Search Icon
FXEMPIRE
icon
broker

ActivTrades Review 2023

Updated:
4.4
Trust
4.4
Fees
4.4
Platforms and Tools
4.6
Customer Support
4.6
Tradable Instruments
4.5
Account Types and Terms
4.1
Deposit and Withdrawal
4.2
Research
3.9
Education
4.4

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70%-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this page may refer to our partners' products. Here's how we make money.Learn how we make money and our review methodology.

Please note: This is a review of an Individual ActivTrades account opened with ActivTrades Corp, one of the several entities operated by the broker. We evaluated ActivTrades’ terms and conditions and the usability of its website and proprietary platform – the desktop and mobile app versions. You can access the website here. Data was collected between 2 and 3 March 2023.

The Big Picture

ActivTrades is a trustworthy Forex & CFD broker with global outreach, serving clients all over the world. The multi-rewarded company was founded in 2001 and has offices in the UK, Luxembourg, Bahamas, Italy, Bulgaria, Portugal, and Brazil. In the over two decades since it was established, ActivTrades has grown into a well-known brand for the quality and safety of its services.

With its licenses by some of the industry’s most trusted and strict regulators, such as the FCA in the UK and CSSF in Luxemburg, we found ActivTrades to be safe and reliable. The company goes the extra mile in protecting its clients by having issued private indemnity insurance. It also has a ‘best execution policy’, ensuring quality order execution.

ActivTrades offers a wide selection of over 1100 tradable instruments from different asset classes at competitive prices. The broker provides responsive customer support and insightful educational materials, but its excellent proprietary platform is what makes it stand out against other brokers. It has some great and unique features that give ActivTrader a leg up over other commercial platforms.

There aren’t any major disadvantages to ActivMarkets’ service, though there is still room for improvement. Incorporating research content from external sources would balance the broker’s own materials and offer a different viewpoint on the latest market trends. Additionally, including a second retail account type will allow traders to choose an alternative pricing mechanism.

ActivTrades is a very good broker that can be trusted for its top-tier regulation and sophisticated services. It caters to beginners and seasoned traders’ needs with its broad range of supporting content, generally low trading fees, and very intuitive and versatile platform.

We evaluated ActivTrades across 9 categories (Trust and Stability, Fees, Tradable Instruments, Account Types, Deposit and Withdrawal, Research, Customer Support, Education, and Platform and Tools).

ActivTrades Key Takeaways for 2023

  • ActivTrades scored highly in the Trust, Fees, Tradable Instruments, Education, Customer Support, and Platforms categories. The high scores were awarded because of the wide selection of services the broker affords for each category.
  • The broker performed above average in the Account Types and Deposit and Withdrawal categories. Its pricing and T&Cs are overall competitive and offer better value than the broader industry.
  • ActivTrades earned an average mark in the Research category. The company offers excellent in-house content, but it does not incorporate third-party materials.

What Sets ActivTrades Apart From Other Brokers?

ActivTrades accommodates super-precise trading, catering to the needs of the pickiest traders. With an average execution speed of under 0.004 seconds and over 93.60% of orders being executed at the requested price or better, ActivTrades mitigates the risk of negative slippage. In addition, ActivTrades offers its unique progressive trailing stop, giving traders extra peace of mind and the ability to squeeze the maximum out of their trades.

The progressive trailing stop is a sophisticated order type that allows you to easily navigate price fluctuations and limit the potential losses from reversals even more so than what is possible with a regular trailing stop. You can learn more about it here.

Who is ActivTrades For?

ActivTrades offers superior security, surpassing what is demanded by regulators, generally low trading fees, and innovative trading solutions such as the progressive trailing stop. And with its highly intuitive platform, the broker is ideal for traders seeking precision and quality of order execution.

Additionally, ActivTrades’ Investor Profile, with its leverage set at 1:1, allows traders to negotiate stock CFDs without having to pay commissions or swaps. The broker thus offers price speculation and value investing solutions to different kinds of traders.

ActivTrades Pros and Cons

Pros Cons
  • Superior safety mechanisms
  • Competitive trading fees
  • Innovative platform
  • Progressive trailing stop
  • Fast order execution
  • One-size-fits-all retail account
  • No third-party research content
  • May charge deposits and withdrawals

 

broker

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70%-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

 

About the Author

Plamen Stoyanov
Finance writer, analyst, and author of a book for beginner traders "Bulls, Bears and Sharks" with an experience of over 8 years in retail trading and more than 3 years in the finance area.
Read More

How Do We Rate?

