Independent broker researchIssue 020Vol. IV
020Vol. IVMay 22, 2026
— independent broker research —
Broker reviewLast reviewed · 14 April 2026

ActivTrades review

ActivTrades, a leading broker since 2001, offers forex and CFD trading with competitive spreads and top-tier regulation, serving clients globally with innovative tools.

ByEthan JamesEdited by InvestorTrip Editorial teamLast reviewed April 14, 2026
About the broker

Overview

Formed in 2001, ActivTrades is an absolutely awesome broker carrying on forex and CFD markets for its more than two decades with admirable excellent services to traders across the globe.

Founded
2001
Quick scan

Strengths and watchouts

Strengths
  • Globally recognized and regulated broker
  • Portfolio, trading and professional opportunities
  • MT4, MT5 and proprietary ActivTrades platforms
  • Low Forex fees
  • Excellent support, learning and research tools
Watchouts
  • Conditions may vary according to regulation and entity
  • No 24/7 Support
  • Only FX and CFD Trading
Tier-1 register checks

Safety and regulation

ActivTrades operates around the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the United Kingdom, the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) in Luxembourg, and the Bahamian Securities Commission (SCB). Customers' funds are kept segregated in accounts with high-street banks. The additional insurance coverage in amounts up to £1m is dispatched from Lloyd's of London.

Regulators on file
  • FCA
  • SCB
  • CMVM
  • Bacen
  • FSC
Risk warning

Between 70% and 85% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with most regulated providers — the exact figure for any specific broker is published on that broker's own website. Consider whether you understand how these instruments work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.

What you can trade

Markets available

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Commodities
  • ETFs
Min deposit and structure

Account types

AccountMin depositCommissionLeverage
Standard$00.51:1 to 1:200
What you pay

Fees and costs

The lowest margin spread for the company is above one-year low in global trading at 0.5 pips. Overnight positions incur Swap charges but with pure transparency in such regard. Islamic accounts are exempt from any charges on swaps. Inactivity practice is that even with the slightest touch of inactivity, monies have to be deducted from accounts since that is considered as inactivity by any broker's standards.

Methodology

How we reviewed this broker

Each broker review documents the broker's claimed regulators, cross-references them against the public registers (FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, BCC and others), and notes any divergence. Where a regulator has issued a public advisory, the URL is cited inline so a reader can verify it directly. Tradable instruments, account types, and fees are sourced from the broker's published disclosures or documented as unavailable. The full scoring methodology is public.

Read the full methodology →
From readers

Frequently asked questions

Is the broker regulated?
Yes, fully regulated; authorization has been given by the FCA, CSSF, as well as SCB.
What trading platforms are available?
The site offers the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and ActivTrader platforms that can be used with further mobile tools.
What is the smallest amount needed to open an account?
$100 is the starting account size.
What types of accounts are available?
Standard, Raw Spread, cTrader, and Islamic account types are available.
Which fees and charges are being taken and how?
The making charges would be starting at 0.5 pips and then may sometimes include a little commission and not at other times. It has inactivity fees also; Islamic accounts with large amounts do not get charged.
What is leverage limit?
Leverage may be as much as 1:400, dependent on the type of account and legal jurisdiction of the financial regulatory body.
Are demo accounts available?
Yes, ActivTrades allows you to create a demo account in order to practice your trading strategies without any risk.
How can one contact client support?
Customers can reach ActivTrades support services by chatting with live agents, sending emails to the accounts, and inquiring at the fixed support times of the client.
What users say

Reader reviews

Kian Joubert

Feb 9, 2025

I'm absolutely thrilled with my experience using their bespoke active trader platform! Initially, I was a bit skeptical about custom applications, as I usually approach them with caution. However, this platform exceeded my expectations by offering a comprehensive set of tools for thorough market and chart analysis. The integration with TradingView is particularly impressive—it's fantastic! The customization options are another highlight; I can easily switch themes and tweak settings to suit my preferences.

Walter Navarro

Feb 8, 2025

This was my first experience setting up a live trading account after practicing extensively on a demo version. After gathering some modest funds, I decided it was time to take the plunge into real trading. The registration and verification process was straightforward. They requested my identification, and I submitted a bank statement to confirm the address I had entered. For funding my account, I opted to use a bank card, and to my surprise, the funds appeared in my trading account right away. The entire setup was quicker and simpler than I anticipated, taking just about an hour or so.

Zsófia

Feb 7, 2025

This company unjustly freezes client accounts with false accusations. My paperwork is completely legitimate. Having been involved in forex trading since 2017, I've never encountered a broker as problematic as this one. They even withdraw funds from your account using ridiculous justifications.

Showing 13 of 10 reviews

Reviewed by the InvestorTrip Editorial team · Last updated 14 April 2026

Broker data documented from public sources: regulator registers (FCA, CySEC, ASIC, FSCA, BCC and others), the broker's own website, and IOSCO I-SCAN warnings where applicable. Information can change — verify current terms directly with the broker before depositing.