/CNH).
• There are 20+ commodities, including gold, silver, and natural gas, which offer good opportunities for diversification.
• There are 19 major global indices, such as the FTSE 100 and S&P 500.
• There are around 1,000 stock CFDs, including big companies across markets in the US, UK, and Europe, including BP, Airbus, and Meta.
• Bonds and ETFs, equally accessible by country, are other asset classes that aren’t available from many competing brokers.

ActivTrades offers a solid selection of assets, but depending on your specific needs, other brokers might prove more suitable.

For instance, cryptocurrency enthusiasts may prefer Eightcap’s extensive crypto offering, while currency traders could find CMC Markets’ vast selection of 300+ FX pairs more appealing. BlackBull, meanwhile, caters to a wide range of traders with a comprehensive suite of over 26,000 instruments.

Fees & Costs

ActivTrades’ trading fees are generally competitive, especially for specific markets like forex and indices.

All fees are built into the spread, eliminating the need for separate commissions. For example, the EUR/USD spread has a target of 0.5 pips but typically fluctuates around 1 pip. For other assets like commodities and ETFs, spreads tend to be favorable (around 1.5 pips) compared to industry standards.

Depositing funds is free, although bank transfers might incur a small fee, while methods like debit cards or e-wallets are not.

However, ActivTrades does impose a currency conversion fee of 0.3% when converting profits or losses from trading instruments denominated in a currency other than your account’s base currency.

Another area to watch for is inactivity fees. A monthly fee of €/£10 is imposed on an account with a positive balance that has not been used for more than 52 weeks. This shouldn’t be a problem for active day traders.

Platforms & Tools

ActivTrades provides access to four main platforms – its proprietary ActivTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView.

Each platform caters to different trading needs and preferences. However, I am hugely disappointed by the lack of support for cTrader, my go-to trading platform.

I primarily used ActivTrader during testing because it’s unique to ActivTrades. It’s also web-based (a mobile app is available too), which I prefer to the hassles associated with desktop software. It is easy to use and has a super clean interface.

Although powered by TradingView, ActivTrader puts its spin on it. There are 16 chart types (including Renko) with nine timeframes for technical analysis (100+ technical indicators included), market sentiment, one-click trading, position tracking, and trailing stop.

Still, it lacks the powerful screeners, community scripts, and social elements of the standalone TradingView app. Nonetheless, ActivTrader feels modern and responsive, even if it’s best suited to casual traders.

Switching to MT4 (desktop and mobile), I’ve been able to explore its extensive community support and automated trading features. MT4 is known for its powerful EAs, which let you automate your strategies.

The platform provides various indicators and charting tools, which help with technical analysis for short-term traders. Many will also like the familiarity of MT4, as it is widely used in the trading world.

Move to MT5 for more advanced functionalities. MT5 offers additional order types, a more detailed economic calendar, and deeper market insights. It feels like an upgrade from MT4, especially with the ability to trade more asset classes and access better data feeds.

ActivTrades also integrates with TradingView, the widely-used social network and charting tool. This integration lets you conduct in-depth technical analysis with TradingView’s advanced charts and hundreds of indicators while executing trades through your ActivTrades account.

Research

ActivTrades provides several research tools that can be helpful for beginner traders looking to improve their market analysis and decision-making skills.

The key feature I’ve found useful is the ‘Analysis’ section on its website, which offers regular reports on market trends, news, and economic events. This section breaks down complex financial data into digestible insights, making it easier for beginners to understand market movements.

An economic calendar also highlights key economic events, such as central bank meetings or employment reports. This can help you stay on top of important events that could impact market volatility.

Unfortunately, there is no technical analysis from Trading Central or Autochartist. Both are available on many other broker’s platforms, such as IG and FOREX.com, and provide insightful information regarding potential trade setups.

Education

ActivTrades principally deliver webinars to help new traders get started, replacing the ‘traditional’ written course approach.

I’ve participated in several live webinars covering topics ranging from basic trading principles to more advanced technical analysis. These webinars, led by experienced traders, are a great way to learn in real-time. Previous webinars can also be accessed on ActivTrades’ YouTube channel.

Traders who prefer to read educational content may be disappointed by the lack of courses or a trading blog, which many other brokers deliver to share in-depth articles on market trends, economic events, and trading tips. There’s also no FAQ glossary to get newbies up to speed on trading jargon.

ActivTrades could benefit from benchmarking itself against leading brokers like CMC Markets and XTB. Investing in comprehensive educational resources can better equip new traders with essential knowledge in trading fundamentals, risk management, and market analysis.

