ActivTrades Review 2025

Trust

ActivTrades Regulations

In our reviews, we examine the licenses and regulations of each entity operated by a broker, allowing us to compare their different levels of protection. We rank licenses by various regulatory bodies on a three-tier system, where Tier-1 licensing indicates the highest level of regulation.

This is what I discovered about the five entities operating under the ActivTrades trade name:

• ActivTrades PLC is licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) of the UK under license number 05367727. We rate the FCA as a Tier-1 regulator.
• ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento S.A. is licensed and regulated by the Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários (CMVM) in Portugal under license number 433. We rate the CMVM as a Tier-1 regulator. The entity is also registered in Italy with CONSOB.
• ActivTrades Corretora de Câmbio, Títulos e Valores Mobiliários Ltda. is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB). We rate the BCB as a Tier-2 regulator.
• ActivTrades Corp is licensed and regulated by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). We rate the SCB as a Tier-3 regulator.
• ActivTrades Markets Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Commission (FSC) of Mauritius. We rate the FSC as a Tier-3 regulator.

Understanding the Regulatory Protections of Your Account

Brokers operate multiple entities globally, but regulatory protections vary. Some regulators enforce stricter financial standards than others, so traders should understand the safety measures of the entity with which they choose to open an account.

Here is what you need to be looking for in a broker in terms of safety mechanisms:

• Segregation of Client Funds: Keeping client funds in segregated bank accounts from the ones used for the broker’s corporate capital negates the risk of accounting errors. All ActivTrades entities guarantee the segregation of client funds from the company’s corporate capital.
• Negative Balance Protection: This safety mechanism removes the risk of trading losses exceeding the account balance. In other words, the losses you incur from trading are capped at the amount you have put in your trading account. All ActivTrades entities guarantee negative balance protection.
• Compensation Scheme: A compensation scheme protects traders against the broker’s liabilities if the company becomes insolvent. Clients of ActivTrades PLC are protected by up to GBP 85,000 under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Clients of ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento S.A. are protected by up to EUR 20,000 under the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF). Clients of ActivTrades Corp and ActivTrades Markets Ltd are protected by up to $1,000,000 under a private insurance issued by the broker.
• Maximum Leverage: Capping the maximum leverage restricts the extent of market exposure to retail traders. The higher the leverage, the higher the potential profits and potential losses. ActivTrades Markets Ltd offers the highest leverage of up to 1:400 for global clients. In comparison, European clients have access to 1:30 leverage.

Stability and Transparency

In our Trust category assessments, we evaluate factors tied to stability and transparency, including the broker’s longevity, company size, and information transparency.

Since its establishment in 2001, ActivTrades has successfully navigated the trading industry. According to its LinkedIn page, the company employs more than 270 professionals.

I reviewed ActivTrades’ client agreement and other legal documents and found everything is in order. I also discovered that ActivTrades displays live spreads data, helping visitors to the website assess the competitiveness of the broker’s trading fees across different markets.

Is ActivTrades Safe to Trade With?

I determined that ActivTrades can be considered a safe partner due to the following factors:

• Tightly regulated
• Keeps client funds segregated
• Ensures negative balance protection
• Has issued a private indemnity insurance

Fees

ActivTrades Trading Fees

ActivTrades Spreads

I tested ActivTrades’ spreads on 9 May 2025 during the London open and New York open. The results are shown in the table below:

My research indicates that ActivTrades offers low spreads on share CFDs and EURUSD, average-to-high spreads on indices, and high spreads on Gold, Crude Oil, and GBPJPY.

ActivTrades Swaps

A swap fee is a trader’s cost for holding an open position overnight because of changing interest rates. Swap long refers to the charge deductible or credit receivable for holding a buy position open overnight. In turn, swap short relates to the charges/credits deductible or receivable for holding a selling position open overnight.

The values listed below are for one full base currency contract (100,000 units).

According to my findings, ActivTrades’ swaps range from average to high compared to the industry benchmark. Note that swap fees change over time.

ActivTrades Non-Trading Fees

Deposits and withdrawals with ActivTrades are free of charge, though third-party processing fees may apply.

The broker imposes a GBP 10 inactivity fee applied to dormant accounts following 52 weeks of dormancy. The fee is charged monthly until account activity resumes or the balance drops to zero.

Are ActivTrades’ Fees Competitive?

I assessed that ActivTrades’ fees generally sit in the medium range. While some of its spreads are very competitive, its commodity spreads were quite elevated during my test. The same discrepancy applies to the non-trading fees: the broker does not impose a handling fee on deposits and withdrawals, but charges dormant accounts with an inactivity fee.