When trading forex and CFDs, it is crucial to know a broker's strengths and weaknesses. That is why FX Empire developed its proprietary rating system. We put the knowledge and expertise of our reviewers to work to bring you the most suitable brokers. A total of 200 variables have been analyzed to help you choose your broker wisely. This chart describes all the categories we evaluated and rated.
How Do We Rate Chart
Visit our methodology page to learn more about our review and rating process.
ActivTrades Main Features
☑️
Regulations
FCA UK (United Kingdom), SCB Bahamas (Bahamas), CSSF Luxemburg (Luxembourg)
🗺
Supported Languages
English, Spanish, German, French, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Italian, Bulgarian, Malaysian
💰
Products (CFD)
Currencies, Commodities, Indices, ETFs, Stocks, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
💵
Min Deposit
$0
💹
Max Leverage
1:30 (FCA UK), 1:200 (SCB Bahamas), 1:30 (CSSF Luxemburg)
🖥
Trading Desk Type
ECN, Market Maker, No dealing desk
See More
Check if...
unknownActivTrades accepts clients from your country:
Choose your country:

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70%-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

ActivTrades Full Review

Trust

4.4
How Do We Test A Broker's Trust?
When choosing a broker, trustworthiness is one of the most important things to keep in mind. Always check the broker's regulations, know how financially secure the firm is, and find out whether the broker is transparent and reliable. These factors, calculated into our score, will help you understand if your money is safe.

See More

There are 5 entities operating under the ActivTrades brand name, and they are authorized in different jurisdictions globally. The broker is transparent, possesses several top-tier regulations, and has issued private indemnity insurance.

ActivTrades Regulations

In our reviews, we examine the licenses and regulations of each entity operated by a broker. This allows 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.

Here is what we found concerning the 5 entities operated by ActivTrades:

  • ActivTrades PLC is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. The FCA ranks as a Tier-1 regulator on our system.
  • ActivTrades Corp is a subsidiary of ActivTrades PLC, and it’s authorized and regulated by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB). The SCB is ranked as a Tier-3 regulator on our system.
  • ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento S.A. is a public limited company, authorized and regulated in Portugal by the Comissáo do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários (CMVN). We rank the CMVN as a Tier-1 regulator on our system.
  • ActivTrades Europe SA, a public limited company, is authorized and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg. The CSSF is ranked as a Tier-1 regulator on our system.
  • ActivTrades Corretora de Cámbio, Títulos e Valores Mobiliários Ltda. is a financial institution duly authorized to operate by the Central Bank of Brazil and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Brazil (CVM). We rank CVM as a Tier-2 regulator on our system.
ActivTrades Corp’s licensing info on scb.gov.bs
ActivTrades Corp’s licensing info on scb.gov.bs

We have summarized the most essential aspects of ActivTrades in terms of regulation and safety in the table below:

Entity Features ActivTrades PLC ActivTrades Corp ActivMarkets – Empresa de Investimento S.A. ActivTrades Europe SA ActivTrades Corretora de Cámbio, Títulos e Valores Mobiliários Ltda.
Country/Region UK, London Bahamas, Nassau Portugal, Lisboa Luxembourg, Luxembourg Brazil, Florianópolis
Regulation FCA SCB CMVN CSSF CVM
Tier 1 3 1 1 2
Segregated Funds Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Negative Balance Protection Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Compensation Scheme Up to GBP 85,000 under FSCS + GBP 1,000,000 under ActivTrades’insurance policy Up to USD 1,000,000 under ActivTrades’insurance policy Up to EUR 20,000 under SIIL + up to EUR 1,000,000 under ActivTrades’insurance policy Up to EUR 25,000 under ICS +up to EUR 1,000,000 under ActivTrades’insurance policy

Up to USD 1,000,000 under ActivTrades’insurance policy

 

Maximum Leverage 1:30 1:400 1:30 1:30 1:400

Why is it Important to Know Where Your Broker’s Subsidiaries are Regulated?

Brokers operate multiple entities because it allows them to serve clients worldwide. But licenses obtained by regulators in different jurisdictions do not always entail the same degree of protection. Some regulators mandate compliance with the strictest financial frameworks, whereas others are less rigid. That is why traders need to familiarize themselves with the safety mechanisms ensured by the entity they want to open an account with beforehand.

