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ActivTrades Broker Review 2025 - 500+ Instruments, 0.5 Pips Spreads
ActivTrades is a UK-regulated broker established in 2001, offering 500+ trading instruments including forex, stocks, indices, commodities, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Features competitive spreads from 0.5 pips, multi-tier regulation, and insurance protection up to $1,000,000.
Min Deposit
$0
Withdrawal Fee
0
Deposit Fee
0
Countries
Broker Overview
About ActivTrades
ActivTrades is a veteran online forex and CFD broker established in 2001, headquartered in London, UK. With over 24 years of market experience, the broker serves 100,000+ traders across 172+ countries. ActivTrades combines institutional-grade execution with retail-friendly features, offering 500+ trading instruments with spreads starting from just 0.5 pips.
Key Statistics
Established: 2001 (24+ years in business)
Active Clients: 100,000+
Trading Instruments: 500+
Countries Served: 172+
Execution Speed: 4 milliseconds (industry-leading)
Order Fill Rate: 93.60%+ at requested rate or better
Deposit Insurance: Up to $1,000,000
Annual Trades: Billions in volume
Regulation & Security Framework
ActivTrades operates under strict regulation by multiple Tier-1 authorities, ensuring maximum protection for client funds:
FCA (UK) - Financial Conduct Authority (Tier 1 Regulator)
CMVM (Portugal) - Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários (Tier 1)
FSC (Mauritius) - Financial Services Commission (Tier 3)
SCB (Bahamas) - The Securities Commission (Tier 2)
CVM (Brazil) - Comissão de Valores Mobiliários
Client Protection Measures
✓ Segregated client bank accounts (separate from company funds)
✓ Negative balance protection (traders never lose more than deposited)
✓ Deposit insurance up to $1,000,000
✓ Private indemnity insurance for fraud protection
✓ SSL 256-bit encryption for data security
✓ Two-factor authentication (2FA) available
✓ AML Compliance and KYC procedures
Trading Instruments Available (500+)
Forex: 50+ currency pairs (majors, minors, exotics)
Stocks: 300+ stock CFDs from global markets
Indices: 15+ major indices (S&P 500, FTSE 100, DAX, Nikkei, etc.)
Commodities: 20+ (Gold, Silver, Oil, Natural Gas, agricultural products)
ETFs: Major ETF selection
Cryptocurrencies: 10+ (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, USDC, Ripple, etc.)
Bonds: Select bond instruments
Trading Platforms
ActivTrader (Proprietary) - Advanced charting, progressive trailing stops, market sentiment tools
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) - Industry standard with 50+ indicators, expert advisors
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) - Advanced platform with 500+ CFDs, improved order types
TradingView - Professional charting with 100+ indicators and social trading
Mobile Apps - Full-featured iOS and Android applications
Execution Quality
Average Execution Speed: 4 milliseconds (top 5 globally)
Order Fill Rate: 93.60%+ at requested rate or better
No Requotes: STP/Hybrid execution model
Scalping Allowed: Yes - ideal for high-frequency trading
Customer Support (24/5)
Languages: 14 languages including English, Italian, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Hindi, Indonesian
Channels: Live chat, Email, Phone, Contact form
Hours: 24 hours, 5 days a week (Monday-Friday)
Quality: Professional, knowledgeable, responsive team
Education & Resources
Live webinars (beginner to advanced levels)
Video tutorials library
Trading guides and strategies
Market analysis reports
Economic calendar
Comprehensive FAQ section
Trading glossary and terminology
Awards & Recognition
ActivTrades has received numerous international accolades recognizing excellence in execution, security, and client service, solidifying its position as one of the most trusted brokers globally.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry-leading 4-millisecond execution speed
- Islamic (swap-free) accounts available
- Fast account verification (24 hours)
- Serves 100,000+ clients globally
- 24+ years of market experience (established 2001)
Cons
- No cTrader platform support
- Leverage limited to 1:30 for EU/UK retail traders (ESMA regulation)
- Some USD withdrawal fees ($12.50)
- We do not offer cryptocurrency for the FCA and CMVM entities
General Information
Max Leverage
Spreads From
Execution Models
Deposit Currencies
Support Languages
Auto Trading
Contact Information
Account Types Overview
ActivTrades Account Types
ActivTrades offers 4 main account types tailored to different trader profiles, from beginners to institutional investors.
