Comparison of ActivTrades and Trading 212
| Feature | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2006 |
| Broker Type | MM | MM |
| Dealing | B-book | B-book |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | Trading 212 |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| 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, Bonds, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Trading 212 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 Trading 212
Trading 212 is a reputable online broker established in 2004, offering a versatile platform that caters to both CFD and direct share trading. Renowned for its user-friendly interface and intuitive mobile application, Trading 212 provides access to a broad spectrum of financial instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies. Operating as a Market Maker (MM), the broker ensures competitive spreads and seamless trade executions, complemented by features such as a free demo account for practice, zero-commission trading on Invest accounts, and the ability to trade fractional shares. Regulated by esteemed authorities like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK, Trading 212 prioritizes security and transparency. Additionally, it offers a suite of educational resources and real-time news feeds to empower traders with informed decision-making tools. However, its Market Maker model and limited advanced trading functionalities may not fully meet the demands of professional traders seeking direct market access and more sophisticated analytical tools.
Pros
- Intuitive interface and mobile app suitable for all experience levels
- Offers both CFD and direct share (Invest) trading across various asset classes
- No fees on Invest accounts, making it cost-effective for long-term investors
- Ability to trade fractional shares, allowing for greater investment flexibility
- Free practice account available to hone trading skills without financial risk
- Attractive spreads and flexible leverage options enhance trading efficiency
- Licensed by reputable authorities such as the FCA, ensuring a secure trading environment
Cons
- Potential conflicts of interest as the broker acts as the counterparty to trades
- Lacks some of the sophisticated trading tools and analytics preferred by professional traders
- Customer service may not always meet the expectations of all users
- Withdrawal processing can sometimes be slower than desired
- Fewer interactive educational sessions compared to other brokers
ActivTrades & Trading 212 Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | Trading 212 UK Ltd, Trading 212 Ltd, Trading 212 Markets Ltd. |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Cyprus |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | FCA, FSC, CySEC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | £85 000 / €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Market Maker Account | ||
| Account Name | Pro | CFD |
| Min Deposit | $1 | $10 |
| Lot Size | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | Floating | Floating |
| Execution | Market | Instant |
| Min Spread | 0.5 | 1.2 |
| Fee | No | No |
| Max Leverage | 1:400 | 1:30 |
| Stop Out | 30% | 25% |
| Margin Call | 100% | 45% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK, NOK, CZK, PLN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | Trading 212 |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | 0 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 31 |
Indices | 31 | 30 |
Stocks | 1035 | 3000 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 0 |
Bonds | 6 | 100 |
Metals | 3 | 8 |
Energies | 7 | 10 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 23 |
ETFs | 75 | 50 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | Trading 212 |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | info@trading212.com |
Phone | +12426035200 | — |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and Trading 212, 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.
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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.