We have listed the most important protections to look for in a broker:

  • 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 of ActivTrades’ entities comply with this requirement.
  • Negative balance protection. Negative balance protection is a safety mechanism that removes the risk of a trader’s losses exceeding their account balance. This is especially important in volatile markets. All ActivTrades subsidiaries provide negative balance protection.
  • Compensation scheme. A compensation scheme protects traders against the broker’s liabilities in the unlikely event that the company should become insolvent. ActivTrades has issued an ‘excess of loss policy’ by Lloyds that is available to clients of all 5 entities; it is in excess of $10,000 and up to $1,000,000. Additionally, clients of the FCA-regulated entity are also protected under FSCS by up to a maximum of GBP 85,000; clients of the CMVN-regulated entity are covered under SIIL by up to a maximum of EUR 20,000; and clients of the CSSF-regulated entity are protected under ICS by up to EUR 25,000.
  • Maximum leverage. Capping the maximum leverage limits the maximum market exposure to retail traders. Top-tier regulators usually allow a maximum leverage of 1:30, while offshore brokers can allow a maximum leverage of anywhere between 1:500 to 1:2000.

Is ActivTrades Safe to Trade With?

ActivTrades goes above and beyond when it comes to safety. In addition to being licensed by some of the strictest regulatory bodies in the industry (FCA, CSSF, and CMVN), it has issued private indemnity insurance on its own initiative. The broker is MiFID 2-compliant – meaning that it adheres to the most rigorous regulatory framework in the industry – and keeps its clients’ funds segregated in some of the biggest banks in the industry, such as Lloyds, Barclays, RBS, and Citibank.

Stability and Transparency

In our tests for the Trust category, we also cover factors relating to stability and transparency. Here, we focus on how long the broker has been in business, how big the company is, and how transparent it is in terms of readily available information.

Since its foundation over two decades ago, ActivTrades has grown into a globally trusted broker, and for good reasons too. After reviewing their T&Cs, documents, and services, we found ActivTrades one of the most transparent brokers in the industry.

In addition to having a ‘best execution policy’ and an exhaustive Client Agreement, where traders can read everything about ActivTrades’ service, the company is being regularly audited by PwC – one of the four biggest accounting firms in the world.

An example of ActivTrades’ high transparency is its exhaustive information regarding the various commissions traders may be charged for trading ETFs and share CFDs from different venues. These charge discrepancies are not hidden but are easily accessible on the website.

ActivTrades’ commissions and data charges info on the website
ActivTrades’ commissions and data charges info on the website

Information on the website, as a whole, is easily accessible and easy to grasp. Even novice traders can familiarize themselves with the broker’s services fairly quickly. And even if something is not entirely clear to them, they can contact the reliable customer support team.

In summary, our findings indicate that ActivTrades can be regarded as having a very good level of trust and stability due to the following factors:

  • Authorized by several top-tier regulators.
  • Has issued private indemnity insurance by Lloyds.
  • Regularly audited by a top accounting firm.

Fees

4.4
How Do We Test A Broker's Fees?
Broker fees can be difficult to understand. We test the broker's platforms and examine commissions, spreads, and overnight fees to ensure that you can determine if trading with this broker is worth your time and money.

See More

ActivTrades offers low-to-medium spreads and swaps compared to the broader industry, with only a few exceptions. It also affords commission-free trading except for some CFD shares and ETFs. There is also an average inactivity fee.

ActivTrades’ Trading Fees

ActivTrades’ Spreads

We tested ActivTrades’ spreads during the most actively traded times – the London open at 8:00 a.m. GMT and just after the U.S. open at 2:45 p.m. GMT. The test was conducted on 3 March 2023.

Instrument Live Spread AM Live Spread PM
EURUSD 0.7 pips 1.2 pips
GBPJPY 2.3 pips 2.4 pips
Gold (XAUUSD) 36 pips 41 pips
Crude Oil 0.04 pips 0.05 pips
Apple NA 0.04 points
Tesla NA 0.10 points
Dow Jones 30 2.5 basis points 1.9 basis points
Germany 40 1.9 basis points 1.2 basis points
Bitcoin 75 pips 83 pips

Broken down by asset class, we determined that ActivTrades charges low-to-average spreads on FX pairs and indices; average spreads on commodities; high spreads on cryptocurrencies; and low spreads on CFD shares.

ActivTrades’ Swap Rates

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 contract (100,000 units) of the base currency.

Instrument Swap Long Swap Short
EURUSD Credit of $0.44 Charge of $0.99
GBPJPY Credit of $0.95 Charge of $1.78

The recorded swaps are normal, given the underlying volatility levels that were present during our review. It is important to point out that the broker does not determine the rollover charges, which are instead subject to changing interest rates at the interbank level. It is always worth checking the swap charges before opening a position because it can save you a lot of money, especially if you are uncertain as to which instrument to trade next.

ActivTrades also offers swap-free trading via its Islamic Account. To read more about its terms and conditions, please visit this page.

