ActivTrades is a user-friendly broker suitable for beginners, offering a range of platforms and competitive spreads.
FCA, SCB
Hey traders, here’s my ActivTrades Review for 2025! I’ve traded with plenty of brokers over the years, and this one’s worth a look. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for a while, I’ll walk you through what they offer—platforms, safety, and the whole trading vibe. Let’s get into it!
What is ActivTrades? A Comprehensive Overview
ActivTrades is a broker I’ve been checking out lately. It kicked off in 2001 in Switzerland, then shifted to London in 2005. They focus on forex and CFDs, giving you over 1,000 things to trade. Pretty cool, right? You can use their own ActivTrader platform or go with MT4, MT5, or even TradingView. It’s all about giving traders choices, whether you’re into currency pairs, stocks, or crypto CFDs.
They’ve been around for more than 20 years, which tells me they’re doing something right. Regulated and packed with tools, they work for both newbies and pros. Let’s break down where they’re at and who they’re for.
Global Presence and Target Audience
ActivTrades isn’t just a local shop—it’s all over the place. They’re big in Europe, like Italy, Germany, and France, but they’ve also spread to South America, the Middle East, and Asia. Traders from over 170 countries use them. That’s a wide net!
Who’s trading with them? Beginners like the simple ActivTrader setup and the free demo to practice. For guys like me with more experience, MT4 and MT5 are perfect for digging into charts and strategies. Pros get tight spreads and higher leverage, though it depends on your location. In the UK and EU, they throw in extra safety perks, like £1M protection for UK accounts. Solid deal if you ask me.
Is ActivTrades Safe? Trust and Security Analysis
Safety matters when you’re handing over your money. I’ve looked into ActivTrades, and they check out. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) keeps them in line, which is a tough gig. They’re also watched by regulators in places like the Bahamas and Luxembourg, depending on where you are.
They’ve been running for over 20 years with no big messes. That’s huge. A big firm called PwC audits them, and your cash stays separate from theirs—so if they tank, you’re not screwed. UK traders get up to £1M in compensation, way more than the usual £85K. Plus, they’ve got negative balance protection, meaning you won’t owe more than you put in. I’ve traded with them and sleep easy knowing this stuff’s in place. Just check the rules where you live—things can vary a bit.
The ActivTrades Trading Experience
Now, let’s talk trading with ActivTrades. I’ve spent time on their platforms, and they’ve got options. You can pick ActivTrader, MT4, MT5, or link up with TradingView. Mobile trading works too. Here’s what I found.
ActivTrader Proprietary Platform
ActivTrader is their own creation, and it’s great for starters or mid-level traders. It’s easy to use, not cluttered, and has sharp TradingView charts built in. Over 100 indicators come with it. I like the one-click trading—it’s quick when the market’s moving fast. There’s a trailing stop too, which helps lock in gains without staring at the screen all day.
It’s not as tricked-out as MT5 for advanced stuff, like testing strategies across currencies. But for fast trades and a clean look, it’s solid. You can use it on the web or your phone, no problem.
MT4 and MT5 Integration
MT4 and MT5 are old favorites, and ActivTrades runs them well. MT4 is awesome for forex—tons of indicators and tools to automate trades. MT5 takes it further with more options, like extra timeframes and stock CFDs. I use MT5 when I want to dig deep into markets or test ideas.
They toss in bonuses like SmartOrder 2 for speedy trades and SmartLines for drawing trendlines that trigger orders. You can download them for desktop, use them online, or take them mobile. If you know MetaTrader, you’ll feel right at home.
TradingView Collaboration
ActivTrades teamed up with TradingView, and I’m a fan. TradingView’s charts are top-notch—16 types, over 100 indicators, and a big trader community. You can spot trends there and trade straight through ActivTrades. I’ve used it to catch moves, and it flows nicely.
The downside? It’s not a full platform on its own—you’re still using ActivTrades to execute. But if you love killer charts, this hookup works great.
