Comparison of ActivTrades and Nadex
| Feature | ActivTrades | Nadex |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2009 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | CFTC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | Nadex Web Platform, NadexGo™ (iOS, Android) |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | - N/A |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:1 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Debit Card, ACH Bank Transfer, Wire Transfer |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $10 per month after 12 months of inactivity |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | Wire withdrawal $25 |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | - |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | - |
| Segregated Accounts | ✔ | ✔ |
| Negative Balance Protection | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guaranteed Stop Loss | ✖ | ✖ |
| Copy Trading | ✖ | ✖ |
| VPS | ✖ | ✖ |
| MAM/PAMM | ✖ | ✖ |
| Scalping Allowed | ✔ | ✖ |
| EAs/Robots | ✔ | ✖ |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | ✔ | ✖ |
| Tradable Assets (CFDs) | Currencies, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities | Currencies, Commodities, Indices, Cryptocurrencies |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Nadex Review |
About ActivTrades
ActivTrades is a well-regarded Forex and CFD broker known for its robust trading platforms, extensive range of financial instruments, and strong regulatory compliance. Established in 2001, ActivTrades serves clients globally, offering access to major and minor currency pairs, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more. The broker provides multiple trading platforms, including the popular MetaTrader 4 and 5, as well as its proprietary ActivTrader platform, catering to both desktop and mobile users. ActivTrades is regulated by several top-tier financial authorities, ensuring a secure and trustworthy trading environment. Additionally, the broker offers a variety of account types to accommodate different trading styles and experience levels, complemented by comprehensive educational resources and responsive customer support. With competitive spreads, flexible leverage options, and efficient withdrawal processes, ActivTrades stands out as a reliable choice for both novice and experienced Forex traders.
Pros
- Regulated by multiple reputable financial authorities
- Offers MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary ActivTrader platform
- Provides access to Forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and more
- Extensive tutorials, webinars, and market analysis tools available
- Offers tight spreads across numerous trading instruments
- Multilingual support available through various channels
Cons
- Maximum leverage available might be lower than what some experienced traders seek
- The proprietary ActivTrader platform offers fewer customization options
About Nadex
Nadex (North American Derivatives Exchange) is the only US-based retail exchange offering fully regulated binary options, call spreads, and knock-out contracts. Regulated by the CFTC, Nadex matches orders on an exchange order book, so you trade directly with other participants rather than against the broker. Contracts are cash-settled at $0 or $100, ensuring strictly limited risk, and accounts can be opened with no minimum deposit. Since 2022 Nadex has been part of the Crypto.com group, aiming to expand access to innovative derivatives products while maintaining compliance with US regulations.
Pros
- CFTC-regulated US exchange
- No minimum deposit; $1 minimum contract size
- Transparent, low fees – $1 per side, capped at $50
- Proprietary web & mobile platforms with free real-time data
- Fixed-risk contracts eliminate negative balance risk
- Free unlimited demo account
Cons
- Available mainly to US residents; many states/countries restricted
- Only short-term binary products – no traditional spot FX or CFDs
- Wire withdrawals incur a $25 fee
- No MetaTrader or third-party algorithmic trading support
ActivTrades & Nadex Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | Nadex |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | North American Derivatives Exchange, Inc. (Crypto.com group) |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | United States |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | CFTC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | - |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | - |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | ActivTrades | Nadex |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Pro | — |
| Min Deposit | $1 | — |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | — |
| Spread Type | Floating | — |
| Execution | Market | — |
| Min Spread | 0.5 | — |
| Fee | No | — |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | — |
| Stop Out | 30% | — |
| Margin Call | 100% | — |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Binary Options | ||
| Account | — | Binary Options |
| Minimum Deposit | — | $1 |
| Option Types | — | Binary Options, Call Spreads, Knock-Outs |
| Minimum Stake | — | $1 |
| Payout | — | from 0% to 100% |
| Expiration Time | — | from 5 minutes to 24 hours |
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | Nadex |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Debit Card, ACH Bank Transfer, Wire Transfer |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $10 per month after 12 months of inactivity |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | Wire withdrawal $25 |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | Nadex |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | Nadex Web Platform, NadexGo™ (iOS, Android) |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | 50 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | N/A |
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | Nadex |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 11 |
Indices | 31 | 5 |
Stocks | 1035 | 0 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 18 |
Bonds | 6 | 0 |
Metals | 3 | 2 |
Energies | 7 | 2 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 0 |
ETFs | 75 | 0 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | Nadex |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | Nadex |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | customerservice@nadex.com |
Phone | +12426035200 | +1312-884-0100 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and Nadex, ActivTrades comes out ahead as our overall pick. It ranks higher in our internal scoring and delivers a stronger balance of pricing (spreads/fees), platform experience, and product range. That said, the runner-up may still be a better fit if you prioritize specific needs—like a particular account type, funding method, or niche instruments. This is not financial advice; always choose a broker that matches your goals and local regulatory requirements.
More Comparisons
Andriy Bondarenko
Broker Analyst
Andriy is a seasoned expert in broker reviews with over a decade of experience in finance and trading. Under his leadership, the team produces in-depth and unbiased analyses of leading trading platforms.