ActivTrades review UK: features and trading conditions explained

ActivTrades, a leading UK-based broker, is renowned for its CFDs trading and spread betting. With over 45 awards and access to thousands of assets, ActivTrades stands out as a top choice for traders in the UK. In this detailed review, we'll explore its features, trading conditions, account types, and user feedback.

How does ActivTrades work? Is it a reputable broker? Which types of investors and strategies does it cater to best? What trading styles does ActivTrades support the most? These are only a few of the questions we will answer throughout this in-depth ActivTrades review.

What is ActivTrades and How Does It Work?

ActivTrades is a London-based broker with offices in Milan, Sofia, Nassau, and Luxembourg. Currently, it's the broker of choice for over 100,000 traders in more than 170 countries around the world.

Established in 2001 in Switzerland, the company quickly relocated to the United Kingdom. As a result, the British broker is 100% focused on trading, even offering high-frequency trading capabilities. With a catalog of over 1,000 investment products from 7 different classes, ActivTrades facilitates trading through financial derivatives.

ActivTrades allows for scalping and short-term trading strategies, boasting superior transaction speeds of only 0.004 seconds and competitive spreads starting at 0.5 pips.

Key Features of ActivTrades

The diversity of products and markets is one of the key distinguishing features of ActivTrades, but it is not the only one. The table below provides a concise summary of the broker's most significant aspects.

Is ActivTrades a Safe Broker? | UK Regulation and Guarantees

ActivTrades prioritizes client security by being regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA is one of the most respected regulatory body in EU, and even comparable to the US SEC, ensuring strict oversight and consumer protection for traders in Europe. For added peace of mind, you can easily verify ActivTrades' FCA registration (number 434413) on the regulator's website.

To assure client security on a global scale, ActivTrades implements a robust framework that extends beyond FCA regulation. They are a registered company in England and Wales, demonstrating a commitment to local accountability. Additionally, ActivTrades Corp is authorized and regulated by the esteemed Securities Commission of the Bahamas, and further adheres to the regulations set forth by the Luxembourgian CSSF (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). These comprehensive measures solidify ActivTrades' dedication to upholding the highest security standards worldwide.

Finally, ActivTrades is registered with the CNMV as part of the Investment Services Companies of the European Economic Area (EEE).

In conclusion, ActivTrades fulfills all the regulatory requirements that can be expected at a high standard.

Reliability of ActivTrades

In the UK, FSCS covers up to £85,000 per customer in case of broker insolvency. However, ActivTrades goes above and beyond this requirement and protects up to £1,000,000 per client. In addition to this, clients' funds are kept in segregated accounts with reputable financial institutions.

Finally, ActivTrades offers negative balance protection. This way you make sure that you will not lose more money than you have deposited in the account, even if you use leverage.

ActivTrades Financial Assets Overview

ActivTrades is a broker specialising in spread betting and CFDs on forex, indices, bonds, commodities, stocks and ETFs.

Through its platform, you will have access to more than 1,000 derivatives and six classes of assets.

Stocks

In terms of the stock offering, ActivTrades provides access to more than 1,000 company stocks to be traded via CFDs or spread betting with competitive spreads and no commissions.

ActivTrades offers the flexibility to trade fractional shares and provides the option to go both short and long. However, it's important to note that dividends are only received when holding a long position.

Forex

ActivTrades goes beyond the basics in forex trading. They offer a deep selection of currency pairs, from major pairs like EUR/USD with tight spreads (starting at 0.5 pips) to exotic options. With over 50 currency pairs to choose from, you can trade one of the world's most active markets at competitive rates.

• Trade with mini and micro lots
• No commissions
• 24 hour customer support (5 days per week)
• Very tight spreads
• Leverage up to 1:30

Indices and bonds

ActivTrades offers a comprehensive range of major global indices, including those from North America and Europe. Additionally, they provide access to specialised indices such as US Tech 100 and Brazil 50.

Within their catalogue of indices and bonds, you will find well-known options such as Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Euronext, and FTSE. As for bonds, they offer options such as the US T-Bond and the Euro Bund.

