ActivTrades was founded in 2001 by Alex Pusco and is headquartered in London, UK. For over two decades, the broker has focused primarily on forex and CFD trading, building a reputation for reliable execution, a broad instrument range, and a genuine commitment to multi-jurisdictional regulation. It is not a social trading platform or a commission-free stock broker; it is a traditional CFD and forex shop with a strong emphasis on trading infrastructure, platform choice, and investor protection.
Regulation is one of ActivTrades’ most compelling selling points. The ActivTrades Group operates through entities regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB), Portugal’s Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários (CMVM), Brazil’s Banco Central do Brasil (BACEN), and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) in Mauritius. UK-regulated clients are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), while ActivTrades also promotes enhanced client-funds protection of up to £1,000,000, adding a notable extra layer of reassurance by industry standards. The broker reports a client base of more than 100,000 traders across 170+ countries.
This review examines ActivTrades in depth: what you can trade, what it will cost you, which platforms are available, and how the broker stacks up against alternatives across key criteria including regulation, fees, account types, usability, and customer support. Note that certain products (including crypto CFDs) are unavailable to clients of the FCA-regulated entity.
Forex
| App Support | Max Leverage | Trading Fees |
| Good | 1:30 | Low |
ActivTrades offers more than 50 currency pairs, covering major, minor, and exotic instruments. This is a reasonable but not outstanding number compared to some multi-pair specialists; brokers such as Pepperstone or IC Markets typically list 70+ pairs. That said, the pairs that matter most to retail traders — EUR/USD, GBP/USD, USD/JPY, and other G10 combinations — are all present.
The broker operates a spread-only pricing model for forex (no commissions on standard accounts). Target spreads on EUR/USD are quoted from 0.5 pips. Live testing by industry analysts during the London open observed typical EUR/USD spreads close to this figure, making costs competitive against other no-commission brokers. That said, ActivTrades does not publish a raw or ECN account with near-zero spreads plus a per-lot commission — a gap that will frustrate high-frequency or large-volume traders who prefer that model.
For UK and EU retail clients, FCA and ESMA leverage caps apply: maximum 1:30 on major forex pairs. Clients registered through the SCB (Bahamas) entity can access leverage up to 1:400, though this substantially increases risk exposure and is not appropriate for most retail traders.
Overnight swap charges apply on positions held beyond the daily rollover. Islamic (swap-free) accounts are available under all branches – UK, Portugal, Bahamas and Mauritius, though a replacement fee structure applies in lieu of swaps on larger positions. Negative balance protection is standard for retail accounts under both FCA and CMVM regulation.
CFDs
| App Support | Trading Fees |
| Good | High |
CFDs form the core of the ActivTrades offering. The broker lists over 1,100 instruments in total, across indices, commodities, share CFDs, ETFs, bonds, and (where permitted) cryptocurrencies. This is one of the broader ranges available at this tier and will satisfy most retail traders looking for variety. Note that the full range is not uniformly available across all regulatory entities — UK retail clients cannot access crypto CFDs.
Indices CFDs
ActivTrades covers all major global indices including the UK 100, Germany 40, US 500, US Tech 100, and Japan 225. Retail leverage is capped at 1:20 per FCA/ESMA rules. Spread costs on indices have been observed to be average-to-high compared to specialist index brokers. Traders focused predominantly on indices may find alternatives more cost-efficient.
Commodity CFDs
Soft commodities, energies, and metals are all represented. Crude Oil (WTI and Brent), Natural Gas, Gold, and Silver are the headline instruments. Live testing by independent analysts found that Gold and Crude Oil spreads at ActivTrades sit above the industry average — a meaningful consideration for commodity-focused traders. Leverage on gold and silver is capped at 1:20 for retail accounts (FCA); energies at 1:10.
Share CFDs
Share CFDs represent the largest single category in the ActivTrades instrument list, with hundreds of global equities available across US, UK, European, and other markets. Commissions on stock CFDs are charged at 0.02% with a minimum of $1 per trade. Available equities include large-cap names from the US, UK, Germany, France, and beyond.
ETFs
A meaningful ETF range is available, including gold and silver ETFs, bond ETFs, and index-tracking products. ActivTrades also lists crypto ETFs (iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF and ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF), accessible to clients where regulation permits. Maximum leverage on ETFs is 1:5 to 1:50 depending on instrument and jurisdiction.
Bond CFDs
Six bond CFDs are offered: Euro Bobl, Euro BTP, Euro Bund, Euro Schatz, US T-Bond, and USD vs BRL Futures. Note that bonds are not available on MetaTrader 4 — they require ActivTrader or MT5.
| CFD Type | Instrument Count | Max Retail Leverage (FCA) | Fee Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indices | Major global indices | 1:20 | Spread-based |
| Commodities | Metals, energies, softs | 1:10–1:20 | Spread-based |
| Share CFDs | Hundreds (US, EU, UK) | 1:5 | 0.02% commission, min $1 |
| ETFs | Broad range incl. crypto ETFs | 1:5–1:50 | Spread-based |
| Bond CFDs | 6 | Variable | Spread-based |
Crypto CFDs
| Min Deposit | App Support | Max Leverage | Trading Fees |
| $12 | Many | 1:2 | Low |
Available via non-FCA entities only — not accessible to UK retail clients
Crypto CFD trading at ActivTrades is restricted in scope. UK retail clients registered with the FCA entity cannot access cryptocurrency CFDs at all — this is a regulatory constraint following FCA rules on retail crypto derivatives. Clients registered through the Bahamas (SCB) entity can access approximately a dozen major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple (XRP), Litecoin, Cardano, Dogecoin, and several others.
