Comparison of ActivTrades and Plus500
| Feature | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2008 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, NZ FMA, FSCA, SFSA, EFSA, MAS, CFTC, NFA |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | Plus500 |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $10 per month after 3 months |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
| 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, Indices, Stocks, ETFs, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Plus500 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 Plus500
Plus500 is a leading CFD broker known for its simple and intuitive trading platform. Founded in 2008 and regulated by top-tier authorities such as the FCA (UK), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia), Plus500 provides a secure trading environment with access to a wide range of instruments, including forex, indices, commodities, shares, and ETFs. The broker is particularly praised for its user-friendly web and mobile platforms, which offer a streamlined trading experience without unnecessary complexity. While Plus500 excels in providing competitive spreads and no commission fees, it does not support third-party platforms like MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, which may deter traders who rely on advanced charting and automated trading tools. Additionally, educational resources are somewhat limited compared to competitors, making it less ideal for traders seeking in-depth learning materials. Despite these drawbacks, Plus500 remains a popular choice for traders who prioritize ease of use and access to diverse trading instruments.
Pros
- Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, CySEC, ASIC)
- Simple and intuitive proprietary trading platform
- Wide range of tradable instruments, including forex, stocks, and commodities
- Competitive spreads and no commission on trades
- User-friendly mobile app with real-time notifications
- Free and unlimited demo account for practice
Cons
- No support for MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
- Limited educational resources for beginner traders
- Inactivity fees for dormant accounts
- No phone-based customer support; only live chat and email
ActivTrades & Plus500 Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | Plus500CY Ltd, Plus500UK Ltd, Plus500AU Pty Ltd, Plus500SEY Ltd, Plus500EE, Plus500SG Pte Ltd, Plus500US Ltd |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | Cyprus, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Seychelles, Estonia, Singapore, United States |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | CySEC, FCA, ASIC, NZ FMA, FSCA, SFSA, EFSA, MAS, CFTC, NFA |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF), Financialcommission.org |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Pro | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Min Spread | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | 30% | 100% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN, HUF, TRY, SGD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Skrill |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $10 per month after 3 months |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | Plus500 |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 65 |
Indices | 31 | 36 |
Stocks | 1035 | 1550 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 0 |
Bonds | 6 | 0 |
Metals | 3 | 5 |
Energies | 7 | 7 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 10 |
ETFs | 75 | 96 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | support@plus500.com |
Phone | +12426035200 | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | — |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and Plus500, Plus500 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.
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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.