Join our community of traders FOR FREE!

  • Learn
  • Improve yourself
  • Get Rewards
Learn More
Winner of 65+ Global Awards
73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

ActivTrades Review in 2025

Written by Miro Nikolov
Miro Nikolov is the co-founder of TradingPedia.com and BestBrokers.com. His mission is to help people make profitable investments by giving them access to educational resources and analytics tools.
, | Updated: April 16, 2025

ActivTrades entered the global trading scene in 2001, establishing itself as a highly experienced broker with over two decades of expertise in serving Forex and CFD traders from more than 170 countries. Regulated by top-tier authorities such as the FCA, CMVM, SCB, and CVM, among others, ActivTrades is authorized to operate in the UK, EU, South America, and several offshore regions.

When it comes to market diversity, ActivTrades offers impressive exposure with over 1,000 CFD instruments across seven different asset classes. These can be accessed on four trading platforms, including the proprietary ActivTrader and several popular third-party solutions.

Trading conditions at ActivTrades are highly competitive, featuring fast order execution, tight spreads, and no hidden fees—contributing to an overall cost-efficient trading experience. Operating under a No Dealing Desk execution model, the broker boasts an average order execution speed of under 0.004 seconds. With no requotes and spreads starting as low as 0.5 pips on major currency pairs, ActivTrades delivers a high-performance environment for all types of traders.

Widely recognized for its excellence, ActivTrades has been nominated in over 20 award categories, standing alongside some of the most respected names in the online trading industry. Complementing its trading services, the broker also offers top-tier customer support, with knowledgeable agents available to assist clients in 14 different languages.

General Information about ActivTrades
Min. Deposit$0
Supported LanguagesArabic, Bulgarian, German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Malay, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin)
Supported CurrenciesAED, CHF, EUR, GBP, USD
Websitehttps://www.activtrades.com
Phone Number+44 (0) 207 6500 581
Support Emailenglishdesk@activtrades.mu
Headquarters Address1st Floor River Court, 6 St Denis Street, 11328, Port Louis, Mauritius

Regulations

ActivTrades is a truly global broker that is authorized to cater to international audiences thanks to several licenses issued by top-tier regulatory bodies. With legal operations across Europe, South America, and a few offshore regions, ActivTrades is compliant with specific regulations applicable to each market.

To cater to British traders, the broker has obtained an FCA license, which obligates ActivTrades to follow strict regulatory requirements for secure and fair trading in the UK. You will notice that Cryptocurrencies are missing from the list of available markets if you register with the FCA-regulated entity of ActivTrades, as the broker is compliant with regulatory requirements forbidding the sale of high-risk crypto CFDs to retail customers from the UK. That said, the broker offers experienced Brits to open professional accounts and trade crypto CFDs with leverage up to 1:20.

Non-UK traders from Europe can also open accounts with ActivTrades thanks to a license from the CMVM (Portugal), which regulates the EU entity of the broker. In addition to the CMVM stamp of approval, ActivTrades has also registered with CONSOB, which is the primary regulatory body of the securities market in Italy. That further establishes ActivTrades’ presence in the European trading market.

ActivTrades has also been authorized by the regulatory bodies in Brazil, with the Central Bank (Bacen) and the CVM regulating and licensing the broker’s operations in South American regions. Traders from Brazil will have the opportunity to trade non-deliverable forwards that are otherwise unavailable at the EU, UK, and offshore entities. NDFs allow ActivTrades clients to speculate on the price fluctuations of assets like currencies, commodities, and indices.

Offshore operations of ActivTrades have also been authorized by reputable regulators like the SCB (Bahamas) and the FSC (Mauritius). These entities have adopted more liberal trading conditions, allowing trading with higher leverage, ultimately eliminating the need to open a professional account to access margin trading with leverage of 1:200, 1:500, or even higher.

RegulatorLicence
CONSOB211
FCA434413
SCB199667 B
CMVM433
FSCMGB24203277
CVM43050.917/0001-03

Trading Instruments

Portfolio diversity is easily achievable when trading with ActivTrades, which offers over 1,000 CFDs to its clients. A wide range of tradable assets is available across seven different markets, enabling ActivTrades users to gain exposure to asset classes such as Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, Bonds, and Cryptocurrencies.Please note that the availability of certain tradable instruments is region-specific. For example, UK retail traders cannot access crypto CFDs. Additionally, NDFs are not available to non-Brazilian traders.