Mobile Trading
Need to trade from anywhere? ActivTrades has apps for ActivTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView. They’re on iOS and Android. I’ve tried the ActivTrader app—real-time prices, fast trades, and decent charts. You can tweak your account, set alerts, or check market vibes, all from your pocket.
It’s lighter than the desktop, sure, but it’s meant to be. For quick checks or trades on the move, it’s reliable. No freezes, no hassle—just good mobile trading.
Account Types and Trading Costs
Let’s chat about ActivTrades’ account types and what it costs to trade. They’ve got a few choices depending on your style—beginner or pro. I’ve traded with them, so I’ll give you the real deal. Costs vary based on your account and what you trade. Here’s how it shakes out.
Retail vs Professional Accounts
ActivTrades splits it into Retail and Professional accounts. Retail is for most folks starting out. You get spreads from 0.5 pips on forex and leverage up to 1:30 because of EU rules. It’s safe—negative balance protection means you can’t lose more than you deposit. Easy to jump in.
Professional accounts are for experienced traders. You need serious trading history or a big portfolio (over €500,000) to qualify. Leverage shoots up to 1:400, which is massive for bigger plays. Spreads don’t change, but you get lower margins and a personal manager. I’ve used it—great for scaling up, but riskier too.
| Account Type | Max Leverage | Spreads Start | Extra Perks |
| Retail | 1:30 | 0.5 pips | Negative Balance |
| Professional | 1:400 | 0.5 pips | Personal Manager |
Standard vs ECN Account Structures
ActivTrades doesn’t do the usual Standard vs. ECN thing. Both Retail and Professional accounts work like “standard” ones—costs are in the spread, no separate commissions for forex or most CFDs. I like that. Keeps it simple. Spreads start at 0.5 pips on EUR/USD, tight enough for my trades.
No true ECN option here with raw spreads and fees, which some scalpers might miss. But execution’s fast, and for me, it’s plenty good. No extra layers to figure out—just trade and go.
Islamic Account
For Muslim traders, there’s an Islamic account. It’s swap-free—no interest on overnight trades, which fits Sharia rules. You can set it up on MT4 in USD or MT5 with any currency. I’ve got friends who use it, and they say it’s clean—no sneaky charges, just a small fee for holding trades past a day.
Switching is simple. Open a regular account, then ask for the swap-free version. Spreads and leverage stay the same. It’s a solid pick if you need it.
Demo Account
The Demo account is awesome for practice. It’s free, unlimited, and comes with £10,000 in fake money. I’ve tested strategies on ActivTrader, MT4, and MT5 with it—no risk, just real market vibes. Perfect for newbies or tweaking your game plan.
Going live is a breeze after. Fund your account when you’re ready. I always tell beginners to start here—it’s a no-stress way to learn.
ActivTrades Fees and Trading Costs
Now, let’s talk cash—how much ActivTrades takes to keep you trading. I’ve watched their fees closely, and they’re sharp, especially on forex. But little things can add up if you’re not careful. Here’s the breakdown on spreads, commissions, and extras.
Spread Analysis Across Asset Classes
Spreads are tight at ActivTrades. Forex majors like EUR/USD start at 0.5 pips—I’ve seen them average 0.9-1 pip when markets are hopping. GBP/USD is around 0.8 pips, but exotics can hit 2-3 pips. They float, so spreads widen in crazy times.
CFDs vary. Indices like S&P 500 are about 1.5 pips, gold’s at 0.25-0.5 pips, and stock CFDs might run 0.1% or more. Forex and indices feel cheap compared to others, but stocks can cost more if you trade heavy. Check their site for live updates.
| Asset Class | Typical Spread |
| EUR/USD | 0.5-1 pip |
| S&P 500 | 1.5 pips |
| Gold | 0.25-0.5 pips |
| US Stocks | 0.1%+ |
Commission Structure
No commissions on forex, indices, or commodities—love that. It’s all in the spread, so what you see is what you pay. Stock CFDs are different, though. US stocks charge $0.02 per share ($1 minimum), UK stocks are 0.1%, and European ones are 0.01%. Unleveraged stocks? Free commission. Sweet if you’re holding without borrowing.