ETFs

ActivTrades lets you invest in a vast selection of ETFs across various sectors, from technology and healthcare to real estate and beyond. Plus, thanks to CFDs, you can start investing with any amount of capital, regardless of your account size.

Commodities

You can also trade a total of 15 CFDs on commodities such as gold, oil, or silver.

Account Types Offered by ActivTrades UK

ActivTrades is adapted to all types of clients, including both professional and individual investors. Additionally, they offer a free and unlimited demo account for those who wish to practise and explore the platform before engaging in live trading.

Both real accounts have the following features:

• Negative balance protection
• Leverage of up to 1:30
• Special insurance up to £1,000,000 per customer
• Execution speeds of 0.004 seconds
• Some of the lowest spreads on the market
• Accounts in various currencies: EUR, USD, GBP or CHF.
• Award-winning customer service via chat, email, and phone calls.

ActivTrades isn't just another broker; their dedication to excellence is recognized by prestigious awards across various areas. They've been lauded for their exceptional customer service, recently receiving the 2022 Best Customer Service award. Forex traders specifically have acknowledged ActivTrades' expertise, voting them the Best Forex Broker in the UK for 2022. These accolades serve as a testament to ActivTrades' commitment to providing a top-tier experience for all clients.

In addition to standard individual accounts, they also offer Islamic accounts. These accounts address the prohibition on receiving or paying interest by eliminating swap charges, a common feature in traditional accounts. This ensures Sharia-compliant trading without sacrificing functionality, as Islamic accounts retain all the features of a standard individual account.

Next, here is what differentiates the professional account from the individual account.

Professional account

This type of account is suitable for professionals only. Some of its main features include interest earned on free margin, leverage of up to 1:400 and 30% close-out level, a cashback programme, and a dedicated account manager.

Demo account

With ActivTrades, you have the option to open a free unlimited demo account, allowing you to begin your journey in the financial markets without any risk. This account provides you with virtual funds and you can select from platforms such as MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and ActivTrader for your trading activities.

How to open an ActivTrades broker account in the UK?

If our ActivTrades review convinced you, let's see together how to open an account. Opening an account with ActivTrades is a straightforward process that can be completed entirely online. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Access your website and click to register.
2. Fill in the required information, including your country, name, email, and create a password.
3. Fill in the questionnaire regarding your financial experience and risk appetite.
4. Configure your account by choosing the platform (ActivTrader, MetaTrader 4, or Metatrader 5) and choose your base currency.
5. Verify your identity as per current Know-Your-Customer requirements (provide your ID and proof of address).
6. Start trading.

Fees and spreads of ActivTrades

Is trading with ActivTrades considered expensive or affordable? The broker offers competitive fees and spreads and charges 0% commissions. Here are the costs associated with each type of asset.

Forex Spreads

The table below presents a simplified overview of the spreads for forex trading, highlighting the spreads on the most commonly traded currency pairs worldwide. While ActivTrades offers over 50 currency pairs, we have only included the most relevant ones as an example:

Indices and Bonds Fees

The table below displays ActivTrades' spreads for the major indices traded worldwide:

Stocks and ETFs costs

Trading stocks and ETFs on ActivTrades is commission-free and spread-free, offering a cost-effective way to build your portfolio. However, keep in mind that holding derivative positions (like CFDs) overnight might incur a swap fee. This fee varies based on market conditions and the specific asset, but you can easily check the swap rates directly on ActivTrades' trading platforms.

Commodities Fees

Below, check the main target spreads on some popular commodities:

Minimum deposit, deposit and withdrawal fees at ActivTrades

There's no minimum deposit required, allowing you to start trading with any amount that suits your needs. Most payment methods, including bank transfers and e-wallets, offer free and fast deposits, typically credited to your account within 30 minutes. Even withdrawals are free of charge, regardless of the chosen method. However, card deposits do incur a small 0.5% fee.