The selection is modest compared to dedicated crypto brokers or exchanges. Leverage is minimal at 1:2. ActivTrades compensates partially through its two crypto ETF listings (iShares Bitcoin Trust and ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF), which give FCA-regulated clients indirect exposure to Bitcoin price movements through a regulated product structure.
What Did Our Traders Think?
Fees
ActivTrades uses a spread-only pricing model for forex, with no commission charged on currency pair trades. Stock CFDs carry a 0.02% commission with a $1 minimum — a transparent and predictable cost for equity traders. The absence of deposit fees (with the exception of a 1.5% card fee, or 0.5% for EEA/UK cards) and the generally straightforward fee structure are positives.
However, the broker is not the cheapest option in the market. Independent spread testing has found that commodity spreads — gold and crude oil in particular — are above the industry average. Index spreads are similarly described as average-to-high. Traders with high activity in these instruments should run a direct spread comparison before committing.
| Fee Type | Amount / Detail |
|---|---|
| Deposit fee (bank wire) | Free |
| Deposit fee (card) | 1.5% (0.5% for EEA/UK-issued cards) |
| Withdrawal fee (bank wire — GBP) | £9.00 |
| Withdrawal fee (bank wire — USD) | $12.50 |
| Withdrawal fee (EUR/CHF/BGN bank wire) | Free |
| Inactivity fee | €10/month after 52 weeks of no trading |
| Currency conversion | 0.3–0.5% |
| Overnight swap (rollover) | Variable — market-dependent |
| Guaranteed stop order | Premium applies (case-by-case) |
| ⚠️ Fee details verified June 2026. Confirm current fee schedule at activtrades.com. | |
Account Types
ActivTrades offers a straightforward account structure: an Individual (Standard) account, a Professional account, and an Islamic (swap-free) account, plus an unlimited demo account available without requiring a deposit.
| Account Type | Key Features | Min Deposit | Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (Standard) | Full instrument access; spread + commission model; negative balance protection; FSCS membership (FCA entity) | None (FCA/CMVM) | 1:30 (FCA/CMVM); up to 1:200 (SCB) |
| Professional | Higher leverage; reduced regulatory protections; must meet at least 2 of 3 MiFID II criteria | No additional minimum | Up to 1:400 for eligible UK and Portugal professional accounts |
| Islamic (Swap-Free) | No overnight swap charges; replacement fee may apply; Sharia-compliant | $500 (SCB) | Up to 1:200 (SCB) |
| Demo | Unlimited access; all platforms; no deposit required; full instrument simulation | None | Simulated |
To qualify for Professional status under FCA/ESMA rules, clients must satisfy at least two of: at least 10 significant trades per quarter in the past year; a portfolio of financial instruments exceeding €500,000; or relevant professional experience in financial services. Professional clients lose negative balance protection and FSCS eligibility but gain access to higher leverage.
Platforms
Platform choice is a genuine strength of ActivTrades. The broker supports four distinct trading environments:
• ActivTrader — ActivTrades’ proprietary web and mobile platform. Designed to be accessible to beginners while offering advanced charting and a clean interface. Full instrument range, including bonds unavailable on MT4.
• MetaTrader 4 (MT4) — The industry-standard retail platform. Supports automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs), 50 technical indicators, and hedging mode. Note: bonds, stock CFDs, and some instruments unavailable.
• MetaTrader 5 (MT5) — The upgraded version with additional timeframes, indicators, and broader instrument access including shares, bonds, and ETFs.
• TradingView — Integration with TradingView’s web-based charting environment, allowing direct trade execution. Well-suited to traders already using TradingView’s charting tools and community features.
Order execution speed is reported at an average of 4 milliseconds, with over 93% of orders filled at the requested price — strong performance metrics by retail broker standards. Mobile apps are available for both ActivTrader and MetaTrader platforms on iOS and Android.
For beginners, ActivTrader offers the most intuitive onboarding. For algo traders, MT4/MT5 remains the natural home. The TradingView integration broadens appeal without requiring traders to move away from a charting tool they may already use daily.
Usability
The ActivTrades website is well-structured, with clear navigation to the platforms, instruments, accounts, and education sections. The account opening process is entirely digital and generally described as smooth and fast, requiring standard KYC documentation in line with FCA requirements.
Prospective traders can access a demo account without registering for a live account, which removes friction for users who want to evaluate the platform before committing. The demo is unlimited in duration — an advantage over brokers that enforce 30-day demo expiry.
