Comparison of ActivTrades and CommSec
| Feature | ActivTrades | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 1995 |
| Broker Type | MM | DMA |
| Dealing | B-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | ASIC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:10 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | AUD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✔ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| 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 | Shares, ETFs, options, managed funds, margin lending |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | CommSec 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 CommSec
CommSec is Australia’s largest online stockbroker and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank. Founded in 1995, it offers direct market access to the ASX plus 13 international exchanges, $0 account-keeping fees, tiered brokerage from A$5 per trade, and integrated banking via the CDIA settlement account. Clients can trade on desktop or via the CommSec and Pocket mobile apps, access Morningstar research, and finance portfolios through a margin-loan facility. Regulated by ASIC, CommSec is CHESS-sponsored for Australian equities, but accounts are available only to Australian residents.
Pros
- ASIC-regulated, backed by Commonwealth Bank
- Intuitive mobile app
- CHESS sponsorship for ASX shares
- Access to 13 global markets
- Integrated CDIA cash account with fast settlement
- Comprehensive research & Morningstar data
Cons
- Available only to Australian residents
- Higher brokerage than new discount brokers
- No MT4/MT5 or cryptocurrency trading
- No negative-balance protection
- Limited derivative line-up (no CFDs/FX)
ActivTrades & CommSec Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | Commonwealth Securities Ltd |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | Australia |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | ASIC |
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 | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
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% | — |
DMA Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Commonwealth Direct Investment Account (CDIA) |
| Min Deposit | — | $1 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1 |
| Fee | — | $10 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:1 |
| Stop Out | — | - |
| Margin Call | — | - |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | AUD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Linked CDIA bank account, NetBank transfer, BPAY |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | CommSec Web, CommSec App, CommSec Pocket |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | 3 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 0 |
Indices | 31 | 0 |
Stocks | 1035 | 2200 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 0 |
Bonds | 6 | 0 |
Metals | 3 | 0 |
Energies | 7 | 0 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 0 |
ETFs | 75 | 200 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | CommSec |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | hoax@cba.com.au |
Phone | +12426035200 | +61283971206 |
Facebook | — | |
LinkedIn | — | |
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and CommSec, 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.