Forex Trading

ActivTrades offers its clients a solid range of currency pairs, with more than 50 Forex pairs available across all supported platforms. Major, minor, and exotic pairs are all included, allowing ActivTrades customers to place orders with zero commission.

Since ActivTrades uses a spread-only pricing model, Forex traders benefit from competitive overall trading costs. Moreover, spreads are extremely tight, starting at just 0.5 pips on major pairs such as EUR/USD and GBP/USD.

Leverage on Forex instruments varies across the broker’s entities. European traders, including those in the UK, can trade major pairs with leverage of up to 1:30, and minor or exotic pairs with leverage of up to 1:20. These limits apply to retail clients only. Pro account holders may trade most Forex instruments with leverage of up to 1:400. Note that as trade size increases for Pro accounts, the maximum available leverage may be reduced.

Offshore entities of ActivTrades allow trading on major Forex pairs with leverage of up to 1:1000 (Mauritius) and 1:200 (Bahamas). However, actual leverage depends on the order size, with larger positions typically reducing the available leverage. All broker entities allow flexible position sizing, enabling Forex trades between 0.01 and 100 lots.

Shares Trading

If stocks are your preferred market, you’ll be pleased to know that ActivTrades clients can speculate on the share prices of over 900 global companies listed across the US, UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, and more. Share CFDs can be traded on the broker’s proprietary ActivTrader platform as well as the third-party MT5 platform. If you’ve connected your ActivTrades account to TradingView, you’ll also have access to the full range of share CFDs there.

For share CFD trading, ActivTrades charges a very small fixed-rate commission, with the surcharge for US-traded shares being US$0.02 per share or no less than US$1. For European shares, the applicable commission is 0.01% of the traded volume or no less than €5. For UK-traded stocks, the commission is 0.10% of the traded volume or no less than £1. Traders can speculate on stock prices with real-time market data and no hidden fees. Orders can be placed with a volume as low as 0.01 lots. The maximum allowed lot size depends on the liquidity and characteristics of the underlying stock.

Dividends are credited to traders holding long positions and debited from those with short positions. Dividends are calculated on the ex-dividend date of the underlying stock.

Leverage for share CFD trading is capped at 1:5 for retail clients in the UK and EU. Pro accounts can access leverage of up to 1:50, which is also the cap for traders registered with the Bahamas or Mauritius-regulated entities.

Index Trading

Another market available at ActivTrades is indices. Like the broker’s other products, indices are traded as CFDs, allowing you to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. You can choose between Cash Indices and Index Futures. Cash Indices are ideal for short-term strategies like swing or intraday trading.

Index Futures allow traders to speculate on price movements at a predetermined future date and are generally preferred for long-term strategies, where factors like interest rates and expiration dates come into play. Whether you trade Cash Indices or Index Futures, ActivTrades charges no commission.

Retail traders in the UK and EU can access leverage of up to 1:20 on major indices and 1:10 on minor ones. Pro accounts can use leverage of up to 1:400. Offshore clients may be eligible for leverage of up to 1:1000 (Mauritius) and 1:200 (Bahamas), depending on order size.

Crypto Trading

If you’re interested in the crypto market but prefer not to manage crypto wallets, ActivTrades allows you to trade crypto CFDs. This enables non-custodial trading on 15 supported cryptocurrencies, letting you speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset.

Note that UK retail traders are restricted from trading cryptocurrency CFDs due to FCA regulations. However, UK traders who qualify for a Pro account can trade the full list of crypto CFDs with leverage of up to 1:20.

Crypto trading at ActivTrades benefits from tight spreads and zero commissions. Retail traders in the EU can trade with leverage of up to 1:2, while Pro traders can access leverage of up to 1:20. This 1:20 cap also applies to clients trading under SCB and FSC-regulated entities.