1. Individual Account (Standard)
Minimum Deposit: $0 (no minimum)
Spreads: From 0.5 pips on forex
Commission: no commission
Leverage: Up to 1:30 (EU/UK) | 1:200 (SCB entity)
Best For: Day traders and retail investors
Available Under: FCA, FSC, CMVM, SCB entities
Features:
500+ tradable instruments
Insurance coverage up to $1,000,000
Negative balance protection
Free demo account
Free withdrawal on most methods
24/5 multilingual support
Trade Size: From 1 micro lot
2. Professional Account
Requirements: Must meet professional trader criteria
Leverage: Up to 1:400 (higher than retail)
Spreads: From 0.5 pips (same as retail)
Commission: Same as Individual account
Best For: Experienced traders and money managers
Available Under: FCA, SCB entities
Additional Benefits:
Cashback program (up to 20% rebate)
Priority customer support
Dedicated account manager
Institutional research access
Lower margin requirements
Custom leverage options
Volume-based rebates
Insurance coverage up to $1,000,000
3. Islamic Account (Swap-Free)
Purpose: Designed for Muslim traders following Sharia principles
Key Feature: No overnight swap charges or interest
Trading Conditions: Same as Individual Account
Leverage: Same as Individual Account
Available Under: All ActivTrades entities (FCA, SCB)
Benefits:
Swap-free trading compliance
Full access to 500+ instruments
Same spreads from 0.5 pips
No overnight fees
4. Institutional Account
Target Clients: Hedge funds, asset managers, institutional investors
Leverage: Customizable (typically up to 1:400+)
Best For: Large-scale trading operations
Features:
Customized trading conditions
Dedicated relationship manager
Priority execution
Institutional pricing
API integration options
White-label solutions available
Custom settlement terms
Institutional-grade insurance
Demo Account
Availability: 30 days duration, unlimited on request
Virtual Funds: $100,000 USD equivalent
Platforms: Available on ActivTrader, MT4, MT5
Purpose: Risk-free practice before live trading
Account Opening Process
Select country of residence
Enter basic personal information (name, email, password)
Email verification
Identity verification (KYC - government ID)
Residential address confirmation
Account approval (typically 24 hours)
Fund your account
Start trading immediately
Average Time to Start Trading: 24-48 hours
Account Types
Swap free - ActivTrades
Swap-free account
Features
Deposit Currencies
Trading Instruments
Forex
Number of currency pairs: 24
CFDs
Amount of assets: 1000+
Energy Source
Cryptocurrencies
Shares
Stock exchange
Characteristics
Stop Out
30%
Margin Call
50%
Min Position
0.01 units
Max Position
Varies
Execution
market
Spread Type
Floating
Decimals
4
Locked Margin
50%
Commission
Varies
Professional - ActivTrades
For professional traders
Features
Deposit Currencies
Trading Instruments
Forex
Number of currency pairs: 23
CFDs
Amount of assets: 1000+
Energy Source
Cryptocurrencies
Shares
Stock exchange
Characteristics
Stop Out
30%
Margin Call
30%
Min Position
0.01 units
Max Position
Varies
Execution
market
Spread Type
Floating
Decimals
5
Locked Margin
30%
Commission
Varies
Standard - ActivTrades
Beginners and experienced traders looking for a variety of tools and professional platforms.
Features
Deposit Currencies
Trading Instruments
Forex
Number of currency pairs: 24
CFDs
Amount of assets: 1000+
Energy Source
Cryptocurrencies
Shares
Stock exchange
Characteristics
Stop Out
30%
Margin Call
50%
Min Position
0.01 units (varies)
Max Position
Varies
Execution
market
Spread Type
Floating
Decimals
5
Locked Margin
50%
Commission
Varies
Payment Methods
Deposit Methods

Withdrawal Methods

Regulation Information
Multi-Regulatory Framework
ActivTrades operates under the supervision of 6 major financial regulators, providing traders with multiple layers of protection and ensuring compliance with international standards.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom - FCA (Tier 1)
Regulator: Financial Conduct Authority
Classification: Tier 1 (Highest regulatory standards)
Oversight: Strict financial standards and client protection
Segregated Accounts: Yes - Client funds in separate bank accounts
Investor Protection: FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) coverage
Maximum Leverage (Retail): 1:30
🇵🇹 Portugal - CMVM (Tier 1)
Regulator: Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários
Classification: Tier 1
Standards: Portuguese and EU financial regulations
Coverage: European trader protection
🇧🇸 Bahamas - SCB (Tier 2)
Regulator: The Securities Commission of The Bahamas
Classification: Tier 2
Features: Higher leverage options available (up to 1:400)
For: Professional and institutional traders
🇲🇺 Mauritius - FSC (Tier 3)
Regulator: Financial Services Commission
Classification: Tier 3
Standard: International compliance
🇧🇷 Brazil - CVM (Tier 2)
Regulator: Comissão de Valores Mobiliários
Coverage: Brazilian market participants
Client Fund Protection Summary
✅ Segregated client accounts from company funds
✅ Negative balance protection (losses limited to deposit)
✅ Deposit insurance up to $1,000,000
✅ Private indemnity insurance
✅ FSCS coverage (UK traders)
✅ EU deposit guarantee schemes (EU traders)
✅ SSL encryption and 2FA security
✅ AML and KYC compliance
Why Multi-Regulation Matters
Trading with a multi-regulated broker provides superior protection. Different regulatory jurisdictions ensure independent oversight and multiple safeguards. ActivTrades' presence across Tier-1 regulators (FCA, CSSF, CMVM) guarantees that client funds are handled according to the strictest international standards.