ActivTrades’ Commissions

ActivTrades’ single retail account type represents an amalgamation between STP and ECN accounts. It affords commission-free trading (except for some CFD shares and ETFs) and has raw spreads with an added markup that is below the industry average. The commission on U.S. stocks is 0.02 cents per share, meeting the industry average.

This combination is suitable for implementing high-frequency and high-volume trading strategies, though this is more accurate for the former. High-frequency strategies usually involve the execution of multiple small orders over a relatively short period, such as the case of intraday trading and scalping.

And in addition to having spreads and commissions accommodating such strategies, ActivTrades’ progressive trailing stop and fast order execution make precision trading even easier.

ActivTrades’ Non-Trading Fees

The broker charges inactive accounts that have laid dormant for at least one year with an administration fee of GBP 10 in the currency of the account. The fee is deducted monthly until activity resumes or the account balance drops to zero. The rate of ActivTrades’ inactivity fee is pretty standard for the industry.

Are ActivTrades’ Fees Competitive?

ActivTrades’ fees are indeed very competitive and well-balanced. The broker’s offering is suitable for implementing a wide selection of trading strategies.

Platforms and Tools

4.6
How Do We Test A Broker's Platforms and Tools?
Platforms are where you trade, so they must be secure, fast, and accessible while offering you the tools you need to succeed. Each broker's desktop, web, and mobile platforms are evaluated according to the order types, speed of execution, ease of use, and other 'need to know' features.

See More

The broker has an excellent proprietary platform ActivTrader and incorporates the popular MetaTrader 4&5. ActivTrader has multiple in-house tools that enhance the overall trading experience, though there are no third-party tools.

The ActivTrader platform outperforms the commercial MetaTrader 4 and its successor in many ways. Its array of trading indicators and drawing tools is several times bigger than what is available on the other two. Its design is much more user-friendly and better suited to accommodate sophisticated technical analysis. In addition to supporting widely used features like one-click trading, ActivTrader also has its own unique attributes, such as the above-mentioned progressive trailing stop.

Its mobile app is also highly customizable and practical. It allows traders to stay connected to the market at all times and make quick adjustments to their running positions. The app has an even clearer design, making it especially easy to use.

ActivTrades has no social trading option, and automated trading is unavailable on its proprietary platform. However, traders wanting to engage in algorithmic trading can take advantage of the Expert Advisors (EAs) features of MetaTrader 5. ActivTrades accommodates fast order execution (in under 0.004 secs), which is ideal for automated trading.

ActivTrades’ Web Platform

ActivTrader’s web version
ActivTrader’s web version

General Ease of Use

ActivTrader is powered by Trading View – one of the biggest and most sophisticated social networks for traders – giving it an edge over other retail platforms. It has a very intuitive and user-friendly design. The charts window occupies the middle portion of the window, a watch list of selected instruments is positioned on the left, and all essential account info is at the bottom.

One feature that makes ActivTrader stand out against MetaTrader is the possibility of searching for instruments by asset class. This makes the trades selection process a lot easier, especially given ActivTrades’ vast amount of tradable instruments.

Charts

The chart screen is crucially important because it represents price action, which must be illustrated clearly and concisely. Also, a platform needs to include multiple technical indicators and drawing tools so that traders can make sense of the underlying price movements. ActivTrader meets and exceeds these criteria.

Here is a breakdown of the key components of ActivTrader’s charts:

  • 103 technical indicators. ActivTrader has an impressive amount of different kinds of indicators. Traders can choose from hundreds of oscillators, range-based and trend-based indicators, volume indicators, and more. Multiple indicators can be used for all types of market environments – from ranging and consolidating to trending.
  • 81 drawing tools. The platform also supports a vast amount of drawing tools, such as trend lines, regression channels, and Fibonacci retracement levels, which are used for determining major support and resistance levels, potential breakouts and breakdowns, and other repeatable price patterns. This extensive assortment is particularly useful for chart artists looking for frequent patterns that appear in the price action periodically.
  • 9 timeframes. The one aspect in which ActivTrader underperforms compared to MT5 is with regard to the number of available timeframes. MT5 has 21, while ActivTrader only 9. Still, this is enough to implement both short-term and long-term trading strategies.
  • 11 chart types. ActivTrader offers traders the possibility to represent price action in 11 different ways, compared to MT4&MT5’s very limited assortment of only 3 chart types. This diversity is very important as it affords traders the possibility to observe price action from multiple angles.
  • Proprietary tools. Unique to ActivTrader, the platform incorporates some excellent proprietary tools, such as SmartIndicators, SmartOrders, SmartPatterns, and others, that enhance the overall trading experience.

