ActivTrades review: features and trading conditions explained

ActivTrades is a reputable UK-based company that has received many accolades as a CFD and spread betting broker. With over 45 international awards and thousands of assets and markets to choose from, it offers a compelling reason to join the online trading community that uses ActivTrades to access the world’s financial markets.

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

ActivTrades: what is it and how does it work?

ActivTrades is a London-based broker with offices in Milan, Sofia, Nassau, and Luxembourg. It now operates in over 170 countries.

The company was founded in 2001 in Switzerland but swiftly relocated to the United Kingdom. It is renowned as a CFD and spread betting broker, although its product range extends to encompass stocks, commodities, ETFs, and more.

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.

Main 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.

Main Features	Description
Regulations	FCA, CSSF, SCB, BACEN, CVM and CMVM
Guarantee	Up to £1,000,000 (more than the minimum FSCS requirement of £85,000)
Products	Spread betting and CFDs
Markets	Forex, shares, indices, commodities, bonds, ETFs
Spreads	Starting at 0.5 pips
Withdrawal fees	Free
Minimum deposit	£0
Account types	Individual, Professional, and Demo
Platforms	ActivTrade, Metatrader 4, and Metatrader 5
Contact	englishdesk@activtrades.com | Phone: +44 (0) 207 6500 500

Is ActivTrades a safe broker? | Regulation and guarantees

ActivTrades upholds one of the most stringent regulatory frameworks in Europe. As a London-based company, it falls under the jurisdiction of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which has established itself as one of the strictest and most highly regarded regulatory bodies in Europe and even globally, comparable to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). You can verify ActivTrades’ registration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) using their registration number 434413 on the regulator’s website.

Moreover, ActivTrades PLC is a registered company in England and Wales, with the registration number 05367727. Additionally, ActivTrades Corp is authorised and regulated by the Securities Commission of the Bahamas, operating as an international business company registered in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, with the registration number 199667 B. Furthermore, it is regulated by the CSSF (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier) in Luxembourg.

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

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

Is ActivTrades reliable? | ActivTrades guarantee fund

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.

Main financial assets of ActivTrades

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.

Product	Description
Stocks	+1,000
Forex	+50 currency pairs
Indices and Bonds	+20 indices and bonds
ETFs	Wide offer
Raw materials	+15

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

In this particular segment, ActivTrades provides a comprehensive selection of currency pairs, including major pairs known for their high liquidity, as well as minor and exotic pairs. The base spreads for major currency pairs range from 0.5 pips for EUR/USD to 2.8 pips for GBP/CAD. In total, the broker offers over 50 currency pairs, allowing you to engage in trading within one of the most actively traded markets globally.

• 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 provides access to a wide range of ETFs across various sectors, including technology, finance, health, energy, industry, real estate, and more. Moreover, you have the flexibility to invest in ETFs with any capital, irrespective of the size of your account, through the use of CFDs.

Commodities

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

ActivTrades account types: professional, individual, and demo

ActivTrades caters to clients of all types, 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 has received numerous international accolades that validate the quality of its services across various areas. These recognitions include UK awards such as Best Customer Service 2022, Best Forex Broker in UK 2022, and Best Non-Dealing Desk Broker.

Finally, it’s worth noting that an Islamic account is also available with ActivTrades. There are no swaps charged on this account, which are a type of interest rate. Otherwise, all the other features are the same as the 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?

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:

Symbol	Target Spread
EUR/USD	0.50 pips
EUR/GBP	0.80 pips
GBP/JPY	2 pips
GBP/AUD	1.90 pips
GBP/CAD	2.8 pips

Indices and bonds fees

The table below displays the spreads applied by ActivTrades to the major indices traded worldwide:

Symbol	Target Spread (in pips)
SP500	0.23
UK100	0.60
GERMANY 50	0.20
EURO50	0.90
US IND 30	1.20

Stocks and ETFs costs

Trading stocks and ETFs does not incur any spreads and there are no commissions charged. However, it’s worth noting that leaving your derivative positions open overnight may charge you with a swap fee, either short or long. This is variable and depends on the market conditions, but you can check the swap for each asset on ActivTrades’ trading platforms.

Commodities fees

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

Commodity (spot)	Target Spread (in pips)
Crude Oil	0.03
BRENT	0.03
Silver	0.045
Gold	0.25
Platinum	3.5

Minimum deposit, deposit and withdrawal fees at ActivTrades

ActivTrades does not mention any minimum deposit. When depositing money, all payment methods are free except for cards (0.5% fee). Also, whether you choose bank transfer or an e-payment method, the average waiting time is about 30 minutes, after which you will see the money into your trading account.

Withdrawals are free of charge, no matter which method you use (including cards).

• Neteller
• Skrill
• Paypal

ActivTrades platforms: ActivTrader, Metatrader 4, and Metatrader 5

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

ActivTrader

ActivTrader is an intuitive and customisable platform that incorporates various features to enhance trading efficiency. It caters to traders of all levels, combining user-friendly functionality with advanced tools and graphics.

Through ActivTrader, users can access the full range of products offered by ActivTrades, including stocks that were previously exclusive to MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5. The platform also provides numerous technical analysis tools to assist traders in their decision-making process.

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:

	MetaTrader 4 (Best for forex)	MetaTrader 5 (Best for other assets)
Minimum spread	0.5	0.5
Automatic trading	Yes	Yes
Commission-free trading	Yes	Yes
Allowed coverage (Hedging)	Yes	Yes (upon request)
Trading desk	No	No
Market Execution	Yes	Yes
Economic Calendar	No	Yes
Order Types	6	8
Timeframes	9	21
Strategy Tester	Simple	Advanced
Tick Chart	Standard	Extended
Exposure Tab	Yes	Yes
Negative Balance Protection	Yes	Yes
Mobile Trading	Yes	Yes
Additional Insurance	Yes	Yes
More information	MT4 review	MT5 review

ActivTrades customer service

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

The company takes pride in having a customer satisfaction level of 95%, according to the surveys carried out by the company, and most customers rated the customer service of ActivTrades as good or excellent.

ActivTrades research & education

ActivTrades pays significant attention to the educational aspect, offering well-organised webinars, seminars, and even manuals. These webinars aim to provide users with valuable insights into trading strategies. Users can view the past webinars, as well.

Additionally, each user has access to an economic calendar and a thorough research section. In this section, ActivTrades publishes relevant market news to help traders with their decisions.

Is ActivTrades for beginners or for experts?

Perhaps the most important aspect to note is that, since it only provides access to derivatives, ActivTrades does not cater to investors. Consequently, this broker is most suitable for traders with short- or medium-term trading strategies. If you are looking for investing-friendly brokers, have a look at the best ETF brokers.

The advanced, feature-packed trading platforms may feel overwhelming to novice traders. However, each platform comes with a thorough educational section to get you started quickly. Also, novice traders may want to use the demo account to test their strategies before risking their real cash.

On the other hand, ActivTrades caters exceptionally well to experienced traders. It is a comprehensive broker that offers advanced platforms specifically designed for seasoned traders. To top it all off, the broker charges no commissions and its spreads are some of the most competitive on the market.

ActivTrades: user reviews

Next, let’s consider the feedback from the online community regarding the platform’s merits. Users of ActivTrades 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, if we 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.

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ActivTrades review: summary

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

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.

Pros of ActivTrades	Cons of ActivTrades
✅ Highly regulated broker	❌ Not suitable for investors (only derivatives available)
✅ Highly competitive cost structure	❌ Steep learning curve for beginners
✅ Professional analysis tools and features
✅ Award-winning customer service
✅ Additional insurance

FAQ