Customer Support

If you encounter issues while trading with ActivTrades, its customer support is responsive and helpful.

There are several ways to get in touch – live chat, email, phone, and a detailed FAQ – and I tested them all to see how quickly my inquiries are handled.

I mostly used live chat, which is available directly from the client dashboard and the ActivTrader platform. It is fast, and I am usually connected to an agent within a few minutes. The representatives were knowledgeable and were helpful in resolving my issue regarding selecting trading instruments clearly and concisely.

I have also tried reaching out via email, and while the response time was a bit longer – usually within a few hours – the support I have received has been thorough. ActivTrades also followed up to ensure my issue was resolved, which I appreciated.

On one occasion, I needed more immediate help and opted to call their phone support. I found it helpful that they had a multilingual team, which made communication smooth.

The representative I spoke with was patient, and they guided me step-by-step through my issue, which involved funding a withdrawal request. If I could only talk at a particular time, I could have also requested a callback service from 08:00 to 18:00 (CET).

ActivTrades doesn’t have an FAQ section on its website, but I found answers to many generic subjects (account deposits, withdrawals, and commissions etc) within the live chat widget. This widget helps address more straightforward issues without needing to contact support.

Should You Day Trade With ActivTrades?

ActivTrades is a hassle-free, low-cost option for both beginners and casual traders. Beginners will find the ActivTrader platform user-friendly, especially the demo account and supporting educational webinars, and the customer support is excellent.

For experienced traders, ActivTrades offers powerful platforms like MT4/5 and advanced tools for technical analysis and automated trading.

Furthermore, the integration with TradingView and access to a growing range of markets make it an appealing option for seasoned traders seeking flexibility and low trading costs.

FAQ

Is ActivTrades Legit Or A Scam?

ActivTrades’s regulatory credentials and commitment to client protection instil a strong sense of security.

The broker has also been in business since 2001, and now has over 15,000 clients, with its long-standing presence in the industry indicating its legitimacy. A scam broker would unlikely survive for over two decades under constant regulatory scrutiny.

Furthermore, the broker advertises that multinational accounting giant PwC audits it.

Is ActivTrades A Regulated Broker?

ActivTrades is primarily regulated by the FCA in the UK, which is recognized for its stringent regulatory framework and high client protection standards.

Additionally, ActivTrades is registered with the CVMV in Portugal and CSSF in Luxembourg for its European operations, and the SCB in the Bahamas for its international operations, although the SCB provides less oversight and compliance with little to no investor protection available.

Is ActivTrades Suitable For Beginners?

ActivTrades is suitable for beginners due to its user-friendly platform, ActivTrader. This platform offers an intuitive interface that makes navigation easy for new traders.

The broker also provides various educational resources, including webinars and tutorials, to help beginners build their trading knowledge.

Importantly, ActivTrades offers a demo account, allowing traders to practice trading without risking real money, which is essential for gaining confidence.

With responsive customer support available to assist with questions, ActivTrades creates a supportive environment for novice traders.

Does ActivTrades Offer Low Fees?

Fees are competitive as ActivTrades primarily uses a spread-based pricing model, with no commissions. Spreads are generally tight, especially for major currency pairs, but vary depending on the instrument.

ActivTrades does not charge deposit and withdrawal fees, making it a cost-effective trading environment for traders looking to minimize expenses.

Scalpers and high-frequency traders looking for a zero-spread account will be left wanting, however.

Top 3 Alternatives to ActivTrades

Compare ActivTrades with the top 3 similar brokers that accept traders from your location.

1. IG – Founded in 1974, IG is part of IG Group Holdings Plc, a publicly traded (LSE: IGG) brokerage. The brand-US offers spread betting, CFD and forex trading across an almost unrivalled selection of 17,000+ markets, with a range of user-friendly platforms and investing apps. For 50 years, IG has maintained its position as an industry leader, excelling in all key areas for traders.
   Go to IG
2. Interactive Brokers – Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a premier brokerage, providing access to 150 markets in 33 countries, along with a suite of comprehensive investment services. With over 40 years of experience, this Nasdaq-listed firm adheres to stringent regulations by the SEC, FCA, CIRO, and SFC, amongst others, and is one of the most trusted brokers for trading around the globe.
   Go to Interactive Brokers
3. FOREX.com – Founded in 1999, FOREX.com is now part of StoneX, a financial services organization serving over one million customers worldwide. Regulated in the US, UK, EU, Australia and beyond, the broker offers thousands of markets, not just forex, and provides excellent pricing on cutting-edge platforms.
   Go to FOREX.com

ActivTrades Comparison Table

Compare Trading Instruments

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