Orders

The three most common order types available to traders include

  • Market orders. Market orders are used for immediate entry at the best possible price. If triggered, they guarantee volume filling, though there could be a discrepancy between the requested price and the price where the order actually gets filled.
  • Limit orders. Unlike market orders, limit orders guarantee exact price execution. However, a limit order will not be filled if the price action does not reach the pre-determined execution price.
  • Stop loss 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.

ActivTrader also affords pullback entries. Similarly to the progressive trailing stop, this allows traders to better manage price fluctuations by gaining more favorable entries into trend-continuation trades.

ActivTrader’s Mobile App Version

The ActivTrader mobile app is lighter than the desktop version, and yet, it incorporates the same features. Traders can use it to monitor their account’s performance on the go and adjust their running positions in case the market turns. The app provides quite a lot of information, and yet it never feels cramped, despite having to be run on low-resolution devices.

Watchlist of selected instruments (on the left), chart screen (in the middle), orders screen (on the right)
Watchlist of selected instruments (on the left), chart screen (in the middle), orders screen (on the right)

General Ease of Use

The ActivTrader is easy to handle, helped by its intuitive design, and traders can learn how to use it fairly quickly. It has an efficient charts window, despite the above-mentioned resolution problem.

In addition to monitoring the market, traders can also use the app to manage their accounts. The possibility to update any open trades is probably the app’s biggest advantage, as it allows traders to limit their running losses and bolster their profits in a volatile market environment.

Charts

The ActivTrader mobile app consists of the following features:

  • 97 trading indicators. The ActivTrader app offers nearly 100 technical indicators, such as oscillators, trend-based, range-based, and volume-based indicators. They can be used to study price action behavior when the price is ranging or trending, as well as to forecast potential breakouts and reversals.
  • 72 drawing tools. The app also incorporates a significant number of drawing tools, such as trend lines, channels, and Fibonacci retracement levels. These are used to outline specific patterns that appear periodically in the price action.
  • 9 timeframes. ActivTrader’s 9 timeframes allow traders to study price action behavior in the short term and the long term. This variety is essential for implementing a wide range of trading strategies, from intraday trading to day and position trading.
  • 11 chart types. ActivTrader also offers traders the ability to represent price action in multiple ways, such as a line, area, or using different kinds of candles. Being able to choose from so many variations is very helpful as it affords a multifaceted overview of price action behavior.

Orders

The ActivTrader app also supports the three major order types and their variations:

  • Market orders. Market orders are used for immediate entry at the best possible price. If triggered, they guarantee volume filling, though there could be a discrepancy between the requested price and the price where the order gets actually filled.
  • Limit orders. Unlike market orders, limit orders guarantee exact price execution. However, a limit order will not be filled if the price action does not reach the pre-determined execution price.
  • Stop loss 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.

Tradable Instruments

4.5
How Do We Test A Broker's Tradable Instruments?
In this section, we check the broker’s market offering and how varied the instruments and asset classes are. It will allow you to check if they offer what you're looking for and what you can trade.

See More

ActivTrades offers over 1100 tradable instruments from different asset classes, such as FX pairs, commodities, indices, share CFDs, ETFs, bonds, and cryptocurrencies. Traders are offered access to multiple markets and can choose from a broad range of lower-risk securities and higher-risk assets.

What are CFDs?

Contracts for difference (CFDs) are derivatives used to speculate on the price of the underlying without physical delivery. For example, a long position on gold would generate a profit as the price rises or incur a loss as it falls. This is achieved without having to purchase actual bars of gold. 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 Can You Trade With ActivTrades?

Listed below are the tradable instruments offered by ActivTrades, broken down by asset class:

  • 49 Currency Pairs: Majors (15), Minors (16), Exotic (18)
  • 22 Commodities: Futures (17), Spot (5)
  • 1055 CFD Shares: U.S. (545), Europe (314), UK (87), Asia (41), South America (42), other (26)
  • 30 Indices: Cash Indices (14), Index Futures (16)
  • 12 Cryptocurrencies: Major and Minor
  • 7 Bonds: U.S. (3), Europe (4)
  • 72 ETFs: U.S. (69), Europe (3)

The bulk of ActivTrades’ offering is comprised of share CFDs from major markets – U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America. Traders from all over the globe can benefit from this well-balanced selection of shares from some of the biggest companies in the world. ActivTrades also has a decently sized offering of major, minor, and exotic FX pairs and a sizable assortment of commodities, indices, and ETFs.

