Comparison of ActivTrades and Interactive Brokers
| Feature | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 1977 |
| Broker Type | MM | DMA |
| Dealing | B-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⬊ Low |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:50 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | ✖ |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✔ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | SIPC, FSCS, ICS |
| Protection Size | £85 000 | $500 000 / £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 | Stocks, ETFs, Options, Futures, Forex, Bonds, Mutual Funds, Cryptocurrencies, Commodities, CFDs |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Interactive Brokers 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 Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is a global multi-asset broker founded in 1977. Regulated on four continents, IBKR offers direct market access to 150+ exchanges in 33 countries, tight pricing on FX, and some of the lowest commissions in the industry. Clients trade via the powerful Trader Workstation, streamlined Client Portal, or mobile apps, choose from 20+ base currencies, and benefit from SIPC/FSCS investor protection and ESMA-mandated negative balance protection for CFDs.
Pros
- Tier-1 regulation in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Asia
- Access to 150+ markets across 33 countries and 26 currencies
- Ultra-low spreads and volume-based commissions
- Advanced Trader Workstation plus simple mobile & web platforms
- No minimum deposit for cash accounts and no inactivity fee
- Negative balance protection for EU retail CFD traders
Cons
- Minimum FX order size ~ 20 000 units limits small accounts
- Trader Workstation has a steep learning curve
- No credit/debit-card funding options
- Customer support is not 24/7
ActivTrades & Interactive Brokers Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | SIPC, FSCS, ICS |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | $500 000 / £85 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Companies
ActivTrades
ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA
Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers LLC, Interactive Brokers (U.K.) Ltd, Interactive Brokers Ireland Ltd, Interactive Brokers Canada Inc., Interactive Brokers Australia Pty Ltd, Interactive Brokers Hong Kong Ltd, Interactive Brokers India Pvt. Ltd, Interactive Brokers Securities Japan Inc, Interactive Brokers Singapore Pte. Ltd
Countries
ActivTrades
Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil
Interactive Brokers
United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia
Regulators
ActivTrades
SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM
Interactive Brokers
SEC, FINRA, FCA, CBI, CIRO, ASIC, SFC, SEBI, JFSA, MAS
Investor Protection
ActivTrades
UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)
Interactive Brokers
SIPC, FSCS, ICS
Investor Protection Size
ActivTrades
£85 000
Interactive Brokers
$500 000 / £85 000
Publicly Traded
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Segregated Accounts
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Guaranteed Stop Loss
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Negative Balance Protection
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Account Types
| Account | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
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 | — | IBKR Pro |
| Min Deposit | — | $0 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.1 |
| Fee | — | $4 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:50 |
| Stop Out | — | 50% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Market Maker Account
Account Name
ActivTrades
Pro
Interactive Brokers
—
Min Deposit
ActivTrades
$1
Interactive Brokers
—
Lot Size
ActivTrades
0.01
Interactive Brokers
—
Spread Type
ActivTrades
Floating
Interactive Brokers
—
Execution
ActivTrades
Market
Interactive Brokers
—
Min Spread
ActivTrades
0.5
Interactive Brokers
—
Fee
ActivTrades
No
Interactive Brokers
—
Max Leverage
ActivTrades
1:400
Interactive Brokers
—
Stop Out
ActivTrades
30%
Interactive Brokers
—
Margin Call
ActivTrades
100%
Interactive Brokers
—
DMA Account
Account Name
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
IBKR Pro
Min Deposit
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
$0
Lot Size
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
0.01
Spread Type
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
Floating
Execution
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
Market
Min Spread
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
0.1
Fee
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
$4 per 1 lot
Max Leverage
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
1:50
Stop Out
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
50%
Margin Call
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
100%
Additional Features
Demo Account
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
VIP Account
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Swap-Free Account
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Copy Trading
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
VPS
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
PAMM/MAM Accounts
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee | First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10 |
Base currencies
ActivTrades
USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK
Interactive Brokers
USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, HKD, SGD, SEK, NOK, DKK, NZD, PLN, HUF, CZK, MXN, ZAR, TRY, ILS, KRW, CNH, AED, SAR, MYR, TWD
Deposit and withdrawal methods
ActivTrades
Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay
Interactive Brokers
Bank Wire, ACH, SEPA/Bank Transfer, Check, Wise/Instarem, Online Bill Pay
Inactivity fee
ActivTrades
$10 per month after 12 months
Interactive Brokers
Interest on margin
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Withdrawal fee
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
First withdrawal each month free; subsequent bank wires ~ $10
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | 4 ms |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | low |
Trading Platforms
ActivTrades
MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView
Interactive Brokers
Trader Workstation (TWS), IBKR Mobile, Client Portal, IBKR GlobalTrader, FXTrader
Execution Speed
ActivTrades
5 ms
Interactive Brokers
4 ms
Scalping
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Expert Advisors (EAs)
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Depth of Market (DOM)
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Spread
ActivTrades
low
Interactive Brokers
low
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 87 |
Indices | 31 | 23 |
Stocks | 1035 | 8139 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 11 |
Bonds | 6 | 87 |
Metals | 3 | 4 |
Energies | 7 | 10 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 15 |
ETFs | 75 | 532 |
Currencies
ActivTrades
49
Interactive Brokers
87
Indices
ActivTrades
31
Interactive Brokers
23
Stocks
ActivTrades
1035
Interactive Brokers
8139
Cryptocurrencies
ActivTrades
12
Interactive Brokers
11
Bonds
ActivTrades
6
Interactive Brokers
87
Metals
ActivTrades
3
Interactive Brokers
4
Energies
ActivTrades
7
Interactive Brokers
10
Soft Commodities
ActivTrades
9
Interactive Brokers
15
ETFs
ActivTrades
75
Interactive Brokers
532
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Economic Calendar
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Indicators
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Robots
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Signals
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Autochartist
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Expert Analytics
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
News Feed
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Education Articles
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Webinars
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Seminars
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | help@interactivebrokers.com |
Phone | +12426035200 | +18774422757 |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter |
Email
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Phone
ActivTrades
Interactive Brokers
Instagram
ActivTrades
—
Interactive Brokers
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and Interactive Brokers, 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.