ActivTradesvs
Interactive BrokersCrypto Exchange Comparison
ActivTrades and Interactive Brokers square off on crypto access, regulatory reach, and platform strength. The debate centers on custody, asset depth, and cost transparency.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsby 0.3 pts
Interactive Brokers edges ActivTrades on editorial score (4.0 vs 3.7). Interactive Brokers also provides real crypto ownership, while ActivTrades offers CFDs.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1Interactive Brokers provides real crypto ownership, ActivTrades CFDs.
- 2ActivTrades offers 24/5 live chat; Interactive Brokers does not.
- 3Coin counts differ: ActivTrades lists 10 coins, IBKR has 9.
Who should choose ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want FCA protection and no minimum deposit.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want real crypto ownership and broad regulation.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Best for security
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
Interactive Brokers because of multi-jurisdictional oversight from SEC, FINRA, FCA, and ASIC.
Best for low fees
Recommended
Interactive Brokers charges transparent 0.12–0.18% commissions with no spread markup.
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Crypto Exchange Comparison
| Criteria |  ActivTrades |  Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.7/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0.2 pips▼ lower |
| Taker Fee | N/A | 2.00% |
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers Crypto Exchange Pros & Cons
Pros
- FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client, strongest fund protection among mid-tier brokers
- ActivTrader's volatility protection automatically cancels orders during extreme crypto market spikes
- Crypto CFDs available on ActivTrader and MT4 with no minimum deposit
- Negative balance protection and FSCS coverage for UK retail clients
Cons
- Limited coin selection (major tokens only, no altcoins or DeFi access)
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
1
ActivTrades
criteria win
0
Interactive Brokers
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two exchanges differ
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 3.7/5 and Interactive Brokers rates 4/5. Interactive Brokers has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
Interactive Brokers lists a lower spread from 0.2, compared with ActivTrades's 0.5. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
Neither ActivTrades nor Interactive Brokers requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and Interactive Brokers hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each exchange's site before deciding.
ActivTrades offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Interactive Brokers's 1:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 per trade on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing. Crypto fees are typically quoted as maker/taker rates rather than fixed per-trade commissions; check each exchange's fee schedule for volume-based discounts.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while Interactive Brokers supports Trader Workstation (TWS), Proprietary Web/Mobile. ActivTrades has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and ActivTrader. Interactive Brokers has exclusive access to Trader Workstation (TWS) and Proprietary Web/Mobile.