Forex Commodities
EURUSD | GBPJPY | AUDCAD | NZDCHF | EURNOK | USDHKD Gold | Brent Oil | Crude Oil | Platinum | Silver | Cocoa | Corn
CFD Shares Indices
Apple | Tesla | Citigroup | Microsoft | Barclays | Tesco | Alibaba S&P 500 | US30 | US100 | JP225 | UK100 | FRA40 | GER40
ETFs Bonds
US TECH 100 | SP 500 | GOLD | INDUSTRIAL SECTOR EURO BUND | EURO SCHATZ | US T-BOND | EURO BOBL
Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin, Polkadot, Ethereum, Dodge Coin, Stellar, Ripple

Customer Support

4.6
How Do We Test A Broker's Customer Support?
Traders tend to underestimate customer support, but it might be a crucial feature in moments of crisis. In our rating, we check the contact methods available, how accessible a live agent is and how helpful the responses are. This information will allow you to know if a broker can provide full support when you need it.

See More

The broker has offices throughout Europe, South America, and the Bahamas. It offers 24/5 customer support in 13 different languages. They can be contacted via email, phone, and live chat.

For general queries regarding ActivTrades’ services, you can turn to their Help Center. Otherwise, you can contact them via one of the methods listed above. Help is available in English, German, Italian, Chinese, Russian, and other languages. The broker offers free calls back.

ActivTrades’ Customer Support Test

When we test a broker’s customer support team, 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.

We conducted our test of ActivTrades on 3 March at 11:00 a.m. CET via the live chat option, which can be accessed from the bottom-right corner of the main page. Chatting with the support team can be done on the website or via Messenger, Telegram, or Whatsapp. Before being connected to an agent, you’ll be asked to provide an email and a telephone number.

We inquired about their minimum deposit requirements and the functioning of their progressive trailing stop. An agent connected to the chat several minutes after we had submitted our question, which was during a particularly busy time of the day. His answers were adequate and straight to the point.

Our conversation with ActivTrades’ support team
Our conversation with ActivTrades’ support team

Deposit and Withdrawal

4.2
How Do We Test A Broker's Deposit and Withdrawal?
The deposit or withdrawal process can be a tricky one. You may discover that there are hidden fees, or that withdrawal times are longer than you anticipated. We check these factors and others so you know what to expect when trading with this broker.

See More

ActivTrades offers sufficient options of payment methods available, and the processing times are generally low. However, the broker charges deposit and withdrawal fees under some circumstances.

ActivTrades Deposit Methods

Method Fee Processing Time
Bank Transfer 0 Same business day
Credit/Debit Card UK & EEA 1.5% 30 mins
Credit/Debit Card non EEA 1.5% 30 mins
Neteller 0* 30 mins
Skrill 0* 30 mins
AstroPay 0* 30 mins

*Except for when third-party charges exceed the account’s traded volume disproportionally

ActivTrades Withdrawal Methods

Method Fee Processing Time
Bank Transfer GBP 9 Same business day
Card/Debit Card 0* Same business day
Neteller 0* Same business day
Skrill 0* Same business day
AstroPay 0* Same business day

*Except for when third-party charges exceed the account’s traded volume disproportionally

ActivTrades offers enough payment methods affording charge-free deposits and withdrawals. However, third-party fees may apply. In some cases, when the volumes traded on the account are disproportionately lower compared to the third-party fees incurred by the broker, these may be passed onto the trader. Additional information is available here.

ActivTrades processes all deposit and withdrawal requests within the same working day, however, transaction times may reach up to 8 business days, depending on the chosen payment method.

Account Types and Terms

4.1
How Do We Test A Broker's Account Types and Terms?
In order to achieve your trading goals, you need to choose the right account. We evaluate each broker's account types, how easy it is to open an account with them, and the steps involved, so you can decide if it is worth your time to open an account.

See More

The broker offers an Individual account, a Pro account, and swap-free trading via its Islamic Account. The diversity of retail accounts is not great, though the Individual account combines the best features of classic STP and ECN accounts. The available base currencies include EUR, USD, GBP, and CHF.

ActivTrades’ registration form
ActivTrades’ registration form

Why is Choosing the Right Account Type Important?

Your account should reflect your goals, needs, and ambitions on the market. If you have modest means and plan to be opening smaller-sized positions more frequently, then you should better choose an account that does not have any fixed commissions per traded volume. In contrast, if you expect to be placing much larger orders less frequently, then you should be more preoccupied with finding an account with tighter spreads and be less concerned with fixed commissions.

What Account Types Does ActivTrades Offer?

Account Type Individual
Spread Floating from 0.5 pips
Commission 0
Share CFDs Commission 0.02 cents per US share
Minimum Deposit Requirement 0
Platforms MetaTrader 4&5, ActivTrader
VPS Hosting No
Islamic Account Yes

ActivTrades’ single retail account offers a combination of low floating spreads, starting from 0.5 pips, and commission-free trading. The only exceptions are ETFs and share CFDs. The account is designed to accommodate high-volume and high-frequency trading. Hedging and scalping are also permitted.

