In this article, we will review one of the leading Forex brokers – ActivTrades, which has established itself as a quality and trustworthy partner for traders of all levels.

We will examine the company's main characteristics, trading conditions, and trading platform options and assess its international reputation. We hope that our review will help you decide to collaborate with ActivTrades and determine if this broker meets your requirements and expectations.

ActivTrades Broker Overview

ActivTrades, a prominent UK-based brokerage, offers a sophisticated electronic trading platform for Forex, Contracts for Difference (CFDs), and spread betting. Established in Switzerland in 2001 by founder and Chairman Alex Pusco, the firm relocated to London in 2005, signalling a strategic shift in its operations.

ActivTrades Review Summary

Our ratings are based on a detailed and comprehensive broker operations analysis. We consider the quality and availability of educational materials, analytics, technical support, and other essential criteria. You can read more about our broker analysis methodology on the Broker Evaluation Methodology page. We aim to provide the most complete and objective information to help you make an informed decision. We invite you to continue reading the review for additional details on ActivTrades broker.

ActivTrades is one of the industry's most respected and reliable Forex brokers, mainly due to its strict regulation and transparency of operations. The company was founded in 2001 and has since been actively developing, expanding its geographical reach, and improving client conditions.

ActivTrades is subject to legislation and regulated in several jurisdictions, ensuring high client protection. The key regulators overseeing the broker's activities include:

Legal Entity	Regulator	Review
ActivTrades Corp ActivTrades Corp	SCB SCB	ActivTrades review
ActivTrades PLC ActivTrades PLC	FCA FCA	Current review
ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A. ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A.	CMVM CMVM	—
ActivTrades Europe SA ActivTrades Europe SA	CSSF CSSF CONSOB CONSOB	ActivTrades Europe review
ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA	CVM CVM	—

Thanks to international regulation, ActivTrades offers clients a high level of protection. In particular, client funds are held in separate accounts (segregated accounts) at central banks and are also protected through the UK's Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), which guarantees compensation of up to £85,000 in the event of the broker's insolvency.

By registering in the personal cabinet, clients of ActivTrades gain access to a powerful software suite, which allows them to perform any financial operations with their accounts.

Registering a personal cabinet will not cause any difficulties even for novice traders, unlike the passport and address verification procedure, which will not require any special knowledge or skills from the trader but will be a severe test of their endurance and patience.

Registration Process

Registering an account with broker ActivTrades is the first step towards trading in the financial markets. The registration process is simple and consists of the following stages:

1. Navigating to the website. Visit the official ActivTrades website and find the "Register" button on the homepage.

2. Fill out the registration form. Click the "Register" button and enter your details in the form. You must provide your first name, last name, email address, phone number, and country of residence. You must also choose the type of account (individual, joint, corporate, or demo account) and preferred account currency (USD, EUR, GBP, SEK or CHF). At this stage, you must also provide information about your trading experience and financial information, such as your annual income, net worth, etc.

3. Email address confirmation. After filling out the registration form, ActivTrades will email you a link to confirm your email address. Click on the link to complete the registration process.

4. Accessing your account. After confirming your email address, you can access your account on the ActivTrades website using the email address and password you registered with. You can manage your account, make deposits, withdraw funds, and access educational materials in your account.

5. Identity verification. By regulatory requirements, ActivTrades must verify your identity before granting access to market trading. You must upload copies of identity documents (passport or driver's license) and proof of address (for example, a utility bill or bank statement) through your account.

After completing all the registration and identity verification stages, your account will be activated, and you can start trading with the broker ActivTrades.

Client's Area

The client's area provides users with a convenient and functional interface for managing their trading accounts, accessing educational materials, and interacting with support. Here are the main sections and features provided by the ActivTrades personal account:

1. Account Information. In the client's area, you will find information about your account, including account number, account type, balance, available trading funds, and margin. This lets you quickly assess your current financial position and make trading decisions.

2. Deposits and Withdrawals. The personal area offers convenient tools for depositing funds and withdrawing earnings. You can choose various payment methods, such as bank transfers, credit/debit cards, and electronic wallets.

3. Educational Materials. ActivTrades provides access to various educational resources, such as webinars, video tutorials, articles, etc., to help you develop your trading skills and strategies.