ETF Trading

ActivTrades clients can also access the equities market via CFDs on over 80 ETFs. These can be traded on MT5 or the proprietary ActivTrader platform. ETF CFDs are grouped into categories such as European ETFs, UK ETFs, US ETFs, and Crypto ETFs.

Transparent pricing is a hallmark of the broker, with no hidden fees, tight spreads, and low commissions per trade. ETF trades follow the same commission structure as share CFD trades. Fast execution minimizes slippage, enhancing the overall trading experience.

Retail clients in the EU and UK can use leverage of up to 1:5 when trading ETFs. Pro accounts and clients registered with the Bahamas or Mauritius-regulated entities can access leverage of up to 1:50, depending on the ETF and trade size.

Commodity Trading

Commodities are another key asset class available on MT4, MT5, and ActivTrader. Clients can trade both hard (e.g., metals, energy) and soft commodities (e.g., coffee, cotton, orange juice). These can also be accessed via TradingView’s broker integration.

Traders can choose between spot and futures contracts, with tight spreads throughout. For instance, spot gold typically has a target spread of 0.25 points. As with other assets, commodity trading at ActivTrades is commission-free.

Retail clients in the UK and EU can trade commodities with leverage of up to 1:10, except for Gold, which has a higher cap of 1:20. Pro traders and those under SCB regulation may use leverage of up to 1:200. Under Mauritius regulation, Gold can be traded with leverage of up to 1:1000, while other commodities may go up to 1:200 or 1:500.

Bonds

Bond CFDs are also available at ActivTrades with fair, transparent pricing and no hidden fees. These can be traded on ActivTrader, MT5, or via TradingView for those who connect their accounts.

Micro-trading is supported, with a minimum order size of 0.01 lots. The maximum lot size depends on the specific bond CFD. As with other markets, there is no commission, and spreads remain low to provide better trading value.

Retail traders in the UK and EU can access leverage of up to 1:5. Eligible Pro accounts may use leverage of up to 1:400. Under FSC regulation, leverage is capped at 1:100, while SCB-registered clients may access up to 1:200 on bond CFDs.

InstrumentSpread
AUDUSDAVG 0.6 pips
EURGBPAVG 0.8 pips
EURUSDAVG 0.5 pips
GBPUSDAVG 0.8 pips
NZDUSDAVG 1 pips
USDCADAVG 1 pips
USDCHFAVG 1 pips
USDCNYAVG 1.2 pips
USDJPYAVG 0.5 pips

Trading Platforms

Platforms

PC / MAC

Smartphones

Tablets

MetaTrader 4
MetaTrader 5
Trading Information
Trading PlatformsMetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web, TradingView
Demo AccountNot Available
HedgingAvailable
ScalpingAvailable
US TradersNot Available
Arabic TradersAvailable

Platform diversity is a standout feature at ActivTrades, giving clients the flexibility to trade on some of the most popular third-party platforms, including MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). For those who prefer advanced charting tools, ActivTrades also supports integration with TradingView, allowing users to connect their live accounts seamlessly and trade directly through the TradingView interface.

In addition to these industry-leading platforms, ActivTrades provides its own proprietary trading platform—ActivTrader. Designed with both beginners and experienced traders in mind, ActivTrader offers access to the full range of tradable instruments available through the broker. The platform combines an intuitive, user-friendly interface with advanced technical analysis tools and powerful trading functionalities, making it a strong choice for traders looking for a seamless and comprehensive trading experience.

MetaTrader 4

MT4 is a powerful trading platform that combines built-in advanced features with excellent tools for customization. Forex and CFDs on commodities, indices, and cryptocurrencies can be easily traded with MT4, allowing traders to perform seamless market analysis using 50 pre-installed technical indicators and 9 different timeframes.

Hedging mode is also available to MT4 users, facilitating smooth trading for those who prefer this strategy. Traders can place six different order types through the platform, which offers cross-device compatibility, allowing them to run MT4 on desktop or mobile devices. It is also possible to access MT4 directly via your browser, avoiding the need to install additional software. Conveniently, the demo account version provided by ActivTrades allows inexperienced traders to test MT4 and explore all of its capabilities.