Platforms and Tools

ActivTrader Features

I tested ActivTrades’ flagship platform, which has a familiar and user-oriented interface. The charts, orders, and instruments search bar are easy to locate, and even first-time traders can quickly learn their way around.

ActivTrader is available on Windows and Mac and supports 13 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, and more. I appreciated the integration of market research directly on the platform, as shown below. On the downside, the platform does not have a desktop version or full-screen charts.

ActivTrader features include:

• Alerts-Setting Option: Traders can set alerts for when the price of a given instrument falls/rises to a predetermined level, which could potentially signal a viable entry opportunity.
• Watchlist Customization: Traders can populate watchlists with their favorite instruments and track market changes more easily.
• One-click Trading: This feature enables instant market entries at the spot price and is invaluable for high-precision traders, such as scalpers.
• Trading from the Chart: Traders can place conventional trading orders directly from the chart, specifying the entry price, volume level, stop and take-profit levels, and more.

The platform has high-definition charts powered by TradingView, which allow chart artists to examine price action behaviour in great detail. I also appreciated the progressive trailing stop, which allows traders to place up to two price levels upon which, once reached, the distance of the trailing stop will be adjusted. Traders can use this feature to exercise tighter risk management even in highly volatile markets.

Charts

Analytical tools and chart configurations include:

• 106 technical indicators: Including trend-based and volume-based indicators, as well as oscillators. These are used to analyze price action and assess market sentiment, helping predict market movements.
• 75 drawing tools: Tools like Fibonacci retracement levels and Elliott waves help identify price patterns, support/resistance levels, and breakout points.
• 9 timeframes: For multi-timeframe analysis, enabling detailed price action analysis.
• 16 chart types: Price action can be displayed in multiple ways, offering diverse perspectives on current trading opportunities.

The platform’s charts are fluid and easily scalable. Price action is represented clearly and in great detail. These contributing factors make ActivTrader great for comprehensive technical analysis.

My only two gripes with the platform are that the charts screen does not have a full-screen option, and that the lowest timeframe is 1 minute.

Orders

ActivTrader features three types of order execution: market, pending, and one-click trading, which supports immediate entries at the spot price.

• Market Orders: Used for immediate entry at the best available price. They guarantee volume filling, though the entry price may differ from the requested price.
• Limit Orders: Guarantee exact price entries but won’t be filled if the price doesn’t reach the trigger level.
• Stop Orders: They are used to support open positions by limiting the maximum loss that can be incurred if the market turns in the opposite direction. A stop-loss order is placed at a fixed price below or above the spot price. If the market does indeed turn and triggers the stop-loss, it will transform into a market order and get filled at the best possible price.
• Progressive Trailing Stop: Unique to the ActivTrades platform, the progressive trailing stop affords traders a two-tiered backstop for tighter and more dynamic risk management during moments of heightened market volatility.

ActivTrader: My Key Takeaways

The ActivTrades platform is a powerful and user-friendly solution for beginner, intermediate, and advanced traders alike. Its layout is easy to discern, and its high-definition charts are powered by TradingView.

ActivTrader supports one-click trading and features a progressive trailing stop for advanced risk management. On the downside, the platform does not have a desktop version and does not feature full-screen charts.

ActivTrader App

The ActivTrades mobile app is available on iOS and Android. It retains the flexibility of its web counterpart and enables fast and easy order execution and management. Featuring a pleasant outlook with clear and streamlined charts, ActivTrader App is equipped with a news screener and supports one-tap trading.

ActivTrader App: My Key Takeaways

The ActivTrades app impresses with its clean and easy-to-navigate layout. Its charts are pleasant and highly informative, while order execution and management are simplified. The app also features a built-in news screener so that the user can stay informed of currently unfolding trading setups.

ActivTrades Execution Model

ActivTrades operates as a No-Dealing-Desk (NDD) broker. Client orders are matched electronically, which facilitates fast and precise order execution.

Tradable Instruments

Compared to the industry average, ActivTrades offers an average number of currency pairs and a high number of commodities, share CFDs, and indices.

What Are CFDs?

Contracts for difference (CFDs) are derivatives that speculate on the underlying asset’s price without physical ownership.

For example, a long position on gold would generate profit as the price rises or incur a loss as it falls, all without the need to purchase actual gold bars.

One of the biggest advantages of trading CFDs is that traders can get in and out of the market almost instantaneously, thereby catching even minute changes in the price of the derivative.

What CFDs Can You Trade With ActivTrades?