4. Trading Platforms. In the personal area, you can download and install trading platforms offered by ActivTrades, such as MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5, to start trading in the market.

5. Market Analysis and News. The personal area includes a section with up-to-date market news and analysis, which will help you stay informed about the latest events and changes affecting the financial markets.

6. Technical Support. You can contact ActivTrades support directly from the personal area if you have any questions or issues. Support is available in multiple languages, and specialists can assist you with any queries.

7. Account Settings and Management. In the personal area, you can change your personal information, security settings, and preferences, such as email address and password, for accessing the client's area. This will allow you to keep your data up to date and ensure the security of your account.

8. Managing Trading Accounts. The personal area allows you to manage multiple trading accounts if you have several. You can switch between accounts, view transaction history, and transfer funds between accounts.

9. Education. ActivTrades regularly holds events such as seminars, conferences, and online forums. In the personal area, you will find information about upcoming events and will be able to register for them.

The client's area provides traders with all the necessary tools and resources for successful trading in the financial markets. Its user-friendly interface and access to educational materials, analytics, and support make ActivTrades an attractive choice for traders of various experience levels.

Minimum Deposit

At ActivTrades, there are no restrictions on the minimum deposit. You can start trading with any amount you consider acceptable. This allows flexibility in your trading strategies and the ability to adapt maximally to the market.

ActivTrades offers a set of core account types that meet the needs of most traders. The availability of individual and professional accounts provides flexibility for traders with different levels of experience and trading needs.

However, the absence of STP or ECN accounts, accounts with fixed spreads, cent, and investment accounts (such as PAMM accounts or copy trading accounts) may reduce attractiveness for certain groups of traders, particularly those who prefer more direct market access or various options for investment management.

Trading Accounts

ActivTrades offers several types of trading accounts to satisfy the needs of different traders. The main types of accounts include:

Standard Account

This type of account is intended for most individual traders and offers access to a wide range of trading instruments, tight spreads, and comparable order execution quality. There is no minimum deposit. The trading account can be opened in British pounds, US dollars, euros, Swedish krona, or Swiss francs.

Professional Account

The professional account is designed for experienced traders who meet the broker and regulatory authorities' specific criteria. This type of account offers higher leverage, improved trading conditions, and access to a dedicated account manager. The minimum deposit for a professional account is usually higher than a standard account, but ActivTrades does not require a specific amount.

Islamic Account

The Islamic Account is designed for traders who adhere to Islamic banking and finance principles. This type of account does not involve the accrual of swaps or interest for overnight positions by Sharia principles. The Islamic Account is available for both standard and professional accounts.

Demo Account

A demo account allows beginners and experienced traders to test trading strategies and platforms without risking their funds. The demo account provides virtual funds for trading and simulates actual market conditions.

Clients of ActivTrades can register demo accounts without restrictions on the number or duration of validity.

Spread Betting

Spread Betting is a financial derivative that allows traders to speculate on market movements without owning the underlying assets. It offers the advantage of tax-free profits in the UK and Ireland, enabling both long and short positions with leverage. This method is particularly beneficial for accessing diverse markets affordably.

Spread Betting is available on MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and ActivTrader platforms, providing flexibility and a range of options for traders using ActivTrades.

ActivTrades broker has tight spreads, which makes trading more accessible, but swaps are relatively high. Also, the broker charges a fee for account inactivity, which can significantly increase costs for clients who do not trade regularly.

Trading Commissions

ActivTrades operates on a Market Maker model, where the primary source of income for the broker is the spread, i.e., the difference between the bid and ask quotes. Trading commissions, therefore, are mainly included in the spreads.

Spreads and Swaps

ActivTrades offers its clients tight spreads, starting from 0.5 pips for the EUR/USD pair. However, it should be noted that the broker has relatively high swaps.

Swaps are the interest a trader pays or receives for carrying a position over to the next day. The exact values of swaps depend on the currency pair and the direction of the position and can be found in the trading platform terminal or on the broker's website.

Below are the average spreads and swaps of ActivTrades for some currency pairs.

Account Inactivity Fee

If a trading account remains inactive for at least one year, the client will be considered the owner of a "dormant" account. In this case, an administrative fee of £10 per calendar month is applied in the account currency. This fee covers the costs of maintaining an inactive account.

ActivTrades reserves the right to modify such fees and commits to informing the client of all such changes. It is important to note that the administrative fee cannot reduce the account balance to a negative value.

