Comparison of ActivTrades and Orbex
| Feature | ActivTrades | Orbex |
|---|---|---|
| Broker | ||
| Year Founded | 2001 | 2010 |
| Broker Type | MM | STP |
| Dealing | B-book | A-book |
| Execution | Market | Market |
| Regulation | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | FSC, FSA, CySEC |
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
| Spread | ⬊ Low | ⮕ Average |
| Maximum Leverage | 1:400 | 1:500 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $100 |
| Base Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, PLN |
| Funding Methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, UnionPay, FasaPay, POLi, ENet, Tether (USDT), PayRetailers, VN Pay, Virtual Pay |
| Inactivity Fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $20/month on dormant accounts after ~6 months of inactivity |
| Interest on Margin | ✖ | ✖ |
| Withdrawal Fee | ✖ | ✖ |
| Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
| Protection Size | £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 (CFDs), Cryptocurrencies, Metals, Energies, Soft Commodities |
| Review | ActivTrades Review | Orbex 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 Orbex
Orbex is a multi-entity broker regulated by the Mauritius FSC (global) with additional group entities in Cyprus and Seychelles. Traders can choose between three clear account tiers — Starter (no commission), Premium (raw pricing, $8 RT), and Ultimate (raw pricing, $5 RT) — on MT4 or MT5. Minimum deposits start from $100, maximum leverage is up to 1:500 (entity-dependent), and stop-out/margin call levels are typically 20%/100%. The product list covers 70+ FX pairs, stock and index CFDs, metals, energies and a set of major cryptocurrencies. Convenience extras include copy trading, Islamic (swap-free) terms for eligible clients, and a free VPS when account balance/deposit criteria are met. Funding supports cards, bank wires, major e-wallets and USDT, with near-instant processing for most methods; the broker generally doesn’t charge funding fees, though processors may.
Pros
- Three straightforward account types on MT4/MT5
- Raw pricing on Premium/Ultimate
- Leverage up to 1:500 (outside EU)
- Copy trading, Islamic accounts, and free VPS
- Broad funding stack incl. cards, e-wallets, and USDT
Cons
- Inactivity fee
- Instrument counts on MT4/5 can vary by account
ActivTrades & Orbex Regulation
| Feature | ActivTrades | Orbex |
|---|---|---|
Companies | ActivTrades Corp, ActivTrades PLC, ActivMarkets - Empresa de Investimento, S.A., ActivTrades Europe SA, ACTIVTRADES CORRETORA LTDA | Orbex Global Limited; Orbex Limited; Orbex Ltd |
Countries | Bahamas, United Kingdom, Portugal, Luxembourg, Brazil | Mauritius, Seychelles, Cyprus |
Regulators | SCB, FCA, CMVM, CSSF, CONSOB, CVM | FSC, FSA, CySEC |
Investor Protection | UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) | Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) |
Investor Protection Size | £85 000 | €20 000 |
Publicly Traded | ||
Segregated Accounts | ||
Guaranteed Stop Loss | ||
Negative Balance Protection |
Account Types
| Account | ActivTrades | Orbex |
|---|---|---|
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% | — |
STP Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Starter |
| Min Deposit | — | $100 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 1.5 |
| Fee | — | No |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:500 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
ECN Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Premium |
| Min Deposit | — | $500 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.0 |
| Fee | — | $8 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:500 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
Zero Account | ||
| Account Name | — | Premium |
| Min Deposit | — | $500 |
| Lot Size | — | 0.01 |
| Spread Type | — | Floating |
| Execution | — | Market |
| Min Spread | — | 0.0 |
| Fee | — | $8 per 1 lot |
| Max Leverage | — | 1:500 |
| Stop Out | — | 20% |
| Margin Call | — | 100% |
| Additional Features | ||
| Demo Account | ||
| VIP Account | ||
| Swap-Free Account | ||
| Copy Trading | ||
| VPS | ||
| PAMM/MAM Accounts | ||
Funding and Fees
| Feature | ActivTrades | Orbex |
|---|---|---|
Base currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, SEK | USD, EUR, GBP, PLN |
Deposit and withdrawal methods | Bank Wire, Credit Card, Debit Card, Skrill, Neteller, AstroPay | Bank Wire, Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Perfect Money, UnionPay, FasaPay, POLi, ENet, Tether (USDT), PayRetailers, VN Pay, Virtual Pay |
Inactivity fee | $10 per month after 12 months | $20/month on dormant accounts after ~6 months of inactivity |
Interest on margin | ||
Withdrawal fee |
Trading Platforms and Conditions
| Feature | ActivTrades | Orbex |
|---|---|---|
Trading Platforms | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), ActivTrader, TradingView | MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
Execution Speed | 5 ms | - |
Scalping | ||
Expert Advisors (EAs) | ||
Depth of Market (DOM) | ||
Spread | low | average |
Trading Assets
| Asset | ActivTrades | Orbex |
|---|---|---|
Currencies | 49 | 36 |
Indices | 31 | 5 |
Stocks | 1035 | 146 |
Cryptocurrencies | 12 | 11 |
Bonds | 6 | 0 |
Metals | 3 | 4 |
Energies | 7 | 1 |
Soft Commodities | 9 | 3 |
ETFs | 75 | 0 |
Education and Analytics
| Feature | ActivTrades | Orbex |
|---|---|---|
Economic Calendar | ||
Indicators | ||
Robots | ||
Signals | ||
Autochartist | ||
Expert Analytics | ||
News Feed | ||
Education Articles | ||
Webinars | ||
Seminars |
Customer Support
| Contact | ActivTrades | Orbex |
|---|---|---|
Email | englishdesk@activtrades.bs | support@orbex.com |
Phone | +12426035200 | +442035198140 |
Telegram | — | Telegram |
Facebook | ||
LinkedIn | ||
YouTube | YouTube | YouTube |
Instagram | — | |
Twitter | ||
TikTok | — | TikTok |
Which Broker is Better?
After comparing ActivTrades and Orbex, 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.