ActivTradesvs
Interactive BrokersForex Broker Comparison
Two regulated brokers clash on scale, pricing and platforms. The tension centers on instrument variety, raw spreads, and regional coverage shaping the decision.
Our Verdict
Interactive Brokers winsby 0.3 pts
Interactive Brokers holds a higher editorial score than ActivTrades, supported by 17,000 instruments and raw spreads.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1MT4/MT5 supported by ActivTrades only
- 2Instruments: 1000 vs 17,000
- 3Raw spreads available with Interactive Brokers only
Who should choose ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want MT4 support and strong southern European regional coverage. You also gain local language support.
Choose Interactive Brokers if…
Choose Interactive Brokers if you want broad global access and raw spreads. You benefit from a larger instrument universe and a multi-regulator footprint.
Verdict by Trader Profile
Which broker wins for each type of trader, based on costs, safety, platforms, and editorial scoring.
Best for low cost trading
Recommended
Interactive Brokers offers tighter spreads from 0.20 pips vs 0.50 pips for ActivTrades, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.6/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5 | 4.8 / 5▲ |
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers Forex Broker Pros & Cons
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
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
2
ActivTrades
criteria wins
1
Interactive Brokers
criteria win
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Interactive Brokers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Pass |
| 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 | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Pass |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs Interactive Brokers: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 4.3/5 and Interactive Brokers rates 4.6/5. 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 starts from 0.2 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 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 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 Interactive Brokers lists up to 50:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
Interactive Brokers charges $2 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 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.