ActivTrades offers a variety of methods for account funding and withdrawal, most of which are commission-free.

Methods of Account Funding

Payment System	Currencies	Deposit Fee	Operation Limit
Neteller	USDEURGBP. . .show all	0%	—
Skrill	USDEURGBP	0%	—
PayPal	USDEURGBP. . .show all	0%	—
Bank Transfer	USDEURGBP. . .show all	0%	—
Sofort	EURGBPCHF	0%	—
Credit and Debit Cards	USDEURGBP. . .show all	0.5%	up to 15000 EUR

Depending on your bank and country of residence, fees may be charged for bank transfers, and some time may be required for processing. Account funding through electronic wallets and credit cards usually occurs instantly and without commissions.

Methods of Withdrawal

Payment System	Currencies	Withdrawal Fee	Operation Limit
Neteller	USDEURGBP. . .show all	0%	—
Skrill	USDEURGBP	0% limitscommission limits	—
PayPal	USDEURGBP. . .show all	0%	—
Bank Transfer	USDEURGBP. . .show all	0%+ 9 GBP	—
Credit and Debit Cards	USDEURGBP. . .show all	0%	up to 15000 EUR

Fund withdrawal requests are processed within 1 business day.

You can use a bank transfer to withdraw funds to your bank account. Processing time and fees depend on your bank and country of residence.

To ensure the security of all transactions and compliance with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) policies, ActivTrades may require additional documents for client identity and address verification before executing transactions.

ActivTrades offers various trading markets and instruments to meet different traders' needs.

What markets are available?

Leverage

The table below shows the maximum leverage values for each asset category. Note that leverage depends on the account type and trading volume (the higher the volume, the lower the leverage).

ActivTrades offers its clients several popular and reliable trading platforms for executing trades in the financial markets.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

MT4 is one of the world's most well-known and widely used trading platforms. It offers many trading tools, technical indicators, charts, and features for automated trading using Expert Advisors. MT4 also supports the customization of user indicators and trading systems.

MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

MT5 is the subsequent version of the popular MetaTrader trading platform. It offers advanced features and enhanced capabilities, such as additional chart types, indicators, order execution times, and tools for fundamental analysis. The platform also allows trading in new markets not available in MT4.

TradingView

ActivTrades also integrates with TradingView, a renowned platform for its comprehensive and interactive financial charting and trading features. TradingView, known for its user-friendly interface, provides traders with an extensive range of charting tools, technical indicators, and a vibrant community of traders and analysts for idea sharing and discussion.

What sets TradingView apart is its focus on social networking features and community-driven content, making it a popular choice among traders seeking insights and collaborative analysis. With ActivTrades' integration, clients can directly execute trades from their ActivTrades account on the TradingView platform. This seamless connection combines the advanced trading capabilities of ActivTrades with the analytical and social strengths of TradingView, offering a robust trading experience.

This collaboration caters to traders who prefer an engaging and interactive environment enriched with real-time data, diverse market analysis, and the ability to execute trades directly from the charts. TradingView is accessible as a web platform, ensuring traders can stay connected and informed from anywhere. This partnership further enhances the trading experience for ActivTrades clients, providing them with a powerful tool for making informed trading decisions.

ActivTrader

ActivTrader is ActivTrades' proprietary trading platform, designed with the requirements of modern traders. This platform offers an intuitive interface, a wide selection of technical tools and features, and innovative risk management solutions. ActivTrader is available as a web, desktop, and mobile application for iOS and Android.

Free demo accounts are available for all platforms, allowing traders to familiarize themselves with the functionality and features of each platform, as well as to test strategies and develop trading skills without risking their funds.

Depending on your preferences and trading requirements, you can choose a suitable platform and start trading in the markets with ActivTrades.

ActivTrades provides its clients with various analytical support, which can help traders make informed decisions in the financial markets. Here are some of the analytical tools and services available at ActivTrades:

1. Market Analysis. On the official ActivTrades website, traders can find daily market reviews providing information on current market events and analysis of key currency pairs, commodities, and indices.

2. Economic Calendar. ActivTrades offers an economic calendar containing information about upcoming economic events, statistical data, and publications that impact various financial markets.