No ECN raw-spread option here. For me, spread-only is fine—keeps costs clear and easy.
Non-Trading Fees (Inactivity, Withdrawal)
Non-trading fees are light but worth knowing. Deposits are free—cards, wires, e-wallets, all good. Withdrawals too, mostly—Skrill’s free, but non-SEPA bank transfers might cost £15. I’ve cashed out with no fees plenty of times. Watch for a 0.3-0.5% fee if your currency doesn’t match.
Inactivity stings after 12 months—£10 a month if you’ve got funds sitting there. I stay active to avoid it. Plan smart if you’re stepping away.
| Fee Type | Cost |
| Deposit | Free |
| Withdrawal | Free (mostly) |
| Inactivity | £10/month (after 1 yr) |
ESMA Compliance Impact on Costs
ESMA rules hit EU traders hard. Retail leverage maxes at 1:30 on forex—safer, but it ties your hands a bit. Spreads aren’t changed by ESMA, but the focus on safety means no ultra-cheap tricks. You get negative balance protection and separate funds, which I’d take over risky low costs any day.
Professionals skip some limits—leverage up to 1:400. Costs don’t shift, just your margin power. ESMA’s a balance—less freedom, more security. ActivTrades plays it well.
Funding Your Trading: Deposits and Withdrawals
Getting money in and out of ActivTrades is pretty straightforward. I’ve funded my account a few times, and it’s no hassle. You can use bank wires, cards like Visa or Mastercard, or e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. Deposits are free—always a plus. I stick to Skrill because it’s instant, but bank wires take a couple of days, maybe 1-3 depending on where you are.
Withdrawals? Easy too. Most are free—Skrill, Neteller, and SEPA transfers won’t cost you a penny. But if you’re pulling cash with a non-SEPA bank transfer, they might hit you with a £15 fee. I’ve cashed out before 1 PM GMT and had it same-day. One thing to watch: if your account currency doesn’t match your deposit—like USD vs. GBP—you’ll pay a 0.3-0.5% conversion fee. Match them up, and you’re golden.
| Method | Deposit Fee | Withdrawal Fee | Speed |
| Bank Wire | Free | £15 (non-SEPA) | 1-3 days |
| Card | Free | Free | 1 day |
| Skrill/Neteller | Free | Free | Same day |
Market Access and Tradable Instruments
ActivTrades gives you tons to trade—over 1,000 options! I’ve tried a bunch, and they’ve got something for everyone. Forex, indices, commodities, stocks, even crypto CFDs—it’s all there. Whether you’re chasing quick forex wins or holding stock CFDs, they’ve got you covered. Here’s what you can play with.
Forex Pairs Selection
Forex is their strong suit. They offer 47 pairs—majors like EUR/USD, minors like AUD/NZD, and exotics like USD/ZAR. I trade majors mostly—EUR/USD at 0.5 pips is tight and cheap. Exotics can jump to 2-3 pips, which is standard. It’s not the longest list out there, but it’s solid for most moves I make.
Plenty to work with here. Scalping or trending, you’re set.
CFDs on Indices, Commodities, and Stocks
CFDs open the door wide. You get 27 indices—S&P 500, FTSE 100, stuff like that—with spreads around 1.5 pips on S&P. Commodities? 12 options—gold, oil, silver. Gold’s my pick at 0.25-0.5 pips; it’s tight and moves fast. Then there’s stocks—over 900 CFDs from US, UK, and Europe. Think Amazon or Shell. Costs start at 0.1% per trade, so it adds up if you’re active.
