Two brokers compete on regulation, costs, and platform breadth. This face-off tests protection, pricing structures, and platform ecosystems across Europe and APAC-focused audiences.
ActivTrades edges BlackBull Markets on editorial score (4.3 vs 4.1) due to stronger regulation protections.
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you prioritize strong regulation and investor compensation.
Choose BlackBull Markets if…
Choose BlackBull Markets if you want raw spreads and broad platform choice.
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
BlackBull Markets offers tighter spreads from 0.00 pips vs 0.50 pips for ActivTrades, reducing trading costs.
| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.1 / 5 |
Pros
FCA regulated with supplemental insurance up to GBP 1,000,000 per client
ActivTrader's volatility protection feature is a genuine risk management differentiator
No minimum deposit
Strong southern European presence, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese support
Client funds held in segregated accounts
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | ActivTrades | BlackBull Markets |
|---|---|---|
| Trust & Regulation | ||
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, CFTC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Negative balance protection | Pass | Pass |
| Compensation scheme (e.g. FSCS) | Pass | Fail |
| Fees & Spreads | ||
| Raw/ECN spreads available | Fail | Pass |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Pass |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Pass |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Fail |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 4.3/5 and BlackBull Markets rates 4.1/5. ActivTrades 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.
BlackBull Markets starts from 0 pips, tighter than ActivTrades's 0.5 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
Neither ActivTrades nor BlackBull Markets requires a minimum deposit, making both accessible regardless of starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and BlackBull Markets hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each broker's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources on each broker's site before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while BlackBull Markets lists up to 500:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
BlackBull Markets charges $6 per lot on commission-based accounts. Commission details for ActivTrades are not currently available. Check their website for up-to-date pricing.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while BlackBull Markets supports cTrader, MetaTrader 5, TradingView, DXtrade, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 4. ActivTrades has exclusive access to ActivTrader. BlackBull Markets has exclusive access to cTrader and MetaTrader 5 and TradingView and DXtrade.
ActivTrades leads safety and regulation thanks to FCA oversight, investor compensation, and segregated client funds.
BlackBull Markets suits active traders with raw spreads and high leverage plus broad platform support.
BlackBull Markets is better suited for scalpers: raw/ECN spreads available, tighter spreads from 0.00 pips.
BlackBull Markets offers MT4, MT5, cTrader, TradingView, and DXtrade for platform variety.
ActivTrades provides strong regulation, investor protection, and a simpler platform mix for newcomers.
BlackBull Markets lists 26,000 instruments, far more than ActivTrades.
Fees & Spreads 30% weight | 4.2 / 5 | 4.3 / 5▲ |
|---|
Platforms & Tools 20% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 4.0 / 5 |
|---|
Customer Support 10% weight | 4.3 / 5▲ | 3.8 / 5 |
|---|
| Founded | 2001 | 2014 |
|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Auckland, New Zealand |
|---|
| Min Deposit | No minimum | No minimum |
|---|
| Spreads From | 0.5 pips | 0 pips▼ lower |
|---|
| Commission / lot | N/A | $6/lot |
|---|
| N/A | 0.6 pips |
| Max Leverage | 400:1 | 500:1▲ higher |
|---|
| Inactivity Fee | None | None |
|---|
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardPayPal | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit card | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FCA CMVM SCB | FSC FMA |
|---|
| Platforms | MetaTrader 4 ActivTrader | cTrader MetaTrader 5 TradingView DXtrade MetaTrader 4 |
|---|
| Active bonuses |
|---|
Negative balance protection
Investor compensation scheme coverage
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Proprietary trading platform available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Pros
Supports all three major platforms: MT4, MT5, and cTrader
Regulated under FSC, well-established for offshore clients
No minimum deposit on standard account
Good for Asia-Pacific timezone traders
Regulated by top-tier authorities (FCA, ASIC, CySEC)
Client funds held in segregated accounts
Negative balance protection
Raw spread account available
No deposit fees
No inactivity fee
MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 supported
Mobile trading app available
Advanced charting tools included
Transparent pricing with clear cost disclosure
24/5 live chat support
Phone support available
Multilingual customer support
Cons
Product range narrower than IG or Saxo
No cTrader or raw ECN account option
Less known outside Europe compared to global competitors
Cons
ECN commission of $6/lot round-turn is above some peers
Customer support timezone is NZ-centric
Brand recognition outside APAC is limited
No investor compensation scheme
No proprietary platform
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 4.1 / 5
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