Where usability falls slightly short is in the depth of account management features — some users report that navigating between account settings, payment history, and support within the client portal is less intuitive than on more modern broker dashboards.
Customer Support
ActivTrades offers 24/5 multi-channel support (Monday to Friday) including live chat, email/ticket, and phone support. The broker has offices in London, Nassau, Milano, Sofia, Lisbon, Florianopolis, Port Louis, giving it a degree of regional responsiveness. Support is available in multiple languages, relevant given the broker’s presence across UK, Bahamas, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Mauritius.
The Help Centre and FAQ section are functional, covering account management, platform setup, and trading mechanics. The depth of self-service documentation is adequate for most common queries.
The absence of 24/7 support (weekend coverage) is a limitation — though this is standard for CFD brokers given that most markets are closed at weekends.
Deposits and Withdrawals
ActivTrades supports a range of deposit and withdrawal methods. The same-method payout policy applies where possible. Supported methods include bank wire transfer, Visa/Mastercard (credit and debit), and e-wallets including Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal. Crypto payments are supported for deposits (BTC, ETH, XRP, USDT, USDC, LTC, and others). Note that PayPal and Sofort are restricted to clients of ActivTrades Plc (FCA entity).
| Account Type | Key Features | Min Deposit | Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (Standard) | Full instrument access; spread + commission model; negative balance protection; FSCS membership (FCA entity) | None (FCA/CMVM) | 1:30 (FCA/CMVM) up to 1:200 (SCB) and 1:1000 FSC |
| Professional | Higher leverage; reduced regulatory protections; must meet at least 2 of 3 MiFID II criteria | No additional minimum | Professional accounts – UK and Portugal, leverage 1:400 |
| Islamic (Swap-Free) | No overnight swap charges; replacement fee may apply; Sharia-compliant | None | Up to 1:200 (SCB) |
| Demo | Unlimited access; all platforms; no deposit required; full instrument simulation | None | Simulated |
Account base currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, and AED. A currency conversion charge of 0.3–0.5% applies when trading in a currency different from the account base.
Education & Tools
ActivTrades provides a standard suite of educational resources including video tutorials, webinars, and a regularly updated market analysis blog. The platform includes built-in tools such as economic calendars, trading calculators, and market sentiment indicators. An ActivTrades TV channel provides video content including strategy commentary and product explainers.
The educational offering is functional and appropriate for beginner-to-intermediate traders, but lacks the depth of content offered by larger retail brokers with dedicated learning academies. No social trading, copy trading, or portfolio mirroring features are available. There are no bonuses or incentive promotions, consistent with FCA restrictions on bonus marketing to retail clients.
Regulation & Deposit Protection
| Regulatory Body | Jurisdiction | Client Protection |
|---|---|---|
| FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) | United Kingdom — Firm Ref. 434413 | FSCS up to £85,000; negative balance protection; client money segregation |
| CMVM | Portugal | EU MiFID II protections; CMVM investor compensation scheme |
| CONSOB | Italy | EU MiFID II protections |
| SCB (Securities Commission of the Bahamas) | Bahamas | Local regulatory oversight; higher leverage; crypto CFDs available |
| BACEN | Brazil | Local Brazilian regulatory oversight; entity-specific protections |
| FSC (Financial Services Commission) | Mauritius | Local regulatory oversight; higher leverage available; entity-specific protections |
Above and beyond these regulatory protections, ActivTrades holds additional private insurance on client funds through Lloyd’s of London, covering up to £1,000,000 (or USD/EUR equivalent) per client, subject to specific policy terms. This substantially exceeds the standard FSCS limit of £85,000 and is one of the more tangible differentiators in the broker’s proposition.
Awards & Recognition
ActivTrades reports more than 50 international awards since its founding in 2001 across markets and categories. Select notable recognitions:
| Year | Award | Event / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Best Forex Broker in Italy | Rankia Awards Italy, Milan |
| 2024 | Three Awards — London Trader Show | London Trader Show 2024 |
| 2001–present | 50+ International Awards | Various industry bodies |
| Full award history available at activtrades.com/en/awards | ||
Our Verdict
ActivTrades is a credible, well-regulated broker that suits traders who prioritise platform choice, execution quality, and investor protection over absolute cost minimisation. The four-platform offering (ActivTrader, MT4, MT5, TradingView) is genuinely competitive, order execution speed of ~4ms is strong, and the additional Lloyd’s of London insurance up to £1,000,000 is a differentiator that few retail brokers can match.
The broker’s weaknesses are real but specific. Commodity and index spreads are above the industry average, and the absence of an ECN or raw-spread account model limits its appeal to high-frequency or large-volume traders. The lack of social trading features and the unavailability of crypto CFDs for UK FCA clients will disqualify the broker for some audiences.
For the core retail trader — someone trading forex, share CFDs, or indices across mainstream instruments with a focus on a trustworthy, well-regulated environment and a choice of professional-grade platforms — ActivTrades is a solid and defensible choice. It is not the cheapest broker in the market, but it is one of the more robustly protected ones.