Commission & Fees
ActivTrades Fee & Commission Structure
Trading Fees by Instrument
Forex Trading
Spreads: From 0.5 pips on major pairs
Commission: None (spreads-based model)
Examples:
EUR/USD: From 0.5 pips
GBP/USD: From 1.0 pips
USD/JPY: From 1.0 pips
Best For: Active forex traders
Stock CFDs
Commission: 0.02% (minimum $1 per trade)
Model: Commission-based (no spread)
Examples:
Apple (AAPL): 0.02% commission
Tesla (TSLA): 0.02% commission
Amazon (AMZN): 0.02% commission
Best For: Stock traders
Indices CFDs
Spreads: From 1.0 pips (varies by index)
Commission: None
Examples:
S&P 500: From 1.0 pips
FTSE 100: From 1.5 pips
DAX: From 2.0 pips
Commodities
Spreads: From 2.0 pips (varies)
Gold (XAUUSD): Higher spreads (around 2-3 pips)
Oil (WTI): From 1.5 pips
Natural Gas: Variable spreads
Cryptocurrencies
Spreads: From 1.5%
Commission: Variable
Pairs Available: BTC/USD, ETH/USD, XRP/USD, etc.
Non-Trading Fees
Fee TypeAmountDetailsDeposit FeeFREE (mostly)Credit/debit card: 1.5% standard, 0.5% for EEA/UKWithdrawal FeeFREE (mostly)USD transfers: $12.50 | GBP: £9 (Bahamas entity)Inactivity Fee€10/monthAfter 52 weeks of no trading activityCurrency Conversion0.3-0.5%When trading in different currency than account baseOvernight Swap (Rollover)VariableCharged for holding positions overnight (market-dependent)Guaranteed Stop OrderCase-by-casePremium for guaranteed stop loss orders
Professional Account Benefits
Professional account holders benefit from:
Same trading spreads as retail accounts
Cashback program (up to 20% rebate on trading costs)
Lower margin requirements
Volume-based discounts
Priority execution
Fee Comparison Summary
ActivTrades offers competitive and transparent pricing:
✓ No hidden fees
✓ Tight spreads from 0.5 pips
✓ Free deposits (mostly)
✓ Free withdrawals (mostly)
✓ No commission on forex
✓ Competitive stock commissions (0.02%)
Trading Platforms
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ActivTrades a reliable broker?
Although all trading involves some risk, ActivTrades minimizes it as it’s regulated by top-tier authorities. The platform is externally audited and regularly monitored to guarantee that it provides clients with maximum protection, including protection against negative balances and insurance coverage of up to $1 million.
What trading platforms does ActivTrades offer?
ActivTrades offers multiple platforms for everyone. You can use MT4 and MT5 with their familiar charting tools that allow you to execute your orders seamlessly. This broker offers special add-ons to allow investors to adapt to the changing market conditions with advanced order types and execution features.
Moreover, you can use ActivTrader, with its unique features that provide more data and information to help you maximize your earnings. Users can access these trading platforms on the mobile app for trading on the go.
How do ActivTrades' fees compare to other brokers?
ActivTrades doesn’t charge any inactivity or withdrawal fees, although conversion fees will apply. Forex trading fees start as low as 0.5 pips for some spreads but can increase with others, confusing some clients about the actual fees they’ll eventually pay. Moreover, CFD trading fees are slightly higher than the industry average.
What types of accounts does ActivTrades offer?
There are two major account types: Professional and Individual. The Professional one is better for experienced traders, as it assigns a trading expert to monitor our trading actions and guarantee the best results.
ActivTrades offers a demo account for beginner investors who aren’t yet sure about their trading skills. There’s also a swap-free account with no interest fees for those interested in Sharia-compliant trading.
How fast is ActivTrades' order execution?
ActivTrades takes pride in its fast order execution, averaging 0.004 seconds per order. This speed gives traders confidence in the platform as they know they won’t miss an opportunity. But remember that taking your time to study the market before you actually place an order can make a big difference.
Start Trading
Important Notice
Risk warning: 70% -81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
Quick Facts
- Trading Platforms
- ACTIVE TRADERMetaTrader 4MetaTrader 5+1
- Execution Model
- STP (Straight-Through Processing)Market Maker (Hybrid Model)No Requotes
- Deposit Currency
- EURGBPUSDAUD+5
- Support Languages
- EnglishGermanFrench+12