I’ve traded oil CFDs during big swings—wild ride! Stocks give you flexibility to go long or short. Huge range to mix things up.
| Asset Type | Number Available | Typical Spread |
| Indices | 27 | 1.5 pips (S&P) |
| Commodities | 12 | 0.25 pips (Gold) |
| Stocks | 900+ | 0.1%+ |
Cryptocurrencies and Other Markets
Crypto CFDs are in the mix—11 of them. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin—you get the idea. Spreads are wider, like $15-$20 on BTC/USD, but you can trade any time, even weekends. I’ve caught some Bitcoin jumps late at night; it’s handy. No need to own the coins—just bet on the price.
They throw in bonds and ETFs too—about 30 total. Not my focus, but nice for variety. Crypto’s the cool add-on here.
ActivTrades Leverage Options by Asset Class
Leverage changes based on your account and location. Retail folks get 1:30 on forex majors—EU rules keep it safe. Indices drop to 1:20, commodities to 1:10, stocks to 1:5, and crypto’s just 1:2. I’ve used 1:30 on forex; it’s decent for steady trades. Pros can crank it to 1:400 across everything if they qualify—big risk, big reward.
Check your country—outside the EU, it might flex. Leverage is your firepower, so use it smart.
| Asset Class | Retail Leverage | Pro Leverage |
| Forex Majors | 1:30 | 1:400 |
| Indices | 1:20 | 1:400 |
| Stocks | 1:5 | 1:400 |
| Crypto | 1:2 | 1:400 |
Trading Tools and Resources
ActivTrades hooks you up with tools to trade better. I’ve used them a lot, and they’re worth it—especially on MT4 or MT5. They help with speed, analysis, and planning. Here’s what I’ve got on them.
SmartOrder 2 Tool
SmartOrder 2 is a free MT4/MT5 plug-in, and it’s quick. It lets you close trades or flip positions with one click—great when the market’s nuts. I’ve used it during news spikes to get out fast. You can tweak stops or take partial profits too. Simple and slick.
It’s not fancy, but it works. Scalpers will eat it up.
ActivTrades Indicators
They’ve got custom indicators—over 20 for MT4 and MT5. SmartLines trigger trades off trendlines—I love it for breakouts. SmartPattern finds chart shapes, and SmartForecast guesses where prices might go. I’ve nailed trades with SmartLines; it’s spot-on when I draw it right.
Some overlap with regular tools, but these kick it up a notch. Free and easy to grab.
Trading Calculators
Their calculators save time. Margin, pip value, profit/loss—they’re all there, online or in-platform. I use the pip calculator before a trade—say, 50 pips on GBP/USD at 1:30 leverage—to know my risk. Keeps me from guessing.
ActivTrades Compared to Competitors
Brokers all have their own style, and ActivTrades is a strong one. I’ve traded with a bunch, so let’s compare it to IG, XTB, Exness, and IC Markets. We’ll check platforms, costs, trading vibe, features, and ECN options. Here’s how they stack up.
ActivTrades vs. IG: Platform and Cost Comparison
ActivTrades and IG both offer good platforms. ActivTrades has ActivTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView—I like the variety. ActivTrader’s fast and simple for quick trades, while MT5 handles my bigger plans. IG gives you their own platform, MT4, and L2 Dealer for pros. Their app’s nice, but it’s lagged on me during crazy market spikes—not cool mid-trade.
Costs are tight. ActivTrades starts forex at 0.5 pips, no extra fees. IG’s at 0.6-1 pip, also fee-free on forex, but stock CFDs cost 0.1% per trade. ActivTrades matches that 0.1% on stocks but keeps most costs in spreads. IG’s got more to trade—18,000+ vs. 1,000+ at ActivTrades. IG wins for range, but ActivTrades takes it for forex savings.
| Feature | ActivTrades | IG |
| Forex Spread | 0.5 pips | 0.6-1 pip |
| Stock CFD Fee | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Markets | 1,000+ | 18,000+ |
ActivTrades vs. XTB: Trading Experience Analysis
Trading with ActivTrades is smooth. ActivTrader’s quick—one click, and you’re in. MT4 and MT5 have SmartOrder 2, which speeds things up for me. I’ve scalped forex, and it’s fast—no delays. XTB’s xStation 5 is easy, with heatmaps and crowd vibes baked in. But no MT4 or MT5 means I can’t run my bots, which stinks.
