ActivTrades Review 2024
Website: www.activtrades.com
Min. Deposit: US$ 500
Leverage: 1:30
Trading Platforms: ActivTrader, MT4, MT5
Regulation: FCA, SCB
Headquarters: UK
Founded: 2001
Regulatory Licenses:
- ActivTrades PLC - authorized by FCA (UK) registration no. 434413
- ActivTrades Corp - authorized by SCB (Bahamas) registration no. 199667
- ActivMarkets - authorized by CMVM (Portugal) registration no. 433
- ActivTrades CCTVM - authorized by CNPJ (Brazil) under nº 43.050.917/0001-03
- ActivTrades Europe S.A. - authorized by CONSOB (Italy) registration no. 5257
Updated on May 8, 2024
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Our comprehensive review process involves detailed analysis and firsthand testing of the broker's services. We compare ActivTrades against over 1000 brokers to ensure our recommendations are well-founded and reliable. Our evaluation covers every aspect, from trading platforms, fees, spreads, and customer support, to regulatory background and security measures. This methodical approach allows us to provide an unbiased and accurate assessment of ActivTrades' offerings.
ActivTrades started as a small brokerage in Switzerland in 2001, primarily dealing in stocks. It has since evolved into a global brokerage powerhouse, catering to both retail and institutional traders with a wide array of financial instruments. After relocating its headquarters to London in 2005, ActivTrades expanded its product lineup to include CFDs on indices and commodities, experiencing rapid growth across Europe and globally. The firm has established itself as a leader in the markets of Italy, Germany, and France, with expansions into Australia, South America, Russia, and Southeast Asia. Recently, it has also set up an office in Dubai to cater to the Middle East.
ActivTrades offers its clients the opportunity to trade more than 50 currency pairs, cryptocurrencies, metals, indices, commodities, shares, and ETFs. UK clients have the additional option of spread betting (read more about spread betting in this Wikipedia article). The broker has garnered numerous accolades over the years, with a recent survey indicating a customer satisfaction rate of 95%, and 4.5 out of 5 customers reporting positive experiences.
Based on our expert analysis, ActivTrades stands out as a trustworthy broker, offering a superior trading environment and favorable conditions. The broker leverages advanced technology to provide industry-leading practices in FX and CFD trading, along with one of the lowest fixed spreads and transparent fees.
Pros
Competitive trading environment with low fixed spreads
Broad selection of financial instruments
Advanced trading platforms with numerous technical tools
Cons
Trading conditions, including fees and spreads, may vary by regulatory entity
Product offerings limited to FX and CFDs
Customer support not available 24/7
Operates an offshore entity with restrictions on currency funding options
Over its two decades of operation, ActivTrades has amassed a collection of awards, underscoring its commitment to excellence and customer service. Notable recognitions include the Agence IAT Grand Prize Excellence for "Best Customer Broker", the International Investor Business Award for "Safest Global Broker", and Le Fonti's "Best Forex Broker" award. A recent survey further validated the broker's high customer satisfaction levels, with nearly 95% of respondents reporting good or excellent experiences.
Is ActivTrades safe or a scam? ▲
ActivTrades is a legitimate broker, accredited by the reputable Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, ensuring a low-risk trading environment for its clients. The broker prioritizes safety through continuous service improvement and has established a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. It also provides negative balance protection, segregates client funds, and offers additional insurance up to $1,000,000.
ActivTrades PLC is regulated by the FCA in the UK and holds an offshore regulation in the Bahamas. The Dubai office further extends its regulated services to the Middle East. Our ActivTrades Trust Score stands at 4.6 out of 5, reflecting the broker's excellent service record, top-tier regulatory oversight, and comprehensive client protection measures. The only noted concern is the broker's execution of international trading operations through an offshore entity.
ActivTrades provides the option for leverage trading, with the possibility of leveraging up to 1:400, although this depends on the entity and account type you choose. Specifically, leverage of 1:400 is accessible through the Bahamas entity. However, it's important to note that the primary offering of ActivTrades adheres to FCA regulations, which impose a strict maximum leverage limit of 1:30 for major currency pairs.
The account options at ActivTrades are differentiated by the type of trader, offering either an Individual Account, which permits trading in mini and micro lots, or a Professional Account, which has certain prerequisites such as transactions of a significant size and a financial portfolio exceeding $500,000 in value. For those new to trading or wishing to familiarize themselves with the broker's platform and operations, a Free Demo Account is available. Additionally, for traders who adhere to Sharia laws, Islamic Accounts or Swap-Free Accounts are also offered.
