ActivTradesvs
Plus500Forex Broker Comparison
This head-to-head pits regulatory strength and price transparency against platform flexibility and product breadth. The two brokers diverge on MT4/MT5 access, account costs, and instrument variety.
Our Verdict
ActivTrades winsby 0.3 pts
ActivTrades edges Plus500 on the editorial score. It offers MT4/MT5 access and no inactivity fee, while Plus500 uses a proprietary platform.
No commercial relationship. The verdict and scores are entirely editorial. No payment influences this comparison.
Key Differences
- 1ActivTrades offers MT4/MT5; Plus500 does not.
- 2Plus500 charges inactivity fees; ActivTrades has none.
- 3Plus500 lists more instruments (2000) than ActivTrades (1000).
Who should choose ActivTrades vs Plus500?
Find out which broker best suits your trader profile.
Choose ActivTrades if…
Choose ActivTrades if you want MT4/MT5 access, no inactivity fee, and FCA regulation with protections.
Choose Plus500 if…
Choose Plus500 if you prefer zero-commission trades on a proprietary platform and an LSE-listed company.
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
ActivTrades offers tighter spreads from 0.50 pips vs 0.60 pips for Plus500, reducing trading costs.
Best for safety & regulation
It’s a tie
Both equally suited
ActivTrades vs Plus500: Side-by-Side Forex Broker Comparison
Score
= highlighted score shows which broker leads in that category| Editorial score | 4.3/ 5 | 4.0/ 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Score Breakdown | ||
Trust & Regulation 40% weight | 4.5 / 5▲ | 4.2 / 5 |
ActivTrades vs Plus500 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 Plus500: Detailed Category Breakdown
A closer look at the specific criteria each broker meets or misses within each scoring category.
4
ActivTrades
criteria wins
0
Plus500
criteria wins
Highlighted rows show where the two brokers differ
| Criteria | ActivTrades | Plus500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Fail |
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Pass | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Pass | Pass |
| Platforms & Tools | ||
| MT4/MT5 available | Pass | Fail |
| Proprietary platform | Pass | Pass |
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| Advanced charting tools | Pass | Fail |
| Customer Support | ||
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Pass |
| Phone support | Pass | Fail |
| Multilingual support | Pass | Pass |
ActivTrades vs Plus500: Frequently Asked Questions
The scores are close: ActivTrades rates 4.3/5 and Plus500 rates 4/5. 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.
ActivTrades starts from 0.5 pips, tighter than Plus500's 0.6 pips. Tighter spreads lower the cost per trade, which matters most for high-frequency and scalping strategies.
ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, while Plus500 requires at least $100. This makes ActivTrades more accessible for traders with limited starting capital.
Both ActivTrades and Plus500 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, two factors stand out: ActivTrades has no minimum deposit, removing the capital barrier entirely, and both brokers provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
ActivTrades lists maximum leverage of 400:1, while Plus500 lists up to 30:1. Available leverage depends on your jurisdiction. EU retail clients under ESMA rules are capped at 1:30 on major forex pairs.
ActivTrades supports MetaTrader 4, ActivTrader, while Plus500 supports Proprietary Web/Mobile. ActivTrades has exclusive access to MetaTrader 4 and ActivTrader. Plus500 has exclusive access to Proprietary Web/Mobile.