XTB’s got better learning stuff—videos and classes for days. ActivTrades offers webinars and some coaching, but it’s thinner. Spreads are close—ActivTrades at 0.5 pips, XTB sometimes dips lower. XTB also has real stocks and ETFs, not just CFDs like ActivTrades. ActivTrades is my pick for speed, but XTB’s great for learning and variety.
| Feature | ActivTrades | XTB |
| Spreads | 0.5 pips | 0.4-0.5 pips |
| Platforms | 4 | 1 |
| Real Stocks | No | Yes |
ActivTrades vs. Exness: Features and Benefits
ActivTrades and Exness both bring cool features. ActivTrades offers ActivTrader, MT4, MT5, and TradingView—plus tools like SmartLines for chart trades. Spreads start at 0.5 pips, and pros get 1:400 leverage. That £1M UK insurance is a big perk. Exness hits hard—MT4, MT5, their app, and spreads from 0.0 pips. No minimum deposit, and leverage can go to 1:2000—wild!
Exness cashes out fast—sometimes instant—and has 100+ forex pairs vs. ActivTrades’ 47. ActivTrades counters with 900+ stock CFDs and crypto, where Exness is weaker. Exness is for big, bold traders. ActivTrades feels more all-around with solid tools. Your call.
| Feature | ActivTrades | Exness |
| Min Spread | 0.5 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Leverage (Pro) | 1:400 | 1:2000 |
| Forex Pairs | 47 | 100+ |
ActivTrades vs. IC Markets: ECN Offering Comparison
ActivTrades isn’t true ECN—they’re a market maker. Spreads kick off at 0.5 pips, no fees on forex, and trades zip through. I’ve had no trouble, but it’s not raw pricing. IC Markets does ECN right—spreads from 0.0 pips, $7 per lot commission. I’ve scalped there, and it’s razor-sharp with tons of liquidity.
IC Markets has 61 forex pairs to ActivTrades’ 47 and 26,000+ assets vs. 1,000+. Both have MT4 and MT5, but IC Markets adds cTrader—love that for depth. Leverage? 1:500 at IC Markets, 1:400 at ActivTrades for pros. IC Markets is ECN gold. ActivTrades keeps it easy and cheap without the ECN hassle.
| Feature | ActivTrades | IC Markets |
| Spreads | 0.5 pips | 0.0 pips |
| Commission | None | $7/lot |
| Assets | 1,000+ | 26,000+ |
ActivTrades: The Verdict
So, what’s the word on ActivTrades? It’s a good one, hands down. I’ve traded there, and it works—tight spreads, fast platforms, and real safety with FCA rules and £1M UK coverage. Newbies get a simple start with ActivTrader and the demo. Pros like me can push it with MT5 and high leverage. Over 1,000 things to trade—forex, stocks, crypto CFDs—keep it fun.
It’s not perfect, though. No ECN option bugs scalpers who want the tightest spreads. The asset list isn’t huge like IG or IC Markets, and XTB’s got better learning tools. Still, ActivTrades nails cost, speed, and trust. Want a broker that’s solid and not the cheapest but gets it done? Try it. That demo’s a no-risk way to test it out—I’d go for it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum deposit for ActivTrades?
You don’t need much to jump in with ActivTrades. Most accounts have no minimum at all—just add what you’ve got. I’ve kicked things off with next to nothing before, and it works fine. Only catch is if you’re in China or Brazil—they set it at $500 there. For the rest of us, it’s your call—great for starting light.
How do I open an ActivTrades demo account?
Is ActivTrades regulated and safe?
What trading platforms does ActivTrades offer?
What are ActivTrades’ typical spreads?
How do I withdraw from ActivTrades?
Does ActivTrades offer negative balance protection?
Can US traders use ActivTrades?
What leverage does ActivTrades offer?
How does the ActivTrades login process work?