ActivTrades provides a broad selection of trading instruments, allowing traders to engage in Forex, Cryptocurrencies, Indices, Shares, Commodities, and Spread Betting (exclusively for UK residents). The broker also offers access to significant Fixed Income contracts, including the US T-Note and the German Bund. The range of markets available scores 4.2 out of 5, highlighting the extensive selection of instruments. However, the primary focus on CFDs and Forex Instruments, and the varying selection of markets based on the entity, is a notable limitation.
Fees at ActivTrades are dependent on the account type but are primarily incorporated into the spread. The broker is recognized for not imposing commission charges on deposits and withdrawals and for maintaining low non-trading fees. When compared to over 1000 other brokers, ActivTrades' fees receive an overall rating of 4 out of . This evaluation is based on the broker's low CFD fees, which are mainly included within spreads, and the absence of Deposit/Withdrawal commission charges. Additionally, it's noted for having low non-trading fees. Detailed fee structures, including funding fees and non-trading fees, should be considered for a comprehensive understanding.
In our comprehensive analysis, we discovered that ActivTrades presents competitive fixed spreads for currencies starting from as low as 0.5 pips. This extends to indices and financial CFDs as well, positioning them competitively in the market. Notably, there's an absence of overnight adjustment fees for CFDs, which is a significant advantage. Share CFDs come with a commission starting from €1 per side, whereas spread betting on shares is exempt from commission, only incurring 0.10% of the transaction value as a cost. Comparatively, ActivTrades' spreads receive a commendable score of 4.5 out of 5, especially when considering the industry average for EURUSD forex spreads stands around 1.2 pips. This makes their offerings particularly attractive for various trading instruments.
Our investigations reveal that ActivTrades simplifies the deposit and withdrawal process through an easily navigable online Personal Area. While supporting major currencies like USD, GBP, and EUR, it falls short by not accommodating minor currencies. We've rated ActivTrades' funding methods as good, with a score of 4.0 out of 5. The broker stands out by not imposing deposit or withdrawal fees in most scenarios, maintaining relatively low non-trading fees. It has recently reduced the minimum deposit of $500 to $0, however, it's worth noting a minimum deposit of $500 still applies for customers from China and Brazil. Deposits can be made via bank transfer, credit/debit card, Neteller, Skrill, and Sofort, alongside the provision of an ActivTrades Prepaid Card for client convenience. ActivTrades imposes no charges for deposits via bank transfers or e-wallets, but credit card deposits may incur a fee of 0.75% within the UK & EEA, or 1.5% outside these regions. Withdrawal to the ActivTrades Prepaid Mastercard or e-wallets incurs no fees, whereas bank transfers in USD attract a $12.50 charge.
ActivTrades' customer support system is exemplary, evidenced by numerous awards and a focused educational system aimed at keeping traders informed on the latest market trends and technological advancements. Offering 24-hour support through live chat and email, with an impressive average response time of 27 minutes, ActivTrades sets a high standard in client service. The overall rating for their customer support stands at 4.5 out of 5, despite the unavailability of weekend support, marking a slight area for improvement.
ActivTrades excels in the provision of educational resources, offering comprehensive materials including analysis, courses, webinars, economic calendars and e-books tailored to various topics. The broker facilitates enhanced learning and trading experience through a demo account, alongside powerful analytical and technical analysis tools integrated within the platforms. This educational offering is ranked at 4.5 out of 5, reflecting the quality and breadth of resources available to traders at all levels.
Conclusively, ActivTrades emerges as an outstanding broker, boasting a reputable standing underpinned by an FCA license and over two decades of successful operation. The broker's offerings are of high quality, supported by exceptional educational materials suitable for novices and experienced traders alike. It is encouraging to observe such favorable trading conditions, characterized by low spreads, absence of dealing desk intervention, and a broad market range inclusive of all major markets. Additionally, spread betting is an option for UK traders. In light of our findings and expert opinion, ActivTrades is highly recommended for:
Beginning Traders
Professional Traders
EA Running
Technical Trading
Copy Trading
Scalping / Hedging Strategies
Traders who prefer MT4 or MT5 platforms
Market Making trading
Currency and CFD Trading
CFD Shares and Commodities Trading
Trading with various strategies
MAM/PAMM Trading
High Leverage Trading
Fixed Spread Trading
