Abstract:Founded in 2001, ActivTrades is a brokerage firm, headquartered in London, with offices in Milan, Nassau, and Sofia. It initially focused on the forex business and then gradually expanded its product ranges, providing trading conditions and service support for clients in more than 140 countries. The company is regulated by FCA (UK) and SCB (Offshore, Bahamas) and offers a range of trading instruments, including Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Bonds and ETFs. ActivTrades also provides its clients with a variety of trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, as well as its proprietary platform, ActivTrader.
ActivTrades Review Summary in 10 Points | |
Founded | 2001 |
Registered Country/Region | United Kingdom |
Regulation | FCA, SCB (Offshore) |
Market Instruments | Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Bonds and ETFs |
Demo Account | ✅($10,000 virtual fund) |
Leverage | 1:30 for retail, 1:400 for pro |
EUR/USD Spread | From 0.5 pips |
Trading Platforms | ActivTrader, MT4, MT5 |
Minimum deposit | $500 |
Customer Support | 24/5 multilingual live chat, phone, email |
Founded in 2001, ActivTrades is a brokerage firm, headquartered in London, with offices in Milan, Nassau, and Sofia. It initially focused on the forex business and then gradually expanded its product ranges, providing trading conditions and service support for clients in more than 140 countries. The company is regulated byFCA (UK) and SCB (Offshore, Bahamas) and offers a range of trading instruments, including Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Bonds and ETFs. ActivTrades also provides its clients with a variety of trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5 platforms, as well as its proprietary platform, ActivTrader.
ActivTrades offers a good range of trading instruments, is regulated by a reputable financial authority, and offers various account types with negative balance protection and segregated accounts.
However, some clients have reported issues with trading platform stability.
Pros | Cons |
• Regulated by FCA | • SCB license is offshore |
• Segregated accounts and Negative Balance Protection | • High minimum deposit requirement |
• Wide range of trading products | • Fees charged for Credit/Debit card deposits |
• Demo and Islamic accounts offered | |
• Variety of trading platforms including MetaTrader4/5 and ActivTrader | |
• Free educational resources and market analysis | |
• Multiple funding options | |
• 24/5 multilingual customer support |
ActivTrades is regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom and the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB).
The FCA regulation ensures strict adherence to financial standards and integrity within the UK as a Market Maker. Additionally, SCB regulation allows ActivTrades to hold a Retail Forex License in the Bahamas, providing broader international service under reliable oversight.
At ActivTrades, you can trade over 1,000 different CFD instruments across 6 asset classes, including Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Shares, Bonds and ETFs. This provides clients with a diversified portfolio and the opportunity to trade a range of different assets.
Traders can open either an Individual Account (which allows them to trade small and micro lots) or a Professional Account (minimum financial portfolio size of $500,000, Dedicated Account Manager) with ActivTrades. Beginner traders can test out the trading interface and get a feel for how the broker works with a free demo account. People who adhere to Sharia law can choose from two more account options: an Islamic (Swap-Free) Account.
Leverage is capped at 1:30 in line with the EMSA regulations, the maximum leverage is 1:30 for currency pairs, 1:20 for indices and shares, 1:10 for commodities and 1:5 for cryptocurrencies. While only the Pro account holders can enjoy the maximum leverage of 1:400.
It is important to keep in mind that the greater the leverage, the greater the risk of losing your deposited capital. The use of leverage can both work in your favour and against you.
ActivTrades' currency spreads begin at 0.5 pips, and its spreads on indices and financial CFDs are also 0.5 pips, both of which are competitively cheap.
It's also important to note that this is not a situation that can be fixed overnight (the underlying Futures price already accounts for the adjustment). Commissions for trading shares as CFDs begin at €1 per side, whereas spread betting on shares incurs no fees beyond 0.10% of the transaction value.
Trading Platforms
ActivTrades also stands out due to its platform selection, which features not only the company's proprietary platform - ActivTrader but also the popular MT4 and MT5 platforms, as well as a set of unique Add-Ons.