3. Technical Analysis. ActivTrades provides its clients with tools for conducting technical analysis, including various indicators (pivot point indicator and SmartTemplate), charts, and other analytical functions available on trading platforms and personal accounts.

4. Trading Signals. Certain account types may have access to trading signals from professional analysts and experienced traders, which can assist in making decisions about market trades.

5. Trading Ideas. From time to time, ActivTrades may provide its clients with trading ideas and recommendations based on market situation analysis and current trends.

It should be noted that the availability of certain analytical services may depend on the type of your trading account and region of residence. It is recommended to check on the official ActivTrades website or contact customer support to clarify your account's available analytical tools and services.

It is important to remember that the analytics provided by the broker are an additional tool for traders and do not guarantee success in trading. The responsibility for making trading decisions lies with the trader. Using the provided analytical materials and tools in conjunction with your market analysis and trading strategies is strongly recommended.

ActivTrades offers various forms of education to help traders of different experience levels improve their trading skills and expand their knowledge about financial markets. Here are some forms of education available at ActivTrades:

1. Webinars. The broker regularly conducts webinars on various topics, including trading strategies, technical and fundamental analysis, trading psychology, risk management, etc. Experienced traders and analysts lead the webinars and can be helpful for both beginners and professional traders.

2. Educational videos. The official ActivTrades website has educational videos detailing various aspects of trading, such as working with trading platforms, using indicators and analytical tools, basics of technical and fundamental analysis, and much more.

3. Articles and guides. ActivTrades offers educational articles and guides on various topics related to trading in financial markets. These materials can help traders deepen their knowledge and gain helpful information for successful trading.

4. Demo account. The broker provides the opportunity to open a demo account, which allows traders to test their strategies and develop trading skills without risking their funds. The demo account is an excellent learning tool, as traders can practice using virtual funds in actual market conditions.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). In the FAQ section on the ActivTrades website, you can find answers to common questions related to trading, platforms, accounts, and other aspects of working with the broker. This section can help obtain information about the fundamental trading principles and the specifics of working with ActivTrades.

Training at ActivTrades is comprehensive and diverse, allowing traders to choose the most suitable materials and learning formats. As a result, traders can continuously improve their skills, learn new strategies and analysis methods, and better understand the nuances of working in financial markets.

ActivTrades' customer support scores well in the diversity of communication channels, responsiveness, professionalism, and efficiency of solutions.

How to contact support?

The communication capabilities of the service can be described as standard:

• phone: +44 (0) 207 6500 567 or +44 (0) 207 6500 500
• chat on the official company website;
• email: englishdesk@activtrades.com

Support Schedule

The technical support service of ActivTrades operates in the usual mode for similar services – 24 hours, 5 days a week.

Support Reviews

The broker's clients highly appreciate the qualifications of the support service staff. It is noted that the team of professionals is ready to provide quality assistance and promptly solve clients' questions. In their feedback, users also emphasize the friendliness and sociability of the staff, which contributes to effective and pleasant interaction.

ActivTrades Pros and Cons

Advantages

1. Regulation. ActivTrades is a regulated broker licensed by leading financial regulators such as the FCA and CONSOB. This provides broker's clients with protection and reliability.

2. Wide Range of Instruments. ActivTrades offers access to a wide range of trading instruments, including currency pairs, CFDs on stocks, indices, and commodities, allowing traders to diversify their trading.

3. Trading Platforms. ActivTrades offers popular trading platforms MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, and its own ActivTrader platform. These platforms provide traders with various features, indicators, and tools for analysis.

4. Educational Materials. The broker provides extensive educational materials, including webinars, videos, articles, and guides, which help traders of different experience levels improve their trading skills.

5. Professional Support Team. ActivTrades' support service stands out for its high level of professionalism, ensuring effective and knowledgeable communication with clients, thus enhancing the overall trading experience.

Disadvantages

1. Lack of Account Diversity. ActivTrades offers a limited number of trading account types, which may not satisfy the needs of all traders, especially those looking for more flexible trading conditions or special offers for different levels of experience and trading volumes.

Conclusion

ActivTrades PLC is suitable for beginner traders who value simplicity and intuitive trading platforms, as well as a variety of educational materials to improve their skills. Moreover, this broker can be a suitable option for experienced traders who prefer to trade various instruments and use the powerful features of the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and TradingView platforms.