MetaTrader 5

Many consider MT5 an improved version of MT4, offering more advanced tools for technical analysis. While some products, such as share CFDs, may not be available on MT4, ActivTrades customers can access the full range of tradable symbols on MT5. Additional order types are also included, allowing MT5 users to place a total of eight different order variations.

While MT4 offers a basic strategy tester, MT5 provides an advanced version of this feature. Automated trading is also among the advantages offered by the platform. Extended tick charts and 21 timeframes contribute to a more sophisticated trading experience. It should be noted that while hedging is allowed, it is available only upon request.

ActivTrades clients can conveniently test the platform using demo accounts. MT5 also boasts extensive device compatibility, with apps available for both Android and iOS users. Desktop users can install the software on their computers or access the in-browser version of the platform.

ActivTrader

In addition to the aforementioned third-party platforms, ActivTrades also offers its robust in-house trading solution, ActivTrader. All trading categories covered by the broker, including share CFDs, are available on this proprietary platform. Compared to MT4 and MT5, ActivTrader includes a set of advanced features exclusively available to its users. These include TradingView integration, market sentiment indicators, trailing stop and progressive trailing stop, and bulk position management, to name a few.

ActivTrader allows users to place eight different order types, with 14 chart types enabling comprehensive market analysis. However, the platform does not include a strategy tester or support for automated trading.

Traders who open a demo account with ActivTrades can use virtual funds to test the full range of ActivTrader’s features. The platform can be launched on any desktop device using popular browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. Alternatively, mobile trading is available through the ActivTrader app, compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

TradingView

As mentioned, the broker’s proprietary platform, ActivTrader, supports TradingView integration. This allows traders to access the robust charting tools provided by TradingView, enabling in-depth market analysis. Additionally, ActivTrades clients can connect their live trading accounts to TradingView and place orders directly through the charting platform’s interface.

In addition to advanced analytical tools, TradingView is also popular for its social trading features. It enables traders, including those registered with ActivTrades, to learn from more experienced, like-minded traders. Sharing ideas on the platform is also an integral part of the social trading experience that ActivTrades members can enjoy.

To support seamless trading across multiple devices, TradingView can be accessed through any popular browser, or users can download the platform on a desktop device. Mobile trading is also available, with a dedicated app compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Payment Methods

While you can start your journey at ActivTrades with a demo account, whenever you decide to go live, you can handle your deposits in a very convenient way. To cater to the preferences of different traders, the broker accepts a variety of fiat payment solutions as well as several cryptocurrencies. To avoid any currency conversion fees, traders can choose to fund their accounts in some of the supported account currencies. These include USD, CHF, EUR, GBP, and AED.

Despite the account type you wish to open with the broker, there will be no set minimum deposit amount, allowing traders to start their trading experiences with as little as they feel comfortable with. Traders from Brazil and China, however, will have to comply with the minimum deposit requirement of R$100,000 for Brazilian traders and $500 for those residing in China. There are also no set limits for all supported payment methods, allowing traders to handle their deposits the way they fit their budgets the best.

Supported deposit solutions include bank transfers, credit/debit cards by Visa and Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, and crypto payments. Residents of certain countries may also have access to payment solutions like Apple Pay and GPay for their deposits. Most of the options will allow for your funds to appear in your live trading account within 30 minutes. Bank transfers may take longer, but the money should appear in your trading balance within the same day of the transaction.

We would like to highlight that no fees are applied to deposits carried out via most of the supported methods. That said, traders who deposit via credit or debit cards will be charged a 1.5% transaction fee. Traders who register with the EU and UK entities of ActivTrades will be charged a lower fee of 0.5% if they use a credit/debit card issued within the EEA or UK. If you wish to resort to crypto payments for your ActivTrades fundings, you should be aware of the supported cryptocurrencies, which include BCH, BTC, ETH, LINK, LTC, USDC, USDT, XLM, XRP, and DASH.

Whenever you are ready to cash out some of your profits, you will have plenty of convenient options to choose from. Since ActivTrades has adopted a same-method payment policy, when possible, your withdrawals will be processed to the same card, account, or wallet you have used for your deposits. All withdrawal methods do not incur withdrawal fees, but it should be noted that bank transfer payouts may come with some surcharges if the transaction is not carried out in EUR, CHF, or BGN. Bank transfer withdrawals in GBP are charged with a £9 fee, while USD payouts via the same method come with a surcharge of $12.50. All payment methods supported by ActivTrades facilitate same-day withdrawals.