• Web Trading
The ActiveTrades trading platform is web-based, allowing trades to be made directly in the browser; it also has a dedicated app for the iPhone and iPad. The platform has an easy-to-use design but advanced functionality, such as access to more than 90 technical analysis indicators, for seasoned traders of all trading types.
• ActivTrader
The upgraded ActivTrader platform incorporates cutting-edge tools and features to provide a revolutionary trading environment. You can gain exposure to the Forex, Commodities, Financial & Indices, Shares, and Exchange-Traded Funds markets and trade over a thousand CFDs.
• MetaTrader4
ActivTrades' desktop trading platform MT4 is available to those who prefer a more traditional trading experience. In addition, the technology has been upgraded in accordance with the firm's security standards, and the use of sophisticated charts has made it possible to automate the tactics using EAs.
• MetaTrader5
New and improved features take online trading to a whole new level in MetaTrader5. More than 450 CFDs on equities with diverse characteristics and the option to auto-trade are available on the platform, and trading statements are seamlessly integrated.
ActivTrades accepts deposits via Bank Transfers, Credit/Debit cards, Neteller, Skrill, Sofort, and PayPal, while only Sofort is excluded from withdrawal methods.
Base Currencies:
EUR, USD, GBP or CHF
The minimum deposit is as high as $500.
ActivTrades | Most other | |
Minimum Deposit | $500 | $100 |
Deposits via credit/debit card UK&EEA are charged 0.5% fees, while credit/debit card non-EEA are charged 1.5% fees. Other deposits and all withdrawals are free of charge.
Most deposits are said to take 30 minutes (except for Bank Transfer deposits are processed on the same working day), while all withdrawals can be processed on the same working day.
More details can be found in the table below:
Payment Options | Fee | Processing Time | ||
Deposit | Withdraw | Deposit | Withdraw | |
Bank Transfer | Free | Free for EUR/CHF/BGN | Same working day | Same working day |
Credit/Debit card | 0.5% (UK & EEA), 1.5% (non EEA) | Free | 30 minutes | |
Neteller | Free | |||
Skrill | ||||
PayPal | ||||
Sofort | / | / |
ActivTrades offers 24/5 multilingual customer service via live chat, telephone: +44 (0) 207 6500 567, +44 (0) 207 6500 500, email: englishdesk@activtrades.com, institutional_en@activtrades.com, request a callback, or messaging online. Help Center is also available. You can also follow this broker on social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Company address: The Loom 2.5, 14 Gower's Walk, London, E1 8PY.
ActivTrades provides comprehensive educational resources organized by subject, including webinars, seminars, manuals, news & analysis. In addition, you get access to a demo account, robust analytical and technical analysis tools within the platforms and exclusive add-ons that will help you study and trade more effectively.
As a whole, ActivTrades is a regulated broker that provides a wide range of trading instruments and platforms. The company offers several account types and has competitive trading fees with low spreads. The broker also provides negative balance protection and segregated client accounts.
However, ActivTrades has some negative reviews from clients regarding trading platform. Additionally, the broker charges deposit fees for some payment methods. Overall, ActivTrades may be a good option for experienced traders who prioritize low trading fees and a variety of trading instruments.
Q 1: | Is ActivTrades regulated? |
A 1: | Yes. It is regulated by FCA and offshore regulated by SCB. |
Q 2: | Does ActivTrades offer demo accounts? |
A 2: | Yes. |
Q 3: | Does ActivTrades offer the industry-standard MT4 & MT5? |
A 3: | Yes. Both MT4 and MT5 are available, and it also offers ActivTrader. |
Q 4: | What is the minimum deposit for ActivTrades? |
A 4: | The minimum initial deposit with ActivTrades is $500. |
Q 5: | Is ActivTrades a good broker for beginners? |
A 5: | Yes. ActivTrades is a good choice for beginners because it is regulated well and offers various trading instruments with competitive trading conditions on the leading MT4 and MT5 platforms. Also, it offers demo accounts that allow traders to practice trading without risking any real money. |
Online trading involves significant risk, and you may lose all of your invested capital. It is not suitable for all traders or investors. Please ensure that you understand the risks involved and note that the information contained in this article is for general information purposes only.