What is CFD Leverage?

The 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 the leverage. Essentially, the broker lends the trader money so that the latter can open bigger-sized positions. The leverage multiplies the profits a trader generates from winning positions but also the losses incurred from failed trades.

ActivTrades Account Opening Process

The account opening process is quite straightforward and can be done in just a few minutes. We have broken down the process into the following easy steps:

  • Step 1. Click the ‘Sign up’ button at the top-right corner of the main page.
  • Step 2. Fill in your personal information, such as name, country of residence, and email address.
  • Step 3. Provide information regarding your trading experience.
  • Step 4. Fill in financial and account information pertaining to your employment history, wealth, trading preferences, and others.
  • Step 5. Select a platform and base currency, and declare you have read and agreed to the T&Cs.
  • Step 6. Verify your account by uploading proof of ID and address.
  • Step 7. Confirm your email address.
ActivTrades asks you to state your trading experience when registering an account
ActivTrades asks you to state your trading experience when registering an account

Why is a Demo Account Important?

ActivTrade’s demo accounts serve a twofold purpose. They introduce traders to the broker’s services and allow 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 an ActivTrades demo account from here.

ActivTrades Supported Countries

ActivTrades Corp does not accept clients from the following jurisdictions: American Samoa, Canada, Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, United States, Japan, and United States Minor Outlying Islands.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70%-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Research

3.9
How Do We Test A Broker's Research?
Research options provided by brokers may not be seen as the most important feature for some traders, but they can give you an edge over the competition. Staying on top of important market news announcements and being aware of big themes can be very helpful. The rating system provides a clear picture of how well your broker fulfills this service.

See More

ActivTrades has excellent in-house content published regularly. Its materials are diverse, affording traders a comprehensive overview of current market developments. However, no third-party tools are available.

ActivTrades offers regular market breakdowns, probing analyses, and screens currently unfolding trading opportunities. The content is presented both in video and written format, affording greater flexibility to a wider range of traders. The broker has a dedicated YouTube page where the bulk of its research and educational content gets published, as well as on the company website.

Despite its well-balanced research content, however, the lack of any third-party materials prevented ActivTrades from scoring higher in this category. Incorporating market analyses from outside sources is needed to afford an alternative perspective on the market and its development.

ActivTrades’ weekly outlook
ActivTrades’ weekly outlook

Research Tools

We have broken down ActivTrades’ research content by category:

  • Economic calendar. The economic calendar is a broker’s most fundamental research tool. It makes traders aware of upcoming trading events, such as economic releases and policy decisions that are likely to cause a significant market reaction.
  • Weekly outlook. ActivTrades publishes weekly breakdowns of upcoming market events of significant importance. The underlying trading opportunity is examined in more detail than what is presented in the economic calendar. The weekly outlook is usually supported by technical numbers. However, there are no supporting charts.
  • Market Analyses. ActivTrades provides broader market analyses suited for those wanting to get a better sense of the underlying market sentiment. This type of content is more multifaceted and delves deeper into the subject material, utilizing fundamental analysis.
  • Smart Forecasts. Available through the Client Portal, the smart forecasts underscore currently developing trading opportunities on multiple instruments. There is a brief technical breakdown of key support and resistance levels, potential reversal areas, and target levels. The forecasts are also supported by comprehensive charts illustrating how the price action is likely to develop next.
ActivTrades’ Smart Forecasts
ActivTrades’ Smart Forecasts

Education

4.4
How Do We Test A Broker's Education?
Educating yourself on how to trade the financial markets can make the difference between success and failure. We check the educational content provided by the broker, its quality and suitability for beginners and advanced traders.

See More

ActivTrades publishes highly informative webinars weekly, which have great value to beginners especially. The broker also has written articles covering in detail topics relating to technical, fundamental analysis, and the psychology of trading. Overall, there is something for everybody in ActivTrades’ rich educational content.

ActivTrades’ educational webinars
ActivTrades’ educational webinars

On ActivTrades’ website and its YouTube channel, traders can find multiple educational videos on how to use the platform; written articles (in the Macro Analysis section), and exhaustive webinars. We checked them and found that they contain very useful insights into the intricacies of trading. There are various topics covered, ranging from technical analysis, such as trading pullbacks, to the psychology of trading and cultivating the appropriate mindset.

ActivTrades’ educational articles
ActivTrades’ educational articles

The Bottom Line

In the over 20 years since it was founded, ActivTrades has established itself as one of the best-known derivatives brokers in the industry. With its global exposure and strong licensing by some of the strictest regulators, the broker is chosen by hundreds of thousands of traders globally.