ActivTrades Instruments: My Key Takeaways

I appreciated the diversity of ActivTrades’ instrument selection, which balances lower-risk securities like ETFs and bonds with higher-yield/risk assets like share CFDs and indices. This enables traders to implement inherently different strategies – from hedging to scalping.

One notable drawback is that cryptocurrency trading is not available for UK clients under FCA regulation, though it is possible to trade cryptos on the other ActivTrades entities. On the other hand, the FCA-regulated entity supports spread betting.

Customer Support

Customer Support Channels

Customer Support Test

When we test a broker’s customer support, we evaluate the agent’s knowledge of their own website, how long it takes them to respond to questions, and how detailed their answers are.

I conducted my test on 11 May at around 14:42 CET via live chat. Before getting connected to an agent, I provided my name and email address and chose a preferred language. Within several seconds, an agent connected to the chat. His responses were swift and straight to the point, and I was generally satisfied with the quality of the support.

Deposit and Withdrawal

ActivTrades Deposits

ActivTrades Withdrawals

Account Types and Terms

ActivTrades Account Opening Process

To open an account with ActivTrades, follow these simple steps:

1. Click ‘Sign Up’ at the top-right corner of the main page.
2. Select your country of residence.
3. Enter your name and email address.
4. Choose a password.
5. Provide your phone number.
6. Enter your DOB, country of birth, and nationality.
7. State your National Insurance Number.
8. Provide your personal address details.
9. Elaborate on your employment status.
10. Enter your financial information.
11. Upload proof of ID and proof of address to verify your account.
12. Confirm your email address.

ActivTrades Account Types

ActivTrades’ one-size-fits-all trading account caters to the needs of different kinds of traders. It is quite affordable, given that there is no minimum deposit requirement. The one drawback is that the broker does not provide a raw spread account as an alternative to its universal trading account.

Demo Accounts

ActivTrades offers a demo account that introduces traders to the broker’s services and allows them to tweak their strategies in a risk-free environment. The market is continually evolving and never static, so it is important to hone your skills in a safe environment. You can set up a demo account for yourself prior to or alongside your live CFD account.

Islamic Accounts

ActivTrades provides Islamic accounts for swap-free trading that are compatible with Shariah law. To request an Islamic account, please contact ActivTrades’ customer support.

What is CFD Leverage?

Leverage determines a trader’s overall market exposure. When trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), positions can be opened for a fraction of their value because of leverage. Essentially, the broker lends the trader money so that they can open bigger positions. Leverage multiplies the profits a trader generates from winning positions but also the losses incurred from failed trades.

Maximum Leverage By Asset Class

In the table below, I have listed the maximum retail leverage available to UK clients of ActivTrades for instruments from different asset classes:

ActivTrades Restricted Countries

ActivTrades does not accept as clients residents of American Samoa, Canada, Cuba, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, United States, Libya, Afghanistan, Belarus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, North Korea, Syria, Japan, United States, Minor Outlying Islands, or any other jurisdiction where trading with leveraged products is prohibited by law.

Research

Research Tools

ActivTrades’ in-house research includes daily, weekly, and macro breakdowns of market trends. Traders can use them to learn about key market drivers of major and minor price trends, upcoming economic releases, and the market reaction to recent financial news and releases.

The Trading Central package includes an intuitive economic calendar, the Market Buzz feature, and actionable trading signals. These present a 360-degree view of current trading setups and utilize both technical and fundamental analysis.

ActivTrades Research: My Key Takeaways

I find ActivTrades’ research is highly practical and informative. It caters to the needs of day traders looking for emerging trading setups and swing traders interested in understanding the broader market picture.

Education

ActivTrades’ hour-long webinars are available in 7 languages, including English, German, French, and Chinese. Highly informative and practical, they often cover the current trading landscape, but also focus on trading-specific topics, such as trading plan and risk management. More than 100 past webinars are available from the broker’s YouTube channel along with several platform tutorials.

The Bottom Line

London-based ActivTrades was established in 2001 and is regulated across multiple jurisdictions. The broker offers over 1,100 CFD instruments and also supports spread betting.

I was particularly impressed by ActivTrades’ lightning-fast execution and its intuitive, feature-rich trading platform. It also supports MT4, MT5, and TradingView, while delivering high-quality market research, responsive customer support, and comprehensive educational resources.

On the downside, spreads on some popular instruments are high, and there is no raw spread account and copy trading solutions.

I consider ActivTrades is an excellent choice for day traders of all experience levels, and a solid option for those looking to engage in spread betting.

FAQ