• Neteller
• Skrill
• Paypal

Trading Platforms: ActivTrader, MT 4, and MT 5

The broker provides three distinct trading platforms. The first is their proprietary platform, Activtrader accessible in both web and mobile versions. The other two platforms are world-renowned MetaTrader platforms 4 and 5.

ActivTrader Platform Features

ActivTrader is a user-friendly and customizable platform designed to boost trading efficiency through its diverse features. It accommodates traders of all skill levels, merging simple functionality with sophisticated tools and graphics.

Through ActivTrader, users gain access to ActivTrades' complete product lineup, including stocks previously only available on MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Additionally, the platform offers a variety of technical analysis tools to aid traders in making informed decisions.

Some of the key features of ActivTrader are:

• Progressive Trailing Stop empowers traders to set up two price tiers, adjusting the trailing stop's distance upon reaching each tier. This dynamic functionality enables you to maintain your stops in closer proximity to the price, allowing for greater retention of profits
• Up to nine timeframes and 14 chart types
• Pullback entry
• Bulk position management
• One-click trading
• Multiple indicators and drawing tools
• Market sentiment indicator
• Hedging mode
• Multi-chart support
• Buy/sell again

The ActivTrader platform is available via desktop, mobile, or even tablet. Here is the app's rating on the Google Play store:

The mobile version of ActivTrader excels in its smooth app performance and the inclusion of advanced analysis tools such as exponential moving averages for all the available products, including forex, indices, and ETFs. The platform's main menu is fully customisable, allowing users to select their preferred instruments to monitor.

MT4 and MT5 platforms

In addition to ActivTrader, the broker also offers MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. Here is a comparative table of both platforms with the main aspects to consider:

ActivTrades Customer Service Review

ActivTrades offers award-winning customer service via:

• Office in the UK: ✅
• Phone: ✅
• Email: ✅
• Live chat: ✅

• Support Department: englishdesk@ activtrades.com
• Phone number: +44 (0) 207 6500 500

According to its surveys, the company takes pride in having a customer satisfaction level of 95%, and most customers rated ActivTrades' customer service as good or excellent.

Research and Education at ActivTrades

ActivTrades focuses heavily on education by offering organized webinars, seminars, and manuals. These sessions help users learn about different trading strategies and are also available for viewing later.

Additionally, each user can access an economic calendar and a comprehensive research section where ActivTrades shares important market news to help traders make informed choices.

Is ActivTrades Suitable for Beginners or Experts?

It's important to note that ActivTrades primarily provides access to derivatives rather than traditional investments, making it more suitable for those with short—to medium-term trading strategies than long-term investors.

The platforms offered by ActivTrades are advanced and packed with features which might intimidate beginners. However, each platform includes a detailed educational section to help new users get up to speed quickly. Novice traders are also encouraged to practice their strategies without financial risk using the demo account.

For experienced traders, ActivTrades is an excellent choice. It offers sophisticated platforms tailored for seasoned traders, and it stands out by not charging any commissions. Additionally, its spreads are among the most competitive in the market, making it highly attractive for those looking to maximize their trading efficiency.

User Feedback and Ratings for ActivTrades UK

Next, let's consider the feedback from the online community regarding the platform's merits. ActivTrades users express high satisfaction with the platform, and the broker actively promotes these positive reviews on its website. The platform has earned a rating of 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot, and the broker diligently addresses user feedback and queries.

Furthermore, let's explore the Google Play Store, the platform from which the ActivTrades trading app can be downloaded. We will discover that, once again, this broker receives positive recognition from the trading community. It has an average rating of 4.1 stars (out of 5), based on over 420 reviews.

Summary of ActivTrades Review

In conclusion, after conducting this ActivTrades review, we can affirm that it is a highly comprehensive broker. Its strong regulatory framework, competitive spreads, and diverse range of products and services stand out.

The broker's proprietary platform has received accolades for its user-friendly and efficient interface while also providing clients with the option to utilise MetaTrader 4, one of the most widely used forex platforms globally and one of the best trading platforms. ActivTrades offers advanced tools, operates under proper regulation, and provides additional insurance to safeguard client funds.

More brokers reviewed for you

FAQ