ActivTrades is authorized in 5 jurisdictions by trusted regulators, including the FCA, CSSF, and CMVN. It offers over 1100 tradable instruments from different asset classes at competitive pricing. Its account types are not particularly diverse, though they are highly efficient. The broker’s proprietary platform ActivTrader has a highly intuitive design and a rich collection of tools. Being powered by Trading View, it ranks among the best in the world.

ActivTrades excels in its security, exemplified by its decision to issue private indemnity insurance and in its attention to detail. The broker offers unique features, such as its progressive trailing stop order. And given its access to deep liquidity and ‘best execution policy’, we found ActivTrades to be the best match for traders looking for precision trading.

The broker has no major drawbacks, though its service would benefit from including third-party research tools, more diverse account types, and a systematic educational course for novice traders.

In summary, we found ActivTrades’ service to be great for both beginners and seasoned traders.

FAQ

Where is ActivTrades based?
ActivTrades is headquartered in London, UK. It also has offices in the Bahamas, Bulgaria, Italy, Portugal, Luxembourg, and Brazil.

Is ActivTrades safe?
The company is fairly safe and transparent. It has top-tier regulations, adheres to the most stringent safety procedures, and has a well-established brand name.

Is ActivTrades good for beginners?
Yes, beginners can take advantage of its comprehensive educational and research materials, highly functional platform, and competitive pricing. ActivTrades also offers reliable customer support.

What is the minimum deposit for ActivTrades?
ActivTrades does not have a minimum deposit requirement.

How do I withdraw money from ActivTrades?
Clients of ActivTrades can withdraw funds from their trading accounts using a bank card, wire transfer, or e-wallet.

How long does it take to withdraw money from an ActivTrades account?
ActivTrades usually processes all withdrawal requests within 24 hours, though it may take between 3-7 business days for the funds to arrive.

What is ActivTrades’ maximum leverage?
The maximum leverage for retail traders with ActivTrades Corp is 1:400.

How do I open an account with ActivTrades?
Accounts can be opened from the main page of the website.

Which platforms does ActivTrades offer?
Retail traders can choose between MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and the ActivTrader proprietary platform.

Does ActivTrades offer a demo account?
Yes, it does.

Is ActivTrades suitable for scalping?
Yes, with its commission-free trading, low floating spreads, and fast order execution, ActivTrades is suitable for scalping.

Is ActivTrades suitable for auto-trading?
Yes, traders can use MetaTrader’s Expert Advisors (EAs) feature to automate their trading.

Is ActivTrades suitable for hedging?
Yes, hedging is allowed with ActivTrades.

Is ActivTrades suitable for spread betting?
Spread betting is only available with ActivTrades’ UK entity.

Does ActivTrades provide VPS?
No, ActivTrades does not offer VPS hosting.

What are ActivTrades’ trading hours?
Depends on the particular asset class. For instance, the Forex market is open 24/5, whereas shares of U.S. companies can be traded during the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) open – Monday to Friday from 09.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST.

Is ActivTrades a market maker?
No, ActivTrades operates on a No-Dealing-Desk (NDD) basis. It obtains its liquidity from other financial institutions.

Does ActivTrades operate a bank?
No, it does not.

broker

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 70%-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

See ActivTrades Full Information
Broker General Information
Trading Features
Other Details
Headquarters Country
United Kingdom
Foundation Year
2001
Regulations
FCA UK (United Kingdom), SCB Bahamas (Bahamas), CSSF Luxemburg (Luxembourg)
Publicly Traded
No
Number Of Employees
200
Trading Desk Type
ECN, Market Maker, No dealing desk
Trading platforms
MT4, MT5, ActivTrader
Restricted Countries
United States, Japan, Samoa, Canada, Northern Mariana Islands
Supported Languages
English, Spanish, German, French, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese, Italian, Bulgarian, Malaysian
Max Leverage
1:30 (FCA UK), 1:200 (SCB Bahamas), 1:30 (CSSF Luxemburg)
Deposit Options
Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay
Withdrawal Options
Wire Transfer, Credit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay
Time to Withdrawal
3
Time to Open an Account
9
Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin Cash, Bitcoin, Cardano, Ripple, Stellar, EOS, Ethereum, Polkadot, Chainlink
Products (CFD)
Currencies, Commodities, Indices, ETFs, Stocks, Bonds, Futures, Crypto
Demo Account
Yes
Islamic Account
Yes
Segregated Account
Yes
Managed Account
No

Trade With A Regulated Broker