BrandMinimumFeesProcessing Time
None0.5% EEA and UK (EU entity only) 1.5% non EEA30 minutes
None0.5% EEA and UK (EU entity only) 1.5% non EEA30 minutes
NoneFreeSame working day
NoneFree30 minutes
NoneFree30 minutes
NoneFree30 minutes
NoneFreeSame working day
NoneFreeSame working day
BrandMinimumFeesProcessing Time
NoneFreeSame working day
NoneFreeSame working day
NoneFree (EUR, CHF, and BGN only); GBP transfers - £9; USD transfers - $12.501 business day
NoneFreeSame working day
NoneFreeSame working day
NoneFreeSame working day

Account Types

Traders who have decided to join ActivTrades will have several account types from which to choose. The availability of some accounts depends on the entity you have registered with, as well as some specific requirements that traders must meet to open some of the accounts at ActivTrades. Since ActivTrades has been authorized to operate in multiple jurisdictions, different entities may offer a wide number of account options. However, all variations of ActivTrades allow customers to open Demo accounts and practice trading with virtual money. Live accounts can be divided into three possible options – Individual, Professional, and Islamic. Below, we provide further information on who qualifies for the account variations offered at ActivTrades.

MarketLeverage
Spot Commodities1:400 (CMVM | Pro Account)
Spot Commodities1:20 (CMVM | Retail Account)
Spot Commodities1:1000 (FSC)
Spot Metals1:1000 (SCB)
Bonds CFDs1:500 (CMVM | Pro Account)
Bonds CFDs1:5 (CMVM | Retail Account)
Bonds CFDs1:500 (FSC)
Bonds CFDs1:100 (SCB)
Commodity Futures1:10 (CMVM | Retail Account)
Commodity Futures1:500 (FSC)
Commodity Futures1:500 (SCB)
Crypto CFDs1:20 (CMVM | Pro Account)
Crypto CFDs1:2 (CMVM | Retail Account)
Crypto CFDs1:20 (FSC)
Crypto CFDs1:20 (SCB)
ETF CFDs1:5 (CMVM | Pro Account)
ETF CFDs1:5 (CMVM | Retail Account)
ETF CFDs1:10 (FSC)
ETF CFDs1:10 (SCB)
Forex CFDs1:400 (CMVM | Pro Account)
Forex CFDs1:30 (CMVM | Retail Account)
Forex CFDs1:1000 (FSC)
Forex CFDs1:200 (SCB)
Index Futures1:400 (CMVM | Pro Account)
Indices CFDs1:400 (CMVM | Pro Account)
Indices CFDs1:20 (CMVM | Retail Account)
Indices CFDs1:1000 (FSC)
Indices CFDs1:1000 (SCB)
Share CFDs1:5 (CMVM | Retail Account)
Share CFDs1:50 (FSC)
Share CFDs1:50 (SCB)
Stock CFDs1:20 (CMVM | Pro Account)

Demo Account

Whether it’s MT4, MT5, or the proprietary platform ActivTrader, ActivTrades members can set up a demo account with any of the supported software solutions and enjoy risk-free virtual trading. Opening a demo account involves just a few simple steps during the registration process with ActivTrades.

Unlike many other brokers, ActivTrades does not impose an expiration date on its demo accounts, allowing customers to test their strategies for as long as they wish. Since the demo version replicates the same market conditions as live trading, you can engage in real-time simulations that show how your trades would have performed had you used real money.

The demo account at ActivTrades is suitable for both beginners and experienced traders, as it allows for risk-free trading. It helps newcomers learn how to trade and gives seasoned traders the opportunity to test strategies without putting real money at risk.

Individual Account

This is the account option available to all ActivTrades customers, regardless of the entity they are registered with. Once you’re ready to go live with your trades, you can opt for the Individual Account, which provides access to all trading platforms, with over 1,000 CFD instruments available.

With the exception of shares and ETFs, all other assets can be traded by Individual account holders with zero commission. To further reduce trading costs, the broker applies very tight spreads, starting as low as 0.5 pips on major Forex pairs.

Transparency is a key feature of the Individual Account at ActivTrades. Traders who prefer to keep positions open overnight will either be charged or paid interest (swaps), depending on their position and how the market has moved.

The Individual Account is tailored for retail traders, who benefit from built-in risk management tools such as negative balance protection, funds insurance, and leverage caps. These safeguards apply to retail clients registered under the FCA, CMVM, and SCB. Those seeking higher leverage can apply for the Pro Account option at ActivTrades.

Professional Account

Since ActivTrades complies fully with regulatory requirements in the UK and across the EU and EEA regions, the broker enforces leverage limits for retail clients (Individual Accounts). The maximum leverage on major currency pairs is 1:30, while minor and exotic pairs are capped at 1:20.

To access higher leverage on Forex and other instruments, EU and UK retail traders can apply for a Professional Account. This account type provides leverage of up to 1:400 on Forex and other products. Additional benefits include a lower Stop Out Level of 30% (compared to 50% for retail accounts) and a dedicated account manager.

Only experienced traders who meet specific criteria can qualify for a Professional Account. These include having a substantial trading volume over the past year, at least one year of relevant professional experience, and a portfolio worth at least €500,000. It’s important to note that high leverage carries a greater risk of losses, and Professional Accounts are suitable only for well-informed and experienced individuals. As a result, professional traders may have to waive certain safety features such as negative balance protection and funds insurance.

Islamic Account

Since some traders are prohibited from paying or receiving swaps due to religious beliefs, ActivTrades offers an Islamic Account option to residents of certain countries. This account type operates in full compliance with Sharia law, applying zero swaps on overnight positions. No additional rollover fees are charged on positions held for more than 24 hours.

This account type is exclusively available to residents of 13 countries: Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco.

Islamic Accounts include key investor protection features, such as mandatory negative balance protection, funds insurance, and no rollover commissions. To learn more about this account type and check your eligibility, you can contact the broker’s team at middleeastdesk@activtrades.com.

Support

ActivTrades is fully dedicated to its clients, providing professional customer care to those who wish to learn more about their experience at the online broker or seek help with an issue they may be having with their trades. The customer help service of ActivTrades is available 24 hours a day, five days a week, with agents speaking 14 different languages to help customers from different parts of the world.

If quick answers are what you are looking for, the live chat of the broker is your number one choice for communication. Unlike other brokers, ActivTrades does not rely on chat bots to provide the help you are seeking. Instead, friendly, professional, and well-educated agents provide quick responses that can be useful in any situation.

A great alternative to the live chat is the email support that will provide timely responses to any question you may have about your trading time with ActivTrades. With multiple entities, traders from different regions can get email support through dedicated email addresses. Phone support is also available, with a few phone numbers available to international and local traders. While traders can call the numbers we have provided below, they can also request a free callback from the broker’s team or they can chat with a representative on WhatsApp.

ActivTrades Support Channels
EntityEmail AddressPhone
EUenglishdesk@activtrades.eu (retail customers),
institutional_en@activtrades.eu (institutional accounts)
+442076500567 (Portugal)
UKenglishdesk@activtrades.com (retail customers),
institutional_en@activtrades.com (institutional accounts)
+442076500500 +442076500567
Bahamasenglishdesk@activtrades.bs+12426035200
Mauritiusenglishdesk@activtrades.mu+35924934393
Brazilsuporte@activtrades.com.br0800 722 5548

Conclusion

Based on our extensive review of ActivTrades, we can conclude that this broker delivers outstanding performance, offering a wide range of trading instruments, competitive pricing, fast order execution, and an excellent overall trading experience for various types of traders. From novices to experts—and everyone in between—the broker caters to all levels, providing a selection of account options to suit different needs.

Traders can choose between the proprietary platform and some of the most popular third-party software solutions, with over 1,000 CFD assets available to trade on any device they prefer. Licensed by top-tier regulators, ActivTrades ensures a fair and secure trading environment that is likely to appeal to all traders.